Tamrat and Elsabeth’s in Abderafi

Elsabeth’s cosmetic business (above) provides not only a source of income but also connects her with women who come to the shop to share their burdens, ask for prayer, and even attend discipleship classes.
Elsabeth’s cosmetic business (above) provides not only a source of income but also connects her with women who come to the shop to share their burdens, ask for prayer, and even attend discipleship classes.

In August of 2019, Tamrat and his wife, Elsabeth, didn’t even know NLICM existed. All they knew was they were at the end of their proverbial rope.
As a missionary in the town of Abderafi (180 miles outside the city of Gondar), Tamrat had set out to serve and share the Gospel within his largely unchurched community. He knew it would be no small undertaking, given that one of his predecessors—the man who himself introduced Tamrat to the Lord—had been stoned to death, and the subsequent missionary had left after finding the relentless persecution too much to bear. And now Tamrat found himself in a similar position—he and Elsabeth had been disowned by family members, fired from their jobs, and beaten and threatened by those they were dedicated to serving. As Tamrat explained, he had come to the point where he could no longer watch as his wife and other persecuted Christians slowly starved. Yet it was at this point of apparent defeat that the couple’s prayers would be answered.
Shortly after they met with their sponsoring church in Gondor to tell them they could no longer lead the ministry in Abderafi, NLICM’s own Dagne Balcha learned of their situation while visiting the area. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Dagne soon met with Tamrat and knew immediately that he—and NLICM—was meant to help. After meeting with church elders in Gondor, Dagne said God gave him a plan: not only would NLICM help support Tamrat, but it would also provide Elsabeth with financial resources ($600) to start a business that would help connect her to the community while providing support for their family.
Now, more than a year later, Tamrat and Elsabeth are able to provide not only for their family—baby daughter Meden was born last year—but also for persecuted members of their community. The Gospel is being shared, and many are coming to Christ. Said Elsabeth: “I would like to thank The Fellowship Church, NLICM and all who support this ministry. You are our miracle.”