October 10th, 2002

Three young women; Tigist, Selam and Mariam met for tea at Selam's house one day this week. Sunday had been a special saint's day and they were discussing the saint's day and they were seen while in the church courtyard on Sunday morning. Tigist has recently become a believer and was praying that the Holy Spirit would give her an opportunity to speak to her two friends. Her friend, Selam, a very strong follower of the traditional church was talking about how they needed to protect the traditions of the church from people who were talking about new ideas. "According to our traditions, we must give to the poor in the name of the Virgin Mary if we expect her to allow us into heaven! And remember we are to treat the church with respect and kiss the gate and the wall of the church. Acts such as these will not go unnoticed by the Holy mother Mary. She will see all that we do to honor her and tell Our Lord to give us a place in heaven."
Tigist saw this as an opportunity to ask her friend a question, "Selam, do you know for sure you will go to heaven when you die?" Selam told her friend that no one could. Selam told her her friend only God. Carefully, Tigist began to explain the gift of Free Salvation given to those who confess Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and told her how she could be sure of her salvation. Pray that Tigist will have many opportunities to share the GOOD NEWS with her friends.