Christian Play "The Old Man and the Child" | Persecution and Hardship Strengthens Their Faith in God

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Grandpa, we've been away for so long.
When can we finally go back home?
You feeling homesick, Lele?
Don't interrupt your grandfather.
Come, let's read together.
Dad!
Who is it?
It's me.
Here, letter for Brother Zhang.
Lele,
why don't you draw somewhere else?
Okay.
Brother Zhang,
the police showed up right after you guys left home.
They broke down your door with a hatchet,
then searched everywhere and took everything of value.
They even ripped your grain bags open.
It looked like it had been looted by robbers.
Sir,
look.
Come on, to the daughter's house!
The police are looking everywhere for you.
Your house is under surveillance
and so are your family members.
They're offering a reward for your arrest.
Don't move!
Don't go back, whatever you do!
- What are you doing? - Where's your father?
I don't know.
Take her in!
- Mom … - Yangyang …
No, wait …
Don't move!
What's going on?
Zhang Zhicheng,
where's your brother Zhang Zhizhong?
I have no idea.
Take him!
What are you doing?
You …
Talk!
Where's your father?
I don't know.
Dammit, you don't know?
You still don't know?
Is that all you can say?
You don't know? You don't know? …
They are like beasts.
They are demons.
The CCP persecutes Christians
and won't even spare our nonbeliever family.
They're dragged into it, too.
Such lowly demons!
Dad.
I was just getting Dad's pension at the bank.
They confiscated his pay card and ID, and called the police.
I got out of there as fast as I could.
A cop car was pulling up to the bank just as I rounded the corner.
I would've been arrested if I weren't a fast runner!
We've been on the run for a year.
The police must have notified the bank to freeze Dad's pension,
to arrest us when we tried to withdraw money.
We're not safe here! Let's go!
Let's go!
Lele!
Lele,
what's wrong?
Grandpa, when can I go out to play?
I haven't been to school in two years. I don't have anyone to play with.
Why can't I go out to play?
Lele.
Why? Why?
I wanna go play, I wanna go play!
Dry your tears, little cat.
Dry your tears.
Here, here, sit on my lap.
You are a good kid
and you're quite mature.
I know that you feel bad right now,
and that this is hard on you,
but don't cry, okay?
David was a really good little boy, too,
and the admirable thing about him
was that he was loved by God.
Don't you want to be that kind of boy, too?
Then how about I tell you a little story about David?
Who was David?
David was the king of the Israelites.
And was David always the king?
No. Nobody is king when they're little.
I'll tell you about it.
David believed in God since he was a boy, he was brave and obeyed God.
He helped his dad tend their sheep.
Sometimes when a lion came to eat a sheep,
David would chase it down
and he would kill it, to save that little lamb.
But wouldn't the lions bite him?
David prayed to God,
and God stayed with him, giving him strength and wisdom
so that he could kill those lions.
Once, when the Philistines were at war with the Israelites,
the Philistines sent Goliath to get the Israelites to fight.
Goliath was a giant
and you know, he was 10 feet tall.
Wow, that's so tall!
The Israelites were all afraid, and when they saw him, they ran away.
But when David over heard Goliath cursing Jehovah God,
he got really angry and went to go fight him.
Goliath made fun of David when he saw he was just a little boy.
David told Goliath,
"You're fighting with your sword and spear,
but I fight in the name of Jehovah of hosts!
He will deliver you into my hands today.
I will kill you and cut off your head
so everyone knows that God lives here in Israel."
Then David picked up a little stone and lunched it with his sling.
It hit Goliath right in the forehead and knocked him to the ground.
Then David ran over and cut off Goliath's head.
The Philistines all ran away
and the Israelites were victorious.
David was amazing!
So why do you think David was so brave, so amazing?
Because he relied on God, and God gave him strength.
That's right.
So do you want to rely on God, too?
Yeah, I do.
Yeah? That's good.
Learn to rely on God, and He'll give you strength.
Then you'll be strong too and you won't feel so bad.
Grandpa, I want to sing that hymn of God's words,
Who is it?
It's me.
Brother Feng.
There's trouble.
The brother who was here yesterday is being followed by the police.
You're not safe here anymore. You have to move ASAP.
Lele, pack your bag. Let's go!
Hurry and get your stuff together.
This word is "fate":
Hello? Hello?
Citizens, take note! Listen up!
The national census has begun.
Every village is required to count its residents and clarify their whereabouts.
Every single home and every single person must be accounted for.
We appreciate your cooperation with the government's work.
Please report any unknown individuals right away.
Brother Zhang.
Brother Zhang!
Brother Wang, have a seat.
How did you find me here?
It was Brother Chen he's the one who told me.
One of my relatives in the city said
the Central Committee is using this census to make a sweep of believers.
Living in a rental is too dangerous.
Come stay over at my place,
it'll be much safer than here.
But they're still looking for me— and that would implicate all of you.
How can you say that?
We're all brothers.
Thank God!
Let's get your stuff together.
Alright.
Grandpa, are we moving again?
We're going to Grandpa Wang's this time.
Oh.
Here, this house over here is being rented out.
Open up, census!
Open the door, census check!
So who lives here?
An old man and his grandson.
They should be here—they don't go out much.
Open up, census!
You need to register!
It looks like they're not here.
Let's just come back tonight.
That's an extra trip!
Here, this way.
They're gone.
God's words are so clear on the goals and meaning of His management work.
That's right.
Mom, Dad!
I'm back!
Hey, Xiaofeng!
I'm home.
Didn't you say you had to work over the New Year?
There was a last-minute change.
Dad, who's our guest?
This is my old friend, Mr. Zhang.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah.
I don't want to interrupt.
Mom,
are they believers?
Yeah. What's wrong?
The Communist Party is arresting believers all over the place.
They're checking door to door.
Don't you know how bad it is?
I'll step out for a minute.
No need, he'll listen to me.
I should still make myself scarce.
- Then just go into the other room. - Alright.
Someone will find out and report you for hosting believers.
You'll be arrested, and I'll lose my civil service job!
Xiaofeng!
Just get them out of here!
Where would they go in the dead of winter?
Well, this shouldn't be our problem.
How could you say that?
Mom, you have no idea—
Xiaofeng!
These two are my guests and my brothers.
They're wanted. Their house was ransacked.
They'll be here for a few days.
Dad, Dad.
Kicking them out now would be brutal and cruel!
Xiaofeng, don't get involved in this.
You're a nonbeliever, it doesn't concern you.
How does it not concern me, Mom?
It concerns our future as a family.
If I lose my civil service job, how will I take care of you two?
Then won't we all be done for?
And what about an old brother and a child who are on the run, with nowhere to go?
If God allows the same thing to happen to me, I won't complain.
I would have to endure it.
You only think of yourselves.
You never consider me.
If I lose my job, my future, my dreams will be ruined.
I won't even have a way to make a living.
You're implicating me in this.
And how are you implicated?
You heartless wretch, who raised you, anyway?
Dad.
Brother Wang,
please stop fighting.
Brother Zhang.
Your son is right.
We shouldn't get you in trouble.
It would be terrible if your son lost his job
and you had family conflict all because of us.
- We should go. - Yeah, but you …
- Brother Zhang. - The police are looking high and low for you.
Where will you go?
Yeah.
We'll go to a brother's house.
It's really cold and it's snowing so hard.
Don't go now! At least wait until the snow stops.
Yeah.
It's okay, we'll go.
Goodbye, Grandma and Grandpa Wang.
Brother Zhang left so suddenly.
Will little Lele be okay out there in such cold weather?
I don't know.
Do they have anywhere to go?
Well, what else could they do?
You should just look at that son of yours.
How could they stay once he pushed things this far?
God, please guide us.
Grandpa, where are we going?
Grandpa, I'm so cold!
That's right,
it's the New Year now.
Where can we go?
Lele,
I'll take you somewhere away from the wind.
Don't fear!
Grandpa, I'm cold.
Here, Lele.
Grandpa, it was so nice at Grandma and Grandpa Wang's.
They didn't kick us out, so why did we have to go?
I don't like staying in a cave.
I want to go back there.
I want to go back to Grandpa Wang's.
I understand that things are hard for you with me, Lele.
We're out on the streets even for the New Year.
We have to stay here in this cave.
I can't take care of you.
Every family wants to be together for a holiday like this one,
and that's what Grandpa Wang's family wants, too.
But his son is a nonbeliever and doesn't want us to be there.
If we stay there, anyway,
he might argue with Grandma and Grandpa Wang,
and wouldn't that make things just too hard for them?
The police are after us because we're believers,
so staying there could put them in great danger.
We shouldn't drag them into it.
Couldn't we just stay a few more days?
It's so cold outside.
In conducting ourselves, we can't be too selfish and just think of ourselves.
Grandma and Grandpa Wang have their own problems, too.
It's not easy for them, either.
Grandpa, I miss my mom.
I miss my mom.
Be good Lele, don't you cry.
You miss your mom now, and she misses you too.
You miss your dad now, and he misses you too.
How about we pray?
Dear God, I miss my mom.
God, Lele misses his mom.
Please give us faith and protect us!
Ah, this cellar's a little damp.
I'll get a fire going.
It's not as cold or as windy as that cave,
but still not as nice as a home.
How are we going to eat and sleep here?
Grandpa, I don't like it here.
When can we leave?
When will Mom and Dad come to see us?
Soon, soon.
When the weather warms up.
Grandpa, am I ever going to see my parents again?
Where are they?
Hey,
there were two kids in the church, brother and sister,
who weren't much older than you are
when their mother and father were arrested and sent to prison for sharing the gospel,
so those kids were left all alone.
Their family didn't help.
They were afraid of getting involved.
Then who cooked food for them? What did they eat?
That's right.
Without their parents,
someone they could count on, who did they have?
What use was there in missing them?
Those two weren't like you are,
crying whenever they thought of their parents, whenever they faced something hard.
They were smart.
They prayed to God and relied on God when things happened.
God stayed by their sides, helping them and protecting them.
They learned how to cook and do the housework for themselves.
They figured out how to live on their own.
When brothers and sisters nearby learned about their situation,
they took them into their own home
where they had gatherings and read God's words.
With God's guidance, they slowly grew up over time
and they were tougher and wiser than other kids their age.
But I've noticed, Lele,
you seem to cry at the drop of a hat.
Is that what a boy of faith should do?
You say that you miss your mom and your dad,
but would they be happy if they saw you acting like this?
Grandpa, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, okay?
I don't want to cry, but—
Oh yeah? But what? There are no buts.
Alright then.
Then when I want to cry again,
I will try to be just like that boy and girl, to pray and rely on God.
I'll be a tough, grown-up boy.
That's a good boy!
God takes joy in kids who are like that.
One day I'll take care of you instead of you taking care of me
so you don't have to suffer.
Wonderful,
that's wonderful.
You're such a good boy.
Thanks be to God!
Grandpa, are you still mad?
I'm not mad.
Really?
Really.
You're not lying?
Of course not.
Grandpa,
I'm scared.
Are you okay?
Are you not feeling well?
Don't be afraid Lele, I'm alright.
But,
but you're coughing so much.
I'm scared, Grandpa, I'm scared.
Are we going to die here?
Lele, be good,
don't be afraid.
I'll be okay,
I'm not going to die.
I still have to watch you grow up
and take on a duty in the house of God.
Everyone's life and death are in God's hands.
We have God, so we don't need to be afraid.
Isn't that right?
When the Wenchuan Earthquake happened,
there was a brother heading into town on an errand.
He was on a bus with about a dozen people.
Then as they reached the foot of the mountain,
the earth started shaking
and the bus was thrashing around.
There was no way they could keep going, so the driver stopped in the road.
And then, all sorts of rocks started crashing down the mountain,
totally blocking the bus front and back.
Some of them landed on top of it.
The people inside were terrified!
They were crying out desperately and bolting out of it.
Some shouted, "Save me Buddha!"
Some shouted, "Save me Siddhartha!"
They all ran away, leaving just that brother in the bus.
He was shouting over and over,
"Almighty God, save me!
Almighty God, save me!"
Then what happened?
Well then, the earthquake stopped.
Some of the ones who had ran
had been crushed to death,
and some had been injured.
Everyone was sure that the brother had been crushed to death,
but to their surprise,
when he finally climbed out of the bus, he was completely untouched.
Everyone commented on
how amazing it was, what a miracle it was.
What happened then?
After that, that brother's faith in God grew.
Then what happened?
And then …
Here you go.
Brother Zhang,
a couple days ago a sister sent word
that your father …
passed away.
My father passed away?
He was doing great when we left.
He wasn't sick at all,
he was really robust.
She said these years you've been gone,
your family's been under constant surveillance.
The government harasses them every few days,
demanding to know where you are.
He was constantly living in fear
and his health was declining by the day.
He ended up bedridden
and before long …
They won't even leave a man in his 90s in peace.
They tormented him to death.
But now that he is gone,
I don't have anything to worry about.
The great red dragon is truly despicable!
I really hate the great red dragon!
I hate it! And I hate the police!
Grandpa, I miss Great Grandpa.
Lele, keep your voice down,
or the neighbors will hear you.
I hate the police,
- I hate the great red dragon. - Here, Lele, come over here.
Let me hug you.
Us grown-ups can handle it, but it's hard for kids.
Don't cry, Lele.
Lele, don't be upset.
Don't cry, okay?
Followers of God like us,
from the littlest innocent children to people with one foot in the grave,
get no mercy from the great red dragon.
When will these days come to an end?
Sometimes it just feels so helpless.
Who is the great red dragon?
The devil. It really is Satan!
You're right.
It's God's bitter enemy. It detests God.
That's why it pits itself against those of us who follow God.
It chases after and persecutes anyone who follows God.
It wants to do us in.
And God uses its pursuit and persecution
to test and refine our faith and love.
As long as we genuinely pray and lean on God,
believe in God's rule and stand witness,
we'll triumph over Satan.
Then our faith will gain God's approval.
Amen!
You see, everything God does has meaning.
You don't read God's words much and you don't understand God's will,
so you're prone to weakness.
Brother Zhang reads God's words all the time,
so he has greater stature than we do.
It's true, he has better insight than us.
Lele.
Who is it?
It's me.
Brother Liu!
Hey!
Someone's reported you for hosting believers and the police are on the way.
Hurry, get Brother Zhang into the barn.
Brother Zhang, let's go.
Hurry up.
Lele, how much of God's words have you copied today?
Look, Grandpa.
This is
I'm almost done with this one.
Good job.
Just like always,
recite for me a passage of God's words after lunch.
And after I'm done, then you can tell me a story,
just like always.
Great.
Oh, Grandpa, I'm going out with Brother Li to share the gospel this afternoon.
That's fine.
Then how about we recite God's words and have a story now?
Sure.
Who should start?
Why don't you start off this time?
Alright.
Now I wonder what story I should tell you today.
How about I tell the story of Daniel?
Sure.
Daniel had true faith in God.
He always prayed to and leaned on God,
and God gave him intelligence and wisdom, more so than other people.
For that reason, the king really valued him and made him the chief administrator of Babylon.
He wanted Daniel to rule over the whole kingdom.
The other administrators and satraps
were jealous of Daniel because the king valued him,
so they plotted to harm him.
They asked the king to give a special order
that anyone who made a prayer to God or a man who wasn't the king, within 30 days,
would be thrown into a pit of lions.
They sound like terrible people!
Did Daniel still dare to pray to God?
Daniel didn't cower to those people.
He kept right on praying to God.
And as a result, he was thrown into a pit of lions.
So, so the lions ate him then?
Hold your horses, I'm not done with the story.
Daniel called out to God in prayer and still relied on God.
God was with him, so he wasn't scared.
God closed the lions' mouths
and they saw Daniel as if he was one of them.
They didn't even want to bite him.
What a miracle!
At daybreak the next day,
the king got up very early and rushed to the lions' pit,
calling out for Daniel as he approached it:
"Daniel, servant of the living God,
has the God you serve saved you from the lions' mouths?"
Daniel said to the king,
"My God sent an angel to close the lions' mouths so they couldn't hurt me."
The king was overjoyed,
and gave orders for Daniel to be removed from the pit.
There wasn't a single mark on Daniel's body,
because he had trusted in God.
That's wonderful!
Hey, tell me what happened then.
The king issued a decree
that those who had plotted against Daniel, along with their wives and children,
should be thrown into the lions' pit.
Even before they reached the bottom,
the lions took them in their mouths and broke all their bones.
Lele, that's it.
What a miracle!
God really is almighty!
He is.
Pray and lean on God with a true heart
and you'll see God's wondrous deeds and know His almightiness,
just like Daniel.
I really admire Daniel.
His faith was tremendous.
That's it for my story.
Just like always.
Alright.
Now I'll recite a passage of God's words.