“When will my dad hear again?” – prayers requested for Ethiopian family after attack

A family in Ethiopia are asking for your prayers as they deal with the long-term impact of an attack on a church that left the father deaf.

It was a Sunday that changed everything for Kebede* and his young family in Ethiopia.

They headed for church, as they usually did, but because his wife Amarech* was eight months pregnant, it was to a nearer church than the one they typically attended. The service got underway and, whilst the congregation were praying, a mob attacked, chanting, “Evangelicals should leave the area.”

With astonishing bravery, Kebede – a police inspector at the time – attempted to stop the attackers, but they beat him severely, knocking him unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital and, whilst he eventually healed of his external injuries, he didn’t regain his hearing. After investigations, the doctors realised it would be a long-term condition.

What provoked the attack?

Despite more than half of all Ethiopians being Christian, the threat of persecution towards many of our brothers and sisters in the country is very acute. As in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, those living in Muslim-majority areas can encounter persecution from extremists, whilst converts can face hostility from locals and their loved ones.

• What’s it like to be a Christian in Ethiopia?

But opposition can also come from those who profess to be Christian themselves. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) is one of the most ancient churches in the world, and most Ethiopian Christians belong to the denomination. Sadly, among them are some who believe that those aligned to different denominations are not truly believers. Indeed, converting from the Orthodox tradition to a Protestant group is sometimes deemed a betrayal of the family and community.

This is the context behind the awful incident that Kebede was caught up in, with angry Orthodox believers attacking a series of Evangelical churches in a neighbourhood in Addis Ababa, the capital, over a land dispute between the two denominations.

“Pray for healing”

The effect of the attack on the family has been immense. Kebede lost his job, putting a strain on the family’s finances and added responsibility on Amarech. Hardest of all is the relational impact. Kebede has never heard their youngest son’s voice – he dreams of hearing him call him “Baba” (“Father”). Their eldest is still traumatised after the attack, asking, “When is my dad going to be able to hear again?” He’s sometimes afraid to go to church.

Open Doors local partners have provided the family with food as well as financial support to pay rent and Kebede’s medical expenses. It’s helped the family enormously, but daily life is hard – which is why they are requesting your prayers.

“We are asking you as a family to pray for healing,” says Amarech. “I am speaking to you on behalf of my family, and on behalf of Kebede as well. There is nothing God can’t do, He can do everything, so I am asking you all to pray for Kebede.”

*Name changed for security reasons