BJ Not BK

If you know me, you know my intense passion for the Olympics.  I love the lighting of the torch, the pageantry of opening day ceremonies, the gathering together of many nations under the banner of competition.  I love the fact that for the most part The United States crushes everyone but I digress....

08.08.2008 marks the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in China and for the first time in a very long time I will not watch.  No coverage, no clips, no highlights period.

Why?  How can we participate and how can we play games in a country who has a long standing history of human rights abuse?  Put aside the recent Tibet issue if you will, put aside the whole house church story and read the recent excerpt from an email a missionary couple sent me this morning....this is real, this is China,

"We want you to help us lift up our new sister, Jane Doe. A few days ago she told us that she is pregnant with her third child. There is an enforced rule in China: One child only. Having more than one child is a punishable offense.

When the Doe family decided to have their second child, Little Jane Doe, they were given an overwhelming fine of 100,000 yuan ($15,000 USD). That is about the amount of money they make in five years. They had to sell their apartment and car, and they still, three years later, have some to pay. When Jane Doe was pregnant with Little Jane Doe, she was visited several times by the police in an attempt to coerce her into terminating the pregnancy. If she keeps this child, the fine would likely be the same, but the coercion tactics could be more severe. Adoption of this child into another family is also not permissible, as adoption is for children already living in Chinese orphanages.

Now the Doe family is faced with a daunting decision. Jane Doe wants to do what is right, but is overwhelmed with the thought of what she would put her family through to have her third child. We are simply asking that you take some serious time to ask Father for guidance for Jane Doe, and for a miracle. Think about what you would do if you had to face this dilemma.

We are trying to balance helping Jane Doe know what is right, and know about Father's unfailing love and forgiveness. It is very difficult for everyone. Thank you for your thoughts."  

Please pray for this woman in this time of crisis.  Please pray for China and please do not watch the Olympics this year.