The name ‘Ethiopia’ conjures up images of a poverty-stricken country and starving, desperate people.  Yet Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world (at least 2 000 years old) and the second oldest country to become officially Christian.  Some of the oldest churches are found there and the name ‘Ethiopia’ is mentioned several times in the Bible.

After a military takeover in 1974, the country became a one-party Communist state and in the 1980s a series of famines struck Ethiopia leaving over a million people dead.  Insurrection against Communist rule led to multi-party elections in 1995, but today many citizens of the country struggle to make a living in the agriculturally-based economy.  Despite attempts at improving the economy, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

On a daily basis, TWR broadcasts programmes such as Thru The Bible in several of the local languages including Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromo and Somali.  Recently the government of Eritrea (a neighbouring country) forced the church to close its studio there.  This means that TWR had to find a new place to record programmes. 

A listener from Ethiopia writes:

“I have found Trans World Radio and listen to your programmes regularly.  I find it especially encouraging that your station takes the time to pray for countries individually.  May I ask that you and your listeners please pray for Ethiopia.

For the past 30 years (if not more), we have been at war among ourselves and our neighbours.  My country has also been struck by famine which has put us on the map.  The world has seen horrifying pictures of starving children and has come to our aid.  Unfortunately, help from the outside is not a lasting solution – we must change ourselves.

Please, Africa, pray with us that God will turn His face towards us.

Let us keep on praying for lasting peace and provision in this once-prosperous country.  

Published31 October 2008