The Global Conversation

It takes a lot of courage to share the story of your abuse. I cried when I first read Wes's story in 2007 and cried again when I read it this morning. There is a lot of abuse that takes place in "Christian" settings. I'm glad that a lot of churches do background checks now on people they allow to be child workers. Its not going to stop all of it but its a place to start. Telling your story, Wes, gives other people courage to tell their story and that is how things get changed. I didn't have the courage to tell when I was younger, and more kids in church were abused because I didn't tell. What comes to mind is when Jesus said "by their fruits, you shall know them". These abusers are not Christian in any sense of the word. It is beautiful how the Lord used something so horrendous to bring about a great deal of good from it. You didn't let Satan win. You didn't let the abusers win. You have my great respect.

Thank you to Christianity Today and to Wess Stafford for again shedding light on the abuse and recovery from abuse within the missionary community and at the Mamou Alliance Academy in particular. It is horrible to know about the suffering of children. But there is power in knowing, which can lead to healing and prevention. To watch excerpts and to learn more about the documentary "All God's Children" please visit: http://www.allgodschildrenthefilm.com "All God's Children" tells the story of the children of Mamou - what they experienced at the school and in the aftermath as they tried to find support, help each other and prevent this from happening to others. - Luci Westphal (producer, co-director "All God's Children")

I meant to click 5 full stars; thanks be to God that Dr Wess shares now his story which ministers to whoever has gone through similar tribulations. Thank you Dr Wess as you obeyed His leading to do so after 35 years. Even after retiring from a secular workplace milieu of a public school for 34 years when i felt God using me to declare and mirror his healing, redeeming love, i used to wonder why the tears still come so easily, if i was still holding on to self-pity or unforgiveness: the devil be damned for such doubts. After reading Dr Wess' testimony, i want to believe that the shedding of tears is part of shedding the pain which then allows Christ's power and strength, healing and redeeming grace to continue to work and flow in and through us...so shall it be, unto God to whom is all the wisdom, might and glory. To the one who q the financial part, please just know that all the gold in the world won't heal - go back to Christ first if you want to discern what's this all about.

The best of articles. Having counseled and studied the issue of sexual abuse in particular, I can say the writer's response to his situation as a child is the most moving I think I have ever read. Usually, children crumple under such terrible abuses; such evils wreck their development and derail their performance as adults. And yet God is involved. He marks the suffering; He knows the grief of the littlest and most miserable and helpless of the abused. Resistance can be redemptive and healing; a revolution against tyranny can be truly liberating, depending on what it is that moves the rebel in such circumstances. If it is vengeance, the end is forecast. If justice, great benefits will be realized. Justice and redemption belong together. One of the greatest things in recent world history was the Reconciliation Commission of Sout Africa. It was not that much was accomplished; it was the fact that they tried. they left a legacy of witness to the reality of biblical faith.

Thank you, Wess. This story was beautiful. As a child abuse survivor, I want to say that I know how difficult it is for most people to get even the slightest sense of what it is like to live under these types of horrific circumstances. We need to have the church become sensitive to the mission field right in out own back yards, the children all around us who may be suffering unfathomable trauma. (Wess, I know all about the 'floating', It was the only way I survived. God's survival mechanism.)

Thank you for sharing the story of your painful childhood. So many of us have remained silent about the things that happened to us as little ones, with no hope of redemption. By joining Compassion International and sponsoring a child in Tanzania, I am able to do one small thing to pray for and help a small hurting child. Thank you for making all of this possible, because we can heal ourselves by helping and healing others. Thank you so much for your beautiful heart!

WOW is all i can say Your story wess is increbile Good for you God can use your story for good i think every person in the world should hear it. It amazing what a awesome God can do

What a powerful story. Everyone needs to read this.

I am lost for words...Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for allowing God to use you in the work that you do. Amazing Grace sums it all up! Blessings in everything you do and have!

I have worked at Compassion along side Wess for over 20 years. It is a blessing, joy and priveledge to work with him for the children. I am inspired every time I hear him speak. His parents were gentle amazing people as well. I know this abuse broke their hearts. It is amazing how Satan meant this for evil, but God used it for so much good!