This article title might be the most unique I’ve ever written.
Through Bike for Bibles, we are attempting to fund a translation of Scripture for the Arbore people of Ethiopia. This story shows how the Bible should affect every interaction we have.
An Ethiopian Translator Chooses to Wait on God
The content below is from an article by the Seed Company.
“I will not compensate myself this way, but God will have his own way to compensate me.” — an Arbore Bible translator
The Arbore people of Ethiopia have long had tense relations with the neighboring Hamer tribe. Scarce water and limited grazing land often lead to conflict between these people groups, especially in times of drought.
When a group of Hamer people sneaked into an Arbore village one night, they stole nearly a dozen cattle from Bible translator Ello. Ello mounted his motorbike and tried to track the thieves, but when the trail led across the river and deep into Hamer territory, he realized the cattle were gone for good.
Sadly, a small band of young Arbore men took revenge. They attacked a Hamer shepherd, killing the man and stealing all his goats as compensation for those who’d lost cattle. However, what happened next was nothing short of a miracle.
The goat thieves tried to offer 200 goats to Ello, but he chose to acknowledge God and trust his timing. “I will not compensate myself this way, but God will have his own way to compensate me. It is better for me to wait for God than take these goats, which are forcefully taken from Hamer people.”
The rest of the Arbore were taken aback, and Ello’s response became the talk of the village. Ello explained to them, “I am a minister in the church, doing Bible translation for these people, so how can I take these goats and tell them about God’s love and mercy? I don’t want my life to be a hindrance for others.”
We want this type of noticeable difference on all Christians of the Arbore people, but they need to know God’s Word. Will you consider helping?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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