Personal Accounts

Eric Jia and his mom fled to Australia when he was 11 years old. That would be the last time he saw his father, Ye Jia. Now a college student, Eric works tirelessly to raise awareness of his father’s plight.

Once awarded Outstanding Teacher of Liaoning Province, Ms. Ding Xiaoxia was incarcerated a total of 9 years for refusing to give up her faith. “I suffered mental and physical tortures no one can imagine,” Ding said.

“I recalled those chilling memories of nearly a decade ago, when my family crossed the border from China into Myanmar in a daring escape.”

“We were forced to leave home. During those 11 years of displacement, every moment was spent in great pressure and fear… We were worried that one day we would be seized again and would ‘disappear.’”

Father deceased, mother arrested, and facing pressure to renounce her faith, Stephanie remained strong through unwavering faith. “I had only one thought: there is nothing wrong in believing in God and having a spiritual belief.”

“[My father] wanted to hold me, but I was scared and hid behind my mom. I refused to let him hold me because I never had a chance to know him. This became my lifelong regret.”

Chen Teng recounted, “My mother was arrested six times. I was expelled from school when I was just twelve, and I have never been able to go back. I have not seen my mother in five years.”