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“Unless a Grain of Wheat Falls…”
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life shall lose it. And he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honour him. John 12:24-26
An Open Doors representative visited Meskele Dhaba, the widow of a slain evangelist, and reported the following…
(October 2008) - As our minibus left, the Muslim man sitting in front pointed out the widow and said in the local Oromiffa language, “Achidha, achi, achi - it is this one, this one, this one.” We were right in front of the house where an evangelist was murdered for his faith in Christ on October 11, 2006. What followed was a lively conversation between the men that sat in front of me. My limited Oromiffa kept me from following all they were saying, but it was clear from the many references to his name that they were discussing issues related to the late evangelist. I was puzzled.
It is not the first time this has happened. On my travels to the area, I often hear people talk about him the moment we pass the spot where he was slain in front of his family. Why are they discussing the death of an “infidel”, two years on?
Federal Police hurriedly arrested 600 suspects after the murder, but soon released them. Twenty suspects were kept in prison after his widow, Meskele Dhaba and eldest child, Miriam, testified against them. These twenty have since been released due to a lack of evidence against them. The case has been closed, but it appears the town cannot forget…
The failure of the country's justice system to bring the murderers to account greatly emboldened church persecutors in the area. They warned Christians not to think that the end to their persecution was in sight.
In April a truck overloaded with heavy metal and forty residents capsized. Six people died on the scene, six died on their way to hospital and another very influential person died two weeks later on his way to an Addis Ababa hospital. All thirteen were Muslims. Those who survived the accident sustained very serious injuries. Only two people, both apparently non-Muslims, survived without any injuries.
Prior to this incident, it is rumoured that the mosque was hit by lightning. In addition, a highly esteemed Muslim leader of Yemeni origin became mentally ill.
The people saw these incidents as divine judgement. As the townsfolk gathered for the sombre funeral of the initial twelve victims of the accident, the leader of the mosque allegedly pointed out that the death of their people was a sign of divine wrath upon their sin of killing the evangelist. He is quoted as saying, “we killed an innocent person. He was ethical and had no disagreements with any of us.” The mosque leader allegedly called on all to repent of their sins.
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Muslim Women Dream of Jesus
Recently, in a strongly Islamic country in the Middle East, villagers heard that a Christian medical team was coming to run a day clinic. Many women and children queued to see the doctor -- both Christians and Muslims.
A veiled woman entered the clinic, and when asked what was wrong, replied, “Nothing.” “Do you need medical advice?” the doctor persisted. “No,” she said, “I’ve had visions of Jesus and all I want is a Bible.”
The next woman in line was also veiled, and she said the same thing. The Christian doctor was shocked! He had come to help the sick, and yet these ladies needed only to know more about the Great Physician.
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But by the grace of God those affected most severely by his murder, Meskele and her children, do not gloat in the hardship brought upon others. “As the Bible teaches us, I forgave those who killed my husband,” said Meskele. “I assume they did this to us because of a lack of knowledge. I leave everything in the hands of God. They hate us only because of our faith [in Christ]. But the Bible teaches us to love everyone, including our enemies. So, I should love them. Although losing my husband was difficult, I am praying for them to know Christ.”
It is clear that the Lord remains at work in the area. Meskele’s and our prayers are being heard. Church leaders in the area are testifying that Muslims are sovereignly being saved. Church leaders estimate that a total of 100 Muslims have come to Christ in the past two years since the murder. “Although we keep witnessing to Muslims, it is mainly through visions and dreams that they decide to follow Christ,” said a local church leader. He added that the converts claim to have seen “Isa,” Jesus, in visions. He told them that He is their Saviour. Some of the converts told church leaders that they had tried to resist the message, but the visions continued until they came to faith.
Others who claim to have seen visions of Christ are joining the church. For Christians in the area, it is encouraging to see that God remains at work in unbelievers, bringing many to salvation. In the midst of the intense persecution they are facing, the Lord is adding numbers to the Church.
All things work together for good for those who love Christ and who are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). In this case, the death of an evangelist has led to the expansion of the Kingdom. However, it has also worked together for good in the lives of Meskele and the children who are working hard at being faithful with what the Lord has provided for them.
Meskele and the children have now moved into the house Open Doors helped to construct with the cooperation of the local church. Her compound is situated some 50 meters from the main road. The house, which took about a year to build, has four rooms and a kitchen in the backyard in typical style. The rooms can accommodate the entire family. A small well has also been dug in the compound – there are hardly any taps in the town. The compound also offers ample space for the children to play.
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Meskele Dhaba making food in her small restaurant.
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Meskele didn’t sit idly around her new home. She and the children worked hard to plough the unused part of her compound and to sow maize. When I visited her house the crop was maturing and almost ready for harvest. Meskele was starting to feel at home in the area.
“I didn’t think we would survive this long,” says Meskele. “I didn’t know what to do. I was worried about the kids and myself. I was wondering what would happen next. I had no one on my side… I am extremely glad. I thank God and you too. I had no one to help me. But I was saying I would be there where God wants me to be.”
"I want to say thank you for those who helped me despite the fact that they had no relationship with me prior to this incident. You have come to me as if you are from next door… May God be with you forever as you stood by me! God has answered your prayers on my behalf. Please tell those who helped me that I now have my own house. They helped me by sharing from what they have. May God bless them! We are happy for having a new house. May He also please you in everything in life! Please thank God on my behalf.”
The local church leaders supporting Meskele could not have said it any better. “God has a purpose in everything. When I first reported these incidents to you, it was not out of some expectation. I just did it since you told me you are interested in praying for people in such situation. But today I am glad to see what you have done so far to help this family. It helped them by simplifying their anxiety. It also impressed everyone who knows this family. God has done everything well for His children and I am happy to see that. You are not biological relatives of this family. But you have shown love and concern to them. I know many people who only have words. But you have manifested love in action. I thank you for your willingness to share our burdens...May God bless you all!”
Prayer Points
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Thank the Lord for remaining at work in the area, saving many souls.
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Thank the Lord for faithfulness in the lives of Meskele and the children.
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Pray for wisdom for the church leaders as they minister to the new converts.
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Pray that God would graciously convict many more over their sin and reconcile them to Christ.
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