Friday, January 30, 2009

FREE Shuang Shuying!!

From Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_177_profile.html

Shuan Shuying
Location: China
Arrested: January 2007
Days Imprisoned: 735

On January 26, 2007, 76-year-old Shuang Shuying and her son, house church leader Hua Huiqi, were attacked, wounded and arrested by police while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing. Shuying has numerous medical problems and is serving two years in prison. We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Shuying. We have experienced incredible results when readers write to believers who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters often result in shorter prison sentences. Send a letter of encouragement to Shuying and let her know you are praying for her. Also, write to the Chinese government requesting she be released. Let your friends know about suffering believers in China and encourage them to pray and write too. Get involved. Pray and write today.


January 15
from http://www.persecution.com/topStory_shuangShuying.html

Chinese government authorities have denied Hua Zaichen, 91, visitation with his imprisoned wife, 79-year-old Shuang Shuying, according to China Aid Association (CAA).

Zaichen, who is deathly ill, requested a final meeting with his wife to say his goodbyes, but officials refused to grant the request. "Authorities say Shuang Shuying in not allowed to leave prison before February 8, 2009, the end of her two-year sentence. Officials stated that if her husband died before then, she would be allowed to see his body for 10 minutes and would have to be chained, handcuffed, shackled and wearing a prison uniform," CAA added.

The government's refusal to allow Zaichen to see his wife is the latest in a series of incidents including attacks, arrests and imprisonments for his family. In January 2007, Hua Huiqi and his 76-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing. CAA reported, "They were kicked to the ground and later taken to the Olympic police station for questioning." Hua's mother was sentenced to two years in prison, while Hua served six months. In October 2007, while under house arrest, Hua was repeatedly attacked and beaten by police at his home. Hua was reading his Bible at his home despite police surrounding his house. He was sent to Beijing Tiantan Hospital because he lost consciousness after repeated beatings from the police.

Shuang Shuying has remained in prison and is also reportedly very ill. She has been held in a medical center because her health has deteriorated. VOM has assisted this family during the many times the Chinese government has persecuted them because of their faith. VOM encourages you to pray for this family that has endured many hardships for the sake of their faith. Pray for Shuang Shuying to be released. Praise God for their courage!


January 22
from http://www.persecution.com/topStory_shuangShuying.html

Shuang Shuying, a 79-year-old Christian grandmother, has been imprisoned by the Chinese government for almost two years, because of her family's work helping the poor and oppressed. Read more.

She has become extremely thin and fragile and her health is deteriorating from the harsh conditions, almost to the point of death during the past two years in prison. However, the greatest injustice is that her husband Hua Zaichen, 90, is dying and authorities have denied her a last visit with him even though her prison sentence ends February 8.

Government officials mock Shuang Shuying’s desperate longing to see her husband. They have told her that if he dies, they will escort her in prison uniform, handcuffed and shackled, to see his body for 10 minutes.

You can bring aid to this family as Shuang Shuying’s husband struggles daily to stay alive in the hope he might see his wife before he dies. Will you let your voice be heard on behalf of this elderly couple who have laid down their lives to serve others?


January 30
http://etools.781net.com/a/maestro/bg_ChinaAidSO_mbm_367.html?refnum=499024

On January 28, Hua Zaichen was rushed to the ER, hovering between life and death. He has been clinging to live in the hope that authorities will allow him to see his wife, Shuang Shuying, one last time. Shuang Shuying, 79, has suffered in prison for almost two years on fabricated charges because of her Christian activities.

Since ChinaAid sent out e-mail alerts earlier this month, many around the world have been crying out for justice for this elderly Christian couple. Your prayers and pressure on government authorities are powerful and effective. Hua Zaichen's son, Pastor Hua Huiqi said, "We felt the reality of the prayers of many brothers and sisters."

Officials have become so nervous about the international attention, that they even sent a police officer to the hospital to see if Hua Zaichen was still alive, fearing they would be held responsible for his death.

We have a window of opportunity to further pressure the Chinese government to act justly by our refusal to give up. Will you continue to let your "voice" be heard for the immediate release of Shuang Shuying from prison? Your action is making the difference.

At this China Aid link http://etools.781net.com/a/maestro/bg_ChinaAidSO_mbm_367.html?refnum=499024 you can send emails to various Chinese officials, etc.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Fight Against FOCA

This is greatly grieving to my heart. It is not my desire to post on this blog regarding political issues and such. But if I can use this blog to make people aware of something tragic, then I will.

The following is a small article from the One News Now website regarding the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA):

The fight against FOCA begins
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/28/2009 7:00:00 AM

baby ultrasoundPro-life groups are gearing up to combat the Freedom of Choice Act.

Brad Mattes, executive director of Life Issues Institute, says the Freedom of Choice Act, or FOCA, is a dangerous bill that President Barack Obama has promised to sign. "FOCA, the Freedom of Choice Act, would kick to the curb every protective law that has been passed by Congress, state legislatures, or local communities," he explains.

FOCA would promote partial-birth abortion and ban parental-notification laws, according to Mattes. However, he has not lost hope. "If FOCA is brought through committee and to the floor of the House and the Senate as an entire bill, I think our chances are better at stopping it," he notes.

Mattes says those chances diminish if it is attached to other bills piecemeal. He points out it is vital for the grassroots voice to be heard...

The rest of the article can be read at the One News Now website:

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=399060

and a petition against FOCA can be signed at the Life Issues Institute website:

http://www.lifeissues.org/FOCA/petition.html

There is absolutely no real freedom found in ending the life of an unborn child...

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

God Incidence

Exactly ten days ago my nineteen year old son, Brendan, was involved in a serious car accident. Last night, for the first time since the accident, I truly gave myself a few moments to fully imagine what that accident may have looked like when it was taking place and to reflect on how much more serious things could have turned out. After ten days, I really wanted to weep as I was overcome with thoughts of what could have happened and the gratefulness of having my son still alive and home.

The driving conditions were absolutely terrible that evening when he wanted to go out to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The roads were icy and snowy, people were losing traction with their cars, and some were unable to get up and down hilly roads safely. Even though we admonished him that it was not safe to get out in those conditions, he decided to go anyway. I was so upset imagining that there was a good possibility he may get into an accident that night. Just before leaving, he came to tell me bye and give me a good hug. I wanted to cry then and beg him to please not go, but instead I fought back the tears and probably just asked him to be careful.

As I showered that night just before bed, I recall standing in the shower crying tears and crying out to God for my son. I cried out for God to save him from unwise and destructive choices, from bad influences, and from the power of the Enemy. I went to bed so heavy-hearted and somber; still crying out to God for him.

Sometime after 1:00 a.m. he texted to say he wasn’t coming home and was spending the night at the friend’s place. Then close to 4:30 a.m. he called asking us to come pick him up because he was at the ER.

As I think about that call, I first recall my husband’s (Michael) reaction and how emotionally upset and surprised he seemed that Brendan was calling from the ER. I wasn’t surprised at all. Over the last six months and what had been going on with Brendan’s night life, I had tried to prepare myself for a moment just like that. So that if and when it came, I would be able to function in it without panicking. I remember feeling more angry that it had actually now happened. I know in my anger I told Michael, “I don’t know why you are surprised this has happened; I have been waiting for a moment like this to happen at any time.” And then I went into this auto pilot of getting dressed and ready to go to the hospital. I kept thinking that it was very good that Brendan was actually calling to get us to pick him up. To me that was a great sign that things were not too serious with his injuries. Although, I did imagine him broken some place and with a cast on.

As we both got in the car and headed to the hospital, Brendan began to text us. A series of special heart to heart texts went back and forth between me and him that night as we made the 30 minute drive to the ER. The drive seemed to last forever to all three of us; especially as Brendan kept saying he was in so much pain. I recall my body shaking almost uncontrollably as I tried to text back and forth; my body was freaking out, but Christ was keeping my mind clear.

I’m not sure what all was going through my head as we drove up to the ER doors after 5:00 a.m. I saw him sitting in the wheel chair looking through the glass waiting to see us drive up. I only recall thinking that maybe he needed to be checked out more thoroughly as he kept saying he was in so much pain. But there were no doctors around for me to talk to; just security. I asked him what the doctors had done with him. He said they had done an external physical examination and determined he would be fine and had given him a pain medicine prescription for him to take to Walgreens to fill out himself. Brendan explained that his hip was hurting terribly and he could hardly walk. So we wheeled him out to the car and I called to find the nearest 24 hr Walgreens.

As we drove to fill prescription and drove home, we got bits and pieces of the accident. While I was in Walgreens, Brendan and Michael even saw the wrecker truck driving by with the truck that Brendan had been riding in. We finally arrived home around 6:30 in the morning. I remember tucking Brendan into the guest bed upstairs and giving him a long hug to express what I felt, “I am so glad you are alive and home”. I wanted to say so much but knew I couldn’t speak a word or I would just break down completely.

Brendan had been riding with two other friends in a truck. He had been seated in the middle with the lap belt. As they were crossing an intersection a drunk driver came barreling through at 50-55 mph and hit them on the passenger side full force. That drunk driver was knocked unconscious on impact. The passenger of the truck Brendan was in was thrown completely out of the vehicle, Brendan’s seat belt came undone and he almost ended up thrown out also. Brendan’s friend driving ended up with a cut on his head needing stitches. The young man totally thrown out had to stay in the hospital for a few days. It turns out that Brendan’s pelvis was fractured. The ER doctor missed it since he didn’t even take the time to X-ray Brendan. However, he is healing well and doing better and better every day.

Brendan expressed knowing how God had protected him that night and that he knew he was very fortunate to be alive. I knew all those things too. I knew God had spared my son’s life that night. But not until last night did that all really hit me hard. As I have enjoyed having Brendan home with us for the past ten days and after watching him playing the Wii with his brother last night, I pondered, “What if he wouldn’t have been standing there playing with Braden tonight? What if his earthly life had been over 10 days ago? What if I was grieving the loss of my son?”

But instead I only need to REJOICE that he is still with us!!! Oh how grateful I am for that!!

Why do I write this post? Well, to say this:

I know that God was all over the auto accident that night. I know that God IS sovereign and ALL-powerful, faithful, and trustworthy. And that no matter what had happened I would still have proclaimed that GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME. He will always be most worthy of my love and my praise; whether things are going the way I prefer them to or not.

I love You, Oh YHWH, my Strength.

YHWH is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer

My El, my Rock, in whom I take refuge;

My Shield and the Horn of my salvation,

My Stronghold

I call upon YHWH, Who is worthy to be praised

And I am saved…

(Psalm 18:1-3)

I started this blog for GOD’s GLORY. I write for HIS glory. I long for my life and all that happens in it to be for HIS glory.

So may this also be for His glory…