This week I’m hosting Janelle Mowery with Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho and Kathi Macias with Red Ink. If you want to enter the drawings, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (October 10th) evening.
Interview with the heroine for Red Ink by Kathi Macias:
1. Zhen-Li, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I fear there is nothing to tell. I am a poor Chinese peasant, the daughter of two faithful Communists who have disowned me for marrying a Christian farmer and adopting his faith. My husband’s name is Zhou Chi, and though he is a poor man, he is rich in his love for Zhu Yesu (Lord Jesus). We have one child, four-year-old Zhou Chin, but I have not seen him or my husband in nearly two years, since I began serving my ten-year sentence for printing and distributing Christian materials to children. The most remarkable or interesting thing about me is that God’s Son, Zhu Yesu, came to die for me and has forgiven me for my sins.
2. What do you do for fun?
I used to play with my husband and son, but now there is no more play or fun in my life. I try to use my time wisely, though. When I am able, I tell my cellmate, Mei, about Zhu Yesu, and I sing to her of that long ago silent, holy night when He came to earth to walk among us.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Nothing. Now that my life hangs in the balance each day, I ask Zhu Yesu to make me strong and courageous to tell others about Him every chance I get. I put off nothing, for I never know when I will breathe my last.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I fear the harsh treatment I regularly receive here in prison, but not nearly as much as I fear not being obedient to tell others about their need for Zhu Yesu—before it is too late.
5. What do you want out of life?
I would like very much to survive my sentence and go home to see my family. But if that doesn’t happen and I never see them again here on earth, I know they will one day join me in heaven. What I truly want most of all is to be found faithful at the end of each day.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Loving and serving Zhu Yesu. The more that is taken from me of this world’s comforts and belongings, the more I know that nothing else matters but hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I am very fortunate that I had parents who were able to teach me to read. I used to read many books that were approved by the government, but when I became a follower of Zhu Yesu, I wanted only to read about Him. I no longer have a Shengjing (Bible) to read here in prison, so I ask God to bring His Word to my heart from the verses I was able to read and memorize before I was arrested.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Most would think it would be to get out of this terrible place and go home to be with my husband and son. Though that is a great temptation, if I had only one thing that I could change about myself or my life, it would be that I could love Zhu Yesu more and serve Him more faithfully. At times I fail Him because I am so weak, but always He is faithful and strong.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Even when I was at home with my husband and son, we had no pets. Only the wealthiest among us keep pets; the rest of us cannot afford them.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would go back to the days when Zhu Yesu walked the earth, and I would join the other women who followed Him during His three years of public ministry. How I would love to have seen the miracles He performed! And yet, I behold His miracles every day, as He continues to love and forgive me—and even use me for His Kingdom.
