Brian and Val Rutten

Dear Evangel;

Greetings from Ethiopia.

We have been keeping a bit of a low profile for this past year as the adversary has been stirring up all kinds of opposition. In spite of this the work continues to grow very fast and the needs rise as the work expands. I was looking at the past 18 years since we came here and stand amazed at what has happened and what we are privileged to be part of. You are part of it too.

One thing among many is that the number of Evangelicals in the country has gone from about 2 million in 1992 to 15 million today! (Government statistics) In one of the main Ethiopian denominations we work with (again among many) the number of trained leaders has grown in that same time from just one to many thousands and they are in major leadership positions throughout the country. Thousands of churches planted and millions of believers are a wonderful thing.

Today I met some of the key leaders from another Ethiopian indigenous denomination we work with. The fruit there is also amazing. In that group we support 110 church planter\missionaries into the toughest regions of the country. These 110 have in the last ten months, planted 300 churches.

In another area one Somali convert who has been in prison for his faith for many months was this week released which is great news. But another Muslim miraculously converted which we support and who has been extremely effective (together with three other leaders he converted and who are also very effective) have been falsely accused and are in prison now. Even there they are working to win people. Since they are working underground the church leaders cannot be in contact with them. It is a very strong Muslim area and contact with the church would endanger them even more. He hired an advocate who tried to help him but the next day the advocate was stabbed and is seriously hurt. In these rural areas the local leaders have much control. We pray that the central government of the country which is strongly for freedom of religion will intervene.

The doors remain open in every direction. Opposition is very intense. We need your support and prayer greatly.

Brian and Val

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