China: Pastor Sent to Labor Camp

On June 29, Pastor Dou Shaowen who is currently serving a one-year sentence for “engaging in illegal activities” was secretly transferred to Shifo Re-education Through Labor Center in Zhengzhou city, Henan province, according to China Aid Association.

His family was not informed of his transfer. Pastor Dou, his wife Feng Lu and five other believers were arrested on June 14 when government officials raided and closed the Rock Church. The police confiscated computers and other church property from the church. Pastor Dou and his wife were sentenced to a year in prison and the other believers were sentenced to 15 days in detention and fined 500 Yuan (US$ 73). However, Feng Lu will serve her sentence at home so she can care for their 12 year-old daughter.

China Aid reported that Pastor Dou has been treated inhumanely in the labor camp. According to China Aid, Pastor Dou was forced to squat when he wanted to talk to police officers, he was also forced to work 18 hours a day from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. midnight. China Aid reports that some prisoners have contracted diseases while at the camp because of overcrowding, more than 70 people sleep in a room, the hot weather and poor sanitary conditions.

Feng Lu attempted to visit her husband in prison, but was told she could not visit him for a month. She is required to report to the Public Security Bureau police regularly, and could be sent to labor camp again if she is found “engaging in illegal religious activities” again.

The Voice of the Martyrs has worked with and supported persecuted Christians in China for more than 30 years. VOM encourages you to pray for Pastor Dou and his family during this challenging time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Ask God to especially minister to their 12 year-old daughter during this time.

*Ping*

This is a Ping-List for reports of persecution against Christians. Please message me or reply if you would like to be added.

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Please pray for this pastor and his family, especially his daughter. Communist officials have been known to do some ugly things using the children of Christian leaders as tools to attempt to coerce incarcerated parents, among other stresses the children face in such cases.

2 posted on 08/07/2009 7:20:21 AM PDT by Liberty1970 (Democrats are not in control. God is. And Thank God for that!)

All religions which dare to encourage people to think for themselves are potential enemies of the State in China. That is one sad state of affairs. I never really appreciated the continued ruthlessness of the Chinese government until I started reading this forum several years ago. There was one post, some time ago, where they showed them shooting a bunch of innocent young women for protesting that has stuck in my mind. I see that image every time I buy things made in China. Courage comes in many forms and these Christians are heroes to me.

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