Have you ever had a friend sentenced to time in jail and had the opportunity to talk to them?
Better yet, have you ever had a friend go to jail and then had the opportunity to visit them while they were in jail? I have. In fact, I've had the opportunity to see how injustice often works for some people. Sometimes people are accused of things they didn't do, and/or sentenced for a crime that they did not commit.
When I think of all of the Christians that we have highlighted on our Prisoner Alert page, and who we have highlighted here on the blog, the injustice in the world towards Christians is ever before me. Which is why I want to thank those of you who do take the time to write these prisoners, because I know it's something that not just anyone would do.
Just like, I know, that it takes a special person to visit someone in jail because of the hassel it is. Where I live, in California, it is often a full day experience to visit someone in jail. There's a lot of waiting and being bored and there's a lot of things you can and cannot do while you're waiting to see your prisoner. There is also no privacy either, once you're able to see the prisoner.
So, I share that because writing a prisoner is nothing like actually visiting them in person. It means more to that prisoner than you will even know, when you take the time to write. The sacrifice is very small.
Today I wanted to remind you of Alimujiang Yimiti, who has been in prison since February of 2008. He's been in prison for around 1500 days and he's in prison because he's been accused of “preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity.” He was also arrested in January 2008 and accused of “subversion of the national government and endangering national security,” a crime punishable by death.
As of February 2011 he was told that his sentence is 15 years. So, our brother, is serving 15 years in prison for being a Christian, which means, assuming he lives that long in prison, his term will be up in 2023. That's a long time.
Please take some time to write Alimujiang Yimiti today. All you have to do is click here and follow the directions and then print up your letter and put it in the mail with the proper postage. I know your letter will encourage Alimujiang. Thank you for caring enough to do this.