Letter from Mike: Ethiopia – February 2023
“The Samaritan woman who talked with Jesus at Jacob’s well had no sooner found the Saviour than she brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered.” Ministry of Healing, 102.
Sister Lemma Tadelech lives in Gimbichu in the southern part of Ethiopia and is proving to be a very effective missionary for the Master! Sister Lemma has a real burden on her heart to see those who are in darkness and superstition be released from their chains of false doctrines. She has studied the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy for years, which has grounded her in the Seventh-day Adventist message, and she wants everyone to know the truth that will set them free!
Sister Lemma can be seen daily walking great distances to reach villages with truth-filled literature. Through sharing tracts, she has found an effective way of entering people’s homes and setting up Bible studies. Many people have opened their homes and allowed her to come and teach them the Three Angels’ Messages.
While going door to door one day, Sister Lemma met a man by the name of Zemede. She handed him a gospel tract and started to talk to him about Jesus. As she spoke to him, a text of Scripture came to her mind: “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2, NKJV. This text impressed her to talk to Zemede about Jesus’ great sacrifice on his behalf. Because of what she shared, Lemma was able to start Bible studies with him!
After their first few studies, Zemede informed Lemma that he was going to the university to finish his studies, but that he would be back after a while. Sister Lemma did not allow the distance to make her lose touch with Zemede. While he was away at school, she would call him and encourage him in his walk with Christ. When Zemede returned to Gimbichu, he resumed Bible studies with Lemma, eager to pick up where they had left off. She started the Bible studies at the beginning again because she wanted to make sure he understood the entire Adventist message. Upon completing the set of Bible studies, Zemede asked about being baptized. He wanted to cement his relationship with his newfound Friend, Jesus!
More than 30 Bible workers are planting churches in Southern Ethiopia by bringing the Three Angels’ Messages to this area. They have started a church school and already have 175 children attending. Through the influence of the school, many parents from other denominations are now interested in our message! Please keep the work in Ethiopia in your prayers, and please help us move the work forward by marking your donations “Ethiopia Churches” or “Ethiopia Evangelism.”
Yours in seeking the lost!
