PERSECUTED ERITREAN PASTOR'S DAUGHTER: None of Our Suffering is Ever Wasted

Hana Menghisteab is back on VOM Radio this week in a follow-up conversation after sharing with us on the 20th anniversary of her father's arrest in Eritrea. This week, Hana shares how that interview—really the first time she'd spoken publicly about her father and her family's suffering—was painful, but also how God used it to open a door for healing in her life.

Before his arrest in 2004, Dr. Tecleab Menghisteab was a medical doctor and a leader in the Eritrean Orthodox Church. He is one of more than 300 Christians currently in prison in Eritrea.

Hana was six years old when her father was arrested. Hana will tell how growing up without her father left her wounded in many areas of her life. However, Hana says, "God does not waste pain; He doesn't waste the years of tears." Instead, the Lord uses suffering to display His glory.

Hana says her interview last year opened wounds she'd wanted to keep covered up. "God forced me to reopen them and partake in my father's suffering," she says. She'll tell how the Lord has allowed her to surrender her wounds to Him and encouraged her to be bold in sharing her story with others.

She'll also share how an internship at VOM impacted her understanding of suffering and how God works through it. Hearing and reading stories of sisters and brothers also afflicted with suffering for their faith has shown Hana the beauty of those scars, even amidst the pain.

Listen to Hana's previous visit with VOM Radio.

There are a few seats remaining at VOM's From the Field 2025 National Conference. The conference will take place in Bartlesville, Oklahoma September 25-27. Attendees will hear from persecuted Christians—including several former VOM Radio guests—during the conference. Learn more and register online today.