Editor’s note: This story was submitted by Harold Haamumba, Spiritual Centre Director at CURE Zambia.

Being explorers is expected for children, especially those under twelve. They believe they can do what the other older people are doing without difficulty. This is what happened one afternoon as Emmanuel’s cousin tried to ride a bicycle with Emmanuel (5 years old) on a carrier. Their uncle came visiting from the next village, and he came on a bicycle. The two children saw that he had come with the bicycle and asked if they could ride it around the village. Their uncle reluctantly agreed. It was just hardly a week from the time Emmanuel’s cousin (10 years old) learned how to ride a bicycle. It looked normal, and no one saw the need to stop them from riding.

According to Emmanuel’s mother, Jennifer Machona, they did not even go a long way from the village. The people in the village just heard a bang and crying from the two boys who got the bicycle.

Emmanuel’s cousin had failed to control the bicycle. They were both injured, but Emmanuel’s injuries were more serious.

The people who were in the village rushed to rescue them. Blood was gushing from Emmanuel’s mouth, while his cousin had a fractured hand. They rushed them to Zimba Mission Hospital, about 5 km from their village, on two bicycles. They were both admitted. At the hospital, they were told that Emmanuel had badly hurt his vocal cords and his tongue was partly cut as well. They stayed in the hospital for close to a month before they were discharged. Emmanuel never fully recovered from the accident injuries, according to Jennifer, and life for their family was never the same again.

Emmanuel started losing his voice so often that they decided to send him to Beit CURE Hospital of Zambia (Zimba Mission Hospital now has a relationship with CURE Zambia, making referrals like this easier).  It was now two years  after the accident.   Emmanuel was seen by the ENT surgeon, Dr. Uhta, who admitted  him on February 1, 2011.  Emmanuel had surgery two days later and was discharged after six days of recovery.

“I can only see God working in my son’s life,” said Jennifer prior to her son’s operation. According to Jennifer, life for her and her family was okay until three years ago when Emmanuel was involved in the accident. “We started having sleepless nights because Emmanuel would wake up at night like he was choking, and he could not sleep again.” This lack of sleep stressed them very much as a family.

Now, after her son’s operation, Jennifer is sleeping like a baby. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep. Jennifer is now going home looking happy and unstressed. She is grateful to God for all His works on her son. She cannot wait to meet with her family so that they can also see how Emmanuel has improved. As she goes home, we thank God for His mercies and the love He has shown, and we pray that all goes well in their lives.