Families: Wife of Imprisoned Pastor Shares Her Heart

A co-worker recently paid a visit to the wife and children of an imprisoned Eritrean pastor and returned with a heartfelt report. Hadas and her husband have three daughters, Azeb* (13), Sada* (11) and Miniya* (9).

Since May 2002, anyone in Eritrea caught worshipping outside the government-approved religious institutions, either in church buildings or in private homes, has been subjected to arrest, torture and extreme pressure to deny their faith.

Hadas’* husband was arrested three years ago this month (May), not long after the video was made. He is a victim of the government’s clampdown on unregistered Evangelical churches.

I did not know what to expect from this woman who could probably teach me many things. She warmly welcomed us and immediately walked us to her home. She offered us some coffee and snacks and apologised for not being more traditional in her presentation.

As soon as I found a seat, the girls entered and greeted us in fluent English. They could not wait to show me a video of their father ministering in a church in Eritrea. The language

We waited in a taxi around the corner from her house. We did not know the exact location of her home, so we agreed to wait for her to come to us. I was about to meet a woman who must wonder every morning whether her husband survived the previous day under notoriously brutal Eritrean prison officials.

was foreign, but I could see that the coming together of the saints was a joyous occasion. There was no restraint and no secrecy.

Prior to the meeting I was told that Hadas was discouraged and felt that God had forgotten her. As Hadas started speaking about her husband and the challenges she is facing, I could see that God in His Providence arranged countless contingencies so that I could be here, at this moment, with her and the children.  My being there, listening, encouraged her that there is a God who is true to His promises and who is raising up people who can help her carry the load.

Hadas is working as a hairdresser to cover expenses, but financial provision for her family remains a constant struggle. Despite the challenges, Hadas reminds herself of the Lord’s blessings and miraculous provision: she is living in a house that an unbeliever has provided free of charge and Open Doors has taken responsibility for the children’s school fees.

Hadas also feels stretched when it comes to the emotional care of her children. “It was a great shock for me the first time I heard about my husband’s imprisonment. The thought that we might not see each other for many years was too hard for me. For a long time I did not tell my daughters that their father was in jail, but a year ago I decided to tell them everything. They see the families of their friends at school that include fathers and feel sad. When we have our prayer times, they always pray for their father. They pray, ‘God, help our father to come home.’”

Like all of us, there are times when Hadas is firm in the faith, but naturally there are also the times when she feels overwhelmed by the challenges and rebels against her circumstances. “There are times when things are too much for me. Then I cry before God. I ask friends and relatives to pray for me to come out of that situation. Then God reminds me of His promises and I am encouraged.”

At first Hadas received monthly reports about her husband. As the government’s clampdown continued, the reports became less regular. It has been more than three months since she has received any word from him.

“If I could speak to my husband now, I would remind him that Christ is coming and that he needs to put his trust in Him. I would tell him that God has stretched out His hand to the children and me. I would remind him to trust in God, because He is our only Helper. God is faithful. He will reward those who are suffering as a result of their faith.

“I would tell him that his daughters are doing fine and that while he is paying a price for the ministry, a Christian organization is looking after us.  “I want to thank those who are involved in supporting us.”

As I prepared to leave, I prayed with Hadas and the children. We prayed for the Lord to continue to encourage them, care for them, and strengthen them. We prayed that they would experience His peace. We prayed for Hadas’ husband in prison along with more than 2,000 other Christians. We prayed for God's intervention in the circumstances in Eritrea.

As we ended our meeting, I thought again about the privilege and responsibility of being part of the larger Body of Christ. It doesn’t seem like much to pray for Hadas and the children, but it is the least we can do. And it is the best we can do.

Prayer Points

• Thank the Lord for His provision for the needs of Hadas and the children.
• Pray for the Lord to continue to encourage the family as they remain separated from the head of their home.
• Pray for their spiritual well-being and that they would have the grace to keep on trusting God.
• Pray for the Lord to intervene and bring an end to the suffering of thousands of people in Eritrean prisons.

* Pseudonyms were used to protect the identities of this Christian family, whose husband and father is an imprisoned pastor.

 source www.opendoorsusa.org