Exiles of Hope  -  The Story of China’s Persecuted Church, Vol. 2

As a sequel to Red Runs the River, Exiles of Hope- The Story of China's Persecuted Church, Vol. 2 continues the suspenseful story of Anching and Meiling, two Chinese young people who are determined to trust Jesus in every circumstance following the bitter takeover of their homeland by the Communists. Torn apart by war and unable to communicate with each other for years, they never lose hope of being reunited.

Anching, who escaped into Hong Kong when the Nationalist army was defeated, finds himself in a refugee camp where conditions are hopeless and cruelty dominates. Although his life is threatened more than once as he challenges evil, he presses forward with urgency to share Christ to the struggling refugees. It is during this time that he meets a fine Christian woman and questions whether it is foolish to hold to his promise to Meiling. He wonders if she is even alive, but eventually puts his doubts to rest and continues to trust God to find her, even though it might take the rest of his life.

Although Meiling does not know if Anching is alive either, she, too, persists in serving God and believing that He will bring them together in His time. Confined to a prison commune far away from her family, she finds ways to share her faith and disciple new believers. Her eventual release results in more disappointment, but God transforms her circumstances into service for Him. She becomes a Bible woman, fearlessly
replacing the elderly Bible woman who has been beaten to death for her faith. It is on a rare visit to her home, that Meiling experiences the unusual privilege of listening to Scripture being beamed into China via short wave radio. One day when as she is sitting in a secret padded closet so she can copy the Scripture being dictated over the radio, she realizes she is listening to the voice of her beloved Anching. He is alive! Although she daily struggles to survive, she has renewed hope that one day she will see Anching.

What seems impossible becomes an emerging dream when Meiling makes contact with Anching through a circuitous route, and he decides to do the unthinkable and return to China to find her. His determination to serve God along the way results in imprisonment and brutal beatings, but also God’s intervention and deliverance. Slowly Anching makes his way toward Meiling. Always depending on God’s provision as he serves Him in the small hamlets and villages along the way, he finds that even a dying pig becomes one of God’s props that helps him reach his goal.

Throughout the amazing story of Anching and Meiling – who themselves are composites of the many faithful Christians in China that endured bitter persecution – the ringing truth is the hope they place in Jesus. Again and again, this story demonstrates that with God all things are possible for those who obey and trust Him implicitly. It is a story of grace and courage, of setbacks and miraculous interventions, and it is the story of a determined man and a hopeful young woman who God reunites in the end.

More Reviews

“This personalized story of China’s persecuted church will startle, grip and convict your heart as it did mine”

Dr. Edwin W. Kilbourne

Vice President-at-Large, OMS

Exiles of Hope expresses the bold and resolved witness of China’s … Christians. The character’s … challenge the reader to exchange temporal, earthly comforts for eternal, heavenly glory …”

Dr. Tom White

Director, Voice of the Martyrs

“Here is an incredible story of real people who suffered beyond measure for the Lord.  It is a humbling experience to read this book.”

Dr. Harry Bollback

Senior Director, Word of Life International

“It is compelling, action-packed, and heart pounding human drama … a must read if you want to regain the wonder of your walk with God.”

Dr. Mark T. O’Farrell,

District Superintendent, C&MA

“Persecution, suffering and martyrdom has not stunted the Chinese Church, but has been the occasion for the miraculous response of the Chinese people to the message of Christ’s love.”

Dr. Rexford Boda,

Past President, Nyack College

and Alliance Theological Seminary