Godless--The Conclusion

Last week I posted a story from World Vision about Shimelis who was persecuted for his faith in Ethiopia. Here is the conclusion of his story. Though the government thought they could stop the spread of Christianity in their country--God had other plans.
Godless: The Response
By Kari Costanza, July 2009
As the government changed in Ethopia, the prisoners were freed. The church kept growing. Persecution hadn’t been able to stop it. “In the face of persecution,” says Shimelis, who had suffered much in the name of Christianity, “the Christians continued to emerge. People came to Jesus even in the face of persecution.” The church became harder to manage when there was freedom. “There wasn’t adequate administration,” says Shimelis.
Now Shimelis works to keep Christianity thriving in Ethiopia. His time in prison shaped and strengthened him. But one memory he looks on fondly. “While we were in prison, we continued to preach,” he says. “We got 46 people believing in Jesus—including policemen!”
Shimelis’ work is supported by World Vision, especially in the area of community care. World Vision has trained his Hope Team—volunteers who counsel the sick. They use money from the church budget to provide people living with HIV and AIDS with food and support. And each member contributes one Ethiopian Birr a month toward the fund. World Vision gives them material support as well.