HOPE

Hang Onto Possible Endings

Ethiopia: This Is My Story

Take 1

I love a good story, don’t you? I think you’ll love this amazing testimony.

Sitting in the tiny room, my friend translated as a she spoke. Putting a face to the name of the woman I had been praying for instantly turned this stranger into a friend. I sat in eager anticipation of her story.

We sat knee to knee as she began to speak. The most zealous of her Muslim family, she grew up dedicated to it’s principles. She rejoiced when she learned of the tragedy of 9/ll. Saddaam Hussiem was her hero and  her dream was to become a suicide bomber. I tried hard not to let my mouth in disbelief and shock of what I heard.

When her much less religious brother came home one day and invited her to come to  church, she wasn’t just surprised, she was angry. How could her brother betray her religion like this? She refused to go. Relentless in his asking, her curiosity grew. Then one day she went. It was nothing like she expected, and certainly went against everything she had been taught to believe.

Yet the love of the people drew her like nothing she had ever experienced. She continued to visit. Several months later, unable to deny the power of love and the truth of gospel message, she surrender her life to Christ. Slowly, despite the rejection by neighbors and friends, her whole family became believers.

There was much more she wanted to say, but time didn’t permit. I wanted to hear more from this beautiful Ethiopian woman who radiated love, joy and peace.

My new friend was so happy to share the story of her love for Jesus, much like my kindergartner, Leah does. Recently she came to my desk and asked me how to spell the word ” story”.  A few minutes later, tears sprang to my eyes as she showed me her writing. “This is my story. I love Jesus!”

I pray that Leah will continue to share her story. I wonder where her love for Jesus will take her someday. Perhaps we will serve together in Ethiopia, like I am privileged to do this year with five former students!  You can read Ali’s story by clicking here.

What’s your story?

SUBSCRIBE: Get a little HOPE straight to your inbox!

Comments

  3. Sue Anderson says

    I woke up early this morning and as I pulling myself out of bed and wiping the sleep from eyes, the name Xerxes came boldly to my mind! I hurriedly grabbed my bible and looked up where Xerxes’ history was located. I was directed to Esther 1:1 –
    “Now it took place in the days of Ahasuerus (Xerses), the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,”
    I knew instantly I had a divine appointment to pray for you, Cindy, and your team, which I did through great humility and honor! I love you, friend, and I’m excited for you and anxious to hear of your adventures and blessings! God be with you! Continuing in prayer! Love, Sue
    ‭‭

    Reply

  93. Shanon says

    Admiring the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you offer.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
    Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding
    your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Reply

  116. zortilo nrel says

    Thanks a lot for giving everyone a very superb chance to read from this site. It’s always very awesome and also packed with a lot of fun for me and my office peers to search the blog at the very least three times every week to read through the latest secrets you will have. And definitely, I’m usually pleased considering the outstanding creative ideas served by you. Certain 3 areas on this page are rather the most efficient I have had.

    Reply

  207. hydroxychloroquine stock options says

    hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked
    up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using
    this site, since I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times
    previous to I could get it to load properly.
    I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am
    complaining, but sluggish loading instances times
    will sometimes affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score
    if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this
    RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective intriguing content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon. https://hhydroxychloroquine.com/

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *