The Wealthiest Merchant
Yimenu was one of the wealthiest merchants of a small town not far from Shashemane, the administrative city of West Arsi Zone in southern Ethiopia. A father of five and elder of his local church, Yimenu, along with his family, was targeted in 2020 by Muslim mobs who destroyed his home and businesses.
God Protected Us
"The attackers came not only to loot and burn property, but also to kill us," said Yimenu, who hid with his family at a friend's house during the attack. "But God protected us."
God Did Not Forget Us
After the attack, Yimenu's family struggled to meet their basic needs. When VOM workers learned about Yimenu's situation, they supported him and helped him provide food for his family.
"We lost hope when everything was gone. Our loss was significant," he said. "But God did not forget us. We felt God's presence."
Pray for Yimenu and his family while they rebuild their lives. Pray that he is able to find a new source of income after the loss of his businesses. Pray that they remain firm in their faith, and pray that they will be able to show love and forgiveness to those who persecuted them.
