DIGITAL GCU Today AUG issue

D on’t try to walk a day in Raymond Carawan’s shoes. He doesn’t want you to. God has challenged this Grand Canyon University online student with a variety of disabilities, but Carawan embraces his ailments. He says they’re his fight and his alone. “I wouldn’t have the strength I do if anything were different,” he said. “It frustrates me when people want to pray to my face for healing because I’ve told people over and over we live in too much of an ablest society. It is not always God’s will for you to be physically healed. Paul and Timothy had their ailments, yet they healed people. “In our weaknesses, His glory is revealed.” Carawan, 28, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies. He one day hopes to be a pastor for people with disabilities. He has undergone at least one surgery a year since age 20. Most years, he has been put through multiple procedures, including two on his brain and surgeries on his back, neck, shoulder and, most recently, hip. He has Asperger’s syndrome, a growth hormone defect called acromegaly (commonly known as gigantism), neurofibroma tumors, a skin condition, growth defects and emotional scars from abuse. He also has battled cancer and has not been officially cleared. But none of that defines Carawan, who says he has read the Bible cover to cover more times than he can count. His learning at GCU simply has taken his passion for Christ to another level. “It definitely gives me an additional reason to wake up in the morning,” Carawan said of attending GCU. “On one hand, I always knew He would place me here, but B Y R Y A N K R Y S K A Physically challenged student dreams of becoming a pastor for the disabled On line His faith is still going strong 26 • GCU MAGAZ I NE