Missionary Helping N. Korean refugees faced 20 years in a Chinese Prison- Gets a slap on the wrist

Rev. Phillip Jun Buck was arrested by Chinese authorities in May 2005 for attempting to sneak North Korean refugees into South Korea. The Chinese accused him of providing work and shelter for North Korean Refugees in route to South Korea. The Chinese see the helping of North Korean refugees as human trafficking rather than lending a humanitarian helping hand. After being arresting in May of 2005, he went to court in December of the same year, where he faced a maximum of 20 years behind bars. Family and friends of the Reverend notified congressmen and publized the ordeal, putting the cause in the hands of various human rights groups. Pressure was put on the Chinese and the Reverend received 15 total months in jail.

In religious fashion, he returned home and immediately gave prayers for North Korean inmates he was incarcerated with. Family and friends don't think he is going to give up on helping those who stand in need of help.

My question is this: does the underground work of various churches in China help their cause? Do these churches think that this will help them become a recognized church in China? I know there are hundreds of underground churches, they give out bibles under the table and give releif to those in need, but is this only helping in the short run? I beleive it hurts them, they become an irritation to the government and only stifles their progress. Why aren't there any churches in China who follow the rules and do as they are told? Why is a church greater than a government? Shouldn't we all obey they laws of the land?

I am glad that the Reverend received a lighter punishment than what could have been given. I am also thankful for his willingness to help those in need. Though I don't personally know him, he is a good man. I just don't understand the reasoning and the risk that he puts himself and his faith in. Any comments you may have are more than welcome.

China Airplane Bomb Scare

I have seemed to forget that not all terrorism is all directed at the U.S. China is having problems as well. With the recent scares in London, and last weeks emergency landing in Boston, it seems that no flight is safe. The most recent scare happend on a Chinese Airline a few short hours ago. What is the world coming to? Are the terrorists giving up on blowing up planes and trying to terrorize the notion of flying? Do they have something against the airline industry? Gee whiz!

A China Southern Airlines flight originating from Guangzhou bound for Australia was forced to make an emergency landing after a threatening note was found on board. About an hour into the flight a bomb threat note was found on board. The pilot made the decision to return to Guangzhou. Officials had all the fuel from the plane dumped, and chaos was the only apparent truth that was known among the passengers. Like in Boston, the plane was met with 20+ police cars and fire trucks, and all of the passengers and crew were questioned before the could reboard the plane.