It was the hand of God which saved 5-year-old “miracle” boy Landen Hoffman who was thrown from the third floor of the Mall of America.
Hoffman was out shopping with his mom and friends in April, when 24-year-old attacker Emmanuel Aranda threw him over the balcony resulting in him suffering massive head trauma and fractured bones in his arm and legs.
In November, the family’s GoFundMe page said that his condition has improved from continuous physical therapy and Landen is walking evenly with both legs and has even returned back to school with his brother and sister.
Landen had left the hospital in September after completing inpatient rehabilitation and his mom wrote that he is a strong and happy boy with a kind heart.
She said, “Landen loves life and Jesus! He tells people all the time when they get hurt, ‘don’t worry, I fell off a cliff, but Angels caught me and Jesus loves me, so I’m ok and you will be too!’”
Landen has only positive memories from his time in the hospital and for the people who took care of him. He even considers follow-up doctor appointments as fun, and the family is happy to see thousands of people following Landen’s progress and prayers being offered around the world for him.
They posted, “Landen knows people all over the world are praying for him and he loves all the cards he keeps getting in the mail. His whole family feels the love and are so grateful for the prayers and people like you who care so much about others!”
The family has raised $1,054,770 toward their $1 million goal for medical treatments and rehabilitative programs. “Thank you so much for praying us home and please continue to pray for complete recovery as we are still healing!”
Aranda was sentenced on June 3 and will serve 19 years in prison although Landen’s family did not attend the hearing, they said they forgive him and will continue to pray for him.
Our prayers and hearts go out to Landen’s family as they are in the process of outward and inward healing, but what touches us the most is their heart of forgiveness towards Landen’s attacker which reminds us of the Christ-like attitude that the Bible tells us to have towards our enemies.