Gao Zahn, an academic researcher recently released from prison in China, credits God with sustaining her during her five-month ordeal.
Zahn, 39, was convicted by a Chinese court July 25 for spying for Taiwan and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Zahn, her husband, Xue Donghua, and their 5-year-old son Andrew entered China last February for a vacation trip.
The family was arrested at the Beijing airport before they could leave. Family members were imprisoned separately. Xue and Andrew, both U.S. citizens, were released about a month later. Gao, a Chinese citizen with permanent residency status in the United States, remained in prison until July 26 when her request for medical parole, due to a heart condition, was granted. Media reports also credited U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell for being instrumental in Gao’s release.
During her long imprisonment, Gao relied on her faith to sustain her through trials both benign and severe. Gao converted to Christianity shortly after she moved to the United States in the late 1980s. She said she had the chance to share the gospel with many in the prison, including her 21-year-old cellmate. “I had to the opportunity to preach the gospel to others,” said Goa.
Since her return, Gao has expressed her thankfulness to God and those who helped arrange her release.
At a press conference, Gao thanked President George W. Bush, Powell, members of Congress and “all the people who contributed to efforts in rescuing me.”
On July 29, Gao returned to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, her home church in Falls Church, Va., and spoke about her reliance on prayer during her five months in Chinese custody at two services, one in English and another in Mandarin. Gao said, “I prayed three times a day at least. And on the hard days, I prayed countless times. I thank God for sustaining me through this ordeal,” reported The Washington Post. “God is the one who saved my life, who brought me back.”
Members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod prayed for the researcher’s release.
“God listened and answered our prayers,” Gao said during the service.
“He sustained me,” she said. “He is my great redeemer and my Lord. God is good. Thank you all.”
(EP)
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