When you watch the Olympic games, remember that this competition in the spirit of freedom is being hosted by a government of oppression and tyranny. When you see the Olympic village, remember that just a few blocks away, people are being persecuted for their beliefs.
- Remember the courageous woman whose head was banged against the ground until she was almost unconscious because she hosted a Vacation Bible School.
- Remember the 74 year-old prisoner whose legs were broken for leading other inmates to Christ.
- Remember the 16 Catholic nuns who were beaten until they had broken bones, extensive hemorrhaging and serious injuries, as their state sanctioned church was bulldozed.
- Remember the 34 year-old house church leader who endured electric shock torture, forcing him to “confess” his “illegal business practices” because he printed and freely gave away Christian literature.
- Remember the 34 year-old woman who was imprisoned and beaten by the Public Security Bureau for distributing Bibles and tracts. She died the following day “of natural causes.” A PSB officer secretly told a relative that it was obvious she was beaten to death. Her husband and four year-old son miss her greatly.
- Remember the hundreds of thousands of Christians annually who are sentenced to “re-education through labor” (abusive work camps).
For all of the Christians who read this letter, please pray for your brothers and sisters who are suffering simply because they choose to worship Jesus Christ (more information at Voice of the Martyrs or China Aid).
What you will see on television is not the real China. Remember that there are people suffering there whose stories are not being told. May the Olympics remind us to stand with the persecuted in China.
Sarah Ferraro lives with her parents and eight younger siblings in the great Midwest. Her life goal is to win Christ and know Him. She enjoys homeschooling and playing violin.This piece was originally published in the Jacksonville Courier on August 21.
Editor’s Note: All stories mentioned are from various issues of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter. Some are also available online in places such as this telecast and this report. See full coverage here. Another good piece on the Olympics is here.
Update: Another great post on the subject is here at one of Natalie’s favorie blogs: Koinonia.
Thanks for this. It seems like most of the world has forgotten/ignored the terrible things the chinese have to suffer especially the believers.
I will admit I had a lot of those feelings as I watched the Olympics. The China we saw is what the government wanted the world to see.
How blessed we are in the USA
Thank you for this powerful post. Despite the glamor of it all, people of goodwill need to keep it all in perspective. I know there have been many Christian Chinese martyrs (both Catholic and non-Catholic), and being Catholic, I appreciated your inclusion of the group of sisters in your post.
God bless!
Thanks for that. I know all about it, further more- you can’t imagine how they treat their animals – they cut their members while those are alive and so on…before the Olympics I was among those who signed the petition against China hosting the games but nothing happened, unfortunately. The world must see that China is far far from being civilized and I hope the rest of the world does something about it.
~iraida
An American friend who is very familiar with Chinese Christians’ work and the Chinese government told me that many people were forced from their homes to make room in the city for the games. He said that new security cameras were installed for so-called safety reasons—but, somehow, he knows that the cameras will never be taken down once the excitment of the Olympics is over. I personally know Christians who stand to lose their homes, jobs, and families, but guess what? They say, “I don’t care.” Our brothers and sisters in China are willing to take the risk of following Jesus is a place where a true commitment to Christ is dangerous. Thank God they do!
And when you’re done praying, maybe don’t shop at Wal-Mart.
WOW thanks to YLCF for publishing this article, i really appreciate that you keep us all aware and remind us to pray for our brothers and sisters in China and many other countries.
Their love for God is so high that they risk death, persecution, and beatings to spread the Word of God…i just hope we'll be just as brave if that time comes.
And i also as i watched the Olympics had a bad feeling that the Chinese government was trying to show perfection and that they had a specific image they wanted to show…remember the girl who sang?? there was controversy because the one who was in the opening ceremony was lip copying and the real singer they didn't show because according to the Chinese government she was not pretty enough and the other girl was an actress…Geesh to do that to children is such a shame but we are not much different in U.S.A. either..beauty is so important in this society..when all that matters is Jesus and HOW he sees us.
I thank all for commenting…=)
I like when YLCF makes us all aware of what's going on in this world!
Thanks to YLCF!
sorry this was so long!
Blessings & hugs to all!
To God be all glory!
In Him, Jane.