The Voice of a Martyr

Corrie and I have been on vacation since Wednesday night at the lakehouse in NorCal; the relaxation and time with her family has been wonderful, to say the least. We'll be on our way home tomorrow, and I'll have some good articles and posts this coming week (and some great pics with the new camera), but I thought I'd quickly put up an article that a good friend of mine, Chuck, just e-mailed me. Chuck was one of my best friends and roommates in college, a groomsman in my wedding, and has been living in China (with the exception of a few months back in Washington) since we graduated. I'd mention his last name, but it's probably better for friends living in China to not have direct mention of phrases like "Christian martyr" turn up in a google search with their name.

This short article is a poignant reminder that, although we're removed from it in the States (and I write that soberly from a laptop overlooking a lake...), there are still people dying for their faith in Christ in other parts of the world. I am sure there are many people and families whose stories have not been heard that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their faith, and although this is just one, it is worth more than a moment for reflection and prayer. As I have promised, there will probably be many articles in the next year involving China - all the more so as Corrie and I are asking for direction in moving there. It's not like this everywhere in China, but even in a country that is becoming more and more welcomed into world political affairs (primarily for economic reasons), it is amazing that these things happen at all. For your reference, the article apparently comes from "The Voice of the Martyrs" website.

CHINA: Executed for Distributing Bibles
Brought to you by The Voice of the Martyrs
34-year old Jiang Zongxiu went to her neighboring market last June in Guizhou Province, China. Along with her mother-in-law, Jiang went through the marketplace, taking opportunities to hand out Bibles and Christian literature and telling people about Jesus. Only this day they had an encounter with the Chinese police.

The two Christian women were handcuffed together and brought to the police station. They were interrogated throughout the evening of the 17th. The next morning they were sentenced by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) to 15 days incarceration for "suspected spreading of rumor and disturbing the social order."

Jiang and her mother-in-law knew the risk of spreading Christian literature in communist China. Both had been active in their church for more than 10 years and dared to go forth. Even when they were arrested, interrogated and sentenced to serve 15 days, they were willing to accept the consequences of their actions-all from a
government that claims to have "freedom of religion."

But it was not enough for the PSB to arrest and beat these two Christian women for the crime of passing our Christian literature. In the afternoon of June 18th, Mrs. Jiang Zongziu was pronounced dead by the PSB office of Tongzi County. They claimed she died of "natural causes." The fact is she was beaten to death.

The Voice of the Martyrs has received video testimony from the surviving family, photos of Jiang body showing her bruised body, and a copy of the actual arrest document. All of this had to be smuggled out of China as the authorities continue to attempt to hide their systematic persecution of Christians. An international campaign is now under way on behalf of the surviving family.

Much of the world would like you to believe Christians are no longer persecuted. Sister Jiang's family would disagree. Now you can stay informed of what is really happening to your Christian brothers and sisters in countries like China and even discover practical ways to help, with a FREE subscription to The Voice of the Martyrs monthly newsletter. Don't turn your back on today's persecuted church.
Subscribe today.