Over the last year and a half, I have had the pleasure of building a friendship with *Dawit. I met him when he brought five kids from his team to camp in 2012. Throughout the week, Dawit's willingness to serve was unmatched. The campers looked up to him and he was able to speak truth into their lives. About a year ago, Dawit underwent some intense persecution for his faith. I had the privilege of writing down his story and how the Lord has provided for him in his time of greatest need. Check out the story of God's goodness below!
Hate. Vandalism. Violence. Many Christians across the world face extreme persecution for their faith. As an Ethiopian boy growing up in a community where Christianity wasn’t tolerated, *Dawit knew the dangers of associating with Christians. Yet when a young Christian man started the only soccer club in the area, he jumped at the chance to play. During the soccer trainings, Dawit’s coach taught the boys about character traits such as honesty, unity, and perseverance.
One night Dawit dreamed about a bright light in the middle of darkness. He tried to ignore the light but it was too radiant. Seeking answers, Dawit shared his dream with his coach and began to ask questions about the Christian faith. Shortly after, the church leaders began secretly discipling him because they understood the great dangers of publicly professing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Several months later, Dawit attended a Sports Friends Basic Training and started coaching a group of boys. Each week the group grew in number as parents entrusted their boys to Dawit. At each training session, he taught the boys about godly character and teamwork.
Dawit continued to grow in his knowledge and understanding of Scriptures by reading a copy of the New Testament in secret. The more he studied, the bolder he became. One day he spoke up in defense of the Bible at school, which sparked a debate between the Christian and the other religious leaders in the community. Dawit’s father was notified of his son’s stance and gave Dawit an ultimatum: give up Christianity or die. In an angry fury, Dawit’s father exclaimed, “I will kill you because of my religion. You have shamed me. I will be more accepted by the community if I kill you.” Dawit refused to renounce Christianity and was chased out of his house. Knowing the hatred in his father’s heart, Dawit feared for the safety of other believers in the area if they were seen helping him. So with $4.35 in his pocket, Dawit secretly left town and boarded a bus headed to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Several months later, Dawit attended a Sports Friends Basic Training and started coaching a group of boys. Each week the group grew in number as parents entrusted their boys to Dawit. At each training session, he taught the boys about godly character and teamwork.
Dawit continued to grow in his knowledge and understanding of Scriptures by reading a copy of the New Testament in secret. The more he studied, the bolder he became. One day he spoke up in defense of the Bible at school, which sparked a debate between the Christian and the other religious leaders in the community. Dawit’s father was notified of his son’s stance and gave Dawit an ultimatum: give up Christianity or die. In an angry fury, Dawit’s father exclaimed, “I will kill you because of my religion. You have shamed me. I will be more accepted by the community if I kill you.” Dawit refused to renounce Christianity and was chased out of his house. Knowing the hatred in his father’s heart, Dawit feared for the safety of other believers in the area if they were seen helping him. So with $4.35 in his pocket, Dawit secretly left town and boarded a bus headed to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Dawit arrived in Addis Ababa with two extra pairs of clothes and $0.33 left. With no one to call, Dawit decided to sleep at the bus station. Exhausted and lost, Dawit surrendered himself to God, trusting Him to provide for his needs. Wandering around the city for the first time, Dawit found that he only had enough money to buy one piece of bread for the next six days. Out of food and money, Dawit prayed, “God give me strength. I feel weak. I need you. I don’t know where to go or who to talk to.”
While Dawit was sleeping, some kids started playing soccer around him. The kids befriended him and peppered him with questions about his story. Soon the parents of the kids gathered around to question the stranger. Dawit sensed their suspicions and told them the truth. They brought him food, and a poor Christian woman with many children offered him a place to sleep in her small house. The woman graciously told Dawit he could stay as long as he needed.
Later that week, Dawit went to church with the woman and her children and was surprised to find the church was the same denomination as the one from his hometown. When the new church found out about Dawit’s love for soccer and his ability to coach, they asked him to coach two boys teams. Now Dawit holds training session three times a week for each team. Before each practice, Dawit teaches the boys about godly character by using examples from the Bible. He is continually amazed at how God has been guiding his steps along the way stating, “Everything that has happened in my life is for the glory of God.”
Romans 8:28-29
*Name changed for security reasons
Romans 8:28-29
*Name changed for security reasons
Please pray for Dawit as he shares the hope that there is in Christ with the boys on his team. Also, pray that the Lord will soften the heart of his family and that Dawit will be able to return home someday.
