There are always a few apprehensions before an interview. As I drove the three blocks to Fikre’s house, I pondered the usual ones. Will he have a story? Will he be willing to share it? What questions do I ask?
The knob clicked into park position. I had come with Renee, who is a teacher at Hosanna, and my sister Hadassah. We sat in silence in front of the house.
Renee expressed what we were all feeling by saying, “We’re walking in to people we haven’t met to demand information.”
I confidently replied, “This isn’t my first rodeo.”
This was to reassure myself and the others. I’d done this before.
I reached back for my gear, then impulsively left the video camera and tripod cased and swung open the door. The interview would only include audio this time.
We could see the welcoming faces through the glass door before it opened. After a few smiles, greetings, and hearty handshakes, we were seated on the couches. Fikre leaned back in his corner recliner and our conversation quickly gained momentum. I knew I had to stop and clarify my purpose. I started by describing to whom we were talking.
“There are many people who support the school. Most of them have families and want to raise them up to serve God. Not all of them have an opportunity to sit here and hear your story. I’d like to share your story with them. Are you okay with that?”
Without hesitation he responded, “I think it is important to share my testimony because other believers can be encouraged by hearing what God has done.”
With that, I placed the recorder on the table. Almost immediately, we were captivated.
“If I keep quiet, the gospel will stop with me. I have to pass it on to my generation.”
He began to express one of his deeply rooted convictions. “If I keep quiet, the gospel will stop with me. I have to pass it on to my generation.”
I began to glimpse what drove him in life. See Fikre’s Story Part 1 & Part 2 in the blog to read his story.
The plot of his story developed throughout the evening. Sometimes we raced over details. Other times we backed up a year and rehashed scenes until a movie played in our heads. There were times when we both edged forward in our seats in anticipation of the climaxes.
Then the African saga wound down and we relaxed. The family was safely in Canada now.
The family was safe in Canada.
I asked him how his children came to be enrolled at Hosanna.
“When you are in Africa, you will think that Canada is a Christian country. And then I came to Canada and it is like Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“In Africa there is no food or work, but everyone has a fear of God. Here, in Canada, people ask, ‘Who is God? Who is Jesus?’”
“I am in Canada? I was surprised!”
“When I was at my church, I asked the others with children where they are going to school. Because I have a responsibility for my kids. I am preaching to a lot of people but I don’t want to lose my kids.”
“My friends told me about Hosanna. Then, I start searching to learn about it and I saw everything that they do. ‘Even in Sodom,’ I thought, ‘there are Christians.’”
“At that time, I don’t have money. I was told, ‘At Hosanna, you will need to pay.’”
“So, in January, I took my children to the public schools close to me.”
“I kept talking to my friends about their children and school. My kids came from Africa with full faith in God. I don’t want them to lose what they came with.”
“(My friend) Robel told me, ‘You have to take these kids to Hosanna Christian School. Even if you only have a little money, they will help you. Go and register them. We will see what they will do.’
“Good friends will guide you.”
“Good friends will guide you.”
“They gave me the phone number and I came to visit Hosanna. When I entered the school, my heart was full of happiness.”
“I came home and shared it with my wife. Then, she told me, ‘We care about our kids. We don’t want to lose them. Let them take them.’”
“When I entered the school, my heart was full of happiness.”
“In the last week of August I went to school and talked to the Principal, Jason. He is a gentleman.”
“Jason told me, ‘How can I take them? We don’t have room.’”
“’Yeah, I know,’ I pleaded, ‘But rather than send them to public school, let them walk in the halls. They don’t need a class. If I send them back to public school, I will lose them.’”
“After that they accept my kids and did an orientation. The result of my prayers. I glorify my Lord Jesus. I want my kids to put Christ first in their life. Even if you are a doctor, if you don’t have the love of Christ, it is zero.”
“I ask them everyday what they had in Bible class. My children will share with me what they learned. Then, we have devotions at 9 p.m. before I go to my work. After devotions, they will sleep and I will go to work.”
“I want my kids to put Christ first in their lives.”
Our interview closed with Fikre recounting the names of his children and how they fit his life story. The oldest, Efata, was inspired by Jesus’ words in Mark 7:34, “Be opened”. This echoed Fikre’s burden for his fellowman’s spiritual blindness. The second, Michias (Micah), reminds him that God is great. He is in control. The third, Akilas (Aquilos), is inspired by the hospitality the benevolent couple showed to the apostles in Corinth. The name means “Eagle”, as a symbol of strength given by God. Amen, the child of acceptance, was born while he was fleeing his country. It was his determination to accept God’s will that inspired this name. Finally, the youngest was named Ararat in hope of a refuge. Ararat was the mountain where the ark rested after the Great Flood.
Efata~ “Be opened”, from Jesus’ words in Mark 7:34.
Amen~ the child of acceptance, was born while he was fleeing his country. It was his determination to accept God’s will that inspired this name.
Michias (Micah) ~ God is great; He is in control.
Akilas (Aquilos)~ “Eagle”, a symbol of strength given by God.
Ararat~ in hope of a refuge. Ararat was the mountain where the ark rested after the Great Flood.
We left Fikre’s house at the same time he did. He works a night shift, so he leaves for work in the evening. He left us with a final thought. “I have to keep my generation. Tomorrow, these children will become a tool for revival in this city.”
Driving through the deserted residential streets afterwards, still feeling warm from the Eritrean coffee, our minds mulled over what we had heard. I remember Renee saying, “A teacher can lose the vision in the drudgery of teaching life. This reminded me of why we are doing this.”
“A teacher can lose the vision in the drudgery of teaching life. This reminded me of why we are doing this.”
Caleb is part of the website team. He enjoys interacting with students and their parents when he gets a chance.
We like to send blog updates once a month.
3 Responses
Thanks so much Caleb. Sometimes I ask myself, why did I accept this teaching job. And sometimes there are days that are just too emotionally stressed. Then when I hear stories like these I repent and the joy of serving God like this returns.
Thank you for this inspiring article!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.