After just one year of marriage, Channa conceived. It must have been an exciting time for Channa and her husband! But it quickly turned into one of despair three months later, when she lost her baby.
The grief of losing her first child distressed Chana to the point of making her ill, and it took her several weeks to recuperate. Then to the joy of Channa and her family, Channa became pregnant again, and it seemed her sorrows would be repaid with a double blessing: the gift of twins.
Three months passed, and the babies were doing well. Six months, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then, around one month before Channa’s due date, the doctor gave Channa devastating news: neither baby had a heartbeat. Desperate to bring her children back to life, Channa sought a witch doctor. She did everything he told her to do, but the twins didn’t come back to life.
Her doctor tried to reassure her, telling her not to panic. But Channa had lost her three babies—and her hope. Troubles filled her mind. Perhaps because of her own distressed thoughts, perhaps because of shame inflicted on her by others, Channa couldn’t bring herself to face her relatives or neighbors.
Hope Restored
One day, GFA pastor Samu heard about Channa’s situation and visited her. He prayed for Channa, comforted her and told her of Christ, His power and how much He loves her. As Pastor Samu and his congregation continued to visit Channa, she felt hope returning through Christ.
With new peace in her heart, she began attending worship services at the church. One year later, Channa was pregnant again. Her church family rejoiced and prayed for the mother and child. Nine months later, Channa gave birth to a healthy baby boy. After seeing this miracle, both Channa and her husband decided to fully trust in Christ.
Psalms 43:5 says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
Channa’s soul had been downcast. She’d wanted a child, and she was suffering without hope. And God, by sending Pastor Samu, restored Channa’s hope and joy and blessed her with a child. “I went through mental trauma after having two [miscarriages],” Channa says. “It was hard for me to cope with stress and unpleasant situations. … I was not able to face my relatives and neighbors. Finally, I heard about Jesus and was encouraged by God’s Word. I have found hope in Him. I thank God for delivering me from my distress and blessing me with a baby boy.”
As missionaries like Pastor Samu love, visit and pray for people in their communities, many people like Channa are finding hope where they had none. By sponsoring a national missionary, you can gain greater fulfillment knowing that you are transforming more lives.