Boke

VOM Newsletter

 

Two groups of militant Muslims attacked Ethiopian churches in the same village simultaneously on March 2, 2008. The assailants burst into two churches at the same time, during Sunay morning worship. Wielding machetes and knives shouting, "Allahu akbar," or "God is great," the gangs barricaded windows and doors before turning their weapons on the frightened believers.

 

Tula Misisa was killed with a machete slash that nearly beheaded him. Others suffered wounds to their hands, necks, foreheads, legs, arms, shoulders, and backs. The attackers completely severed the left hands of two men, Deffa, 30, and Nura, 45. Another man, Bededa, 42 years old, recieved a deep gash to his palm. Abdifa, 32, sustained a nine-inch wound from his back to his chest, puncturing his lung. Boke a 5-year-old, was cut on his upper right arm nearly through the bone.

 

We heard about the raids and wanted to know how we could come alongside those who were injured. They recieved wound care at a nearby hospital, but needed long-term care and physical therapy. Working with Ethiopian contacts, VOMedical Director "Dr. Kim" visited the victims. He wrote prescriptions, ordered tests, referred patients to specialists and counseled the amputees about the types of prosthesis available. "We must monitor this child closely; he should do well if he recieves adequate care from this point...," he wrote regarding Boke.

 

Dr Kim also made arrangements for the Families of Martyrs fund to help support the men who were unable to work because of their injuries. Nura, a farmer and lay preacher who lost his left hand, will depend on this help while he waits for a prosthetic hand. Nura has a long healing process ahead of him, but the doctor wrote, "He wishes to use his injury as a means of proclaiming the gospel." By serving the physical needs, we equip Nora and the others to go on declaring the Good News in Ethiopia.

 

Serving the persecuted church frequently requires sone form of medical help. VOMedical's unique network is able to provide immediate, life-saving responses as well as long-term physical care to those attacked for their faith.