Dear brothers and sisters:
Peace in the Lord! On Nov 13th, Shouwang had her thirty-second Sunday outdoor worship service. In the past week, many believers were detained at home since Saturday. As far as we know, at least twenty-seven believers were taken away on Sunday morning for going to the planned location to join the outdoor service, either at the spot or on their way there (including Pastor Shuangyan and a sister from Xinshu Church, and three sisters from Fangshan Area). Except one believer who was directly sent home, the rest of them were sent to twelve local police stations of their respective area. Till midnight, fifteen believers were released home, and the other twelve believers were still detained in four different police stations. The last believer who was detained at Shuguang police station was not released until 9:00am on the 15th, after forty-eight hours detention.
It is wintertime in Beijing, and it gets really cold at night. However, we see the hearts of these believers, both of these who are detained and of these who wait outside of police stations and send in food and clothes, are burning with passion for our Lord Christ. Since more believers were detained for longer time on this past Sunday, so many believers gave up their time for rest, and took turns in waiting outside of police stations in cold weather, from morning to late at night. We especially give thanks to our God for them; they witnessed the love of being members to each other in the body of Christ. We give thanks to our Lord, for he keeps us and protects us. “Because of the steadfast love of the LORD, we are not cut off, his mercies never come to an end.” (Lamentations 3:22) How great is his faithfulness! We give thanks to our Lord, for he grants us perseverance and hope, so that we can continue to wait for him day after day, and week after week. We believe that “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25) May our Lord continue to grant us perseverance and hope, so that we can get strengthened and continue to trust in him, till the day we boast in victory together with him.
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
11/15/2011
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
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