More Than Physical Healing: From Kidney Failure to Baptism

The following story was written by Isabelle’s mother.

Isabelle was just 7 when we rushed her to the ER on June 6, 2023, following months of high fevers, weight loss, and no clear answers. After hours of tests, we heard the words no parent ever expects: Isabelle is in kidney failure.

Completely shocked, we didn’t understand what was going on. Isabelle had been born healthy and had never had any health problems. I can’t even describe the emotions that my husband and I felt in that moment.

We fell to our knees in prayer and begged God for a miracle and to save our precious little girl.

We later learned that Isabelle had ANCA Vasculitis GPA, an extremely rare autoimmune disease that had silently destroyed her kidneys. In the darkest moments that would follow, we saw the power of prayer carry us, as God never left our side.

Isabelle spent 20 months on hemodialysis—missing school, enduring pain, and living in hospitals. Each of her appointments, held three or four days weekly, typically lasted six to seven hours. Dialysis made it impossible for Isabelle to go to school, so my husband and I made the decision to homeschool her. I quit my job and became Isabelle’s full-time caregiver.

Our days were filled with medications, doctor visits, surgeries, and hospital stays. Isabelle would feel nauseous and experience muscle cramping, severe headaches, and blood pressure spikes. It was heartbreaking to watch my little girl go through this.

Our community, family, and friends all rallied beside us, showing up big time with the power of prayer. On January 14, 2025, their prayers for a miracle were answered—Isabelle received a kidney transplant from a living donor close to her family.

One evening, with tears in her eyes, Isabelle said, “God’s been with me the whole time. I want to live for Him.”

This Summer, for the first time in years, Isabelle got to just be a kid again. She had one wish: to go to camp. After all she had endured, camp wasn’t just fun—it was healing.

Isabelle joined the Forever Treasure class, learned about baptism, and grew even closer to Jesus. On June 22, 2025, she was baptized at the Indiana Campus. It was the most beautiful moment I have ever witnessed.

Isabelle is living proof of God’s healing, faithfulness, and the power of a praying community.

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