On November 16, 1995, Juan Ismael or Junior, as the family used to call him, was the first male son and 5 th child born of Bishop Dr. Juan E. Fernandez and Dr. Sabina Fernandez. The family, which included 4 beautiful daughters were overjoyed with the new addition to this ministerial family. The proud parents
received their son with love and gratitude presenting him to the Lord, thus dedicating his life also to the will of the almighty. Bishop Fernandez envisioned seeing his son growing in grace and favor before men and going on to become a great man of God.

However, it could not be, God had other plans. When he was born, Juan Ismael presented some difficulty in swallowing and the doctors determined that he was suffering from a perforation in his intestines; something that the doctors said could be fixed with a simple procedure. In the days immediately after his birth, the doctors intervened, performing a Colostomy on Juan Junior, which required that they cut off part of his intestine and the use of a colostomy pouch for his needs.

The doctors advised the family that Juan Junior had to be with the pouch for a while, until his little body could build up enough strength; then they would later proceed to do one last operation to reattach the intestine and remove Juan’s pouch. The overall diagnosis was that he would go on to lead a normal and
healthy life but was expected to have a scar. It was that last intervention that changed the life of Juan Ismael Fernandez Garcia forever.

Juan Ismael suffered several complications on the operating table that resulted in permanent brain damage. As a result, Juan did not go on to lead the normal and healthy life his family had anticipated. He required round the clock care for all of his needs. However, to God be the glory, his life became a testimony to the medical community when he exceeded their expectation of his quality of life and his life expectancy. Through this foundation, not only do we get to honor his life but many men and women will be assisted in growing in grace and becoming great men and women of God and like junior be a witness to the wonders of God’s promises.