Bethuel Wafula with his mom and new shoes (inset)

A Shoe-In for Help

Putting a smile on a little boy who wants to live a normal life

Dear Friends,

Eight-year-old Bethuel Wafula has no toes—he was born that way. But that didn’t stop this energetic little boy from learning to crawl, and then finding a way to walk.

I first met Bethuel through his mom, who approached me after a church service last year in Saboti, Kenya, to humbly ask me to buy him a pair of shoes. As I got to know them both later that day, I couldn’t help but be curious as to what caused the missing toes and other foot deformity in my newfound friend. Wanting to find out the best way to help Bethuel, I then arranged for him to see a doctor. Because of their poverty, Bethuel had never received a diagnosis to explain his condition.

Within days it came: Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS), which occurs when an unborn baby becomes entangled in fibrous, string-like amniotic bands in the womb, restricting blood flow and affecting the baby’s development. If a band wraps tightly around a limb it can actually become completely amputated. ABS can also cause miscarriages. Click here to learn more.

With a diagnosis in hand, the Critical Medical Needs Ministry was able to work with a doctor in Kenya to provide Bethuel with his first pair of shoes! One required a two-inch lift in the sole, which enables him to walk without limping.

On July 26th Bethuel has another doctor’s appointment to see if there is anything else that can be done to help him. Please pray for Bethuel.

Thank you to those who made if possible for Bethuel to get new shoes!

God bless you,

Patti Samuels
Director, Critical Medical Needs Ministry