|
|
Mary and Pastor NingPastor Ning*, a house church leader in central China, was arrested in 2000 and sentenced to five years in prison. His wife, Mary*, was only able to visit him once or twice a month and found their separation very difficult. Ning was finally released four years later. But imagine how Mary felt when the first place he visited after four years of separation was the church! Ever the pastor at heart, Ning was so eager to tend his flock that as soon as he reached his village, he went straight to his church – not home. His children had mixed emotions. It didn't really make much difference to have their father home as they had seen very little of him prior to his imprisonment due to the demands of his Christian ministry. Ning's freedom was short-lived. Barely six months after his release, the Public Security Bureau accused him of continuing to oversee house church meetings and he was sentenced to two further years of imprisonment. Fractured familyThis second separation was even more difficult. Mary blamed Ning for getting himself into prison again. In addition, she had to share her prison visits with a large group of church members. If she tried to share problems about the children, he would blame her for her lack of discipline and nurture. It was more than she could take. She felt unloved and insignificant in his eyes. So on one of her regular visits, she told him she wanted a divorce. "Why, God?"When Ning was released in early September 2007, he headed home with a heavy heart. In addition to his marital problems, his daughter *Elly said she hated him for abandoning their family for the church. Ning turned to his church for support – but they asked him not to return until the increased surveillance in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics had died down. Ning became very depressed. Rejected by his church, hated by his life partner and child, he asked himself, "What was all the sacrifice I've made for? Why are You treating me this way, God?" Answers to prayerOpen Doors rallied prayer support for Ning. One month later, an Open Doors co-worker visited him. What a different scene greeted her this time! Ning shared that the Holy Spirit had prompted him to ask Mary for forgiveness. After many tears, Ning and his wife made a new commitment to begin their marriage afresh. "What a miracle from the Lord!" said the Open Doors worker. "He has shown He is in charge of this family." Three steps forward, two steps back?However, during a third visit to Brother Ning and his family in January 2008, it transpired that the family was still struggling. Ning had been used to being the traditionally absent, autocratic Chinese father, and was finding it difficult to change. Open Doors launched a writing campaign asking supporters to encourage Ning and Mary to persevere in serving the Lord and loving each other. Ning was deeply touched by the many letters they received. "I am extremely grateful to our God and the body of Christ and thankful for your love," he said. "Please assure my brothers and sisters in Christ that I will surely stand firm in Him. What is there for me to fear when so many people are interceding for me? "Please continue to pray for us. Such words of blessings from you all are far more precious than gold or silver." *name changed for security reasons Please pray:
|
