Page 211 - Unseen Hands by Nona Freeman

The End Is Not Yet
filled with the Holy Ghost.
In the West, Debena witnessed to seven evangelists.
They, along with many other Spirit-filled people, desired water baptism in Jesus' name. Debena took the evange lists to Addis for baptism, and while there, he and the evangelists received ordination.
They returned to the West, hoping to spread revival; instead they went to prison because of false reports to the police. Debena was released after six months. The seven preachers stayed longer before facing trial, though they could have been set free at any time by denying their salvation. The judge would only accept political charges that had nothing to do with religion, so he dismissed the men.
Revival came, and with it came much persecution. Debena s job made preaching illegal for him, but he did not stop, despite frequent warnings. The police arrested the eight men again, including Debena, and took them with their children and nursing babies to the capital city for "questioning." That consisted of making them kneel on the sand and beating them unmercifully every day for a week. Death loomed over them each day but as they called on the name of Jesus, healing and strength came. . .so that they could return for another beating!
They returned home with harsh threats ringing in their ears, determined to preach the gospel as never before. The government fired Debena from his good job, and he rejoiced to be set free to work for the Lord. He is now presbjrter of the western region and has reached to the Illubabor region, the border of Sudan, and the Anyuak tribal people.
In 1969, when Tekle and Erkenesh went to Negele 209