7,000 DAYS IN PRISON

Dear Friend,

In 2004, I had the privilege of meeting persecuted Christians in Eritrea on behalf of The Voice of the Martyrs. Two years before my visit, Eritrea’s one-party government, led by President Isais Afwerki, had ordered leaders of nearly all Protestant churches to close their doors.

But while the government was able to lock the churches’ doors, it could not change their purpose or stop their work. Pastors and members of non-approved churches quickly transitioned from open, public services in church buildings to house groups and secret meetings.

Then, Eritrean authorities began arresting Christians and sending them to prison. Many were sent to military camps in the desert, while others were locked in metal shipping containers or held in dark underground cells.

One pastor I met in Eritrea said the first question Christian prisoners were asked was, “Will you deny Christ?” Another pastor showed me how he was bound in prison, lying on his stomach with his hands and feet tied together behind his back.

In meeting after meeting, I heard inspiring stories of how God had encouraged and empowered Eritreans who were arrested because of their Christian faith. “Persecution is not sweet,” one pastor said, “but it is useful.”

Just months after my visit to Eritrea, several of the pastors I had met were arrested. This Saturday, July 22, will mark the 7,000th night in prison for two of those pastors, Kiflu Gebremeskel and Haile Nayzgi. Like every other imprisoned Christian in Eritrea (currently estimated at nearly 400 people), they have been denied legal counsel and a trial. In fact, they’ve never even been formally charged with a crime.

Please take a moment to think about that number. One thousand weeks away from their families. Children that were very young when their fathers were arrested are now college graduates and even parents themselves. How many family milestones have these two Christians missed over the past 7,000 days? As a father and a grandfather, I weep at the thought of all the significant moments they have sacrificed for the sake of Christ and his kingdom.

I want to ask you to do something today. Will you help demand the release of these Christian prisoners in Eritrea? Select the button below to add your name to the list of those demanding that the Eritrean government release Haile Nayzgi, Kiflu Gebremeskel and hundreds of other Christians who have been wrongfully imprisoned for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in Eritrea. When you do, we’ll provide you with more ways to get involved in supporting these two prisoners and others like them.

In the few days I was in Eritrea, I fell in love with the country — the cool evening air in Asmara, the beautiful Red Sea beaches in Massawa and the warmhearted, welcoming people. Thinking of the suffering of my friends over the past 7,000 days is heartbreaking. Please join me in speaking out on their behalf.

Perhaps this will be the day of their release. May it be so.

For those in bonds,

Todd Nettleton's signature

Todd Nettleton
Host, VOM Radio

Please forward this email to Christian friends who will be inspired to pray for and support our persecuted Christian family.