The Death of a Dear Friend

“Li Baiguang died. He is gone.” I was stunned, listening to a weeping friend give the sad news, late on Feb. 25.

Barely two weeks prior to his mysterious death in a Nanjing hospital, he and I attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. He was a world-renowned religious freedom defender, a godly man, a faithful husband to Hanmei “Hannah” Xu and father to their 8-year-old son.

He was born to a humble family and grew up in extreme poverty, but was determined to change. After graduating from China’s prestigious Beijing University with a PhD, he dreamed of democracy. He joined China’s dissidents, providing legal advice, translating western books, was kidnapped and tortured for it. But when he read about Hugenots persecution, he found the source of strength and love in facing evil: Christian faith. In 2005 he surrendered his life to Christ.

He labeled his work “ant strategy.” He said, “I’m willing to become an ant. I want to take the rights and freedoms in the books and, case by case, bring them into the world bit by bit. The path is legal procedure. In summer, the ant gathers food. I too am transporting ‘food’ under the framework of human rights defense, accumulating experience and results.”

Like an ant, he was humble, even as a friend of President George W. Bush. He rarely accepted interviews. He simply took cases one-by-one like an ant moves dirt. “All you can do is turn the soil clump by clump,” he said.

In January 2017, I invited him to D.C. for ChinaAid 15th anniversary. He anticipated a crackdown. “From this point forward, human rights in China will enter its darkest period.” But he had faith in God. He quoted Romans, declaring “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”

Though that “boldest little ant” died so young under such mysterious circumstances, Dr. Li would be pleased that the dirt he moved in his 49 years will be a foundation for China’s democratic future. Christ has surely declared to him: “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

Brother Baiguang, please enjoy the feast Jesus has prepared for you. Thanks to the many supporters who have supported the work of lawyers like Dr. Li for over a decade!

Walking with you,

 

Bob Fu