Saving Levi
“Two lives emerged from the ashes” — LOS ANGELES TIMES (FRONT PAGE – COLUMN ONE)
“I put down Lisa Misraje’s book, Saving Levi, ready to cheer for the spirit of a woman who refused to recognize international, cultural or linguistic boundaries in her quest for justice on behalf of a severely burned little Chinese boy.
Misraje adopted him as one of her own, displaying a grace and compassion one rarely finds today.”
—John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times
Saving Levi Film
A child is left for dead—and across countries and cultures, people who have no reason to care choose to act.
Saving Levi is being developed as a feature film, alongside a documentary exploring the real story behind it.
This story is less about what happened—and more about what becomes possible when people come together.
With its emotional authenticity and international scope, Saving Levi is positioned to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Saving Levi Book
Covered with third- to fourth-degree burns over 70 percent of his body, a six-week-old baby boy shrieked in agony in a cold village field on the outskirts of Langfang, China. Horrified villagers gathered around him, then walked away. But one older man stayed behind, gathered the child in his arms, and went for help.
His compassion and courage began a life-or-death battle to save the infant's life. As the struggle unfolds, an American mother-turned-cofounder of a groundbreaking orphanage is pulled into a life-or-death race to save him—while navigating impossible medical odds, cultural barriers, and the strain of holding together her own children and a failing marriage. Lisa enters a system that could not move quickly enough. Every closed door forced her to find a new way forward—often receiving exactly what she needed at the moment she needed it. Saving Levi is a gripping true international story of human resilience, compassion, and global unity, set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving China. Levi’s name means “to bind and unite,” and his life became a living example of that—strangers across borders, faiths, and cultures connected in a fight against time. It is less about what happened—and more about what becomes possible when people come together. It’s the kind of story that could not have been written—only lived.
VOICES FROM THE BOOK
What follows are the real words of those who became part of Levi’s fight for survival—doctors, aid workers, strangers, and witnesses across two countries.
“If this baby survives, it will be your God who saves him.” — Doctor at Beijing Children’s Hospital
“In the history of our burn center, we have never had a baby so young and so severely burned survive,” said Dr. Li Hi Xia. “I’ve seen many burn victims, but never an infant this badly burned. At best, this baby has a 20 percent chance of surviving.” — Dr. Li Hi Xia, Burn Specialist, Beijing Children’s Hospital
“If the Beijing Children’s Hospital will give me authority to operate in their faculty, I will consider coming to China to save his life.” — Dr. John Schultz, Shriners Hospital Boston
“We have everything we need to get Levi to America. Working together with the United States and China, we have secured both his passport and visa.” — Chinese orphan aide worker
“I’ll do whatever I can to get Levi to Boston.” — Cynthia Qiu, United Airlines China
“Lisa, Holiday Inn has a room for you, and Thrifty Rental has a car for you. Lisa, I have chills— Levi’s name means ‘to bind and unite.’” — Traci Nelson
“Lisa, I don’t make a lot of money. I don’t have a lot of money. Here’s $20.” — United Airlines flight attendant, Chicago to Boston
“Mommy, look what the lady gave me!” I said, holding four dollars. Then the same woman handed me an envelope with ‘May God bless you’ written on it—and inside was forty dollars. — Emily Bentley, age 8
Praise
“An extraordinary tale of compassion and hope, and of God’s love at work amid the tumultuous change of modern China.” — Rob Gifford, NPR
“I would not care to know anyone with a heart cold enough to remain unmoved by this gripping story. Lisa Misraje’s complete determination to save Levi is an absolute marvel that demonstrates the power of love and resolute faith.” — Alan Paul, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
“Saving Levi is like a real life The Blind Side with much more at stake.” — Jim Milio, Producer, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Dog Whisperer
“While visiting China, I was fortunate enough to have witnessed the extraordinary heartfelt works of Lisa’s Orphanage… an exceptional organization that is impacting the lives of so many vulnerable people in China.” — Tony Robbins, #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author & Philanthropist
LEVI TODAY
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
Levi isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving. Now in college, he balances school with training, basketball, working on cars, gaming, and a close group of friends.
He doesn’t chase attention—he naturally draws it.
Social Media Presence TikTok — @theonearmedbandit (Levi Bentley)
152.3K followers 100.9K likes 6 videos averaging ~80,000 views
One breakout video reaching 3.2M views Consistently 1,000+ live viewers during streams.
About The Author
Author • Producer • Orphan Care Advocate
Lisa Misraje is the author of Saving Levi, a true story featured on the front page of the Los Angeles Times. She is the creator and rights holder of the project and is currently developing it as a feature film and documentary exploring the real story behind it.
Lisa spent nearly a decade caring for orphans in China. Her work and story—including Saving Levi—celebrate hope, compassion, and global unity.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in NGO & Social Change and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California (USC).
Above all, Lisa considers raising her six children across cultures and continents her greatest accomplishment—a lived education in love, resilience, and chaos that continues to shape both her storytelling and how she tells it.
Lisa lives in California and is the mother of six children and a growing family of grandchildren.