On November 1, 2023, about 362 devices of brothers and sisters were online for the “Five o’clock in the Afternoon in China” Kingdom Prayer Meeting. Today, we especially prayed for Bengbu Living Stone Reformed Church and Pastor Wan Changchun’s mother.
Letter from Pastor Wan Changchun’s mother:
Wishing Only for the Peace and Joy of My Children
Hello everyone, my name is Li Xiuying, and I am the mother of Wan Changchun and Wan Chunqin. My son and daughter were detained by the Public Security Bureau on suspicion of “illegal business operations,” but were arrested for “fraud.” Now, the Procuratorate is reviewing and prosecuting them for suspected “fraud.”
I am not convinced and have something to say!
I have been a believer for 38 years and am from the older generation of preachers. Before believing, our family lived a life worse than death. The children were weak and sick, and their father was addicted to gambling. I had to take care of the children and provide for the family, feeling like a mountain weighed upon my shoulders.
When I was at my wit’s end, God brought the gospel to me through my mother. After believing, my life finally saw light, and our family found hope. I prayed for five years for the children’s father before he was freed from the bondage of sin and turned to God. Since then, our family has been very joyful in Christ. From that time, our home gradually became a meeting place for Christians, and my husband and I served the Lord together with one heart. All of this happened naturally, without anyone’s approval or permission. Those who came to our house for meetings did so voluntarily, relying on their faith in serving the Lord.
My two children, Wan Changchun and Wan Chunqin, grew up attending meetings and established a foundation of faith. My son was willing to work with preachers at the age of twelve. At that time, a servant of God was unwell and had inconvenient transportation, so Changchun volunteered to carry luggage and assist. He has had a heart for serving the Lord since he was young.
My son Changchun was called to the Lord at the age of 18, and since then, he studied while serving. At that time, the church had no provision, so Changchun sold edamame to earn a living. He had long hair because he couldn’t afford a haircut and washed his robe every night to wear again in the morning. I am very proud and grateful for Changchun; he has served for 25 years, never giving up despite the hardships.
Now, both of my children are accused of “fraud” for serving the Lord, which I cannot accept! I feel this is an insult to our family. We have been serving and hosting for so many years. How can it be that without registration, we cannot meet or preach, and accepting voluntary donations becomes fraud? How did registration become the only way to obtain qualifications for Christ’s service? Those who attend the meetings are aware of the big churches, but they insist on meeting with my son, isn’t it because his service aligns more with their faith? The Bible says those who serve the Lord for their own belly are cursed. My children did not commit “fraud.”
My daughter, Wan Chunqin, raised two children alone amidst hardships, and now they are suffering due to her arrest. Her husband passed away from a heart attack two years ago, and just as she was recovering from the loss, she is now separated from her children. Without their father, and now their mother, my heart aches thinking about this. I can only pray silently before God, asking for comfort for my children. If possible, I would sacrifice my old life for theirs, but I know it’s not possible, so I can only look to the Lord.
My husband’s health is poor, having been in a coma for over twenty days after a car accident last year, and now suffers from declining memory and coordination due to a stroke. He exercises daily, hoping for the children’s return. Seeing his struggling figure, my heart aches. It’s been half a year, and it’s getting colder. I don’t know how my children are doing inside. I can only entrust them to the Lord and ask for His protection.
O God who vindicates me, answer me when I call! When I was in trouble, You made room for me; be merciful to me now and hear my prayer. (Psalm 4:1) October 31, 2023
Special prayer for Bengbu Living Stone Reformed Church and Pastor Wan Changchun’s mother: Protect this church to remain unshaken on Christ the Rock; Pray for God to strengthen the four coworkers still in detention, to stand firm by the grace of the Lord! Pray for God to comfort Mother Wan and hear her cries!
Leave a Reply