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 Our work in Ethiopia began 25 years ago when we helped to fund the translation, printing, and distribution of the Amharic New Testament. Over the last five years, WorldServe has become increasingly involved in missions in Ethiopia. As we continue our commitment to bring Bibles, plant churches and provide leadership training, unique challenges must be met and overcome.What hurdles stand in the way of Ethiopian believers receiving a Bible of their own? Hurdle 1: Previous Communist Rule WorldServe is re-supplying a country with Bibles, where communists have sought to eradicate God's word. Communism creates a great spiritual vacuum by propagating atheism and removing God's hope from the media. From 1974 - 1991, Ethiopia was governed by communist rule. The conditions for the Christians were so severe that all churches were closed; thousands of Christians were imprisoned and many lives were lost. The ensuing spiritual void actually prepared people in a very unique way for the Gospel. They became aware of their need for God and began looking heavenward for hope. As WorldServe provides Bibles and resources, God's hope found in scripture is quickly and readily received. Hurdle 2: Remote Locations Delivering scriptures to villages is nearly impossible without support from an organization. Many Ethiopian communities are in locations so remote that dedicated church planters must travel several days to get the message out. Amazingly, there are hundreds who are willing to do just that. With no financial support whatsoever, they have responded to God's calling to spread the Gospel to countless villages. With only the clothes on their backs, they travel to share the Gospel, often journeying into hostile areas, trusting God for safety and provisions. Streams provide a place to bathe and wash their clothes. While their clothes lay on rocks to dry, they wait, hiding in the bushes until they can get dressed and continue the journey to share Christ. These missionaries need assistance and support to carry Bibles and supporting discipleship materials into communities. WorldServe is joining forces to provide Bibles and materials for these church planters and the communities they reach. Hurdle 3: Poverty In Ethiopia, the abject poverty is overwhelming. People cannot afford to meet their physical or spiritual needs. |
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WorldServe is providing for both, meeting needs of the body and the soul. As we are helping church planters with financial support for their ministry and families, we have also established partnerships with many local churches to provide building materials that they cannot afford to purchase. By increasing contact with local churches, we are better able to respond to their need for scriptures. Currently, 15,000 Bibles are on their way to Ethiopia. Hurdle 4: Regions of High Conflict Bringing the Bible into regions with heightened religious or ethnic conflict can be dangerous for both the missionary and the interested listener who wants to know more about God. We know that the message of God's Word brings much needed hope and peace. As we persevere in hostile regions, we seek God's guidance for church planters' safety as we press forward to spread the Gospel. Providing Assistance Your donations can provide Bibles and discipleship training materials. Please prayerfully consider joining with WorldServe to provide scriptures bringing hope to those in need. Donate $27.50 USD/$35 CDN to provide five Bibles. |
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