Page 6 - Good News June 2014 paper
P. 6
“When Abdi*, a farmer in North bours began suspecting he had the group - we heard about this a Abdi still listens to the radio
East Africa, came across a radio also turned to Christ. He was week later. I was sure they would programme that introduced him to
programme produced by FEBA's arrested and jailed. “While I was in kill me next.” Christ. “Now my whole family
local partners, his life, and entire prison, I had a dream,” he says. “But then something so amazing follows Christ and we listen to the
community, was transformed… “Someone came and told me not to happened,” he smiles. “My mother programme together,” he says. “I
Abdi grins broadly. The changes in be afraid, and that I would be had been in bed for eight years. She can't wait until it airs, and it still
his life have shocked him more released. In the morning, the prison could not move at all. An evangelist teaches me so much. There is a lot
than anyone else. “I understood officers told me to go home - I was came to my home and prayed for of hope in my community now. I
that Jesus Christ was a good free.” But as he neared his house, her. I was praying. We were all think we are ready to build a
prophet - but I was not a he saw that a crowd had gathered to praying. And she started to walk! church.”
Christian,” he explains. “Then one meet him. “The community called She was healed! It was a miracle When Jesus made room in His
day, I heard a spiritual programme me forward and asked me about my and a huge testimony for the whole heart for a Samaritan woman (John
on the radio. It told me more about faith,” he recalls. “I told them that I community. Everyone was talking 4), an entire village came to faith!
Jesus. I was curious and I began have started following Christ. My about it.” Listeners such as Abdi, his wife
listening regularly.” wife was scared, but she had also and brother, and ultimately an
Abdi and his brother Abel* tuned come to the Lord. We knew that “Now we listen together.” entire community were changed
in to the programmes together. Jesus was with us”. Since then, life has changed because they responded to the
The more they listened, the more tangibly for Abdi and his family. Gospel of Jesus Christ by radio.
questions they had and the more “They said they would kill us.” “Now we have some friends in the Behind every life-changing broad-
they wanted to know. Abdi's community cut all ties with community again,” he says happi- cast to hardened hearts in the
him at the news. “They said my faith ly. “Sometimes even the other faith hard-to-reach places of the world
Arrested and jailed dishonoured them. They began leaders come to visit. I am no longer stands a supporter who, through
“My brother believed the Gospel throwing stones at me, and they persecuted. When God helps us, their prayers and gifts, empower
message on the radio and wanted destroyed my home,” he says. we can do many things. In our the least reached people of the
to share it with others,” says Abdi. “They devastated my crops, the community now, I share openly Earth to hear. May we ask you to
“My heart was melting too. I was only source of my family's income. with all without fear.” please make room for the Abdi's of
learning a lot about Christ. But I My children were forbidden to go to “These days, some people come to this world in your heart today?
began to fear and I hesitated. school. We were not permitted to worship at my home. There are - Adri Mellet, Northwest Coordi-
There were no Christians in our collect water from the community many who want to follow Christ nator of FEBA Radio South Africa,
community and so I advised my source. Then they said they would now and the community is debating is ready to take your calls for more
brother against these beliefs, but kill us.” it. We pray God's Hand will be on information about the mighty work
he didn't really listen to me. He One night, community members this.” He pauses. “The community God does through our broadcasts
said he could not hide it. So he told gathered outside Abdi's home to witnessed a change in me when I in 130 languages, in more than 50
the community leader that he had decide his fate. “Many wanted to kill came to Jesus. Earlier, I was a man less-reached countries worldwide.
chosen to follow Christ.” me,” he says. “But they were who persecuted others. I would 084 757 9749 / 014 574 3430.
Abel was banished from the divided. They began quarrelling quarrel with neighbours and I had a Please read more about FEBA
community for his newfound faith. among themselves and started very bad temper. Now I am joyful. I Radio's work on our website at
Abdi stayed quiet, but his neigh- fighting. They killed one person in am peace-filled.” www.febaradio.co.za
