Release International
'Help my parents,' says Chinese believer Esther |
| May 26 2010 |
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Esther’s parents, both pastors in the Linfen Fushan church in China’s Shanxi province, were arrested after 400 police and security officials demolished their church in September 2009. Her father Yang Xuan has been sentenced to three and a half years in jail for 'illegal land occupation'. Her mother Yang Caizhen was sentenced without trial to two years' 're-education through labour'. Another eight leaders also received sentences.
In this letter Esther explains what happened – and how you can help.
Dear Friends
I am very worried about my parents, especially after the Linfen Inferior Court sentenced my father to three and a half years' imprisonment on November 25. Five days later, my mother was sentenced to two years' 're-education through labour'.
On the next day, my mother would be transferred to Taiyuan City to serve the sentence at Shanxi Women Prison. Before she left, the police informed her relatives to bring some clothes and daily supplies to her. One of her relatives had the chance to briefly meet her and found that she did not look well. She had lost one front tooth; her hair seemed much greyer and her hands a little swollen.
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| Esther's mother Yang Caizhen Photo: ChinaAid |
Brothers and sisters, can you imagine how I felt when I heard this? I know my mother better than anyone else. She is just a housewife, dedicated to her faith and diligently serving the Lord. My father is prudent in studying and teaching the Bible; he practises what the Bible teaches. How could he do anything that violates the law?
I still remember how he encouraged his children to carry out our New Year’s resolution in 2003. He earnestly instructed us about things we should not do in our lives: never take God’s name in vain, never outrage your conscience, and never disobey the law. How can a father of virtue violate the law?
I feel compelled to share my family's story in the hope that you will see and know their true characters, and the extent of this injustice.
My father Yang Xuan began to serve the Lord full-time in 1974, serving in ministry for 35 years. After graduating from the seminary, he had two choices before him: join the [official] Three-Self Church, enjoy a stable income, a peaceful life and a promising future; or join a house church by faith, which would not guarantee anything for his life.
After fervent prayer, he chose to join a house church, which he believed to be in accordance with biblical teaching. My father has always clearly understood what he chose in that moment.
In 1994, my father moved the whole family to Linfen to begin ministering. At that time, the churches in Linfen had recently separated from the Three-Self churches. Many brothers and sisters did not have a place to worship, and so assembled in the backyards of some church members' houses. The congregation grew from 50 to 700 members.
It would get so crowded that the late-comers would have to move into additional houses, just to listen to the sermons. All these sites were scattered at different places, so my father had to run around to preach in several different homes. Driven by faith, he thoroughly enjoyed his work and never tired of it. Every night when I came home, I could always find my father talking cheerfully to my mother about how the brothers and sisters were nurtured on that day, and how many more were saved.
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Esther's father Yang Xuan |
My mother Yang Caizhen had been a doctor; she maintained a stable job and income. But she quit her job to support my father and his ministry. Sometimes, she had to work part time. Even so, she never forgot to urge us to study the Bible, go to church every Sunday and prepare ourselves to serve the Lord. This is how my brother and I built our foundation of faith. We were not willing to obey in the beginning; later as we grew older, we experienced the joy of the presence of God. Eventually, we repented and were baptised
This was my family, busy and full of joy. Then the events of September 13 struck me. I did not know something had happened until I tried, but was unable, to contact my parents by phone. On September 19, I kept calling home but nobody answered. At first I thought I had dialed the wrong number; later I realised that the telephone line at my house was being transferred to somewhere else.
I was very worried about my parents, so I kept on calling; but still, nobody answered. I still had not been able to talk to my parents. I learned about the incident from my relatives and friends, and in early October, I learned from the internet news that my parents had been arrested and transferred to prison. I am so concerned for my parents' health.
My dear Christian brothers, sisters and churches, I am letting you know the harsh circumstances that dedicated Christians are facing in mainland China. My father, Pastor Yang Xuan, and my mother, Yang Caizhen, are being persecuted like many other Christians and house churches.
All we ask for is the freedom to worship and share the Gospel. Nowadays, the Government reportedly advocates religious freedom and human rights; nevertheless, we have encountered many difficulties in exercising this very basic civil right. Please do not reserve your sympathy for the Chinese Christians. Please remember them in your prayers and appeal for them!
I call upon everyone to fight for religious freedom in China, and to financially support organisations that advocate for religious freedom and human rights. As you consider ways you can help, I ask that you continue to pray for the deliverance of my parents and justice for all the imprisoned leaders.
Thank you!
Esther
The Three-Self Church, also known as the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), was created to serve the communist Chinese Government, and is the only officially recognised Protestant church. It has an estimated 20 million members. House churches are independent and unregistered, and therefore deemed 'illegal' by the Government. The total number of house church believers is estimated to be between 30 and 80 million.
Release International is actively supporting the imprisoned Linfen church leaders by helping with their legal defence fund and supporting the families of those in prison through our Release prisoners' ministry.
Make a donation to support Esther and other families of those in prison (please select the designation 'Prisoners and their families')
Information courtesy Release's partner ChinaAid
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