Gospel Outreach Bible worker Belete and his medical missionary wife, Chaltu, recently traveled to Kubsa Kabele to share the gospel. While there, Chaltu spent time visiting sick people and providing medical help.
One day, Chaltu met Gutema, a local farmer with six children. His oldest son was very sick. Chaltu visited Gutema and his family frequently, studying the Bible with them and teaching them how to pray. Eventually, everyone in Gutema’s family decided to give their lives to Jesus. They began baptismal studies, and soon the family was baptized.
Unfortunately, Gutema’s oldest son’s condition continued to deteriorate. The family couldn’t afford to take him to the hospital, and he died. Because they were now followers of Jesus, Gutema’s family received no support from relatives or friends. Instead, they were isolated from their community. Nobody visited them or helped with the funeral. Gutema had to carry the body of his son to the cemetery and bury him alone. Through all of this, Gutema continued to trust God.
Most of the people in Gutema’s village are Muslim. Not many people are interested in learning more about Jesus. However, through lots of prayer and technical work, an application was submitted to the Kubsa Kebele leaders in hopes of obtaining land on which to build a new church and cemetery. The application was recently accepted, and 7,500 square meters (about 2 acres) of land have been approved. Praise the Lord for this wonderful gift.
The new church is not yet built, but God’s love is already spreading throughout Kubsa Kebele. Because Gutema’s family accepted Jesus as their Savior, others in the village have also chosen to follow Jesus. Every Sabbath, Gutema’s family worships in their home, looking forward to the day when they will be able to praise God in a church.
The current needs for Kubsa Kebele (population of about 3,150 people) are:
- A fence for the church property.
- Church building supplies.
- A water well for the community. Currently, people have to travel up to 42 kilometers (26 miles) to a river to get water for drinking and for their animals.
Gutema trusts that the Lord will meet these needs and also provide protection, despite threats from some people. We thank the Lord for his faithful stand. Please pray for Gutema’s family and for the people of Kubsa Kebele.