Hope with Heart

Hi,

My name is Joyce and I am 11 years old. I was born with a heart problem called VSD and I had two holes in my heart.  My heart doctor, Dr. Tozzi, has been my heart doctor all my life.  A year ago, Dr. Tozzi, told me about a camp for children with heart problems called Hope with Heart.  I said "no".   But then year I said "yes."

I was nervous at first but I prayed to God to watch over me at camp.  When I got to the camp, I was so excited I couldn't sleep that night.  Every single night I prayed to God for my family, the people we pray for in church to have a good day tomorrow and thanking God for watching over me each day.  

The camp was great!  We had counselor challenges, a Mad Scientist visits, a man who had been to the Rain Forest, a sunset disco, a Karaoke party, an outdoor swimming pool and more.  We wrote postcards to our parents and had different types of interests groups; like woodcraft, Tye Dye, volcanos, bubbles & beads and more. Ireally enjoyed the Talent show when me and my best friend did a dance together

I noticed a lot of children with scars on their chests like mine when I had open heart surgery. Being born with a heart problem is tough but now I see how God does everything for a reason. God knows everything! He knew I would go to Hope with Heart so He didn't completely heal my heart but just let it get better little by little.

God let me go to this Camp and I had one week of fun, games, interests and fun-education with lots of other great kids just like me. I thank You, God, for everything for giving me the best Mom & Dad in the world. I love them so much and my two sisters, Julie and Jane too!

Maybe someone has a medical problem too, just find out if there is a Hope with Heart camp or one like it for you. It's the best!

Joyce,
Assyrian Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary
Paramus, NJ