Story number 1 for 28 Aug 2003

(Ethiopia)–We begin today in Ethiopia where starvation is once again knocking on the door of the country. “There’s a great humanitarian crisis that’s going on right now in Ethiopia. Almost 20 years ago 2 million people died in Ethiopia from famine and that same famine is taking place now today.” Jerry Dykstra with Open Doors says they hope to help 20-thousand Christians by providing food and other supplies to a famine-stricken region. But in addition to food, Open Doors is sending much needed Christian literature and Bibles. “We provide them with training materials that helps them to grow into their faith. Some of the pastors it helps them bring them back the materials to their church and ministers to the church through their congregation.” Dykstra says Ethiopian Christians are not only suffering the effects of famine but also an undercurrent of persecution for their faith. Pray that believers will remain strong despite ridicule and mistreatment for their faith. Some 10-percent of the population is decidedly Evangelical in their faith.