What follows is a continuation of the story of a dear school family whose four children currently attend Hosanna, Fikre and Tshaye. Missed part 1?
Fikre: “I was alone. The very worst time is when I was separated from my family. Family separation is very difficult. I was always crying in front of God because I have to get my family.”
After his migration from Eritrea, Fikre traveled to Sudan. He went on to South Sudan and finally Uganda. Back home in Eritrea, his child of acceptance, Amen, was born.
Eritrea and Ethiopia were locked in a two-decade border conflict. This was one of the borders between Fikre and his family, and it was hostile and closed. There was no way to get passports because the Eritrean government did not allow them such privileges. The only way out of the country was to flee.
Though Tshaye desperately wanted to join Fikre, a journey across a closed border is both difficult and dangerous. It would mean an illegal crossing on foot. For Tshaye, who wasn’t familiar with the terrain as her husband was, it would also mean using smuggler assistance. Her children were too young for such a journey, so eventually she decided to go alone. Though she could not move her family yet, she would at least attempt a visit.
To avoid being spotted during an illegal crossing, the weather has to be favorable. Darkness, dust storms, rain storms, and howling winds are all considered favourable conditions. For the unbeliever, this would be a tense time, as one waits for the elements to conspire on his behalf as he stays concealed near the border. For Tshaye and Fikre, there was peace. The God who led his children out of Egypt was on their side. Even with dust swirling around her as she trudged through the darkness, Tshaye had assurance.
The couple finally met in South Sudan. They traveled to Uganda to spend some precious time together.
Then Tshaye went home to Eritrea. Alone. The family was growing up without their father. When could they be reunited? What was God’s timing? They longed for a refuge. A rock of safety.
Another daughter, Ararat, was born to them. Her name was inspired by the family’s search for a resting place, a mountain of refuge from the flood. Ararat wouldn’t see her Father for the first two years of her life.
Fikre and his wife continually sought God’s leading. They wanted to reunite in His timing and in His place. Finally in 2018, Fikre felt some clarity. Doors were opening to come to Canada. The couple discussed it over the phone. Yes. Canada would be their final destination.
Fikre told her, “The children are big enough. When you get a chance, please try to come.”
A short time later, Ethiopia and Eritrea began a reconciliation process to end twenty years of violence and unrest. Fikre heard that the border would open for ten days. It seemed too good to be true. Prayers were being answered!
Tshaye was at home on a quiet evening when Fikre called.
“The border will be open for 10 days. Do your best.”
She had five young children. She had no car, and a journey of 5,500 kilometres to travel. Checkmate.
But Tshaye wasn’t fazed so easily. She hustled about and packed the family into a cheap rental car. To avoid the neighbours asking questions, they packed nothing. Glancing back, they made sure the house looked like it always did. Everything must seem normal.
Half a day after Fikre’s call, the family was in Ethiopia. That alone was a miracle. The first and hardest border was now behind them. They stayed two days in Mekele and then moved on. Tshaye bought bus tickets to Addis Abba. While navigating the Ethiopian highways by night, the bus driver fell asleep. The wreck was jarring, but God spared them.
Once again, Tshaye needed smuggler assistance to cross the remaining borders. Entire networks of smugglers, who are knowledgeable of the terrain, the guard routines, and favourable weather conditions for illegal crossings, exist across Africa. She would need their help.
In Uganda, Fikre began to bargain with smugglers. He had no money to barter with but also no other choice. First, they asked for $8,000. Fikre bartered for an attainable sum. Finally, he managed to whittle them down to $4,000. It was half-price, but no more affordable for him. He campaigned for the funds, and his church and friends contributed what he needed. They were set.
The children’s cries pierced the dingy gloom. Where were they? Why were they here? Was there no food? No Water?
Smugglers are criminals, and just as reliable. After receiving $3,000 as a down payment, they secured their charges in a hut, safe and sound. Safe from prying eyes. Safe from the elements. Safe from wild animals. And safe from food and water.
Back in Uganda, Fikre was going to Friday night prayer when he got a call. It was his wife. She was desperate.
“The smugglers hid us in a bush. They lie. My battery is almost dead and I don’t have a charger. From now on, you can’t contact us.”
Fikre had only one option. His only line open was to his Heavenly Father. He cried as he shared his family’s plight with the congregation.
“Please pray!”
They prayed all night.
On Saturday, again the church met and prayed. Their prayer was answered by the heavens. It began to rain. Precious drops fell on the Kenyan bush. The parched pilgrims thrust their hands through the hut walls. Palms cupped, they eagerly gathered what moisture they could. At least, they wouldn’t die of thirst.
The rain provided another miraculous answer to prayer, as the sight of hands protruding from the bush hut attracted a passerby’s attention.
Crash! On Sunday night the door of the hut burst from a well-aimed kick. Kenyan police entered the hut. Relief, but also fear swept over Tshaye. They were rescued from the smugglers, but now what? Would they be arrested by the police? After all, they had entered the country illegally.
The fugitives were taken to the police station. Shortly after, they were released to a Kenyan refugee camp.
“I was refugee in Uganda. And they took my family to a refugee camp in Kenya. Even now we were separated. So what will we do? I pray again. God showed me one thing in a dream. The Word of God came into my heart. The Bible says, ‘When the light is coming, the darkness will run.’ I have to go myself. I reached them without any problems.”
In confidence of God’s protection, Fikre sought out his smuggler connections. They had a tough vehicle to withstand the rough terrain of the bush country. Jostling through the forests of Uganda, Fikre knew he was taking another risk. The driver jauntily swung the steering wheel. He had obviously done this before. Fikre was left pondering. Would this be the long awaited reunion? It had been seven years since he had seen his children. What would his children think of him by now?
Back in Kenya, the family left the refugee camp so they could discreetly meet Fikre. He was on the way. They could only wait.
The rover roared up and stopped. Fikre jumped out of the passenger seat. He could see his family grouped and waiting. All five children were there. Amen and Ararat darted off. The sight of big, strange men frightened them. Who was this person their mom was so excited about? Efata, Michias , and Akilas were reserved but accepting. Fikre would have to win the youngest ones. It took a couple of days for them to let him hug them.
The whole family was together at last, but this was no time to sit around. They had to get back to Uganda, where Fikre had his asylum.
Still resting in confidence of God’s protection, he rented a car.
“We will go only straight. Not left or right.” He declared.
“But the police!” his family protested.
“No. I prayed. God will open the way. Let’s go.”
God parted the last border. The reunited family crossed into Uganda. The Exodus had ended.
The family was together for nine months from January to September. In September of 2019, Fikre left for Canada. He was alone. Again. His family would have to join him later. Would Canada be their Ararat? Their mountain of refuge?
How did Fikre and his family find Hosanna? Stay tuned!
Caleb is part of the website team. He enjoys interacting with students and their parents when he gets a chance.
4 Responses
What a captivating story! Can’t wait for part 3. Thank you for the excellent writing, Caleb!
This story is so inspiring. God’s protection and God’s intervention in the lives of His children brings tears to the eyes. Oh,that we might be so faithful as these dear people if ever persecution comes our way.
I can’t even imagine what a person has to go through to be separated from family so long. And the disappointment of the children not knowing their dad. Thanks for the story.
That’s something. I can’t imagine what that would be like, having a husband and father gone for 7 years! How do you raise children without their daddy?
May God continue to lead them and help them become a strong family unit that He can be glorified in them!