A Daring Rescue

We just got news about a recent escape from our partner who helps persecuted North Koreans.

Very few people escape from North Korea. If they get caught in China, they may be forced back, where they face detention, hard labor, torture, and execution. (You can read more in our newsletter Getting God’s Word to North Koreans.)

Here is his report:

The call came from an old acquaintance. He requested help for five people who had escaped from North Korea. They were hiding in a hut in the mountains and were unable to enter a village due to China’s severe security.

So, I collected clothes, daily necessities, and 15 solar audio Bibles that CFI gave, with the determination to be martyred if I was captured.

The situation in China is very difficult. There were 13 security checkpoints on the way. It is hopeless for North Korean defectors to escape this way.

By the time we reached them, the five people were in the worst condition. For a long time, they had not even washed their faces, let alone showered. They were just waiting to die.

One, who had tuberculosis, held my hand and apologized, saying that she is thankful for being treated as a human being, and wanted to hug me but would not because she was contagious.

We discovered a way to disguise them to move to another area, then after showering and changing clothes they were sent to different locations.

The trip was a trial from the beginning. As I was leaving one area, police opened my bag. They confiscated ten audio Bibles. They did not find five. Then they let me go.”

Even in this nearly impossible situation, God watched over them. Look at how He worked:

Despite strict surveillance, they found a way to move the escapees and get to a safer place. After confiscating the Bibles, the communist police let our partner go free. Five Bibles were hidden from their search – the exact number that was needed for the five escapees.

Praise God!

These audio Bibles also have recordings of praise music. One of our partners said:

“Praise songs have a power to cure wounds. When they practice singing the songs, it changes how they talk and treat one another. The songs bring them to tears.”

Our partner was able to get medicine for the lady with tuberculosis. Weeks later, she passed away. We thank God that in her last days on earth, she felt the kindness of being treated as a human being and could freely listen to the Bible and sing praises to Him. Thank you for making this possible for her and others.

Would you pray for other escapees who are in CFI’s shelters? They are not out of danger and face more trials. But with your support, we can help to rescue, shelter, and get Bibles and resources to escapees and persecuted Christians to strengthen their faith. It is a powerful way to show God’s kindness.

Would you also pray for the Chinese police who confiscated the audio Bibles . . . that they will listen and put their faith in Jesus?

WORLDteen reported on CFI’s work with North Koreans. This Christian news website shows teens, “The good news underlying every story is that God is working His purposes out in all things, and He uses His people to bring about His kingdom work on Earth.”

Thank you for being a part of His Kingdom work.