Gospel singer Helen Berhane (32), who was released from prison in November 2006 after being detained in Eritrea without charge for two years, has been granted asylum in Denmark. She and her daughter arrived in the country safely on October 19. For the past eleven months, Berhane had been maintaining a low profile in Khartoum, Sudan, where she and her sister fled in December 2006. Berhane's health remains extremely poor due to the physical suffering she endured during her detention. She is currently unable to walk without assistance. During her detention she was held for extensive periods in shipping containers and tortured several times by authorities in an effort to force her to recant her faith.

Praise God with us that this faithful servant of Christ has found refuge in a safe location! Pray that He will continue to protect and strengthen Helen, providing for her every need (Phil. 4:19). Ask God to give her wisdom and discernment so that she will continue His work (James 1:5). Pray for God's love and grace to abound in our Eritrean brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christ’s sake in prison.

For more information on the severe persecution of Christians in Eritrea, go to the Eritrea Country Report.