Tebow Opens Children's 'Palace of Healing'

DAVAO, Philippines -- Former NFL quaterback Tim Tebow's newest children's hospital, located in the poverty stricken region of Southern Philippines, has just been formally opened.

Tebow CURE Hospital is the first children's orthopedic medical facility in Mindanao. It's called the "palace of healing" because here children are not only healed from physical disabilities, but they are also shared the love of Jesus.

It's a partnership between the Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International, which is a medical and non-profit organization devoted to children.

The hospital treats conditions such as clubfoot, bowed legs, and other physical deformities.

"We do our best to treat these children like kings and queens. They're marginalized, bullied in school. Some can't go to school because of their disabilities," Leron Lehman, executive director at CURE International Philippines, said.

"We say often at CURE healing changes everything. And it's absolutely true in the lives of these children and their families," he added.

Just a few minutes before a corrective surgery for both her hand and foot, a patient named Erica Pasatiempo expressed how happy she was because God answered her prayers.

"I cried every time my classmates called me names because of my deformities. They don't accept me as a normal kid. I just prayed to God that they will stop humiliating me," Pasatiempo explained.

"I am really happy because God is really good. After the surgery, I am excited because I can join the camping trips and also join the dance group in school," she added.

Cherrlynne Gulada was one of the first patients of the Tebow CURE Hospital. At the age of 11, she broke her leg in a motorcylce accident. Her mother, who was riding with her, died in the accident.

It left Gulada suffering with a severely painful, deformed leg and the emotional trauma brought about by the tragedy.

"Most of the time I didn't go to school because the pain was too much to endure," Gulada recalled.

Gulada is grateful to the Tebow CURE Hospital for treating her leg. After five years, she can now walk straight and without pain. She also received emotional and spiritual healing.

"Before, I didn't really believe or think much about God, but now I know God. Jesus is my Savior and He has given me eternal life. He healed my leg and now I can go back to school and finish college," Gulada said.

CURE International CEO and President Dale Brantner said his excitement stems from the hospital's ability to reach communities historically ignored.

"We're excited that we are here in Mindanao. Few people come here because of the danger, because of tensions in regards to interfaith dynamics," Brantner told CBN News.

"So we're happy to come here to deposit a message that Jesus is for you, He loves you regardless of race, your creed," he continued. "Regardless of what you believe you're welcome here in Jesus Name for healing both physically and spiritually."

Tebow, who was born in the Philippines, was unable to attend the inaugural. But his parents, who served as missionaries in Mindanao for 32 years, attended on his behalf.

"Timmy was born in Manila. We had very good doctors who saved our lives. It was a difficult pregnancy. That's also one reason why we're so indebted to the people of the Phils. Timmy has such a heart for the Philippines and that's what really drove him to be part of the hospital," Tebow's mother, Pam, explained.

"We certainly didn't expect to have a hospital share our name. But we are excited and very glad. Through this hospital, we can show the love of Jesus, show the love of Filipinos and help a lot of children," Tebow's father, Bob, said.