by Dr. Joel Anthis
9 May 2005
The x-ray was as clear as could be. The nail the doctor saw in the two-year-old boy's esophagus was not an illusion.

Last week his parents brought him to the ECWA (Evangelical Church of West Africa) hospital in Nigeria. One year earlier, the child had swallowed a very large bent nail, and in spite of repeated attempts, his parents had no success in finding a medical solution. The nail partially blocked his esophagus, and he had not eaten any solid food for the past year. Using a specialized endoscope, Dr. Anthis pushed the nail out of the esophagus and into the stomach.

The doctor watched the child closely during recovery. The damage to the esophagus healed, and the nail miraculously passed through the bowel without further injury. Within a few days, he ate the first solid food of his life. He is doing great!

Dr. Anthis prayed with this Muslim family daily throughout the last week of hospitalization, and they are now reading the Gospel of John in their own language. They are extremely grateful to God to have their only child finally healed.

Please pray that they will see, understand, and receive the love of Christ fully.