Persecuted Christian lawyer pens letter of gratitude for Thanksgiving

Zhang Kai
Stock photo courtesy of Zhang Kai

China Aid
Translated by Carolyn Song.

(Hohhot, Inner Mongolia—Nov. 30, 2016) Zhang Kai, a prominent human rights lawyer living in China’s northern Inner Mongolia after serving six months in an unofficial prison, penned a letter on Thanksgiving, expressing his gratitude to those who supported him throughout his imprisonment.

On Aug. 25, 2015, Zhang and his two legal assistants vanished into police custody when officials broke into the church where they were staying in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. Zhang had relocated from Beijing to the city in order to represent churches affected by a widespread demolition campaign. For six months, authorities held Zhang incommunicado in an unofficial “black jail,” allowing him to resurface for a televised, forced confession. Afterwards, he was criminally detained and then released on bail.

On Thanksgiving Day, he wrote a letter to express his gratitude to those who supported him during this time. A translation of the letter can be read in full below.

China Aid reports abuses, such as those experienced by Zhang, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom in China.


Zhang Kai’s letter. (Photo: China Aid)

Zhang Kai’s Letter of Gratitude

The history of Thanksgiving is a history of escaping from oppression, seeking freedom and thanking God. On this special day, even though I often feel desperate and devastated, I deeply know in my heart that God always encourages and supports me with His irresistible love, and my gratitude is always beyond words.

Thanks to those comforted and cared for my parents when I was in trouble last year.

On this special day, I thank the friends, lawyers and the strangers who appealed for me and supported me.

Thanks to all the Christians at home and overseas, who are praying for me all of the time.

Thanks to all the lawyers, who stepped forward for me in my period of horror. They are: lawyer Li Guisheng, lawyer Zhang Lei, lawyer Li Baiguang, lawyer Lei Zhifeng, lawyer Li Jinglin, lawyer Qin Chenshou, lawyer Qin Yongpei, lawyer Chi Susheng, lawyer Si Weijiang, lawyer Zhang Peihong, lawyer Xiao Yunyang, lawyer Jiang Liao, lawyer Xiang Li, [etc.,] (apologies, there are many names that I am incapable of knowing).

Thanks to the scholars, lawyers, citizens, [etc.], who are devoted to bringing rule of law, human rights and freedom to China. It is you who fill the ridiculous world with love and warmth.

Hereto, I am immensely grateful to lawyer Jiang Tianyong, who provided my parents boundless comfort and calm when I was detained. He is a person of Jesus’ self-denying spirit, like a bright light in dark nights, allowing us to see hope and light. I hope Christians will pray for him.

Lawyer Zhang Kai wrote this on Thanksgiving
11/24/2016


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