Alimujiang Yimiti Photo: Open Doors

This month marks Alimujiang Yimiti's sixth year in prison. Alimujiang was first charged in 2009 for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations." However, many believe the real reason for his incarceration is his zealous commitment to share the Gospel and for leading a church in the Uyghur area of China's northwest.

Alimujiang has been imprisoned since January of 2008. The following year he was sentenced to 15 years in detention. In April of 2010, his wife, Gulnur, was finally permitted to visit him for the first time since his imprisonment. Tragically, their son, who was only four years old at the time, could barely even recognize his father. At last report, Gulner is only able to visit her husband once per month at the most. (To learn more about Alimujiang's case, please click here.)

The past six years have been incredibly difficult for this family, but God has faithfully sustained them. Gulnur recently shared that she had found a new job, and that her mother has become a believer! She also expressed how encouraged she is by the many prayers of brothers and sisters from around the world, as well as by the support of local Christians.

As this family marks another year with Alimujiang behind bars, please keep them close to your heart. Pray that Alimujiang will be released from prison soon so he can be reunited with his wife and children. May this family be encouraged by the prayers of their Christian family in Canada and throughout the world, deeply sensing that they are not alone in their struggle. Praise the Lord that Gulnur's mother has become a believer. Pray now that her faith will grow, eventually producing a great harvest. May God also bless Gulner in her new job. Ask for a special blessing on the couple's children who are missing the presence of their earthly father in their daily lives...that they would look to their Heavenly Father to sustain them.