Transforming the lives of street boys in Ethiopia

The Bible is being used to transform the lives of thousands of boys rescued from the streets in Ethiopia.

The Lighthouse Boys Home has helped some 6,000 boys since it opened 13 years ago.

Bible Society gives the home copies of the Bible as books and in audio. So along with food, shelter and training they also get to listen to, read and study the Bible – something the home’s Director says has transformed hundreds of lives.

This Bible Sunday - today - churchgoers will hear about the story of one boy from the home who says his life has been totally changed by the Bible.

He is featured in this year’s Bible Sunday resource pack – a range of worship resources designed to encourage churches to think about how the Bible is re-energising people today and changing lives and nations.

Tesfaye, 17, was electrocuted after sleeping in an electricity sub station to try and stay warm. He was taken to hospital after he was found lying at the side of the road. He had been so badly burnt he was there for six months before he was taken to the Lighthouse Home where he started listening to the Bible.

Tesfaye says, "The worst thing about being on the street is that people get hurt. It is wet and cold. It’s so difficult to live on the streets. My life has been changed totally.

"God has a plan for me. I'm trusting in him now. I don't know what's going to happen to me, but I believe that God has a plan."

The Lighthouse Home’s Director Kashun Tesfaye, 30, says, "There are many problems for boys on the streets. If the weather is cold they drink oil from cars to keep warm. They go hungry. They end up eating garbage. They don’t use clean water or drink clean water.

"The Bible gives these young people hope for the future. I believe that’s because the Bible gives hope to all people. The children are able to understand the word of God and get hope in God."

The Bible Sunday theme this year, Celebrating The People’s Bible, Today Yesterday and Tomorrow is based on Nehemiah 8. It’s a key moment in the history of Israel. In the midst of a period of huge change – the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and Nehemiah was already leading many social reforms – the people gather for Ezra to read 'the book of the Law'. They are moved to tears as they hear Scripture read aloud to them.

Bible Sunday Project Manager Ben Whitnall says, "We are encouraging people to think about, and celebrate, the continuing power of Scripture to inspire change – as we have seen it is doing in Ethiopia.

"Just like in Nehemiah's time, amazing things continue to happen when people hear the Bible message."