By J.John

How can a God of love allow suffering? Have you ever wondered this? Ever considered what his response to such pain might be? Ever tried to close the gaping hole in the paradox of love and sovereignty vs. pointless, undeserved hardship? For some this question is too big, the gap remains too wide and it’s used as evidence against a loving God’s existence. All the best apologetics and theological arguments still sound hollow against the tapestry of painful experience. I have to confess that even if my brain does understand, my heart can be left wanting.

So let me introduce you to Ganet. A beautiful 20 year old woman living in the stunning countryside surrounding Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was born partially crippled and so, all her life, she has crawled on hands and knees to get around. Her makeshift bandages and callous hands are a reminder the hostile, uncarpeted environment that she makes her way through each day. Three years ago Ganet was raped. This left her humiliated, disgraced, expelled from her family home and pregnant. She was alone and in desperate need to ensure survival for her and the child growing within. It was here that she cried out to God asking for his provision, protection and for intervention in this desperate situation.

The next day a worker from the local church came to visit having heard of her plight from a villager. They were in partnership with Compassion and were running a Child Support Program (CSP) which seeks to come alongside mothers from pregnancy through a child’s first three years. They agreed to support Ganet, giving her food, health care, education and a community and a place of belonging. Her child too would be cared for and given a safe place to play and learn. Instantly her prayers were answered, God had made a way. His Kingdom was coming, through the local church. As a result of being accepted on this program, her dignity was restored and her family once again welcomed her in.

My wife, Killy, and our friends, Dave and Julie Hill, visited Ganet with her 2 ½ year old son Daniel. She has taught him to hold on to her back as she crawls to church, which in the rainy season can take her an hour. But she doesn’t complain, in fact she didn’t complain once. Her heart is thankful she says to know that God hears and answers her prayers; to experience his provision; to know his protection and to have hope for herself and for Daniel. And how does she know this? Through the local church, supported by Compassion. This community is God’s hands and feet to so many like Ganet, not just helping those in their time of need but equipping them to stand upon their own two feet, and to someone like Ganet – who stands prouder than most – as one who understands God’s heart of compassion and redemption in a suffering world.

Since J.John and Killy met Ganet, Compassion have been able to organise specialist medical treatment for her which will enable her to walk for the first time in her life. Praise be to God and the ministry of Compassion.

For many years, J.John and Killy have been advocates for Compassion which aims to alleviate the suffering of children in some of the world’s poorest countries through sponsorship. J.John has accompanied Compassion on several overseas trips and this report was written following their recent trip to Ethiopia.

Compassion

If you feel stirred to learn more about the ministry of Compassion or to sponsor a child, please visit their website www.compassionuk.org t: 01932 836490 e: info@compassionuk.org