On 5 May 1936, the Italian army captured the African country of Ethiopia and Selassie, the ruler of Ethiopia went into exile.

The Wallamo, was an Ethiopian tribe who worshipped the forces of darkness. In 1937, by the order of the ruling Italian army, the largely western Christian missionaries who worked among this tribe for over 9 years, were forced to leave the country. When they bade farewell to the Wallamo, among whom were only around 48 Christian believers, their minds were ruled by many thoughts: ‘We know that God is faithful, but when we come back to this place how many of them will remain faithful?’ 

There was not much of the Bible available to the tribe, except the gospel of Mark and a few other portions of the Bible. Moreover, only a handful of the tribesmen were literate. And the believers had not received sufficient training from their Christian brothers who had left the country. Besides, they were new believers who had only recently given up the pagan practices of the tribe … They suffered severe persecutions by the enemy forces.

The missionaries entrusted the small church of 48 members into the hands of the Lord, and left the country as required by the law. Unlike today, they did not have telephone facilities to communicate with the tribe.

5 long years went by. On 5 May 1941, Selassie returned from exile and retook the country. The missionaries were able to return as well. They had only one question looming in their minds: Will there be at least a few who remain in the faith? But the sight they saw was amazing!! They saw around 10,000 believers worshipping the Lord in around 200 churches. Together, they gave all the glory to the Lord saying: “Holy Lord, all glory and worship to You alone!”

Raymond Davidson, in his book ‘Fire on the Mountain’, describes in detail, the life of the Wallamo children of God. Their lives led many other lives to the light of the Lord.

By 1950, the number increased to 2,40,000 people …

By 1990 it rose to 35,00,000. These people of God worshipped Him in spirit and truth …. Hallelujah … Hallelujah …!!!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3: 20 – 21

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126: 5-6