Training evangelists in refugee camps

Thousands of people flee from Eritrea every month, realising that there are no real prospects ahead for them in their country. Christians are persecuted and imprisoned for their faith and many hope for a better future in neighbouring Ethiopia. Hanna is one of them. She is a courageous evangelist in the refugee camp. Muslims are especially close to her heart.

Threatened ethnic group

Hanna is 34 years old. She has grown up in Eritrea and belongs to the small ethnic group of Kunama. Because of both the civil war lasting for decades, and the resettlement policy of the Eritrean government, the Kunama have experienced a lot of misery and suffering in the past. Many were expelled from their country. Since the Kunama live in the Eritrea-Ethiopia border region, they are repeatedly suspected of collaborating with the archenemy, Ethiopia. Several thousands of

Kunama escaped to Ethiopia during the border war from 1998-2000 and have been living in a refugee camp there since.

The Kunama are organised in a matrilineal manner, that is, inheritance goes from the mother to the daughter, not from father to son. Women enjoy more freedom and decision-making power than those in other ethnic groups. Among the Kunama there are Muslims and Christians, but also followers of their original tribal religion.

Persistent persecution

In 2008 Hanna, together with her mother and children, escaped across the Eritrean border to Ethiopia, having experienced much persecution by the Eritrean authorities. Hanna’s brother fled the country before having to join the Eritrean army – which is in reality a form of enforced cheap labour. Because of this, the family was facing a fine equivalent to several thousand pounds; an amount they could never hope
to raise. Hanna’s mother had also been repeatedly imprisoned for various periods which had seriously affected her health. After her last release Hanna decided they should flee.

Camp reality

As they lived not too far from the Ethiopian border, they were able to escape on foot, but could only take a few things with them. Initially life in the refugee camp was difficult – there was barely enough food and they had to build their own home. Currently
the refugees receive a monthly ration of 15 kg of flour, 1 litre of oil, a cup of sugar and salt, which is not enough to survive on. However, Hanna was fortunate and although there is hardly any paid work in the camp, she got a job in the nursery. Wages are low but enable her to keep the family in essentials.

Camp churches

In the refugee camp there are Muslims, adherents of tribal religions, Orthodox Christians, and a few evangelical Christians. Many of these belonged to a forbidden underground church in Eritrea so were persecuted, and the leaders have little or no theological education. Church life is very active, all the more because there is little employment for Christians in the camp. In addition to church services, Sunday school and prayer meetings, church members are keen to talk about their faith in their neighbourhood and to serve people practically.

Courageous evangelism

Hanna is very dedicated to telling others about Jesus. She visits many people in the camp to preach the gospel. She told us, “They know me in the camp and that I am a Christian. This is not always easy for me and my family, so I can only make my visits at night. When it gets dark, I go to both those who are already believers and those who are open to Jesus. Together, we read the Bible and I answer their questions.” 

A heart for Muslims

Hanna has a special heart for Muslims and here she has found her vocation. She is one of the Christians ReachAcross supported as part of this camp’s outreach. Hannah has already won two Muslim families for Jesus, and is now taking care of them. She has the Qur’an on her mobile phone in different languages, and uses verses that mention Jesus for her evangelism work. Two years ago she was selected by her church to study at the Bible school in a nearby region of Ethiopia. This institute was set up three years ago by the small evangelical church there as the elders recognised the importance of training future leaders. Thanks to good contacts and cooperation with churches in the camps, refugees can also be admitted to the Bible school. Hanna is very proud and happy to have had this unique opportunity.

In May 2017 she completed her two-year apprenticeship. We asked her what she expected for the future: “That is entirely in God’s hand – but with my education, I can better tell people about Jesus and teach them in their faith.”

This article is reproduced with permission from the ReachAcross newsletter of December 2017.

 

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