Imprisoned pastor’s letter to wife: ‘Pray and leave other things to God’

China Aid
Translated by Carolyn Song. Edited in English by Ava Collins.

(Guiyang, Guizhou—June 29, 2016) A house church pastor in China’s central Guizhou province, who has been in detention for more than six months, recently wrote a letter to his wife from prison on June 6.

Li Guozhi, also known by his pseudonym Yang Hua, wrote to his wife from the Nanming District Detention Center about their family and his time in detention. He tells her not to worry and reminds her to trust that this is part of God’s plan.

A translation of the letter can be found below, with spacing added for legibility.

In an effort to combat the unjust incarceration of Yang Hua, China Aid is currently spearheading the campaign #FreeYangHua. For more information on Yang’s situation and ways to show your support, please visit www.freeyanghua.org.

China Aid supports prisoners of conscience such as Yang Hua in an effort to combat inhumane treatment by the Chinese government and expose human rights and religious freedom abuses.


To my dear wife:

I’m well!

I’ve received your letter from June 3. I wrote back to you on around May 10; maybe it’s being held at the security room of our community. The phone number of Shentong Express is 95543; the serial number is (###########). The number I left is our home phone number; the intended recipient is you.

Regarding Mu’en: You should listen to him more, try to understand him, lead him and speak to him. Try not to scold. Regarding Xiangen: I don’t think he should participate in any level of examinations while learning a musical instrument. The goal is improvisation with accompaniment. His studying should be light. We shouldn’t pressure Xiangen; it doesn’t matter how well he learns. It is not suitable to gua sha [a popular treatment for sunstroke which involves scraping the patient’s neck, chest or back] too often. Please pay attention to this. The children’s physical capabilities will not be good in the future if they receive this kind of treatment too early.

It must be the result of everyone’s prayers that my lower back pain is no longer an issue. I sleep soundly at night. Don’t worry. I’ve adjusted to other aspects of life well. As the Book of Isaiah says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” [Isaiah 30:15]. It’s also a kind of rest, staying inside.

You shouldn’t be too anxious. It is best to remain peaceful and wait for God. God is omniscient. I believe that he never makes a mistake. If it is convenient, please send me a (recent) picture of you and our sons. Let’s pray and leave other things to God. Thank you for investing everything in this family. I am grateful for what God has given me; let’s carry the cross and hasten down the road to heaven, until the day we meet the Lord.

Use the two credit cards. You can use it in super markets. You can use dozens of yuan. The annual fee will be exempt if you use it for at least three or five times. Save some money in case you forget to repay the debt. Give my regards to all of our family members. Always be happy and peaceful. Never stop praying. Be grateful, because that’s God’s will conveyed through Jesus Christ.

Amen! Emanuel!

Love, your husband:
Li Guozhi
6/6


China Aid Media Team
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
For more information, click here

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

Imprisoned pastor’s letter to wife: ‘Pray and leave other things to God’

News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

Scroll to Top