President's Corner Dear friends of the persecuted, 2017 is destined to be another harsh year. Persecution persists and worsens. What’s the secret to joy in suffering? What is the response from the people of God in China? On March 3, 50 believers were rounded up while quietly worshipping together in a home. 40 days after this unusually speedy arrest, indictment, and trial, five Christian ladies were sentenced 3-5 years in prison for “assembling and disturbing pubic order.” Their names to remember: Yang Zhaocun (5 years), Wang Lulu (5 years), Cheng Yajie (4 years), Zheng Lan (3 years), and Liu Yan (3 years). Usually the Communist Party's courts make up “evidence” in the verdict paper to avoid international scrutiny, but this time, the only evidence was that the women owned Bibles, hymnbooks, and had Christian notes on their phones! Pastor Yang Hua from Huoshi Church in Guizhou received 2-and-a-half years in prison in January. He is now gravely ill due to severe torture. His wife, Wang Hongwu, was finally allowed to meet with her husband on March 24 after he returned from the provincial hospital, a full 15 months and 15 days after his arrest. Wow! That meeting only lasted 2 minutes. Wang said: “During our brief reunion, Yang Hua told me: ‘Don’t worry. God is pulling the strings. I am at peace. We haven’t seen each other in a year and three months, but you haven’t changed at all.’ I smiled and answered him: ‘You haven’t changed either, except that your back is now more hunched.’ ” May this prayer from Sister Wang become ours: “Lord, I will entrust him to you. From now on, you will be the only one accompanying him.” In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Your co-worker,
Bob Fu P.S.—Thank you for your faithful partnership. We have been delivering your faithful support to pastor Yang Hua and his family. We have supported legal defense work and family of prisoners for the five sentenced sisters and their families. riends of the persecuted,
Wow! 2017 marks 15 years of China Aid’s work! We had a marvelous celebration at the Library of Congress co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, a dedicated voice for human rights globally in the current US House of Representatives. Friends and supporters in D.C. attended the event, including Senator Marco Rubio, Congressmen Mike Conaway, James McGovern, Alex Mooney, Trent Franks, Randy Hultgren, Frank Wolf (retired), and Beau Boulter (retired), as well as representatives from the State Department, CECC, USCIRF, and a number of NGOs.
If not for God’s grace, I’d never have imagined China Aid. Exactly 20 years ago, after being stuck in Hong Kong for over 8 months, my wife Heidi and I flew with our 2-month-old Daniel to this land of freedom, just 3 days before Hong Kong was turned over to the Communist regime.
I dreamed of becoming a “missionary theologian” as my mentor Dr. Jonathan Chao called it. Studying Greek and Hebrew as my new life unfolded at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, I was determined to start a graduate level of reformed seminary.
As time went on, though, Heidi and I heard the voices every day from the persecuted faithful, and we could not sit still and ignore the tears of the oppressed. For 15 years, we’ve been proud to walk with “the least of our brothers and sisters in China.” Whenever possible, we have supplied water, food, and clothes and visited them in prison, as Jesus instructs in Matthew 25. We have provided legal aid to hundreds and conducted trainings on rule of law and biblical worldview for hundreds of thousands.
At the 15th anniversary event, we were reminded by our guests from China that persecution has worsened recently. In 2016 alone, nearly 50,000 Christians were persecuted, 3,500 were detained, and among those, 303 received criminal sentences. With the regime’s rising economic status and most western countries’ appeasement policies, everyone sees a chilling storm against Christian churches coming in 2017. More than ever we need your fervent prayers and financial partnership in this major battle ahead. We know who has ultimately won this battle.
Your thankful co-worker,
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