Dear brothers and sisters:
Peace in the Lord! On September 4th, Shouwang had her twenty-second Sunday outdoor worship service. In the past week, many believers were detained at home since Saturday. On Friday night, police from Guangying Police Station took a sister to a hotel for detention. As far as we know, at least twelve believers were taken away on Sunday morning for going to the planned location to join the outdoor service. They were then sent to at least eight local police stations of their respective area. Till 0:00 on the 5th, eleven believers were released home (including the sister who was taken away on Friday night), and the other two believers were still under detention in two different police stations. The last brother was released around 10:00am on the 5th (Monday).
We thank God for allowing some brothers and sisters to have a refreshing time in the past few weeks; and we get to reflect on some issues which we have experienced in the past. We see our lack, yet we see more of God’s abundant grace in the process. We constantly feel week and lacking before God, but God has mercy on us; his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and he even fulfills his great purpose through our weakness. This reminds us of the Scripture, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,” (1 Peter 5:6) “look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” (Jude 21) May we, together in the fellowship of the body, humble ourselves, look to our Lord Jesus Christ, and wait for his work. May God grant us faith and strength as we are waiting with perseverance in this process. Although we do not know how difficult the race that set before us will be, we believe that it is God who has been leading our church till now, and that he will continue to lead his church till the day of his victory.
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
09/06/2011
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
