"...Eritrea is in the top 10 countries for human rights abuses, I [Helen] always thought that it should be number one. Around 10% of Christians in Eritrea are in prison at any one time, but in fact more than 50% of us have been in prison at some time in our lives. It is worse, It think, than the death penalty, and more than that, it is a death of
...Read MoreRead more about "...Eritrea is in the top 10 countriesdignity, hopes and dreams." \r\n\r\nThis is the deeply moving story of Helen Burhane, imprisoned for over two years for refusing to give up singing and preaching the gospel - in the community, and under arrest. Helen was cruelly imprisoned in a cramped shipping container with only a paperback size slit for ventilation, often with 18 or more other women, on the desolate outskirts of Eritrea. Sanitation was a bucket during the night and open desert during the day (under the prying eyes of the guards), and the nutritionless food included water with a few lentils thrown on top, some bread and a cup of tea. She was also eventually deprived of any visits from her young daughter and family. Helen was tortured and brutally beaten repeatedly in an attempt to stop her teaching about Jesus and to repudiate her faith, until finally after 31 months, battered and seriously injured she was hospitalised - (only because the medics were punished if a prisoner died from beatings) \r\n\r\nHelen's story is one of faith, courage and strength in the face of despicable evil. Her stance of forgiveness and non-retaliation parallels the life of Jesus, her resilience and strong convictions under such perilous conditions amazed the guards, particularly the brutal interrogators and made them wonder. Helen's response to their incredulity says it all: \r\n\r\n"I cannot abandon my faith. If you puncture a sack of grain the only thing that pours out is the type of grain that was in the sack; it is the same with me I can only say what is inside me, everything that is in my heart must come out of my mouth." \r\n\r\nYou have to ask yourself the question - what would come out of my mouth if my sack was repeatedly punctured? It's a challenging question - one that none of us here in the west will probably ever have to face - but if you did...? "Religious freedom should never be taken for granted!" (Helen Berhane) It has a high value and its easy and painfree opportunitues for spreading the gospel should be fervently seized and never underestimated. \r\n\r\nThis incredibly confronting and moving book will encourage you to pray for Eritrea and those currently imprisoned there, and for those countries with no religious freedom and where religious persection is rife. \r\n\r\nWell worth reading, I highly recommend it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n Read LessRead less about "...Eritrea is in the top 10 countries
