The Global Conversation

Thank you Dr. Stafford. My mom, a missionary kid herself, wrote a book on this topic (The Missionary Myth, Vivian Harvey), and remains an advocate for missionary kids, young and old. Of all people, Christians should be the FIRST to protect the small ones. God takes this so seriously, and I wouldn't want to be the person who would be better off if they thrown into the sea with a millstone around their neck.

Wow! I find myself deeply moved and inspired by this incredible story of God giving a child unimaginable courage. I would love to know you Wesley Stafford! I work with pastors and missionaries in personal crises and too often find myself face to face with ignorant, resistant and abusive churches and mission agencies. The "Christian" Institutional capacity to be graceless, ill informed and abusive is enormous. The Church we long to see fully effective is still far too often unthinkably bumbling, cruel and damaging to its leaders and their families—all in the name of Christ. May God help us to burn our candles brightly promoting honesty, wisdom and unending grace toward the “least” and the leaders in Christ’s Body. It should be good news to be part of Gospel Ministry even when it is discovered we are flawed human beings.

what an amazing testimony. Thank you. Blessings to you, Dr. Stafford, as God continues His good work in you and through you.

I have personally known fewer than half a dozen people who live totally committed lives to their calling, with the passion and compassion of Dr. Wess Stafford. He is as real as they come, and his story helps me to trust that God is not absent and has not gone stone deaf, no matter how things look. He always has a plan, and it is about redemption. What is hard for me is to imagine forgiveness for people like those who so abused the children who were entrusted to their care with such cruelty, such viciousness. I try to get my mind around the fact that God's love would reach out to them as readily as to me...but that's what I believe. Assuming they asked Him.

Thank you, Wess. Your openness, courage and hope are inspirational. Jesus is so proud of the person you are and the compassionate manner in which you live. May we all be encouraged to do the same.