Patriots and Power

In Ethiopia, 5 May is Patriot’s Day or to give it it’s full title – Ethiopian Patriots Victory Day. On this day Ethiopians celebrate the victory over the Italians in 1941. Ethiopia was invaded by the Italians in 1935 with Addis being captured on 5 May 1936. The reasons for the invasions have never been 100% clear – some say it was to avenge the loss the Italians suffered at the hands of the Ethiopians in 1896; others say it was a scheme by Mussolini to draw attention away from his local failures. The church in Italy supported the war as a way of making the savages more civilized and converting the Orthodox to Catholicism.

Emporere Haile Selassie mobilized the Ethiopian Army and ordered all men to go to war and to bring a woman to cook and clean for him. Only those with babies, the blind and the infirm were excused. The Army was about 500 000 men and most of them were untrained. The Arbegnoch or Patriots was a resistance movement which started in 1936. These cells of men and women undertook guerilla tactics to fight the Italians. They continued fighting through out the years of occupation and on 5 May 1941, five years after it was taken by the Italians, Haille Selassie re entered Addis Ababa. The actions of these men and women are still celebrated and held in high esteem.

On 8 May, South Africa held provincial and national elections. Leading up to the elections there were many promises and threats made, protests held and opinions freely given. The country seems to be divided between those who believe the government can do no wrong and those who think they can do nothing right. There are plenty of people who think there is no future in South Africa, who see the outlook as bleak and who think there is no hope.

There is no doubt that we are subject to our government; they have authority over us and our lives are affected by them. However, we often forget that God is in control of all things. He raises up leaders, He controls the way they go and He is sovereign over all. In this time there are many countries with uncertain futures or with unease and questions. Many people are not happy with their government. Let us not despair or be too caught up in politics. Rather let us thank God that He is in control and may we be obedient to pray for those who God has elevated to leadership of our countries. Moreover, let us, be not part of the problem but part of the solutions and may we do what we can for the best of those around us.

Unrest

This week there has been much unrest in and around Addis. We have had two lock downs at school and school has been cancelled on a few occasions. We are safe in the compound but can hear the sounds of the protests and tear gas being set off. Some of the Ethiopian staff have had their houses ransacked and have been displaced; families have been split up – it is not a good time.

All the unrest is politically motivated. The new Prime Minister has released many political prisoners and they have made their way back to Addis. One of the things they want is a new flag – they feel the current one only represents one ethnic group. It is all Ethiopian vs Ethiopian and none is aimed at expats but we are still affected by it.

The same is true of Christians in the world today. We live our lives and we get comfortable; sometimes too comfortable. We forget that there is a battle going on for the world – we know that ultimately God has won but that doesn’t stop Satan taking as many prisoners as he can. This world is not our home and it is NOT at peace. We need to play our part in the battle – put on our armour and get stuck in.

It is also easy for us to not get involved in the suffering of others because it doesn’t directly affect us. We are safe and hear stories of terrible things but that is all they are to us; stories. But each person a tragedy happens to, is a person with a family. They are somebodies mother, father, son, daughter, friend. It isn’t always possible to do something tangible but when it is may we not hide behind the walls of our busyness, comfort or ignorance. May we help those who suffer and be with them in the trials

of life.