Texas mother trusts God with conjoined twins' separation surgery: 'He's done everything for a reason'

Formerly conjoined twins Knatalye Hope and Adeline Faith Mata are doing well after undergoing separation surgery last week. 

The 10-month-old girls were fused from the ribcage to the pelvis, and shared a liver, lungs, colon, and other organs. 

Parents Eric and Elysse found out that separating their daughters was possible after doctors discovered they have separate hearts. Initially, though, the Matas said doctors suggested abortion. 

"I told him, 'I don't care what the case is, I'm going to go as long as I can, and if God decides that he needs them more, then so be it,'" Elysse recounted

Although the separation surgery was risky, the parents believed it was in the best interest of the babies. 

"I want to give them a shot at a normal life as much as possible," Elysse said. "I feel like they've come this far, why hold back? Why not follow through? Why not give them that chance?"

The operation was conducted at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston - the same hospital where the twins were born nine weeks premature in April 2014.

"Separating conjoined twins is a very complicated task and there are lots of risks involved, and death is absolutely one of those risks," Dr Darrell Cass, the leader of the twins' surgical team admitted. 

Elysse, although nervous, continued to put her daughters' fate in God's hands. 

"I just don't want to lose them, and I know there's that risk," she shared. "But I have this peace of mind, this faith in God that He's done everything for a reason and that He's got control of it, and I feel like He's going to bring them through it."

The 23-hour surgery was successful with few complications, and both girls are awake and recovering well in the hospital. 

News
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?

The neglect surrounding leprosy is condemning Generation Alpha — the very  generation our own children belong to — to avoidable disability, isolation and unimaginable cruelty. 

Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns
Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns

Children in some of the world’s poorest communities are facing a growing risk of leprosy, as reductions in overseas aid undermine efforts to detect and treat the disease, according to The Leprosy Mission Great Britain.

Goma experiences revival one year after invasion
Goma experiences revival one year after invasion

Despite great suffering and hardship, God is working.

Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?
Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?

Is there hope? Yes, but it is not in Carney’s Brave New World.