A faithful Christian was imprisoned and sentenced to forced labor because of his faith in Jesus Christ, eventually dying after months of harsh conditions. Left in poverty, his daughter courageously sought work at the labor camp and was assigned to watch over a red emergency alarm button. Moved by a miracle, many workers gave their lives to Christ.
The Red Button
China is a nation where many believers have experienced both hardship and persecution, as well as remarkable acts of God's grace and power. Through suffering and faith, many Christians have witnessed God's presence and miracles. The message of the cross and resurrection shows that suffering and hope can work together, bringing lasting transformation and a deeper faith. Amen.
Paul and Joy Hattaway from Asia Harvest shared this experience: When a wave of persecution swept across China in the 1950s, Pastor Li was arrested in southern Guangdong province. He was accused of "counterrevolutionary activities" and was sentenced to forced labor in an iron ore mine located in the far northeastern region of China.
Li's wife and five children, including the youngest who was still a baby, had no more family support. Finally, they decided to join Pastor Li by traveling 2,000 miles to Heilongjiang to enable them to visit him more often and so that they could be closer in case, by a miracle, Pastor Li was released.
The family sold everything they owned and bought tickets for the week-long train ride. When they arrived, they used old wooden planks and a sheet of tarpaulin to build a rickety hut on the road near the labor camp.
Pastor Li underwent 14 hours of forced labor every day, with unhealthy food, in air temperatures approaching the freezing point. He died three months later.
When the family heard the sad news, they felt devastated and desperate. Li's wife could no longer see a future for them and wanted to end her life. Her children were neglected.
Finally, she told the children that she was going to find work. The eldest said:
"No, Mom, you can't go to work. Young siblings need mothers. He always cries looking for mother all day long. I will work."
The 12-year-old girl went to the head of the labor camp and said to him: "My father has been sent to this ungodly place because he loves Jesus Christ. That was the only offense he committed. Father is a good person who loves others and helps them. Now Father is gone, and we here have no food, money, or shelter. We can't even go back south. I want to know if there is work I could do in this camp."
The head of the camp still remembered Pastor Li and knew that the little girl was Li's daughter. In his heart, a feeling of pity arose, and he said: "I have a job for you, but it's boring, and the pay is low."
The little girl took the job without hesitation.
THE RED BUTTON ASSIGNMENT
The camp head took her to a location where 3,000 forced laborers were mining iron ore. He said to her:
"You see that red button? Your job is to stand by the button all day long, and if someone tells you to press it, you should do it right away. It is the alarm button to sound the warning sign in the underground mine. When the warning sounds, the workers must get out immediately."
He added: "You can't press that button carelessly, only when someone tells you to."
The eldest daughter of the Li family stood by the button day after day and week after week. When she received her first wage, immense joy overwhelmed both her and her entire family, even though it was only a few dollars.
One afternoon, suddenly she heard a voice: "Push the button!"
She looked around, trying to figure out whose voice it was, but no one was visible.
Not long afterward, she heard another voice: "Hurry! Press the button, now!"
Still, no one was in sight, and she began to think she had lost her mind. She only had to press the warning button when something was wrong, and at that moment, everything seemed normal.
A few seconds later, another voice came, this time with an urgent tone: "Little Li, push the button now!"
This time she immediately realized that it was the voice of God speaking to her. She did not understand why she had to press the button, but she knew she had to obey Him.
THE MIRACLE
The alarm sounded, and 3,000 people rushed to the surface as quickly as possible, confused and wondering what had happened.
The head of the camp also ran out of his office, wanting to know why the little girl had pressed the red button.
Only moments after the last worker left the mining site, a great earthquake struck.
The entire mining area collapsed, and no one has been able to rebuild it to this day.
A gripping silence immediately engulfed the place as the earthquake stopped. Everyone stared at the small, frail girl who had pressed the red button.
Finally, the camp chief broke the silence and asked: "Comrade Li, how... how did you know when to press that red button?"
Little Li answered: "It was the Lord Jesus Christ who told me to press the red button. He ordered me three times before I did it. Jesus Christ is the only way for us to know the living and true God. He loves you all, and He has just shown His love by saving you all. You must turn from your sins and give your life to Him!"
About 3,000 workers and camp leaders immediately knelt down and prayed that Jesus would forgive them and live in their hearts. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
- Pray for strength and courage for believers in China to remain faithful to Jesus Christ despite persecution, pressure, and opposition.
- Pray for God's protection over Christian families, pastors, house churches, and underground believers who face surveillance, imprisonment, or discrimination.
- Pray for boldness in sharing the Gospel so Christians can continue proclaiming Christ with wisdom, love, and courage.
- Pray for imprisoned believers that God would comfort them, strengthen their faith, meet their needs, and bring freedom according to His will.
- Pray for pastors and church leaders to receive wisdom, discernment, and spiritual strength as they guide believers through difficult circumstances.
- Pray for unity among Chinese Christians across different churches and communities, that they would stand together in faith and love.
- Pray for protection over children and families of persecuted believers, that God would provide for them emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
- Pray for opportunities for the Gospel to spread throughout China, even in places where Christianity faces restrictions.
- Pray for the hearts of government leaders and authorities to be softened, that they would allow religious freedom and respect the faith of believers.
- Pray that persecuted Christians would experience God's presence, peace, and hope, remembering that Christ is with them in every trial and that their faith has eternal value.
