From London to Ethiopia and Back

Pastors Agu and Sola Irukwu of Jesus House, London, recently visited Ethiopia with Compassion UK...

“Mind-blowing!” was the word that Pastor Agu used to describe the work of Compassion in Ethiopia where the charity is helping some of the poorest and most vulnerable children through its child sponsorship programme implemented through the local church. Pastor Agu Irukwu and his wife Sola travelled to Ethiopia at the end of 2011 to see first-hand the difference their church, Jesus House, could make by sponsoring children.

The couple spent a number of days touring round the country and meeting many people whose lives had been touched by God through Compassion. Pastor Agu describes one of their many encounters: “We went to see a young girl of 18 who lost her father and mother from HIV. She lives in a little hut. By the grace of God, through the help of the local church and Compassion, she now has a chance to live a healthy and normal life. Thank God for Compassion and the local church!”

He also spent time encouraging and mentoring several young men who were sponsored as children and have gone on to lead fulfilling lives. “These are people who were trapped in extreme deprivation and unimaginable poverty,” Pastor Agu explains, “but with Compassion working through the local church they got them out of poverty. Amazingly, one was a computer scientist, one was a pastor for the local church, another worked in a carpentry workshop... these are all guys who were ‘destined’ for a life trapped in poverty.”

Sola was equally touched by the real life stories she heard. “This trip has had a life-changing impact on me. You read about the impact that a small amount of money make in people’s lives, but I never fully grasped what it really meant until I came out here and saw real life people who from childhood have been sponsored by individuals all over the world. These children have gone on to become councillors, doctors, engineers, the list is endless. One of the people we met was a lovely lady called We also met a lovely lady called Ayni who was sponsored by Compassion from when she was eight years old after she lost both her parents. She’s now 21, works for Compassion, is doing a Masters degree and is getting married to a gentleman who was sponsored by Compassion. So you can see it actually working.”

Perhaps the most touching moment of the trip was when they got to meet their own sponsored child, a little boy called Abdulrazak “He was a right charmer!” remembers Pastor Agu. “He was there waiting for us. He rushed up to us, so full of life, jumped on us and gave us big kisses. I just thought this is certainly the boy I’m sponsoring. We’re just grateful that Compassion and the local church create opportunities for people like us to play a part in securing the future of these children.”

As well as learning much about the plight of children in poverty, the couple also learnt a number of personal lessons during their time in Ethiopia. “The thing that it’s done for me is increase my sense of gratitude to God,” says Pastor Agu. “Thanksgiving has always been a part of my life but this just takes it to another level.” His wife Sola put it another way: “I just think I’ve been given so much, and the Bible says to whom much is given, much is required.”

Pastors Agu and Sola returned home to tell their story to the congregation of over 3,000 that gathers every Sunday at Jesus House in London. According to Pastor Agu, they took back a simple message to their church that went something like this: “Just do it. We can in a practical way make a difference. Even if we can’t change the world, we can change the world for one of these children. All you’ve got to do is sponsor a child for just £21 a month.” And, as a result of their message, 389 more Ethiopian children now have sponsors from Jesus House!