Preacher Dai Zhichao has been confined to his apartment since 29 September.
He is prohibited from leaving the apartment – even going downstairs to throw away his rubbish.
On 26 October, Dai’s confinement officially ended, however, the police officers returned on 27 October and stayed there all day. National security agents told Dai that he will be under long-term home confinement.
On the evening of 29 October, four members of the Early Rain Covenant Church went to visit preacher Dai Zhichao, who has been confined to his home for the past month.
Plain-clothed police officers stopped the group and harassed them. When one of the visiting Christians called the police, more officers arrived and took the four church members back to the police station for “education”. One of the Christians was wounded when they dragged her downstairs. According to the hospital’s diagnosis, her left hand and tailbone were both injured.
One of the women who had attempted to visit that night shared the following testimony after she was released: “Thank you, God, and thank you [fellow Christians] for your prayers. I have been released. They appear scary at first, but we were not scared of them as there was nothing they could do to us. Many neighbours were watching us in the apartment complex today and they all heard the Gospel. Some of them even scolded the police officers. When I saw God’s beautiful work on their conscience, I praised God saying hallelujah!”
Dai Zhichao wrote the following while in home confinement: “When I talked to them [the authorities] on the staircase, I used it as an opportunity to share the Gospel because my neighbours could hear our conversation. We talked about life, death, eternity, rule of law, and the value of people. Then, an elderly lady walked upstairs and scolded them [the authorities] aloud. Another neighbour challenged them, saying, “Is it right to confine him at home like this?”
Dai continued: “I saw my responsibility to share the Gospel with my neighbours and with the authorities who confined us at home. I needed to let them know what they were doing and why they were doing it. Of course, the most important part is to let them hear the Gospel. They can choose not to accept the Gospel now, but if they hear it, they may understand it someday.
“I feel guilty my family didn’t attempt to share the Gospel like this in the past. Our love and faith were lacking. When we first moved to this apartment complex, I already knew my neighbours would learn of my Christian faith. As predicted, police officers visited me frequently. But I haven’t been able to build much of a relationship with my neighbours in the past two years. This is how God works. My family disturbed the neighbourhood, so they began to talk about us. I hope this creates an opportunity for us to share the Gospel with them.
“I pray that God will give me the strength and wisdom to save some neighbours, community workers, and police officers. Thank you for caring about and praying for my family. I don’t deserve so much love. I pray that God will show mercy to this country and give this country a future in the Gospel. May God continue to help us.”
Praise God that Dai is using this trial as an opportunity to share the Gospel with his neighbours and oppressors.
Pray for Dai and his family as they continue to live in oppressive confinement. Pray that they will be comforted by the Lord and by the support of their fellow believers, both from the Early Rain Covenant Church and all over the world.
Pray for Dai’s neighbours and the police officers who keep him confined. Pray that the Holy Spirit would soften their hearts and allow them to find truth and hope in Christ.
Source: ChinaAid, Voice of the Martyrs AU