Set Free!

Set Free! Three believers, Peter, Paul and John, were finally reunited in prison after being arrested for their Christian activity. They endured backbreaking work in prison – farming, mining, and working on government building projects – in blistering temperatures, with no shade or rest from the intense sun. “The prisons are very dirty,” reported the men. “There is no washing, no cleaning. And the food is very little—just bread many times, sometimes even no food. This makes many prisoners sick. They did not allow us to see a doctor. Many people died. It is very sad. Also, they beat us very much, for no reason. Some had broken hands, legs, even chest bones and most of the time no doctor to attend to our injuries. Some died from their injuries. We think some also died because they lost hope. Their hearts just gave up! We saw some die like this.” While in prison the three men faced repeated demands to sign an official document recanting their faith. “The police threatened to arrest our family members if we refused to recant and sign the document. But we refused because we do not want to leave Jesus.” Finally, one evening they hatched a daring plan. The men broke out of the line and jumped over the fence surrounding the prison. One said, “The fence was made up of plants with big thorns. We jumped over them and ran. When the prison guards started shooting, we went in different directions. We heard bullets flying over our heads, but none hit us.” The Lord protected each of them that day. Not knowing the fate of one another, their joy overflowed when they were miraculously reunited at a refugee camp in a bordering country. Informed that they could still be arrested and repatriated, they moved on to a safer place through the help of Christian brothers, whom God provided at just the right time. There they are waiting on God to open doors, in order to be resettled in a more secure place. One With Them Even in prison, Peter, Paul and John lived in the freedom of Christ. Join us in standing One With Them, in freedom and in prayer, as they find ways to build new lives in another country. One With Them CHALLENGE Over 125 Christians have been arrested in Eritrea just this year. Click here to receive weekly prayer updates on current news reports.   4/7/2013

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)