Page 28 - Then Came the Glory

Then Came the Glory
by a series of set-backs arranged by the master of deceit. A confused helper even disfellowshiped Tekle. When John
Harris, stationed in Kenya, became Superintendent of
Ethiopia, and Brother Freeman, RFS, recognized his
leadership ability; they reinstated him.
Tom Fred Tenney, then director of Foreign Missions
sent Brother Freeman to Ethiopia in early 1970 to help the Wendells obtain land for a Bible School and finally got the
promise of a place on the edge of the desert with perpetual water shortages. Before they could negotiate a change, the
Emperor issued that decree against the Pentecostals and ordered the missionaries to leave the country. Persecution
accelerated. Brother Tenney hastily sent Brother Freeman on » his third trip to Addis Ababa hoping to find a way to avoid
deportation of both missionary families. The Emperor refiised to see him and the Minister of Education (in charge
of church affairs) told him the decree could not be rescinded. As a result he preached the final message in the last legal service held before the decree went into effect.
He recounts, "Broken-hearted, not knowing how to
encourage the precious saints in this time of crisis, I walked to the table that served as a pulpit.. Suddenly the Spirit
whispered, "One on one.' I told them, "Forget prayer
meetings and church services; the decree states if three of
you are found with a Bible, you will be thrown in jail and
perhaps beaten. That will not help anything. Remember this: the early church operated illegally most of the time, yet it
grew.
"Until the dear Lord makes it possible for regular services to begin again, you can go out and win them one at a time. Fast and pray until the Lord leads you to a soul. Even if he or she is unfriendly and doesn't want to hear.
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