I ask that you take just a moment to offer up a prayer on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are struggling for the faith. These are real people who are suffering real torment as witnesses to Christ.
Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
China
AIQING ZHU
At 40 years of age, Aiqing Zhu was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities’ on June 9, 1996. She was sentenced with a twenty-year prison term.
BAISHUN BAO
At 23 years of age, Baishun Bao was arrested for ‘illegal preaching’ in the year 2000. He is sentenced with a four -year prison term.
CHANGLAN PU
A South China Church leader, 46 years old. She was given a three -year sentence with a four-year reprieve for her part in the unregistered Sunday school.
DAOXING SHEN
Shen, 61, was arrested in 2002 along with other South China Church leaders for starting an unregistered chldren's Sunday School. He may not have a Bible according to the court ruling. He was given a five-year sentence.
FENG PING XIANG
Another South China Church leader, this 32 year old was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor"at Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
GONG SHENGLIANG
Pastor Gong, founder and pastor of the South China Church was sentenced to be executed last December, but a re-trial was ordered by the Hubei Province Supreme Court. Gong was re-tried last October, but charges relating to cult and illegal religious activity were dropped. The second trial resulted in a sentence of life in prison. He has been severely beaten and was taken to the hospital. He is now back in prison but does not communicate verbally with his family visitors whether out of fear or injury.
GUOXING (PHILLIP) XU
Chinese house church leader and evangelist Guoxing (Philip) Xu was arrested by the government December 8, 2002 along with several worshipers at his home in Shanghai. The others who were arrested with Xu have been released, but he was detained. The authorities searched his house and all written materials, tapes, a computer, and thirty stools (used for seating in worship) were confiscated. Xu has only been free since July 2000. He has previously spent over six years in labor camps for his Christian activities. Xu studied in the US in the early 80's and could have stayed in safety and comfort here, but he felt God wanted him to bring the Gospel to his fellow Chinese. He was first arrested in 1989 and sentenced to three years of hard labor. During that time scores of inmates turned to Christ through his witnessing.
JIANG MAO CHEN
At 70 years old he is the oldest person arrested with the other South China Church leaders. Still he was given a four-year sentence. These leaders may not pray out loud in their cells.
LI YING
Second in command in the South China Church and publisher of an underground church magazine. She was given a 15-year sentence.
MENGYU TANG
A 27 year old female South China Church Leader was given a six-year sentence.
MINGYING HE
Another South China Church leader, 41 years old. She was given a three-year sentence with a four-year reprieve.
QION LING YI
This young South China Church leader was arrested when she was 21 years old. She was eventually given a seven-year sentence for her activities with her church.
SHIGUI TAN
A 41 year old South China Church Leader. He was given a three-year sentence with a four-year reprieve.
SHUANG YU XIANG
This 29 years old was arrested with the other South China Church leaders. She was given a seven-year sentence.
SHUXIAN DING
At 42 years of age, Shuxian Ding was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities’ in the year 2001. She is sentenced to a threeyear prison term.
XIAN ZHI LIU
This 31 year old South China Church Leader was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor". She is at the Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
XICUN MENG
Another South China Church leader sentenced to three-years of "re-education through labor" at the Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province. She was 27 when arrested.
XITAO ZHAO
This 28 year old South China Church leader was given a seven-year sentence.
YING PING LI
A 28 year old South China Church leader. She was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor" at Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
YUMEI LU
At age 27 she received an eight-year sentence for her role as a South China Church leader.
ZHANG YI-NAN
Arrested September 26, 2003 and charged with "subverting the Chinese government and socialist order." He was sentenced to two years of laojiao "re-education through labor." He was beaten by other prisoners on the first day of his sentence, November 3, 2003.
ZHONG CHEN
At 32 years of age, Zhong Chen was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities, and disturbing social safety’ in the year 2000. Prison term unknown.
Egypt
GANIYU ISOLA SULY
Ganiyu Isola Suly, 41, is from a Muslim background, but converted to Christianity along with his wife and children (2 sons and a daughter). His expected date of release is March 23, 2012.
SHAIBOUB ARSAL
Shaiboub Arsal was given a 38 year hard labor prison sentence in June 2000. He has been falsely charged over a murder that took place during the 1999-2000 New Year’s weekend violence, which targeted El-Kosheh’s Coptic Christian population. Write a letter of encouragement to him, care of his local Coptic bishop.
Indonesia
REV. RINALDY DAMANIK
Rev. Damanik was arrested in September when he went to Jakarta at the invitation of the Indonesia National Police (Mabes POLRI). He was to testify as a witness to the August 2002 violence in the Poso district of Central Sulawesi. He was originally charged with the possession of homemade firearms that were allegedly confiscated when his vehicle was searched in Poso. The conflict between Christians and Muslims in Poso has claimed over 2000 lives during the three years of violence.
In addition on February 18, 2003 Rev. Damanik boycotted his hearing when he learned he had been named as a provocateur of religious violence. The prosecution has failed to produce a single credible witness linking Rev. Damanik to the searched auto and the charges of provocateur have been dropped. It appears Rev. Damanik may have been a pawn in a much larger conflict not just about religion but one with political, economic and military concerns. His imprisonment has been extended to June 23 even though by Indonesian criminal law it should have expired May 23rd.
According to a report from Open Doors Rev. Damanik shared in a recent interview that based on a directive in the Indonesian Book of Law he could have left the prison September 16th. He did not do so because he was put in prison by an official letter and he wants an official letter of release to leave. He has received over 13,000 letters and postcards since being detained at this prison.
Laos
THONG CHAN
Throng Chan, a Christian pastor from Udomxai continues to be held in prison. He had been a Chao Muang (District Governor). After his conversion he was first arrested in 1999 and convicted of preaching the gospel, being a traitor to the nation and speaking badly about the nation. He faces another 11 years in prison.
Pakistan
PARVEZ MASIH
PAKISTAN – JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ATTACKED IN HIS CELL (August 2002)
A Christian high school principal jailed 15 months ago by Pakistan authorities for alleged blasphemy against Islam has been attacked while asleep in his cell. On the night of June 17, Pervaiz Masih, 34, was struck twice in the head by another inmate before he awakened enough to wrestle with his attacker and call the jail guards, a Christian human rights advocacy group in Lahore confirmed on July 6. Masih was well-respected in the Daska prison, where the jail superintendent has allowed him some freedom of movement. “Everyone there knows the allegations against Pervaiz are false,†a visitor to the jail said. Local police finally submitted their prosecution brief on his case at the July 6 hearing. The trial was continued until July 20. Masih has been refused bail since his arrest in April 2001, when he was accused of slandering the prophet Mohammed several months earlier to three teenage Muslim boys he had been tutoring. Pray Pervaiz Masih will stand strong in his faith, knowing he is not guilty of the charges against him. Acts 26:11
RHANJA MASIH
On May 8, 1998, at the funeral procession of a Christian, Muslim witnesses claim that Rhanja threw a rock at an Islamic sign. Now 55 he has been jailed since his arrest more than five years ago. Rhanja was tried under Section 295-c of the blasphemy law which normally carries a mandatory death sentence but on April 26, 2003 he was sentenced to life in prison and fined 50,000 rupees ($830).
Turkey
SONER ONDER
Soner Onder, now 27, has already marked nine years in Turkish jails since his arrest as a 17-year-old on his way home from Christmas Day church services in 1991. Accused of helping Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) sympathizers firebomb an Istanbul department store in an attack that killed 12 people, he was tortured to extract a false confession, according to the official medical report. The prosecution failed to produce proof that Onder had any links with the PKK, apart from the mere fact that he was born in Diyarbakir, the center of Kurdish separatist protests in the Turkish southeast. Onder and his family were shocked when he was convicted and given the death penalty, commuted to life in prison.
Vietnam
DINH BE, HO HOANG DUY & TRAN VAN VUI
Dinh Be, Ho Hoang Duy and Tran Van Vui are being held in Quâng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. Tran Van Vui has already spent two years in Quâng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. He was released in late 1997 for two months before being re-arrested in December 1997. He has been sentenced to three years for teaching from the Bible in Bato village. Christians at the Quâng Ngai prison must endure hours of forced labor every day. You can write a note on a Christian card to encourage the following believers using the prison address below.
HAU CHONG VU
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
LO VAN HOA
Lo Van Hoa is being held in prison for illegally preaching the gospel. Write a note to encourage him.
MA SEO PHU
Arrested in December 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SINH MI PO
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SUNG PHAI DIA
Arrested in September 2001
He was imprisoned from March 1998 to March 2001 during which he endured 11 months and 20 days in a cruel punishment cell. Now he is back in prison because he continued his Christian activities after his release. He is one of the most outstanding Hmong Leaders.
SUNG SAI SAI
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SUNG SEO PAO
Write to Sung Seo Pao at his prison in Yen Bai. He does not read English, but you can write "Jesus loves you" in Vietnameseâ€â€Giexu yen anh! He may never see your simple, kind, encouraging note, card or illustration, but the authorities will. Photocopy his picture (on page 6 of March 2003 Newsletter), cut it out, and include it. You may wish to include a small piece of chocolate in an envelope. For more than 30 years, our readers have done such things with great results. (I received such letters during my imprisonment in Cuba)
THAO NHIA LU
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SEO CHONG
Arrested in March 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SEO SAO
Arrested in March 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SUA PAO
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
VANG SEO SENH
Arrested in December 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
VANG XUA GIANG
Giang, 45 years old, was taken to the Thanh Ha Re-education center in Vinh Phuc Province on August 24, 2001. He was sentenced to a 24-month imprisonment for "illegal religious activities". His arrest documents are held at the Office of the People’s Committee (Communist) of Ha Giang Province.
http://www.persecution.com/basic/prison ... m?Country=
Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
China
AIQING ZHU
At 40 years of age, Aiqing Zhu was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities’ on June 9, 1996. She was sentenced with a twenty-year prison term.
BAISHUN BAO
At 23 years of age, Baishun Bao was arrested for ‘illegal preaching’ in the year 2000. He is sentenced with a four -year prison term.
CHANGLAN PU
A South China Church leader, 46 years old. She was given a three -year sentence with a four-year reprieve for her part in the unregistered Sunday school.
DAOXING SHEN
Shen, 61, was arrested in 2002 along with other South China Church leaders for starting an unregistered chldren's Sunday School. He may not have a Bible according to the court ruling. He was given a five-year sentence.
FENG PING XIANG
Another South China Church leader, this 32 year old was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor"at Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
GONG SHENGLIANG
Pastor Gong, founder and pastor of the South China Church was sentenced to be executed last December, but a re-trial was ordered by the Hubei Province Supreme Court. Gong was re-tried last October, but charges relating to cult and illegal religious activity were dropped. The second trial resulted in a sentence of life in prison. He has been severely beaten and was taken to the hospital. He is now back in prison but does not communicate verbally with his family visitors whether out of fear or injury.
GUOXING (PHILLIP) XU
Chinese house church leader and evangelist Guoxing (Philip) Xu was arrested by the government December 8, 2002 along with several worshipers at his home in Shanghai. The others who were arrested with Xu have been released, but he was detained. The authorities searched his house and all written materials, tapes, a computer, and thirty stools (used for seating in worship) were confiscated. Xu has only been free since July 2000. He has previously spent over six years in labor camps for his Christian activities. Xu studied in the US in the early 80's and could have stayed in safety and comfort here, but he felt God wanted him to bring the Gospel to his fellow Chinese. He was first arrested in 1989 and sentenced to three years of hard labor. During that time scores of inmates turned to Christ through his witnessing.
JIANG MAO CHEN
At 70 years old he is the oldest person arrested with the other South China Church leaders. Still he was given a four-year sentence. These leaders may not pray out loud in their cells.
LI YING
Second in command in the South China Church and publisher of an underground church magazine. She was given a 15-year sentence.
MENGYU TANG
A 27 year old female South China Church Leader was given a six-year sentence.
MINGYING HE
Another South China Church leader, 41 years old. She was given a three-year sentence with a four-year reprieve.
QION LING YI
This young South China Church leader was arrested when she was 21 years old. She was eventually given a seven-year sentence for her activities with her church.
SHIGUI TAN
A 41 year old South China Church Leader. He was given a three-year sentence with a four-year reprieve.
SHUANG YU XIANG
This 29 years old was arrested with the other South China Church leaders. She was given a seven-year sentence.
SHUXIAN DING
At 42 years of age, Shuxian Ding was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities’ in the year 2001. She is sentenced to a threeyear prison term.
XIAN ZHI LIU
This 31 year old South China Church Leader was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor". She is at the Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
XICUN MENG
Another South China Church leader sentenced to three-years of "re-education through labor" at the Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province. She was 27 when arrested.
XITAO ZHAO
This 28 year old South China Church leader was given a seven-year sentence.
YING PING LI
A 28 year old South China Church leader. She was given a three-year sentence of "re-education through labor" at Sha Yang Lao Gai Labor Camp in Hubei Province.
YUMEI LU
At age 27 she received an eight-year sentence for her role as a South China Church leader.
ZHANG YI-NAN
Arrested September 26, 2003 and charged with "subverting the Chinese government and socialist order." He was sentenced to two years of laojiao "re-education through labor." He was beaten by other prisoners on the first day of his sentence, November 3, 2003.
ZHONG CHEN
At 32 years of age, Zhong Chen was arrested for ‘illegal evangelistic activities, and disturbing social safety’ in the year 2000. Prison term unknown.
Egypt
GANIYU ISOLA SULY
Ganiyu Isola Suly, 41, is from a Muslim background, but converted to Christianity along with his wife and children (2 sons and a daughter). His expected date of release is March 23, 2012.
SHAIBOUB ARSAL
Shaiboub Arsal was given a 38 year hard labor prison sentence in June 2000. He has been falsely charged over a murder that took place during the 1999-2000 New Year’s weekend violence, which targeted El-Kosheh’s Coptic Christian population. Write a letter of encouragement to him, care of his local Coptic bishop.
Indonesia
REV. RINALDY DAMANIK
Rev. Damanik was arrested in September when he went to Jakarta at the invitation of the Indonesia National Police (Mabes POLRI). He was to testify as a witness to the August 2002 violence in the Poso district of Central Sulawesi. He was originally charged with the possession of homemade firearms that were allegedly confiscated when his vehicle was searched in Poso. The conflict between Christians and Muslims in Poso has claimed over 2000 lives during the three years of violence.
In addition on February 18, 2003 Rev. Damanik boycotted his hearing when he learned he had been named as a provocateur of religious violence. The prosecution has failed to produce a single credible witness linking Rev. Damanik to the searched auto and the charges of provocateur have been dropped. It appears Rev. Damanik may have been a pawn in a much larger conflict not just about religion but one with political, economic and military concerns. His imprisonment has been extended to June 23 even though by Indonesian criminal law it should have expired May 23rd.
According to a report from Open Doors Rev. Damanik shared in a recent interview that based on a directive in the Indonesian Book of Law he could have left the prison September 16th. He did not do so because he was put in prison by an official letter and he wants an official letter of release to leave. He has received over 13,000 letters and postcards since being detained at this prison.
Laos
THONG CHAN
Throng Chan, a Christian pastor from Udomxai continues to be held in prison. He had been a Chao Muang (District Governor). After his conversion he was first arrested in 1999 and convicted of preaching the gospel, being a traitor to the nation and speaking badly about the nation. He faces another 11 years in prison.
Pakistan
PARVEZ MASIH
PAKISTAN – JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ATTACKED IN HIS CELL (August 2002)
A Christian high school principal jailed 15 months ago by Pakistan authorities for alleged blasphemy against Islam has been attacked while asleep in his cell. On the night of June 17, Pervaiz Masih, 34, was struck twice in the head by another inmate before he awakened enough to wrestle with his attacker and call the jail guards, a Christian human rights advocacy group in Lahore confirmed on July 6. Masih was well-respected in the Daska prison, where the jail superintendent has allowed him some freedom of movement. “Everyone there knows the allegations against Pervaiz are false,†a visitor to the jail said. Local police finally submitted their prosecution brief on his case at the July 6 hearing. The trial was continued until July 20. Masih has been refused bail since his arrest in April 2001, when he was accused of slandering the prophet Mohammed several months earlier to three teenage Muslim boys he had been tutoring. Pray Pervaiz Masih will stand strong in his faith, knowing he is not guilty of the charges against him. Acts 26:11
RHANJA MASIH
On May 8, 1998, at the funeral procession of a Christian, Muslim witnesses claim that Rhanja threw a rock at an Islamic sign. Now 55 he has been jailed since his arrest more than five years ago. Rhanja was tried under Section 295-c of the blasphemy law which normally carries a mandatory death sentence but on April 26, 2003 he was sentenced to life in prison and fined 50,000 rupees ($830).
Turkey
SONER ONDER
Soner Onder, now 27, has already marked nine years in Turkish jails since his arrest as a 17-year-old on his way home from Christmas Day church services in 1991. Accused of helping Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) sympathizers firebomb an Istanbul department store in an attack that killed 12 people, he was tortured to extract a false confession, according to the official medical report. The prosecution failed to produce proof that Onder had any links with the PKK, apart from the mere fact that he was born in Diyarbakir, the center of Kurdish separatist protests in the Turkish southeast. Onder and his family were shocked when he was convicted and given the death penalty, commuted to life in prison.
Vietnam
DINH BE, HO HOANG DUY & TRAN VAN VUI
Dinh Be, Ho Hoang Duy and Tran Van Vui are being held in Quâng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. Tran Van Vui has already spent two years in Quâng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. He was released in late 1997 for two months before being re-arrested in December 1997. He has been sentenced to three years for teaching from the Bible in Bato village. Christians at the Quâng Ngai prison must endure hours of forced labor every day. You can write a note on a Christian card to encourage the following believers using the prison address below.
HAU CHONG VU
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
LO VAN HOA
Lo Van Hoa is being held in prison for illegally preaching the gospel. Write a note to encourage him.
MA SEO PHU
Arrested in December 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SINH MI PO
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SUNG PHAI DIA
Arrested in September 2001
He was imprisoned from March 1998 to March 2001 during which he endured 11 months and 20 days in a cruel punishment cell. Now he is back in prison because he continued his Christian activities after his release. He is one of the most outstanding Hmong Leaders.
SUNG SAI SAI
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
SUNG SEO PAO
Write to Sung Seo Pao at his prison in Yen Bai. He does not read English, but you can write "Jesus loves you" in Vietnameseâ€â€Giexu yen anh! He may never see your simple, kind, encouraging note, card or illustration, but the authorities will. Photocopy his picture (on page 6 of March 2003 Newsletter), cut it out, and include it. You may wish to include a small piece of chocolate in an envelope. For more than 30 years, our readers have done such things with great results. (I received such letters during my imprisonment in Cuba)
THAO NHIA LU
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SEO CHONG
Arrested in March 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SEO SAO
Arrested in March 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
THAO SUA PAO
Arrested in August 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
VANG SEO SENH
Arrested in December 2001 and is in Thanh Ha Re-education Center.
VANG XUA GIANG
Giang, 45 years old, was taken to the Thanh Ha Re-education center in Vinh Phuc Province on August 24, 2001. He was sentenced to a 24-month imprisonment for "illegal religious activities". His arrest documents are held at the Office of the People’s Committee (Communist) of Ha Giang Province.
http://www.persecution.com/basic/prison ... m?Country=
