June 7-8, the core leaders of our Fellowship
had a meeting in Wu Han, discussing our next step as well
as how to restore the ministry of the kidnapped coworkers.
We decided that when everyone was released, we would call
for a nationwide coworkers meeting, so that our core leaders
could give an account of the details of the April 16 incident
to coworkers from different places and thereby gain their
understanding.
June 10, forty missionary couples who had been
sent to different places across China all came back. They
had heard about the confinement of the leaders from different
sources. Now they came to meet in a certain location in He
Nan province, all carrying in their hearts suspicion, uncertainty
and disappointment. There were their teachers (this is how
they call their leaders), weary and feeble, wan and sallow,
standing on the platform heavily burdened, yet they still
greeted and encouraged everybody with such loving kindness
and steadfast strength. Tears burst out from the coworkers’
eyes. Here were the teachers that they had been so worried
about, yet despite the fact that they did look a bit older
and feebler, their burden for missions and their love and
concern for all the missionaries had not been affected in
the least way.
June 11, Brother Lian and Brother Wei (core
leaders) were released. Instead of taking any rest, they headed
for the missionaries’ meeting straight away to meet
with the coworkers. Their coming back brought more comfort
to the church family. One thing for which we are very thankful
is that while we were going through our most difficult time,
God answered the prayers of our core leaders, and amazingly
provided half a year’s expenses for our missionaries.
He met our very pressing needs, and didn’t let these
missionaries who had labored and run so hard for Him in the
field go back empty-handed.
June 14, owing to the prayer support of brothers
and sisters in and outside of China, with every rescuing effort
our coworkers had given, and with the forceful pressure the
police had put on the EL, all 34 victims of the April 16 incident
were finally released. All coworkers (except one brother from
Shan Xi) had been able to stand strong against all kinds of
temptations, and refused to be deceived by the EL teaching.
The various ministries of our fellowship hadn’t suffered
significant loss either. This is God’s great grace upon
us. Glory be unto God!
