Noah’s friend said he’d like to teach her the Word of God, as well. “You pray for me,” she spat. “If I get the desire that is in my heart, I will accept Jesus.” She expected that was the end of the discussion.
For years, she and Noah had longed for a child. “Shortly after Noah’s friend prayed, I received what I wanted. God gave me a child! I accepted Jesus and I began following Him,” Dagan said. Their daughter, Adiel*, was followed by a second daughter, Dinah*, and the girls became the center of Dagan’s and Noah’s lives.
The four nations that make up the Horn of Africa—Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti—range from somewhat tolerant of Christianity, to being largely defined by an extremist form of Islam that governs society. But in all four countries, converting from one faith to another, especially Christianity, can bring instant pressure from the community and family members. Such was the case for Dagan and Noah.
In the eyes of everyone around them, including family, Dagan, Noah and their children were now second-class citizens. They were shunned, and Noah was physically attacked at a funeral by his own brother.
But far worse was yet to come.