Trials Forge Faith in Ethiopia

Australian couple, Robert and Darice Dudfield, knew that opening a brand-new mission in the African country of Ethiopia would be a great learning opportunity, but they could never have foreseen the obstacles that would be placed in their path.

Two months of near-death Covid, civil unrest requiring missionary evacuation from the country, and building congregations new to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would all be part of their experience.

The Dudfields arrived in the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission at the start of August 2020 greeting a country of approximately 120 million people and not one missionary on the ground. The four fledgling congregations hadn’t met since Covid hit, and although the Book of Mormon was available in the native language of Amharic, many other Church materials were only available in English.

Soon after they arrived, eight Ethiopian elders and sisters (missionaries) were called to serve missions in their home country, attending online missionary training through Zoom from Ghana.

Just two months after arriving, President Dudfield contracted a severe case of Covid, requiring oxygen and a month of hospitalisation. While in a hospital bed, covered with severe vein-searching-bruising, he heard a General Conference talk by President Russell M. Nelson, explaining to a family member the meaning of the word ‘myopic’ in relation to how we see situations in life.

“This made me want to expand my vision,” recalled Robert. Days dragged on and needed rest became difficult with the culture’s frequent calls to prayer heard just outside the hospital.

There were times Robert thought he wouldn’t make it—given how critical his health was as he battled with severe covid, amplified by viral and bacterial pneumonia. Darice, however, put all such thoughts aside. “The Lord didn’t bring you here to Ethiopia to die this early on! You’ll get through this.” Fortunately, he did.

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With another month of recovery at home with Sister Dudfield also home in quarantine, the Dudfields’ first setback taught them that “there are tremendous lessons to be learned through trials. It’s all about our approach in dealing with our circumstances.”

In December 2020 church services resumed, and the missionary force started to grow. 

Political unrest and racial issues also increased as war brewed at the door. When rebel factions began marching toward Addis from the north and regional areas in the country, the war started to impact on the mission being able to function. Conference calls were made with Church Headquarters, where ultimately senior church leaders made the decision that the missionaries needed to move out of the country. The time for debate was over. It was time to act.

One of many miracles occurred where some of the missionaries serving in remote areas were able to catch a flight to the nation capital just in time, as access to Addis Ababa was being cut off. “On our mission, we learned that you’re never alone. The Lord is at the helm,” recalled Darice. Missionaries were then covid tested, bags packed and put on a plane to Kenya where the mission would be relocated.

Operating from Kenya, they continued to operate as a mission, even though from February 2021 most of their missionaries were reassigned temporarily to the Kenya Nairobi Mission. Those who remained in the Ethiopia Mission continued to use telephones and limited technology to connect with, teach and testify to members and friends of the Church in Ethiopia. Local leaders then took over the responsibility of missionary work in country with several being taught remotely, baptised locally and progressed on their gospel journey.

The Dudfields learned that “Relationships clarify who we are. Building friendships helps to remove future roadblocks.”

Of the Kenya experience, senior missionary couple Elder and Sister Moyers said, “We experienced that unexpected and drastic change presses on our emotions, intellect, and especially our faith in our purpose. Each person sees and reacts to change differently, revealing strengths and weaknesses. Some naturally trust and have faith and begin to capitalize on the challenges that change has brought to them. Their focus is on what they can do, not on what they can’t, and they discover new horizons in themselves and their mission. Being relocated is either a blessing or a challenge, and each missionary has the agency to choose which it will be for him or her.”

This Member-Leader Support missionary couple helped to build the Church within. The time they were able to devote to their service was miraculous. President Dudfield said, “We learned the significant value of missionary service and the great value of senior couples. This is a call for those willing and able to serve. It changes your life.”

As things began to settle in Ethiopia, permission was granted to bring missionaries back in a staged approach. “Greeting the last of our missionaries back into Ethiopia by the end of June was a very emotional and sacred experience that we will never forget,” they recalled.

Now that the Dudfields had returned to Ethiopia, missionary numbers slowly increased, and the Church began to grow again. Today there are consistently more than 400 attending worship services each Sunday with numbers increasing each week.

In a world where resilience is declining, how did they manage these extreme trials? And how could Robert say, “With the miracles I saw and the things we experienced, I wouldn’t change a thing.”?

They learned from the people they served.

After spending a large portion of their time (in Ethiopia as well as Kenya) working with local leaders, they observed great leaders who understood their purpose. They took over in the absence of the missionaries, providing opportunities for local leaders to grow and develop.

Darice says, “When we tried to move too fast, the Lord pulled us back, giving members time to catch up.”

“For example,” agrees Robert, “It was hard for the young Elders to step back in preparing for sacrament meeting and let the local leaders and members learn about running the Church through their own experiences. This prepared the members to be self-reliant in carrying out the gospel in their own congregations.”

The Dudfields look at the first two years of their service as a refining period. This allowed for greater miracles during the last twelve months.

Resilience comes when the Spirit is present, and you know the Lord is at the helm. The Dudfields saw the hand of the Lord bring great things to pass during that final year.

“It’s not about us,” they say, as they reflected on a long list reflecting the miracles that have occurred in Ethiopia over their three-year tenure. These include:

*Relationships built with the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia and the government Ministry of Peace resulting in a 250K donation of funds for Covid equipment and ongoing support for important initiatives.

*Recommencing church meetings with an average sacrament meeting attendance increasing from 80 to 400. 

*Conferences for youth, children, women, and young adults – and more frequent activities.

*Training meetings to increase the quality of leadership and teaching. Seminary, Institute, and launching the BYU Pathway program, as well as preparing 40 members to attend the temple for the first time.

*Translation of hymns and Church materials into local languages.

*A Light the World musical presentation, and a music video created for a Church global music festival. There was dancing, and the people were overjoyed to be singing in their own language. 

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“What we learned from the people of Ethiopia (known as Habesha) is that the things that are most important bring the greatest joy. Ethiopians are people of faith, with a great love of family and community. Their hospitality is not provided in material wealth, but in family, fellowship and community. They are beautiful people, now lifelong friends, and our lives have been changed for the better because of what we learned from them”

“We see the countenance of Christ in images of Ethiopians and joy in their faces.”

The Dudfields were called for such a time as this, leaving the Australia they love and pioneering the way for future generations to enjoy the blessings of the gospel in their lives.

They testify, “We learned that we are all called where the Lord needs us. We absolutely felt His direction and guidance. We learned that faith precedes the miracle. If we endure well, we will see many miracles.”

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