July 27th, 2009 in Keene, New Hampshire. It had been hours since Phyllis Phelps’ husband, Bill, left to run a quick errand before they went on vacation. Finally, she called him. Phyllis recalls, “A woman answered and I thought, what in the world? She said, ‘Bill's been in a bad accident. We don't know if he's gonna make it.’”

The woman, who Phyllis knew, had seen it happen. Bill was going through an intersection on his motorcycle when a van ran a red light. Swerving to avoid a collision, he lost control and was thrown 40 feet across the pavement. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. Phyllis says, “It was so many emotions at one time that hit me. My first instinct is always to pray.”

When Phyllis arrived at the local hospital, the staff was prepping Bill for a medivac flight to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. She says, “My prayer was, ‘Oh God, just let him live.’ Bill was out and I just touched his foot and I prayed to the Lord. And I felt like the Holy Spirit, not in an audible voice, but just said, ‘Believe for life.’”

Soon after, Phyllis and her adult children began the 70 mile drive to Dartmouth Medical Center. She recalls, “We didn't know if we would make it to the hospital before he died.” After they arrived, Phyllis learned Bill had numerous injuries that included: several broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a nearly severed spine. One injury, however, was life threatening - a level four brain trauma that would require immediate surgery to get the brain swelling under control – if Phyllis agreed. She says, “The doctor said to me, ‘If we don't do the surgery, he will surely die. If he does live, he would probably be a vegetable.’ So that was to be factored in on my decision. ‘Are you ready to take care of someone for the rest of their life?’ I said, ‘Of course, do what you can to save him.’ They said, ‘You and your children need to say goodbye.' And so, I brought the kids in the room and I said, ‘God has the final say.’”

Doctors removed part of Bill’s skull to alleviate the pressure on his swollen brain. Now, as Bill lay in a medically induced coma, all they could do was wait. Phyllis says, “It wasn't hopeful and I didn’t know how much of him I would get back.” Soon, the waiting room was full of people praying for Bill and the family. She recalls, “Even though I was in such sorrow, in such shock, I never felt away from the presence of the Lord.”

Because it was a frontal lobe injury, Bill’s doctors gave Phyllis little hope that Bill’s memory would recover. By day 12, the brain swelling had gone down enough that they were able to bring him out of the coma. Phyllis recalls, “He didn’t know who we all were. I didn’t know if he would ever remember us.” Bill recalls, “I remember extraordinary amount of pain. I remember my family praying for me.”

Two days later, Bill transferred to Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire for rehab. There he started relearning how to eat, speak, and walk. Even then, doctors didn’t expect Bill would make a full recovery. Phyllis recalls, “The doctors took me in and told me that I wouldn't get my husband back. He will be a very different man than I'm used to. And I needed to prepare myself.”

Meanwhile, Bill had more than just physical struggles. He says, “I had a walking and talking relationship with God. How could He let this happen to me? Frustration turned into anger. Mostly because I couldn't understand.” Phyllis recalls, “Bill would say to me, ‘I can't find myself.’ And I would tell him, ‘God knows where you're at. God knows exactly where you're at and He will find you.’”

By now, people all over the world were praying for Bill. Over the next month, he slowly improved and on September 10th he was released to go home. Phyllis says, “Getting him home was a great victory. But having him there was great challenge. You could feel the prayers. It gave me a lot of hope.” Bill recalls, “Lot of determination. Mostly because of the love that I was surrounded by my family. All those praying for me.”

While Bill continued with outpatient rehab, he says his perspective toward God began to change. He says, “My anger has turned into being thankful. I don't like what happened to me. I never will. I don't understand. I never will understand. I tried now to thank Him for the things that are happening, the blessings that I get to enjoy every day. I have eight grandchildren, six of them I would've never met if God didn't spare my life.”

Bill would still need multiple surgeries and rehab over the next two years. With the help of therapy, he is almost back to his normal life. Phyllis recalls, “He kept improving. He did walk again. He sat at the supper table, he mowed a lawn, he learned to drive again. It's been a long, long haul and it's not been easy for either one of us.”

Today Bill and Phyllis believe that it was the power of prayer that brought him back to the life he loves. Bill states, “God's a miracle worker. He's still in the miracle working business, I am one.” Phyllis says, “Jesus Christ is faithful. No matter what you face, don't turn from God, run to Him. He's worthy to put your trust in. He doesn't want you to walk through this life alone. Whatever injuries you sustain in life, you need Jesus Christ. That's the answer.”
 

“I had no business being, as a married man, I had no business being in there, none. I just fell to-to lust. And lust is heavy, I always used to judge David, until I became him,” says KC Miles. He was a champion high school wrestler with a rough past. During his junior year he fell in love with his classmate, Melissa, who was a devout Christian.

KC continues, “We became friends first. And at the same time, my Spanish teacher introduced to me the Bible. He started reading me scripture and asking me if I knew who Jesus was. So, I started doing Bible study with him, and Melissa saw that, and that gave her some confidence to date me. Those seeds that were planted in me by my Spanish teacher were important, very important.” 

They got married when they were 19 years old. KC wrestled in junior college, then began training for MMA cage fighting.

Melissa remembers, “When we were young and at that stage in our life, fighting was relatively new still. It wasn’t like as mainstream as it is today. So, I didn’t know really what to expect as far as lifestyle and how it would affect our marriage.”

KC reflects, “I wanted to win. I wanted to show people that the underdog can win, like the Rocky. I wanted to live that story. I wanted to get in that cage. And I wanted to fight. I was tapping pro fighters, you know. Once I seen that, was like this is me, I’m-I’m a fighter.”

In his hometown in California, KC poured himself into MMA training nearly every day. On the weekends he trained in Las Vegas with a goal of fighting in the UFC.

“My wrestling coach, Rocky, he warned me against training with certain people in MMA, and he told me how it’ll change you. And he meant morally. This is when the problem started for me,” says KC. “I didn’t know how professional athletes were - you know, I went to the strip clubs with them. And at first when I went, my hand shook violently. And it only did that three times. And after the third time, my hand didn’t shake anymore.”

KC continues, “I knew it was wrong being in there. But it was so exotic. Like my – like just seeing all that, I was like, 'What the heck.' I mean, there were all kinds of girls. Every shape and color and flesh is powerful, absolutely powerful. That temptation was heavy, heavy. And I did not like it, because I knew it was wrong. . . . every time I left, I literally looked up and said, 'I’m sorry, God.' I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I couldn’t stop. I kept going back to those strip clubs.”

Before long KC gave into temptation and began having an affair with a dancer. Melissa found out what was going on and was devastated. “I couldn’t bear it anymore,” said Melissa. “I was – at the end of my rope. I was constantly sad, depressed, and I just – I asked him to choose, you know. He was a fighter and I wanted him to fight for us.”

KC states, “I was trying to buy time, because I was trying to get on the Ultimate Fighters show. And she went to the bank and got half the money out of the bank account. And she comes home, and she divvies it out. And she says, 'No, you have a choice. And half of this is yours. If you want that life, you go. Take this money and leave your ring. I’m within my right to divorce you.' And when she said that it scared me, because Melissa is truly, in my mind, the only person that loved me unconditionally. And I – that’s when I called up my Spanish teacher and I asked him, 'What do I do?' And he says, 'You get down on your knees and you cry out to God.' And I was like, 'I don’t have time for this crap.' I had become so egotistical; I didn’t have time for God. I didn’t have time for Jesus. It was all about me. I was so selfish. I wanted to be in the UFC, and I wanted to be a champion. He came up and showed me who I was in the Bible. And I’m like, 'That’s not me.' He said, 'What are you gonna do?' And I picked Melissa. I picked my wife. And when she came home from work that day, I was still home. And she goes, 'Good. Now you’re moving.'"

KC moved in with his high school Spanish teacher and avoided outside influences from the MMA world. Instead, he began reading the Bible.

“When I started reading about Jesus, there is nothing else I wanted,” KC states sincerely. “I was hooked from the very second I opened that Bible. I had nothing else. There was nothing else I could do. I couldn’t go to the gym. I was working out at home, but I just went in the Bible and I’m like, 'What?' I would just look up and say, 'Why do you do this for us?' Like I know who I am. I’m selfish. And I just started falling in love with Jesus. I just started to miss my wife. And I spent six months alone without her. And that’s when I started to grow with the Lord.”

Melissa saw the changes taking place in KC’s heart and character. “He was turning the tables. He was thinking more about us as a couple and our marriage, and God’s plan than his plan, than his own plan,” says Melissa.

“As I got closer to Jesus, I was getting closer to Melissa,” says KC. “We would read Bibles together. We’d read scripture together and then go work out together. And she became my training partner. She became my best friend. I fell in love with Melissa differently. I fell in love with her soul.”

KC committed his life to Christ. They moved back in together and soon after started a family. Today their marriage is solid with Jesus as the foundation.

KC smiles, “Man, we were just too young people, it was real love, it really was, but I was in love with myself, too. Now I’m in love with her and not me. And that’s what picking up your cross and carrying it daily means, is pick Him and you pick your wife over yourself.”

With joyful tears Melissa says, “God came in. He came in – back into my life, back into my husband’s life, and we both had to really just trust and rely on Him and grow in Him. And I think that’s one of the most important things is how we both chose to stay together and grow towards God.” 

Warmly KC says, “I have a good life, and I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful.”

At the tender age of thirteen, Khadijah was forced to marry against her will. Khadijah said, “My husband was very abusive. I went back to my parents and told them I couldn’t stay, because he beat me often. I have scars from what his abuse did to me. They told me to be patient and to persevere, that he would change. I endured the pain until it was just too much to bear. One day, I was in our house, and something kept telling me to get up and go. I couldn’t resist the voice. I stood up, walked away, and came to the home of a Christian lady. She opened her door to me and introduced me to her pastor. They prayed with me and led me to Christ. With my husband being a Muslim, I knew I wouldn’t survive going back after I became a Christian.”
  
A pastor connected her with Christian Faith Ministries, which is partly supported by CBN’s Orphan’s Promise. Now, eighteen-year-old Khadijah and her daughter stay in our crisis care home. They have everything they need to grow and prosper. 

Khadijah explained, “Before coming here, I felt so lost. You opened your arms to me and helped me heal. This is a family, and this is our home. Through your Christian discipleship program, you’ve helped me grow in my relationship with God. I talk with Him and He answers me. Everything in me is happy because of Jesus.”

Many different vocational programs are offered here. Khadijah enrolled in sewing classes. 

Khadijah said, “I make dresses for myself and my daughter. Sometimes she’ll sit on my lap, and it’s like we are doing it together. It’s so exciting to say, ‘I made this.’”

Both of them also attend school here.

“It’s an indescribable joy learning to read and write in English. It’s like magic. My world has changed completely!” said Khadijah. “In Nigeria, a lot of young girls are given as child brides against their will. Sometimes, I wonder why God saved me and gave me this place of refuge. I want to become a lawyer, so I can help young girls and give them a future. I’m amazed at how much mercy and grace I have been blessed with here. Thank you for your kindness and heart for God. May God give you the grace and strength to keep doing His good work. May He continue to open doors for you to help others, and may your blessings never end.”

“We did all those tests with the previous two, so we felt like our odds of that ever happening to us were, I mean, pretty much non-existent,” said Will Mortensen.  

Will and Sarah Mortensen had been looking forward to this day in November 2017. Sarah, 38 years old and 10 weeks pregnant, was getting the results of her prenatal screening. Having had two healthy children, the couple expected a good report. They’d also find out if their new addition was a boy or a girl. 

Sarah said, “I was just waiting at the phone to get that call, and sure enough got the call. My doctor said, 'Sarah I need to let you know your baby tested positive for Trisomy 18.' And right away I knew what that meant, basically my child wasn’t going to make it.”

Also known as Edward’s Syndrome, Trisomy 18 is a birth disorder in which babies carry an extra chromosome 18. Of those who do live full term, 90 to 95% don’t survive the first year. 

“I felt like, oh my gosh, I’m going to lose this child. How will I ever be the same? How will I be able to tell my other children? And how will this affect us, you know,” said Sarah. 

Before hanging up, there was still one thing Sarah needed to know. “I said, 'Wait a minute. What did it say that Will and I are having? Are we having a boy or girl?' And she said, 'a girl, Sarah.'"

Later that day, the couple met with Sarah’s doctor.  

Will said, “It was a shock. So, that's all I remember that moment, like learning that information, learning what it was, and preparing ourselves mentally for what could lie ahead. It was just a blur and just a shock.”

The couple were already familiar with Edward’s Syndrome. Each had friends whose babies had the disorder. One died in the womb. The other had numerous challenges. 

Will said, “I think my biggest fear was that like, you know, we're going to be that family that has to live with this, uh, situation where we've got two healthy kids we're trying to raise, but this third child that's requiring every ounce of our time and energy just to keep, you know, keep them alive and what's that going to do to our other children.”

At the doctor’s advice, they scheduled Sarah for an amniocentesis to verify the diagnosis and help them make an informed decision about whether to terminate the pregnancy. While abortion wasn’t an option, the couple wasn’t sure they had the faith to turn it over to God and trust Him for the outcome. At home the next day, Sarah poured her heart out to God. 

“I’m just crying out to him saying, 'Lord, I need a word, Lord, as to what me and Will are supposed to do.'” Sarah said at that moment God spoke to her through the voice of her unborn daughter. “Mommy, tell them to leave me alone. I’m just fine.”

Later, when Will came home from work, he said, "She was so excited when I got home. It was the first thing she said to me that we're not doing the amniocentesis. And I just said, 'God told me the same thing. We're not. That's awesome.' And we just had so much peace after that.”

Sarah cancelled the appointment. They even gave their daughter a name - “Lively Reign.” But now they wouldn’t know whether the baby had the disorder until she was born, if she lived that long. For the next 33 weeks the couple and their family prayed as Sarah continued getting checkups and numerous ultrasounds. Finally, the day came. 

On July 24, 2018, “Lively Reign” was delivered by C section. In the words of Sarah’s obstetrician, the baby was “perfect.” There was no sign of Edward’s Syndrome.

“And it was such a great moment because I just knew that the Lord had told me this was going to be the outcome,” said Sarah.  

Will said, “They put her up on the table, cleaning her off, blocking my view, and then they're finally like, 'okay, come dad.' So, I go over and I just saw, I just saw this beautiful tiny little baby. And I saw 10 fingers, 10 toes. And I just looked back to Sarah, and I was like, 'She looks great. We’re good.'”

“God gave me a miracle. He saved Lively,” said Sarah.  

Lively Reign is five years old and healthy in every way through the power of prayer. 

Will said, “I’m grateful for the blessings that we've received from the Lord. And that's...I just live in that.” 

“And God shows up for you. And if I can tell any parent out there to let God have the final say, gather your information, lay it at His feet, and expect to hear Him,” encouraged Sarah.