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Eritrea believers imprisoned with no sentence
MNN:- For over seven years now, since May 2002, evangelical believers in Eritrea have been under persecution. Around 2800 sit in prison cells, military and labor camps, or metal shipping containers because prisons have run out of cells.
Aside from Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran, any Christian gathering has been deemed "illegal" there because they have not been registered. However, Paul Estabrooks with Open Doors said that on numerous occasions they have tried to register, but they have hit roadblocks or the government has not allowed them.
Sadly, the situation has only grown worse. On September 6, the Eritrean government met together to discuss the growing numbers of arrests. The numbers concerned them because it indicated that people still continue to meet and worship. In response, the government met and "called on all the citizens of the country to inform the police of any illegal gatherings of Christians in their neighborhoods," Estabrooks said.
Naturally, this has increased fear among Christians. However, as the government suspected, the church has been growing, albeit in a limited, covert way.
Estabrooks said believers expend a lot of energy keeping their worship secret while still maintaining their witness and sharing Christ with those around them. He said the church has remained strong, but believers are still under a significant amount of pressure. He also said Satan is using every tactic he can against them, especially intimidation.
In addition to the recent government crackdown, another believer died just recently while imprisoned. Because of horrible living conditions and lack of medical attention, Mesfin Gebrekristos died of meningitis. He left behind a wife and two children. Gebrekristos is the fourth believer to die this year and the tenth since the government started imprisoning Christians.
Estabrooks asked for people to pray diligently for the non-imprisoned believers in Eritrea. Pray for their continued strength and boldness.
"We've been asking for prayer for those in prison, for the family members of those in prison, and even for the government that God would miraculously somehow bring them to repentance," Estabrooks said.
Though prayer is the most important, you can also visit the Open Doors Web site to get involved in a writing campaign to encourage the families of those imprisoned.
This entry was posted on September 23rd, 2009 at 11:19:00 pm by admin and is filed under News, Church, Persecution.
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2 comments
"History repeats itself", as they say. Persecution of Christians is not a new phenomenon. Of course, we know why. We know that the world cannot tolerate righteousness, truth, justice, peace, love, and other great virtues of biblical Christianity. We know the ruler of the world is not 'flesh and blood' (mere human being) but Satan, the evil one. Those coward tyrants, driven by their ego and gusto, are themselves spiritual prisoners under Satan's domain. They need to be liberated by the power of the gospel. Indeed, we must pray for the believers in Eritrea. I know victory is at hand. We also have to find a way of speaking in their behalf. We know God is the supreme ruler of the universe. He has never left the world totally without a testimony. There are still some good people who stand for truth and justice no matter what their religious persuasion might be. God rules the world by His providential grace. So, we have to plead their case before such people as well. By that I mean the good will of the international community. We cannot be silent in apathy or fear. Christians are called to speak the truth in love at any cost.
Christians in the free world should also support the families of the victims. Ethiopian Christians should reach out to Eritreans and pray for both 'nations'.
I know one thing. The Eritrean church will flourish through the persecution just like the early church is Acts 5 and the following chapters. Such was the case with the Mulu Wongel Church in Ethiopia in 1965-1990. Typically, I remember when 350 believers were dragged to prison in 1972, the gospel spread through out the country.
We also need to pray for the persecutors as our Lord did on the cross. They do not know what they are doing. May the Lord have mercy on them.
I thought this web site is christian voice beyound church. But I come to realise it actually is not. Please check what is happening to the christians in Egypt. May be you are aware but you didn't report. Why? Are they christians beyond church? Where is your church boundary? Even in Eritria we have heared the same similar stories happening to coptic orthodox christians? May be they are beyond the church. Their suffering doesn't fit to make a news as the winning of Haile G/selasse. Come on be beyond the church!!! This post has 2 feedbacks awaiting moderation...
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