SHANXI–At 3:00 AM the morning of Sunday, September 13, 2009, a mass of 400 deviants in police suits and red armbands broke into the”Good News Cloth Shoes Factory”, on the site of Fushan Church’s new building in Linfin City, Shanxi province. Two shovel loaders tore at the building foundations, while the mob, with bricks and other blunt instruments in hand, beat Fushan church members who were sleeping at the church construction site. Within the hour, more than ten church members lay bleeding heavily; some were severely injured and sent to the emergency room. Several people lost consciousness and were subsequently hospitalized.

The local emergency room was instructed by anonymous authorities to withhold treatment and prohibit blood transfusions for the injured church members. On Sunday night, two seriously injured patients had to be transferred with oxygen cylinders to a hospital in Linfin area. The power, water and telephone signals to“Good News Cloth shoes Factory” were cut off, with guards monitoring all the supply lines running to the factory.

Government officials and police were identified among the wild crowd of attackers. At the onset, Gao Xuezhong, the secretary of Zhangzhuang town, reportedly shouted, “Strike everything; we will pay for it!” The Vice County Executive Duan Yumin was also seen perpetuating the crackdown. According to witnesses, “He dashed around madly on the shovel loaders, pushed over the enclosure wall, and tore down the temporary working-houses, restrooms and the factory.” The vandals smashed the windows, doors, kitchen utensils, refrigerators and motorcycles. Leaving destruction in their wake, they looted the television and other appliances, and stole church members’ money, cell phones, clothes, books, and even the factory’s business license. The unprecedented and unwarranted attack was devastating, with church members calling the scene “worse than the Wenchuan earthquake.”

The attack lasted for several hours, with the offenders sneaking away just before dawn. After the demolition and looting, officials deliberately disposed of the evidence, and cleaned up some of the mess to hide their involvement. At noon on September 13th, thousands of church members gathered at the site in grief; they were shocked by the state of the building and the rubble left behind. Filled with indignation, the church members prayed to God for justice for the innocent victims of the attack. They asked factory coworkers and community members to visit and pray for them.

ChinaAid President Bob Fu is grieved by the persecution and shares the outrage of his fellow believers. “We are totally shocked to hear of this bloody crackdown against innocent Christian believers by the Fushan county officials. ” said Mr. Fu. “We urge the Chinese government to hold those abusive officials accountable and take concrete actions to guarantee the Fushan citizens’ religious freedom. ”

View the Prayer Request on Fushan Church’s website.

ChinaAid calls on the international community to voice their protests against the brutal treatment of Christians to the Chinese government, and to pray for justice and healing for the victims of the attack. We further pray for the souls of the participants in the crime, that they will be internally convicted of their inhumane treatment of others and disregard for basic human life.

Contact the following offices in Fushan County (supervised by) Linfin City:
Mayor’s Office of Linfin City: +86-357-209-1044

Public Security Bureau of Linfin City: +86-357-218-8317

Office of the Fushan County Administrator: +86-357-813-6099

Public Security Bureau of Fushan County: +86-357-812-6199

For English speakers, contact the Chinese Ambassador:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong

3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Chinese Embassy Press Secretary Baodong

Tel: 202-495-2218

BEIJING–At about two o’clock on Sunday afternoon (September 13, 2009), a crowd of strangers violently broke down the door to brother Xu Wenli’s apartment in Daqing district, Beijing. Brother Xu had previously denied entry to several strangers outside the residence before the violent break-in. According to the prayer request sent by members of the Tent-makers Christian Fellowship in Beijing, local officials “swarmed into the living room with overwhelming scolding, and commanded that [Brother Xu] should stoop down, as about twenty people entered the living room, some with uniforms and some without.” Their uniforms and self admissions confirmed that the crowd included men from the local Public Service Bureau (PSB), National Security Bureau, and the Religious Affairs Bureau.

According to the Fellowship, Brother Xu was commanded to show the officers the rooms in his home and surrender the training materials produced by ministry. “Brother Xu would not comply with their commands and replied “Who are you for me to obey you? I am a legal residence of Beijing and a child of God.” He was not intimidated and pressed on the issue of legality. Brother Xu demanded that they show him the warrant for the raid, which they could not furnish. Some left for an hour or so and returned without the warrant, while the others kept questioning brother Xu and threatening him with violence. He refused to cooperate based on the illegality of their actions. Someone without uniform warned brother Xu that printing Bible verses and messages on scrolls and tote-bags is illegal and threatened to confiscate them. Brother Xu refused them entry into the rooms without the certified paper work.”

Without proof of a warrant, the officials reportedly “left without taking anything, but warned they would return to confiscate the allegedly illegal training materials, although they did not do so that day. They further threatened Brother Xu and suggested he move away from Beijing to the Hebei province.”

Brother Xu is a faithful member of The Tent-makers Christian Fellowship in Beijing. The Tent-makers Christian Fellowship is led by internationally known Beijing house church rights defender Pastor Hua Huiqi. Pastor Hua and members of his family have been arrested and tortured numerous times for his leadership in defending the basic rights and freedom of vulnerable people. His 79-year-old Christian mother, Ms. Shuang Shuying, finished her two years sentence for her human rights defense work in February, 2009. Forced to leave Beijing in August, Pastor Hua is currently being held on a “forced vacation” in Shanxi province by the Beijing PSB, in order to show the “stability of Beijing” during the 60th anniversary of the CPC rule in China.

The members of the Tent-makers Fellowship request prayer for their ministry and for the salvation of the officials who have violated their rights: “Please pray for the evangelism of China and the effectiveness of the Tent-makers Fellowship in spreading the gospel, as well as living with Biblical humanity dignity and rights in God’s image for everyone.”

ChinaAid also recently learned that the owner of Xu’s rental apartment, under severe pressure from the PSB, told Xu to move out of the apartment within the next few days.

ChinaAid urges the international community to pressure the Beijing government to stop persecuting its citizens who are legally practicing religious freedom, by abiding its constitutional promise and international obligations.

To contact the Chinese Embassy with your concerns;
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

It was just a rumor. But among the radical Muslims in Pakistan’s Gojra village, a rumor was enough of an excuse to kill.

When the rumor was broadcast from the loudspeakers on the minarets of local mosques, it became fact. As part of a wedding ceremony, the loudspeaker shouted, Christians tore pages from a Quran. Then they compounded the disrespect by walking on the shredded pages.

“Defend Islam!” The loudspeaker called. Muslims answered, rampaging through a Christian section of Gojra on Aug. 1. Eight Christians were killed, including women and children. More than 100 Christian homes were burned by a mob. The mob, which was estimated to be more than 20,000 people, also burned a church.

Christians were forced to flee for their lives.

Five Hours Without Help

Emergency personnel did not reach Gojra for more than five hours. Christians were forced to use vegetable carts to move their dead and wounded to the hospital.

Responding to an international outcry, Pakistani government officials have now said no Quran was desecrated. The government promised to help rebuild the burned homes of Christian families.

Even before the government acted, contacts of The Voice of the Martyrs were in Gojra, offering comfort to the wounded and praying with the families of the dead. They continue to aid the village, including helping with some medical expenses, offering encouragement and pressing for a forceful government response.

Burned Bibles and other Christian items.

Christians in Pakistan hope these attacks can be a turning point. They are praying to God and pressing their government to overturn unjust blasphemy laws that are often a pretext to attack Christians.

They are also asking us to pray with them. Pray for Christians in Pakistan to be bold witnesses for Christ, despite threats. Pray for those wounded and left homeless by the brutal Gojra attacks. Pray for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.

Send Help to Pakistan’s Christians

For just $7 you can send an Action Pack to a Christian in Pakistan. If you would like to request and fill an Action Pack bag for Pakistan, you can do so by CLICKING HERE. Voice of the Martyrs will deliver Action Packs to Gojra village in the coming months to help Christians rebuild their lives.

Please pray today for our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan. For the latest news on persecution of Christians in Pakistan and other restricted nations, visit VOM’s online newsroom

 A loving Personality dominates the Bible, walking among the trees of the garden and breathing fragrance over every scene. Always a living Person is present, speaking, pleading, loving, working, and manifesting himself whenever and wherever his people have the receptivity necessary to receive the manifestation.

A.W. Tozer

INNER MONGOLIA–Christians Li Mingshun and Zhang Yonghu were indicted by the Erlianhaote City People’s Procuratorate on July 31, 2009, for aiding North Korean refugees fleeing to South Korea through China. Li and Zhang were among several Christians helping to provide food, shelter, and transportation for the 61 refugees crossing Northern Chinese provinces into Mongolia, where neutral state laws permit residents to seek asylum in South Korea.

Alerted as the refugees crossed into Mongolia, the Border Brigade of Erlianhaote city traveled to Qindao, Heilongjiang province, and arrested Li Mingshun on April 29, 2009 [View Notice of Arrest]. The trial was held August 17, 2009 in the Erlianhaote City People’s Court. Human rights lawyers defending Li and Zhang hoped to raise awareness concerning the Chinese government’s treatment of North Korean refugees through this case. View earlier press release on Li and Zhang, 7/5/2009.

On August 30, 2009, Ms. Li was found guilty for her humanitarian activities by the Erlianhaote Procuratorate (officially charged with “human smuggling across the border). She was sentenced to ten years in prison. Ms. Li’s family in Qindao City received the verdict the morning of August 30. Mr. Zhang received a seven-year sentence for organizing transportation for the refugees to Inner Mongolia. Li’s family reports they will be submitting an appeal for Li and Zhang’s lawful release. (Visit www.ChinaAid.org to view Official Sentencing Document for Li and Zhang).

The verdict underscores years of continued persecution for North Koreans in China, who have been denied refugee-status by the Chinese government and repatriated in violation of the UNHCR Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which China signed in 1982.

The costs of repatriation are dire. Refugees face charges of treason upon their return to the home country, punishable by death, detention and/or lifelong imprisonment in labor camps. Detained Korean women and children in China are frequently sold into the sex-slave trade, disappearing from the formal record into the human trafficking void. Many Chinese and Korean Christians, like Li and Zhang, work with underground networks to aid these refugees as they seek freedom from persecution, only to be arrested and charged as criminals.

Though recent reports on the UN Council on Human Rights websiteUNHCR: “North Korean Asylum Seekers Arrive in South Korea, ” Jul. 2, 2009. http://www.unhcr.org/3b418a4cd.html show the Chinese government has taken rudimentary steps to comply with the Covenant, Li and Zhang’s case reveals the dangers for Chinese citizens who will be punished for helping the refugees.

President of ChinaAid Xiqiu “Bob” Fu responded to Li and Zhang’s sentences. “I am shocked at how the Chinese government treats its own humanitarian workers. They are innocent! We must urge the international community to voice their concerns for the persecuted North Korean refugees and the humanitarian workers who serve them in their time of need.” He further calls for the Chinese government to honor the Li family’s appeal, find them innocent under the Chinese law, and release Li Mingshun and Zhang Yonghu.

ChinaAid requests the international community to contact the Erlianhaote City People’s Procuratorate and Government to urge them to release Li Mingshun and Zhang Yonghu and to respect and uphold human rights for North Korean refugees.

Erlianhaote City People’s Procuratorate, Tel: +86 479-7532977
Erlianhaote City People’s Government website: http://www.elht.gov.cn/
Tel: 0479-7521255
Fax: 0479-7521255
Complaint Tel :0479-7521221, fax :0479-7521255
Erlianhaote Municipal People’s Government
E-mail: elhts_xxk@163.com
Tel :0479-7523950

To further voice your support for human rights and North Korean refugee relief efforts in China, contact the UNHCR office in Beijing:

Address: 1-2-1, Tayuan Diplomatic Office Building, 14 Liangmahe Nan Lu, Beijing 100600
Tel:(86-10) 6532 6806
Fax: (86-10) 6532 1647
E-mail: chibe@unhcr.org
Website: www.unhcr.org.cn

I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. My righteousness came by faith in the finished work of Jesus, not by my own works. My righteousness speaks and declares that I am holy ground, the temple of the Holy Spirit. My righteousness is eternal. I am not a sinner getting rid of sin, I am the righteous resisting temptations. I am healed. I was healed at the cross by the stripes of Jesus. Jesus has already taken my iniquity and bore my transgressions. Since Jesus took and bore them, I need not bare them. I have been healed because I am saved. My healing is eternal. Nothing can change that. I am not the sick trying to be healed, I am the healed resisting symptoms of sin and disease. I have been bought with a price, therefore I will glorify God in my body, thoughts, and actions. Sin is an unholy enemy trying to stand on Holy Ground, a trespasser on private, Sacred Property, and a thief in the temple of the Holy Spirit. I am victorious through Him that loves me, and a new creation by His blood. I belong to God.

Notice of sentence for Li and Zheng

HENAN—On August 13, 2009, several police officers broke into the fellowship home of Christians in Sanggu town, Xiayi County in Henan, and unlawfully seized Brothers Li Guangren and Zheng Xincai at 8:00 PM. The police officials disrupted the worship gathering, and with no legal explanation, arrested Li and Zheng and drove off with them in two vehicles.

A foreign media correspondent from Radio Free Asia later contacted a member of the House Church for a telephone interview to verify the report. Angered by the unlawful arrests, the Chinese Christian who was interviewed protested the police officers’ actions, declaiming their violations of privacy and freedom as ‘wrongful’ and unjust. Chinese officials monitored the call, and used the evidence to detain and convict the two Christians of alleged “unlawful social activities.”

On Friday, August 14, 2009, the Xiayi County Public Security Bureau sentenced Li Guang-ren and Zheng Xin-cai to 10 days administrative detention each, with a fine of 1,000 yuan.
China Aid Association president Bob Fu denounces the authorities’ persecution of Christians in Henan, and calls for the Public Security Bureau to immediately acquit and release Brothers Li and Zheng. He urges members of the Religious Affairs Bureau to repent at once, and not to become accomplices for “the enemy of Christ.”

Pastor Fu further encourages persecuted Christians to make a formal complaint to the relevant authorities, to show God’s justice, and to protect their legitimate rights and religious freedom. ChinaAid remains committed to supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in Henan in their time of need.

Contact local authorities in Xiayi County to acquit and release Li Guang-ren and Zheng Xin-cai by calling:

Public Security Bureau in Xiayi County
Tel: 011-86-370-622-1016, ext. 8206
ChinaAid grants permission to reproduce photos and/or information for non-fundraising purposes, with the provision that www.ChinaAid.org is credited. Please contact: staff@ChinaAid.org with questions or requests for further information.
ChinaAid
Media Contact: Katherine Cason (267) 210-8278 or Katherine@ChinaAid.org
Washington, D.C. Contact: Jenny McCloy (202) 213-0506 or Jenny@ChinaAid.org
Websites: www.ChinaAid.org and www.MonitorChina.org
Fax: (432) 686-8355

On Aug. 1, a mob of angry Muslim extremists attacked Christians in Gojra district, Punjab province. The mob killed at least eight believers, including a seven-year-old child, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Dozens of homes and a church building were looted and burned. Reports indicate the violence resulted from rumors Christians had desecrated pages from the Quran several days earlier at a wedding in a nearby village. This was the second attack resulting from the rumor.. On July 30, Muslim extremists attacked Christians, burning more than 50 homes and animals in Korian village, Faisalabad. In both attacks, Muslim leaders encouraged the violence, using mosque loudspeakers to call on the faithful to defend Islam. According to witnesses, the attackers used a fuel that is particularly difficult to extinguish to set the fires. Government officials have condemned the attacks with unusual severity and have criticized security forces for their slow response. They said there is no truth to the allegations of blasphemy and promised to rebuild the homes destroyed and financially assist those who have lost family members in the violence. Recent reports estimate that more than 200 had been arrested for their involvement in the violence. Pray for the families of deceased believers, those who lost their homes and the pastor and members of the church. Ask God to provide for and encourage them. Pray false accusations by Muslims will draw believers closer to the Lord and for their faithfulness to draw others into faith with Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

UZBEKISTAN- Children’s Camp Attacked – Forum 18 News

Uzbekistan’s Baptist Union is facing criminal charges for allegedly unlawfully teaching children about Christ, and for “supposedly misusing their property as a summer camp,” according to Forum 18 News. Baptist Union Chair Pavel Peichev faces huge fines, the confiscation of the church property, imprisonment, or some combination of these penalties. Baptists have vehemently denied the allegations. The authorities have also launched an investigation into tax and other obligatory payments made by the Baptist Union. The first sign of trouble for the Baptists were two articles published by a government-sponsored news agency. It is believed the agency is sponsored by secret police, and the author may be a member of the secret police. Pray these charges against the Baptist Union are discharged. Pray for the children who were in the camp when it was attacked. Pray this incident and the testimony of faithful believers will draw others into fellowship with Him.

Romans 8:34-36

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you’re risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

“In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court last Sunday in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ. Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.
 
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case.  The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’  However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given.  Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity.
 
Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. “We love Jesus,” they replied.  He repeated his question and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”  
 
Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.”
 
“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,” was their reply.
 
Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, “We have no regrets.”
 
Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.”  They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”
 
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit.  Mr. Haddad told them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”
 
Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”
 
Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to speak to you.”
 
Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.”
 
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, “We have already done our thinking.”
 
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now.  He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.
 
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight.  During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches. She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.
 
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens.  They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so.  After today’s court session they said, “If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.”
 
Maryam and Marzieh’s case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran’s authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom.
 
Thank you for praying.
 
The Elam team“