Testimonials

Fransisco Onen of Northern Uganda had little hope of ever moving his left arm again. He faced a lifetime of debilitating pain and feared he may lose his limb. But, an unwavering faith in God and a number of helping hands that reached across international borders saved Fransisco’s arm and gave him hope for a better future.

In October 2007, Fransisco was in a motorcycle accident as he drove along a busy road in Uganda. He suffered a very serious compound fracture in his left arm. Ugandan doctors made several attempts at treatment, including two surgeries and physical therapy, but all failed. In fact, Fransisco’s arm was placed in a straight cast, which caused his elbow joint to fuse straight and left his arm permanently extended once the cast was removed. He was in excruciating pain and doctors in Uganda wanted to amputate.

A native Oklahoman with a heart for the people of Uganda stepped in to help. Carol Vezey, a former nurse in Norman, moved to Uganda permanently a few years ago to help the people who suffered from poverty as a result of the long-running rebel war that has ravaged the country. Vezey oversees a ministry in northern Uganda called Favor of God Ministries, which provides aid such as clothing, food, trauma counseling and other necessities to those living in war-torn regions. The organization employs a number of native Ugandans, including Fransisco.

Fransisco is no stranger to the violence his country and fellow Ugandans have suffered. His father was killed by rebels just before Fransisco was born. The rebels later came for him and his mother. She fled in fear, abandoning her baby boy. Growing up, Fransisco had a number of confrontations with rebels, including being beaten and held at gunpoint, but miraculously survived them all.

When it became clear that Fransisco’s initial treatment had failed, Vezey began to pray for a way to help her beloved friend and employee. In early 2008, she traveled home to the United States for a time of furlough and fundraising. During a stop in Oklahoma, Vezey met Dr. Ron Hope, a cardiologist. She told him of Fransisco’s plight and he immediately went to work organizing an opportunity for Fransisco to travel to the U.S. for care. Dr. Hope contacted his friend Dr. Thomas Janssen, an orthopedic surgeon with McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital. Dr. Janssen and McBride Clinic agreed to provide Fransisco whatever care he needed at no charge.

Many obstacles were yet to come, including getting a Visa—a very difficult task in a country steeped in rebel war. After much work and prayer, everything fell into place. On April 16, Fransisco underwent surgery at McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital. Doctors took bone from his hip to fill in the gaps in his arm. They cleaned the adhesions that caused the elbow to fuse and put plates in his injured limb. He wore a cast for several weeks—a green one because green stands for peace.

“I am a man of peace,” Fransisco said.

He also underwent months of physical rehabilitation at McBride Clinic while staying with a host family in Oklahoma City.

Francisco has since returned to his home in Uganda with a surgically rebuilt arm and a new lease on life. His arm now bends as it should and the pain he suffered before has subsided. He is back at Favor of God Ministries fervently working to help bring peace to the northern region of Uganda.