Kidnapped; raped; starved; tortured; jailed; are experiences of many Eritrean Christians who flee persecution in their homeland and suffer unimaginable horrors in their quest for freedom. As they make the dangerous journey across the Sinai deserts in a bid for safety in Israel many are captured by people traffickers. The Christian detainees are subjected to horrendous abuse, and huge ransom payments are demanded from their families for their release. Others are arrested and imprisoned in Egypt where they face similar violations and deprivation. Among them is Merhawi (17) who was transferred from one group of traffickers to another. The third group in Sinai tortured him mercilessly leaving him with permanent scarring all over his body. Merhawi’s family paid US$30,000 for his release, having already paid US$5,000 to each of the two other groups. Merhawi managed to get to Cairo, where he met fellow Eritreans who took him to Christians who arranged urgent medical treatment and a safe house.

Pray: for his full recovery, for the Christian ministries throughout the Middle East which are helping hundreds of persecuted Christians. (Ps.40:3)

More: http://barnabasfund.org/Help-and-hope-for-persecuted-Eritrean-Christian-refugees.html