Page 15 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians - Jul-Sep 2023 - 123

HELPING CHRISTIANS IN FLIGHT
Women leave an Orthodox church ceremony in Asmara, Eritrea. The Orthodox church is one of only four permitted religious groups (stock photo)
time as well as two other children, was forced to hide for three months before she could escape the country and join her husband.
‘Along with the children I was able to get a minibus to the border with Ethiopia and then to a camp for Eritrean refugees,’ she said.
SUDAN
ERITREA Asmara
DJIBOUTI ETHIOPIA
TLifeline for Christian refugees A vocational course run by our partner provides
‘However, it was so hot that my children became unwell so we could only stay four months before we had to move on.’
Christians who have been forced to flee with hope of securing much-needed work
Thankfully Rehema was eventually reunited with her husband. Although the whole family are able to live together in a house, they struggle to make ends meet so it is hoped that the training Rehema – and others like her – received will enable them to obtain enough income to provide for their needs.
hanks to your generous Rehema and her husband ran a small support, our partner is able to underground church at their home provide vocational training for in a city hundreds of miles from the
Christians who have been forced to capital, Asmara, for five years.
flee Eritrea because of persecution by the authorities.
‘Because we were not members of
The training provided by our partners is an intensive three-month course offering a very high level of skill which is recognised by government.
the four permitted religious groups This education and resulting (Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and
qualifications help to equip believers Sunni Islam) we were forbidden by the to find work in their new homeland Government,’ she told us.
and so provide much-needed income for themselves and their families.
‘So we had to meet very discreetly. Members would arrive one by one and during our gatherings for discussion and prayer we had to be very quiet, and sing slowly and not too loudly. After the meeting, they would leave silently.’
*It is believed that there are about 500 believers in prison in Eritrea, many of whom are housed in inhumane conditions
One of those we met recently was a pastor’s wife called ‘Rehema’. We are not using her real name because even though she is no longer in Eritrea
Please help Christians who
have been forced to flee
persecution and conflict
These precious believers need your prayers and gifts to survive – and rebuild their lives.
Your gift could provide:
• Vocational training to help believers start small businesses
• Vital food parcels
• Pastoral care and Christian
discipleship
To make a gift please use the enclosed form, call 01689 823491 or give online at woocommerce-1195296-4229685.cloudwaysapps.com
she still fears repercussions from the government there.
However, unbeknown to Rehema and her husband, some members of the church turned out to be government spies who eventually informed on them.
Praying for Rehema, who has been helped by Release International’s partner
Rehema, who had a small baby at the
A trap was being set
Realising a trap was being set for them, the pastor managed to escape the city and make his way out of the country but sadly members of the small church were arrested. Up to nine are still currently in prison.*
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