Dear brothers and sisters:
Peace in the Lord! On August 7th, Shouwang had her eighteenth Sunday outdoor worship service. Although police stations held believers in detention for much longer time on the past two Sundays, and some even for more than forty-eight hours, many brothers and sisters continue to face the current spiritual warfare with our Lord’s grace, and to seek and worship our God.
August 7th, Beijing, Cloudy. In the past week, many believers were detained at home since Saturday. One sister was taken to a hotel nearby for detention from Friday night, and this has been happening to her for several weeks. As far as we know, at least eleven believers were taken away on Sunday morning for going to the planned location to join the service (including one brother from a church in an another area). They were then sent to at least nine local police stations of their respective area. Till midnight of August 7th, nine believers were released home (including the sister who was detained in the hotel), and the other three believers were still under detention. A brother waited outside of a police station till 03:00 am to bring home sisters who were released at that time. The last sister under detention was released in the morning of the 9th.
Many believers went on a vacation or went to visit their hometown in August. No matter where they are, their hearts are connected with believers in Beijing. Since some believers are under detention, there are adjustments in arrangements during this special period of spiritual warfare. Therefore, we are not able to worship and pray together as we used to. However, the Spirit of Christ connects us and unifies us into his body, so that we are even closer to each other as the love of Christ overflowing among us.
Human beings need rest, and we easily get tired and fall asleep in hot Summer. However, the One who watches over the Church will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). We easily get slumber during this season, while we are facing this intense spiritual warfare. Therefore, let us continue to rely on God to watch over us, so that we can keep watch and pray to overcome our physical weariness and negative influence from the environment. May God also discipline us through this spiritual warfare, so that we can keep watch and pray with perseverance to wait for God’s work, and to follow his guidance for the church under any circumstance.
May peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the mercy and love of Father God, and the console and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, be with each brother and sister of Shouwang Church and all the churches who remember Shouwang Church in prayers, from this time on and forevermore! Amen.
Beijing Shouwang Church
08/09/2011
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
