Page 133 - Unseen Hands by Nona Freeman

Opposition from Within and Without
reverence for the church to maneuver himself into a posi tion of power. If anyone failed to honor his predictions, he foretold of vindictive retributions that happened. He brought the believers into a bondage of fear and deceived everyone, including Tekle.
Brother Wendell noticed that he always found Temare and two cronies sitting in Tekle's tiny apartment at the back of the church. They did not miss a meal or a conversation.
"What do you fellows do for a living?" he asked.
"Oh, we give ourselves to prayer and testimony for
the church," Temare answered glibly.
Considering their youth and obvious indolence, the
missionary answered sternly, "Stop being a burden to Brother Tekle and his wife. The Bible says that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Go out and get a job and earn your bread honestly."
Temare turned against Brother Wendell from that
day and plotted revenge. He soon manipulated Tekle with cunning wiles and threats to write a letter to Brother Wendell, dictated by him. Even after Tekle realized that he had made a mistake and humbly asked forgiveness for the letter, Temare continued to impose his prophet role on the church, for many believed in him.
In May 1971, the United Pentecostal Church sent helpers to the Wendells—John and Jerri Harris and their children, David, Robert, Jonathan, and Jodie, aged from eight to three years. Attending language school to learn the Amharic language was their priority, but Brother Har ris's first sermon in Addis is well remembered. He spoke on the ministry of angels (Psalm 34:7). The church would soon have an urgent need for angelic protection.
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