Dear Wife,
The deepest memory for me this year is what you said to me before I left, “Husband, don’t be afraid, just endure for 37 days.” This sentence deeply resides in my memory. It conveys to me your encouragement and comfort, your strength, faith, and fortitude. Perhaps you also had doubts, worries, or little faith at that time, but the Lord is between you and me. Through your comforting words to me, He comforted and strengthened me, dispelling my inner timidity, fear, and little faith, truly giving me power and firmness. Because of the faith that the Father gives me, I deeply believe “He is the King, ruling over everything.” He is the Lord between you and me, comforting and strengthening us, connecting us. He is our Christ, our Father, our Savior who redeemed us at a great price. He reigns as King, governing the whole earth. He is the King who was, who is, and who is to come, forever.
History belongs to Him. In His history, we become a part of His story, what a blessing and glory it is! Even more astounding is that this history is His true redemption of us, His complete love for us. He is our Lord, making us “whether we live or die, belong to the Lord”!
I still clearly remember that scene when you said to me, “Husband, just endure for 37 days.” It was so warm. The Lord’s love like a spring, tightly surrounds us, connecting our hearts together, never to be separated! Now looking back, although these “37 days” were so long, I completely obeyed, because this is the Lord’s time. I have no regrets or remorse, and you must not have thoughts of self-blame or regret. I believe both of us are willingly so.
In the detention center, they often play TV series about the Liberation War and the revolution. They join the army and cannot return home for many years for the revolutionary cause. But I regard the detention center as my deployment as a Christian, as joining the army for the cause of the Kingdom of God. How glorious and joyful I am, even for 10 times “37 days” I am willing! Our Lord, through these, tempers us, renews us. During my time in the detention center, I recalled many times my experiences from childhood to now, counted God’s grace, saw my numerous mistakes, falls, and growth, and saw how I have often sinned against God and fallen short of His glory, my own deep sinfulness, only the Lord cleanses me, only Christ redeems me. Even until now, during my time in the detention center, I also saw my own selfishness, self-righteousness, indulgence in the flesh, living for myself, not for the Lord, without grace, without the responsibility of a Christian, my own evasion, etc… Yet, my Lord still loves me. The Holy Spirit teaches, admonishes, moves, calls, renews, and cleanses me through books. I know how insignificant and humble I am!
On this heavenly journey, we still have a long way to go and need to train ourselves more: in godliness, patience, maturity, hope, faith, love, joy, encouragement. We must always walk with the Lord, looking to the One who initiates and completes our faith, who adds faith and strength to us, following His steps! Let the Lord be my Lord and your Lord, the true Lord sitting on the throne of our lives. We must rely on Him, be firm in heart, not drift with the waves, have a clear goal, a clear path, take up our cross and follow Him, because He says to us, “Come, follow me.” He will give us sufficient grace, for He has walked this path for us, He has overcome sin, death! Where is death’s sting, the power of death? The Lord has overcome! He is the victorious Lord! The victorious King!
May these words be written to you, me, brothers and sisters. May the Lord strengthen us, protect us. Although I am inside, and Li Han is also inside, you are outside, but the Lord is between you and me! Among all of us!
Always thinking of you, your loving husband: Qiang
Thank the Lord for giving us such a precious letter, showing us the brotherly love that shakes mountains and rivers. Brother Wang Qiang, in order not to betray his brothers, not to testify that he was defrauded, for holding onto faith, he has paid many “37 days” and is willing to pay the price. May the Lord remember his sacrifice, look after his family, give strength and faith to his wife and children. The faithful Lord will surely protect him and Preacher Li Jie, Preacher Han Xiaodong. May the Lord accept the tears, prayers, and supplications of the brothers and sisters in the prayer meeting for the members, may the Spirit of the Lord work among the brothers in prison just as among us, Amen!
Leave a Reply