When young bride-to-be Juan learned that her father-in-law was going blind from cataracts, she decided to sell the only valuable possession she owned, her wedding ring, to help pay for the surgery.

CHINA – The day Juan got engaged was the best day of her life. Working as a waitress in a small Chinese restaurant, her engagement ring was the most precious and valuable thing she had ever owned.

“I’d take my ring out a lot, and I’d dream about my future with my fiancé Tianen,” Juan said.

But Juan soon learned that her soon-to-be father-in-law was going blind. Mr. Li had serious cataracts and needed immediate surgery.

“His eyes hurt so much that he could not sleep or eat,” said his son, Tianen. “There was constant pressure on his head, so he threw up all the time. He was just waiting to die.”

Juan decided there was only one thing to do. She’d sell her ring to help pay for the surgery.

“I looked at Tianen’s father as though he were my own dad. I could not stand to watch him in so much pain. I had to do something,” she said. “I value my wedding ring, but not more than my father-in-law’s life. I wanted him to be healed, so he could see.”

Mr. Li, center, received free cataract surgery thanks to the intervention of his son, left, and help from Operation Blessing.

Tianen had already spent everything he had on medicine for his father, and he knew that even if Juan sold her ring, they would still need more to pay for the expensive surgery.

“I prayed to the Lord that He would please open a door for me,” Mr. Li said.

Then Tianen made a call to Operation Blessing. He asked if they could recommend a doctor who would do his father’s surgery for a reduced price. Instead, Operation Blessing offered to provide it free of charge. The surgery was a success, and a short time later, Mr. Li was able to watch his son and daughter-in-law marry.

“Without Operation Blessing, I would have missed this very special moment, but you brought me sight and happiness,” Mr. Li said. “I am the proudest father in the whole world to see my son and his beautiful bride.”

Juan’s wedding day turned out to be better than anyone had imagined. She wore a traditional Chinese wedding robe to her reception – a special gift from OBI to the young woman willing to sacrifice so much.

“What a blessing you have brought to my life by giving my father-in-law free surgery,” Juan said. “It has changed his life.”

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