TWR-Africa received a moving letter from a widowed mother of four children living in an internally displaced people’s (IDP) camp. The family lost everything in the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and is currently being assisted in a camp for internally displaced people in Ethiopia.
Trans World Radio has daily broadcasts into Ethiopia which includes programmes such as Voice of Peace, Way of Righteousness, Heralds of Hope and other social and spiritual programmes. Languages which are covered include Amharic, Oromo, Sidama, Hadiyya, French, Tigrinya and Afar.
Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world and the current government was established in 1995. The Eritrean-Ethiopian war broke out in 1998 when, according to a ruling by an international council in The Hague, Eritrea broke international law by invading Ethiopia. Fighting spread to Somalia and by May 2000 thousands of lives had been lost and approximately 650 000 people were displaced. The war has ceased but the border dispute still continues amidst international effort to establish peace in the area. *
“I am one of many internally displaced people, living in a camp. I have four children. My husband was lost in the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. We also lost all our possessions. But thanks to the government and other charity organizations, I have survived with four of my children.
Some food, clothing and shelter are provided and we are getting the basic physical needs. But it is not the physical provisions that I wish to discuss, it is the spiritual provisions that I want to testify about. The merciful Lord is reaching out to His people, those who are hopeless and helpless. The Radio Bible programme you are broadcasting is being widely listened to by the people living in the camp. It is truly miraculous that through this ministry people are being empowered to confront life’s challenges and to live a life filled with hope. Many souls are being comforted and strengthened.
The life of my family has completely changed; all the physical and material cares are gone. I am not anxious about how to care for my children and what the future will hold. I have learned to come to God in times of tribulation and difficulties. My concerns now are to share the blessings I am experiencing from the radio lessons. I am now a totally different person, full of strength, full of hope and full of life. This is what people, especially my neighbours in the camp, are in need of. The Holy Spirit is working through the radio ministry. Many are listening, and I am sure, it will work in their lives. In my next letter, I will present you with my neighbours’ new life experiences. Be strong and steadfast in this ministry as the impact is great. Blessings to you all.”
* Information sourced on www.wikipedia.org
Published 15 May 2008 |
