In the town of Yebu, Ethiopia, local Christians were able to obtain a piece of land for the purpose of constructing a building where they could meet to worship. Aware of the dangers facing them from Muslims in the community, they had delayed construction until they finally decided that they would begin at midnight on July 2. The construction project continued until the following day, when an angry mob heard about what they were doing and attacked the workers. The Muslims completely destroyed the building. They confiscated the materials and used them to construct a building of their own. Many of the Christians were injured in the attack and two, Yoseph Gebresadek and Terefe Jirga, were still in hospital at last report. Three of the Christian leaders were also accused of disturbing the peace and stability of the region. If found guilty, the leaders could face imprisonment.
In another incident, the Assembly of God church in the town of Alemaya was lit on fire in the middle of the night on June 30. Thankfully, believers were able to intervene and prevent the total destruction of the building. Alemaya is ninety-eight percent Muslim and the church had been threatened with violence several times to stop evangelizing.
VOMC contacts in Ethiopia ask for prayer in the face of intensifying persecution from Muslims. Pray that God's people will continually maintain a clear testimony for Christ. Pray that those wounded in the attack in Yebu will recover from their injuries. Pray that they would be able to forgive and love their attackers, knowing that the Heavenly Father loves them (Matthew 5:43-48). Pray that the accused believers in Yebu will be found innocent. Pray that evangelistic efforts in Alemaya will continue regardless of continued threats. Pray that the Lord will fill them with the joy of sharing in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-13).
For more information on Ethiopia and the persecution facing Christians there, click here.
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