Prepared for Persecution

In 1974, political unrest in Ethiopia led to arrests, killings, and turmoil. In time, we could not preach from door to door and we could meet only in small groups. My parents began preparing us children for additional opposition. Bible principles helped us to understand the meaning of Christian neutrality. We learned that Jehovah would help us know what to say if we were questioned and that at times we might need to remain silent.—Matthew 10:19; 27:12, 14.

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After finishing my schooling, I started working for Ethiopian Airlines. One morning when I came to work, my colleagues congratulated me because I had been selected to lead a parade commemorating the anniversary of the government. I promptly informed my supervisor that because of my Christian neutrality, I would not be participating in the celebration.

The next day, I was working at the airport when, in the distance, I saw men with rifles strapped over their shoulders walking toward the ticket counter. I assumed that they were coming to arrest someone who was trying to escape the country. But instead, they pointed their fingers at me! What did they want with me? What started out as a normal workday quickly changed.

Help in Prison

The soldiers took me to an office where I was interrogated for several hours. “Who pays Jehovah’s Witnesses?” they demanded to know. “Do you work for the Eritrean Liberation Front? Do you or your father work for the United States government?” Although this could have been very stressful, I felt calm, thanks to Jehovah’s help.—Philippians 4:6, 7.

After the interrogation, the soldiers drove me to a house that had been converted into a prison and placed me in a 28-square-meter (300-sq-ft) room that was crowded with about 15 young women who were political prisoners.

That night, as I lay on the hard floor still wearing my airline uniform, I worried about the distress my parents and siblings were feeling. They knew I had been arrested, but they had no idea where I was. I asked Jehovah to help my family find out where I was being held.

The next morning when I woke up, I recognized a young guard. He looked at me in disbelief and said, “Aster, what are you doing here?” I begged him to go to my parents’ home and tell them where I was. Later that day, I received a delivery of food and clothes from my parents. The guard had told them where I was. Jehovah had answered my prayer! That experience reassured me that I was not alone.

I was not allowed to have a Bible or any other publications, and my family and friends were not allowed to visit me. Still, Jehovah provided encouragement by means of my fellow prisoners. I preached to them every day, and they were impressed with the truth about God’s Kingdom. They often told me: “Here we are fighting for a human government, but you are fighting for God’s government. Don’t compromise, even if they threaten to kill you!”

Sometimes the guards interrogated and beat the prisoners. One night, at about 11:00 p.m., they came for me. When we arrived at the interrogation room, they made many accusations. They said that I did not support the government. And when I refused to voice a political slogan, two male guards beat me. The guards took me to interrogation sessions like this on several occasions. Each time, I prayed fervently to Jehovah, and I felt him sustaining me.

After three months, one of the guards came and told me that I was free to go. Although I was surprised and excited, I was also a little disappointed because I had enjoyed sharing the Kingdom hope with the young women in the prison.

A few months after my release, while I was out of the house, soldiers came to arrest all the teenagers in our family! They arrested two of my sisters and one of my brothers. At that point, I decided that it was best for me to flee the country. Although I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my family again, my mother encouraged me to be strong and to trust in Jehovah. Shortly thereafter, I boarded a flight to the United States. That same evening, soldiers came to my home to arrest me a second time. Not finding me at home, they rushed to the airport. But by the time they got there, my flight was already in the air.

But back home in Ethiopia, my family was going through intense persecution, and this distressed me. My three siblings who were arrested were still in prison.b Every day my mother had to prepare and deliver meals for them because the prison did not provide food.

During that stressful period, Jehovah was my refuge and the Bethel family gave me comfort and support. (Mark 10:29, 30) One day, Brother John Booth told me: “We are so glad you are here serving at Bethel. It wouldn’t have been possible if you didn’t have Jehovah’s blessing.”c Those kind words reassured me that Jehovah had blessed my decision to leave Ethiopia and that he would take care of my family.