Podcast Summary: "Embracing Life after a Challenging Prenatal Diagnosis"

Podcast: Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Date: January 9, 2026
Host(s): Jim Daly and John Fuller
Guests: Mauricio (Mau) Rosa and Kristen Rosa

Episode Overview

This deeply moving episode centers on Mauricio and Kristen Rosa’s journey through the shock, heartbreak, and faith-testing experience of receiving a devastating prenatal diagnosis for their unborn son, Nate. The Rosas candidly share their story—from infertility struggles, the daunting diagnosis, and repeated offers for abortion, to their steadfast choice for life and the grueling yet hope-filled months that followed. Their conversation offers solidarity and encouragement to families facing similar circumstances, blending practical faith insights with empathy and honesty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of the Rosa Family

• Mauricio’s Story: Born and raised in Brazil, later immigrated to Canada to study architecture.
  "I came to study and never thought in my life I would be in Canada now." (03:33 – Mauricio Rosa)
• Kristen’s Story: Grew up in Edmonton, Alberta in a Christian household, taught in China before settling in Calgary where she met Mauricio.
  "...I felt the Lord calling me for some reason to Calgary...I ended up being offered a job in Calgary, so I moved. And then that's when I met Mau." (04:11 – Kristen Rosa)

2. First and Second Pregnancies: Joy and Uncertainty

• First Pregnancy: Thomas was unexpected but wanted, arrived after struggles with fertility.
• Second Pregnancy: More fertility struggles; conception through artificial insemination (06:00–06:40).

3. The Life-Altering Diagnosis

• At 18 weeks, during a routine ultrasound, Kristen and Mauricio learned one of their twin sons, Nate, had congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)—a severe and often life-threatening condition. "Nate had a very large hole in his diaphragm, so that allowed his intestines and part of his liver to migrate up into his chest...His right lung was almost nonexistent...His CDH was really severe." (09:05 – Kristen Rosa)

4. Pressure to Abort and Faith-Fueled Resolve

• The Rosas were offered abortion seven times by medical professionals, often with little time to process the magnitude of the diagnosis. "We were offered abortion, I think seven times...I finally kind of had enough of it. And I basically said, hey, listen, like, we are for life. This is not an option for us..." (10:47 – Mauricio Rosa)
• Their faith and pre-established convictions on the sanctity of life anchored their response: "Believing what you believe is really important at that moment." (12:54 – Jim Daly) "To those who have chosen abortion...I would just say that, you know, the Lord doesn't want you to stay in a place of guilt or shame...He's a good and gracious loving God...The Lord will bring you the healing that you need." (13:02–14:36 – Kristen Rosa)

5. Hospital Ordeal and Medical Challenges

• Post-birth, Nate was intubated immediately; Kristen describes being prepared for this due to months of anticipation and prayer (15:12).
• First Surgery: At 8 days old. Various setbacks, including a dangerous liver infection, followed.
• Miraculously, with each hurdle, Nate’s progress exceeded medical expectations: "With each little step...they always came back to us saying that he did better than expected." (17:49 – Kristen Rosa)
• Emotional breakdown:
  • Kristen: Strong, processed internally, ready due to prayer and preparation.
  • Mauricio: Wrestled emotionally, yearned for a miraculous healing but found anchor in Deuteronomy 31:7-8: "The Lord spoke to me and said, 'I am the one who goes ahead of you, so your job is to trust me, to be courageous and just trust me.'" (16:30 – Mauricio Rosa)

6. Nate’s Recovery and Life Today

• Nate spent 10 weeks in hospital; milestones (like breathing unassisted) coincided with Mau’s birthday. "That was the greatest birthday gift I ever got. And the Lord was gracious to me to give that." (19:27 – Mauricio Rosa)
• Nate is now a joyful, healthy 8-year-old: "He is a very active, happy, joyful little boy...He loves reading. He loves learning about all the different countries of the world." (20:31 – Kristen Rosa)

7. Ministering to Others: Grief, Faith, and Lament

• Kristen emphasizes compassion for parents who suffered loss or made difficult choices: "For the listener, I just want you to know, like, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine anything worse...cling to the Lord. He's still good, he still loves you." (22:10 – Kristen Rosa)
• The theology of suffering:
  • Life’s hardest questions may be unanswerable, but God’s presence and care—demonstrated at the Cross—offer ultimate comfort: "The cross may not tell us the answer for why, but the cross tells us that God cares...Christ took our suffering...He knows what pain is." (23:59 – Mauricio Rosa)
• Psalm 103 and Lament Psalms highlighted as spiritual anchors during trials.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith and Conviction:
  "We are for life. All we ask is that you guys would bring everything you can...and we will trust God." (10:47 – Mauricio Rosa)
• On Processing Grief and Guilt:
  "The Lord doesn't want you to stay in a place of guilt or shame...He’s a good and gracious loving God." (13:02–14:36 – Kristen Rosa)
• On the Role of Prayer and Scripture:
  "There was so much prayer that went into this." (15:12 – Kristen Rosa)
  "The Lord spoke to me and said, 'I am the one who goes ahead of you.' So your job is to trust me, to be courageous and just trust me." (16:30 – Mauricio Rosa)
• On Lament and Suffering:
  "The cross tells us that God cares. He knows what pain is...we can bear that at the cross, knowing that Christ empathizes." (23:59 – Mauricio Rosa)

Key Timestamps

• 05:09: The Rosas’ first pregnancy journey
• 06:00: Struggles with infertility and conception of twins
• 07:04: The diagnosis and how the news was delivered
• 09:05: Explanation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• 10:17: Pressure to abort and the Rosas’ response
• 12:18: Kristen’s compassion for those who have chosen abortion
• 15:12: Nate’s birth and the beginnings of the hospital journey
• 16:30: Scripture that carried them through (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
• 17:49: Nate’s first surgery and surprising resilience
• 19:27: Nate breaths unassisted—on Mau’s birthday
• 20:31: Nate’s life and personality at age eight
• 22:10: Encouragement for grieving parents and the application of lament
• 23:59: The cross & suffering—God’s ultimate sign that He cares

Episode Tone and Final Takeaway

The tone remains empathetic, honest, faith-building, and supportive throughout, with both Rosas and hosts validating pain while pointing listeners toward hope and healing in Christ.

Essentially, this is an episode about clinging to faith, the sanctity of life, enduring uncertainty, and finding solace in God’s compassion, no matter the outcome. It is equally a call to compassion for those who choose differently and those who grieve.

For listeners touched by similar experiences, the Rosas’ story is a source of hope and solidarity, and Focus on the Family offers resources and counseling for those in need.