By John Baptist
Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of the great American evangelist Billy Graham, has come to Addis Ababa to preach the gospel. Let us reflect on what is really going on behind this mission. First, we need to understand the context of the event very well to make a fair assessment of the circumstances developing; as they say, context is everything!
The Spiritual Context.
In one picture, we see that the evangelical leaders have gathered with the evangelist to welcome him as he arrives at Bole International Airport. The evangelist wrote on his social media.
“As I arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this afternoon, it meant so much to be greeted by evangelical pastors and leaders who have been preparing and praying for God to work in a mighty way during the Encountering God Ethiopia Crusade coming up this weekend. I’ll be preaching Saturday and Sunday at Meskel Square here in the capital city.”
He even said
“I am grateful for their passion for the Gospel and their heart to reach lost souls who need to know Jesus Christ as Savior! One pastor said that their city is known as the “political capital of Africa, but it is his prayer that Addis Ababa will become the “spiritual capital” of this continent. Amen!»
Therefore, there is no doubt that these leaders might invite the evangelist to preach the gospel in Addis Ababa with good intentions as they aspire to reach out to the people in the city. As a matter of fact, this is not a new practice. There have been such big names, including one of the greatest evangelists of our age, Reinhard Bonnke, coming to Addis during the TPLF regime. Even his father, Evangelist Billy Graham visited Ethiopia during Emperor Haileselassie. There is no doubt that the preacher will focus on his mission to preach the gospel, as he requests for prayer in his Instagram post: “As I preach the Gospel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, tomorrow and Sunday, would you pray that many will put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ?” The spiritual context is what most evangelicals dream and work for.
The Political strategy context
It is well known that the Abiy Ahmed government has no favor in the eyes of Mr. Trump and his administration. For some reason, Trump does not like Abiy. It might be that Abiy took the Nobel Peace Prize during Trump’s first presidency, by cheating almost the whole world, as if he is a man of peace. After that, they had no good connection and did not work together. Hence, when Trump lost the 2020 election, Abiy showed some kind of relief and even traveled to the White House to sit and watch football with President Biden. However, when Trump won again, it is reported that Abiy was among the first to send a congratulatory message and asked to be present at the inauguration, but he was rejected. Now, the way Mr. Trump is leading the country is based on his guts. If he thinks that there is something wrong with this Ethiopian leader, then that is it. Therefore, Abiy and his gang have to do something. One strategy to connect with Trump is to try to approach him through his evangelical network. One of Trump’s bases during the election is the evangelicals. People like Evangelist Franklin, who led the prayers during Trump’s inaugurations, could help this troubled leader gain favor in the eyes of Trump.
Abiy uses such a strategy to gain special favor in the eyes of influential people. We have all heard from social media programs what he did with the mother of UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed: “He begged by kneeling on her foot so that she could be his mother so that the UAE leader would treat him as a brother.” This story might be true, since the way the UAE leader helps him, even by providing him with expensive drones to kill millions during the two year war with TPLF forces. Now the question is, what if this power-mad killer (with millions of people dead on his hands) wants a favor from Trump through Evangelist Franklin Graham this time as well? We know that the American government works with a network of people who are in these circles, who even replaced the TPLF from central power. This group of people is behind in facilitating the connection between the two leaders to be improved and facilitating the two leaders to meet in the near future.
Message to Evangelist Frank
It is good that you come to Addis Ababa at this time when the city does not represent the misery and agony of the 125 people in the country. The city is like a prostitute or sex worker who puts too much perfume and expensive clothing to distract people from seeing the truth: over two million have died at the hands of these leaders in only six years of war, tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, millions are starving, and 70-80% of the nation right now lives in agony and conflict without social order. Evangelist, if John the Baptist were to come to that city, he would tell these leaders who are dressed in expensive clothes and artificial things on their bodies the hard truth. He might lose his head again, but he would tell them to repent. He would tell them to stop the massacre. He would tell them not to inflict harm on the weak and the poor. The city is waiting for divine judgment due to these leaders who have been doing tremendous wickedness day in and day out for the last six years using their ethnic identity.
They are saying they are prospering. No one hates prosperity and development. But when you do it by destroying other people’s lives, that calls upon judgment from heaven. When the judgment comes, it will be revealed. Now, they are trying to hide it by giving it every spiritual name. Of course, evangelist, it is good that you come to the city. The question is, what have you said to them? If you only preach the gospel to the people, that is good. But if you had told these leaders to repent and seek justice, that could have been a timely message for these people and even for the city to become the spiritual city of the country (as well as the spiritual city of Africa). Furthermore, if you have to go tell Mr. Trump, we beg you in the name of the millions dead, the hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and millions starving, these leaders in Ethiopia are not worthy of leading a nation at this time. They are not faithful partners to any country. Please tell me about the agony of the country. Please do not listen to these people who have lost their souls to hatred, and are planning for a new war across the Horn of Africa. Do not make mistakes due to the bling-bling you see on the streets of the city. Agony, misery, and cries for judgment are behind it.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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These Evangelical fanatics are the very reason we must change the name “Ethiopia” to something else.
What does a belief that 2% of the population follow, has to do with the name “Ethiopia”, it predates any of the realigns that exist… The name Ethiopia is known, it is not a belief. Just like you know your name, you do not ‘believe’ it is your name.
People once believed, the Sun revolved around the Earth, until knowledge came along.
A little over a hundred years ago when donkey, then horse ride was a means of transportation, whispering about a hypersonic jet ride would have gotten one a 100 lashes & death penalty by crucifixion.
The board of education for Earth ( this solar system (the 84th “big bang” (birth of a Star)) out of the 120 scheduled in this experiment ) keeps updating the curriculum based on the competence of the occupants of the time. The trainees, as law of nature dictates, will have to be ready enough to create the next solar system to fulfil the continuation of the original plan of the experiment that started physicality, “What else can God be?”
These can only be done if the trainees have gone through the challenges of existing in physicality-world and leaning not only how to cope but how to refine their competencies to be able to do the task that awaits them upon graduation become a creator of the next world, not all are expected to reach the finishing line in one go, billions have to repeat the journey millions of times (based on their own aptitude, attitude, & deeds) the not necessarily back on the same planet or solar system… but to any one that their energy pattern matches & gets permission to join (go into as a baby). What we call a ‘baby’ is billions and billions years old, in fact as old as Existence (source) it self; where ‘God’, you and everything else comes from.
Be well.
Necessity is the mother of invention… ( for Gods in training in 3D)
“How Quantum Computers will Change the Future (Quantum A.I.)”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=LKUYxBUrV4o
Be well.
‘… Lobbying effort targeting the US Gov.’
“To be an enemy of America is dangerous. But to be its friend is fatal.”,
Henry Kissinger
Ukraine did a lot of lobbying and did succeed unlike most, due to its proximity to Russia, well after the facts of the last 12 years, the last 3 in particular… The sentiment today as we speak in Ukraine is more than a regret. Too bad, one cannot walk back time…
What is amazing is the US never hides its predatory nature, but its ‘allies’ who come with all kinds of excuses after they no longer hold its interest and move on to the greener pasture…
The collective Europe is now in ‘dire straits’ as we speak.
China on the other hand however has not only succeeded in lobbying the US to invest in China, but also tamined it to fit its own vision and took the upper-hand when it comes to its own economic interest ( no zero sum game here) where others including the Europeans failed.
The plan has to be complete from beginning to end, how to get in, how long to stay there, and how to exit stronger.
Be well.
There is an old saying, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Forging friendship with the strong vs the weak, when the US was strong 1945 -1990, it proved to be beneficial for those who did, Europe, Japan, South Korea… and China from 1972 forward, were able to benefit from its exploits.
Today US is in a decline, and is not in a position of sharing what little it has left instead as we can observe it is on the move to rebuild its own base, meaning any new partner coming forward is most likely to be ending up being unsuspecting victim to its exploitative-intention that is in full display as it is attempting to force Ukraine to sign away its natural resource without any limit in scope or timeframe.
Which is a disaster for Ukraine, not only lost a lot already on behalf of the US Proxy war against Russia, which they foolishly signed up for..
“Despite a Trade War, The US Dollar Just Keeps Crashing – Crisis Explained!”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=P1CgPRKKNVM
That being the current state of the US economic & technological environments… it is wise for the Ethiopian administration, reanalyze its beneficial economic & technological strategy and divert its attention and effort to join with thee emerging economic and technological powerhouses of the 21st century, which are already its partners in BRICS, namely China, Russia, Iran, UAE, South Korea, Singapore, etc.
“China in Transition: Top diplomat, author on why Chinese innovation’s unstoppable”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=g_q86PqrcwM
It would wise to look around see what is the current state of the world in terms of development in all areas of human activities…particularly in education, research & technology.
Out of the top 20 universities 10 or more are located in China, dethroning the old list just 10 years earlier… and as a result China leads the US in 57 out of 60 top innovations which was the reverse some 15 years ago. And many of their research papers are published in Chinese therefore only those studding in China and have mastered Chinese language can be participating in the leading scientific research and development for the foreseeable future. The same goes in the Russian education system…
There for it is wise to form deep collaboration with both China and Russia to be able to send our young people to be part of the 21st century education and research.
French and German languages were given High Schools, back in the day, I think our education system need a total redesign when it comes to foreign-language studies, and Chinese & Russian languages need to be added or replace the old curriculum.
To see what others are not able to see and not aware of and catching the ‘innovation train’ early and to adopt quickly is the key for success!
And we need to create the condition for our young people to take advantage of what is NEW & emerging than keep languishing in the old ‘dumb down’ model created to pump out copy cats, to fill the labor force of 1900′ manufacturing houses.
Be well.
“China’s universities are ahead of everybody. And so are their scientists.”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=8msSfjvhu3k
“Our experts completely misjudged China and its ability to innovate. Now they’re ahead everywhere.”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=oZtc0zNH_uU
Be well.
“Alastair Crooke : European Elites In Trouble”
Link = youtube.com/watch?v=F6fW0GkkrJI
Because US is in trouble… & is looking to find an easy NEW prey away from a skeletal Europe… Ethiopia wants to be the the new-kid -in-the -block: ‘here I am”, via a paid ‘lobby’, to the slaughter house.
Here is a better idea, create a common ground with the diaspora community by removing barriers that have a dividing nature in the current political structure that are keeping people away from creating unity & collaboration to move forward and build on what our ancestors have passed on to us as one nation and one people ideals.
“Memory & Imagination are the two gifts no other animal has but humanity, however, human beings suffer from their own memory & imagination; that is, they suffer that which does not exist. “,
S
People suffer what happened to them 10 years ago, and what will happen to them tomorrow; yet tomorrow never comes, and the past is DEAD & is never accessible And their life in this moment is forsaken while they oscillate between the past (the dead) & the future, which does not come.
Only the NOW is real, here and actionable!
Building is hard, but destroying is easy and anyone can become a wrecking-ball as TPLF has done by dividing the nation by tribal lines 1991, and still trying to stay relevant today and take Tigray into further economic degradation and poverty.
Working on our unity must be the focus to rewrite the damage TPLF has done, so that we move forward hand in hand together as one people, as Ethiopians.
Be well.