Serving Christ at Wi-Ne-MaChristian Campground —Oretown, Oregon

m m

HOLLAND L. SJGDIN

Released from Communist China on October 3,1952

SUMMARY OF EVENTSThe arrest of Bro. Sjodin and five Chinese Christians in Kweiyang

on October 29, 1951 brought to a violent close their mission workthat had started on May 12, 1948. These Chinese Christians werestill in prison when Mr. Sjodin was released from prison, underarmed escort, ten months and one week later on September 7, 1952.

At that time the mission property was still being managed bythe wife of deacon H. C. Wang. What the Communists will do withthe property when they dispose of the case of the five Christians

(Continued on last page)

Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp]^x 22Oretown, OregonFebruary 1, 1953

Dear Brethren in Christ: ^My active missionary labors with the Church of Christ m Kweiyang ceased

about the end of 1950. Mrs. Sjodin received her exit permit about the first ofDecember, 1950, and left December 4. The two Chinese baby girls that we hadadopted were at that time left in the care of myself and a Chinese nursemaid.

I was still permitted personal freedom of movement about the city andcontinued to attend the worship services of the Church imtil the arrest of myself and five Chinese Christians who lived on the Church property on October

.29, 1951.

On the morning of my arrest I was awakened at 5 o'clock in the morning bysix Communist Police Officers, who arrived in a Jeep and came up to my roomin the church property at 96 Shih Hsi Road in Kweiyang. At gun point I wasordered to dress, pick up some blankets and my overcoat and accompany themin the Jeep to the new jail for political prisoners in Kweiyang. Mr. Hsu, an active worker in the Church, was also taken to the jail with me. I learned laterthat four other of our Christians were arrested the same day.

The jail is a three story brick building, opposite the city administrationbuilding, in central Kweiyang. After being registered in the courtyard, I w^led up to the third floor where I was locked in a bare 12 x 12 foot cell withtwo Chinese political prisoners.

The first I knew that other of our Christians besides Mr. Hsu were in thejail was when I heard Mrs. Chien, and sometimes the other church members,singing Christian hymns. Later the Communists prohibited all singing. Severaltimes during the imprisonment I caught glimpses of them, and on one occasionI managed to exchange several guarded words with them in the prison yard.At that time they appeared to be well fed and in fair spirits.

We were allowed 1% cups of hot water a day and enough cold water to-wash-our^facesrand-take-an^)ecasional bath from^ wash basin. SeveralJimes-during the summer a few extra cups were allowed that we might wash a fewitems of clothing. Only two times during the imprisonment was I allowedoutside in the prison courtyard: once for exercise and once to wash someclothing.

Our diet consisted of rice and weak cabbage or turnip soup twice a day.Up until about December 22 of 1951 I was cross-examined every few days

for a period of two or three hours. The questionings were punctuated by frequent threats on my life unless I would promise to confess publicly that I hadcarried on espionage work. They wanted to know what I had learned aboutthe Korean War over the Voice of America program, and what opinions atoutthe war I had expressed to my associates. I freely told them of my activitiesand stated ^at they were entirely of a religious nature.

As the examinations dropped off I was put in handcuffs for about 20 days.Finally on Jidy 18 I was put in a cell with John Hayes of an America Presbyterian Mission; John J. McGehee of the American Plymouth Brethren;Arnold Clarke, a British missions^ of the Plymouth Brethren, and FatherWessellman, a German Catholic priest I learned that the most severe treatment had been received by John McGehee, 6'3" American of Irish descent whohad a wife and five youngsters in the States. Some of his questionings actually lasted practically all night; he became quite ill from lack of food andsleep. However, after this time we had Bibles and a book of daily devotionsto read, and were no longer questioned.

On Wednesday, the 13th of August, Father Wessellman was taken out of thecell. On the 28th Mr. Hayes was taken out, and later was returned to the celland said that he had been allowed to go home to pack.

This was the first inkling of our impending release and we were overjoyed.On the 30th the procedure was repeated for Clarke and McGehee, and onSeptember 2 I was allowed to pick up my belongings.

On September 6 we were taken to the police station to have our baggagechecked and sealed, and then to a law court. No trial was held, but we weresentenced by the judge to be expelled from China as espionage agents of aforeign government. After this we were taken to a hotel where we were surprised to see Father Wessellman who had been released several weeks before.

Thenext day the five of us,accompanied by four armed Chinese ^ards, began a bus trip of three days to Chungking. There we wait^ 11 days for aboat on which we travelled four days down the Yangtze River to Ha^ow.We then boarded the train to Canton, where we arrived September 27. Her^only a short distance from freedom in Hong Kong, we were agam imprisonedfor a discouraging six days. Finally, on the morning of October 3, we boardedthe train for the border.

In Hong Kong Mr. Gray of the China Inland RKssion personally help^ meto arrange boat passage. Funds of the China Christian Mission in Kweichowwere being held by the China Inland Mission in Hong Kong and were immediately made available for personal and travel expenses.

The 20 day trip was interrupted by a short shore leave in Tokyo duringwhich I dropp^ in at the Harold Taylor home. Other Tokyo missionarieswho were able to drop by for a visit on this short notice were the Stanley But-traj's, the Paul Ingrams, and Brother John J. Hill, who had just come overfrom Korea.

I was met at the boat in Vancouver, B. C. on October 29 by my friend Walter Jones and his wife. He is now minister of the church of Christ at Sedro-Wooley, Washington. Before going on by plane to my parent's home m Phoenix, Arizona, I visited for a few days with tiie Jones'. Very enjoyable visits werealso ,made with the Ernest Chamberlains, and at the Puget Sound Collegeof thie Bible in Seattle.

At 11 a.m. on November 10, 1952, I was met at the Phoenix airport by myparents and other members of my family. I spent several restful and enjoyableweeks in Phoenix recovering my health and strength. During this time I spokein the churches at Chandler, Tolleson and Buckeye, Arizona; at the Mt. ViewChurch of Christ in Phoenix, and in the chapel of the Southwest ChristianSeminary.

On December 28, following an exchange of letters with Wm. F. Morse, manager of the Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp on the Oregon coast. I made a returntrip to the Northwest. On Sunday, January 4, I enjoyed toe hospitality ofBrother Morse and the Oretown church. I discussed with him toe matter ofcoming to help in construction work and Christian activities during toe spring

"and summer of 1953.

While there I accepted the offer of the Board of Directors of toe camp whichwas for a place to stay and ^0 a month out of the present budget of the Camp.

I will take up the work at toe camp on February 1, trusting toat chiuxihesinterested in the Campground, and former supporters of toe China ChristianMission in Kweichow, will come to my aid with needed pledges of about $150a month additional support.

This News Letter, places before you a real need here in the homeland. Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp is truly a home mission project, as well as a place ofrehabilitation for me from severe and prolonged nervous strain.

Besides the sufferings of imprisonment, another painful matter to me, whichmust nevertoeless be mentioned, was toe action of my wife, Gladys, in securinga divorce from me on August 12, 1952, while I was still in prison in China.

While my physical strength has been regained and my general health is good,I feel the need of active work in such a place as Wi-Ne-Ma before I re-enterthe work of the ministry in a more direct way.

While at Wi-Ne-Ma I expect to devote most of my time to helping with theconstruction of a new dining hall to replace the one that burned down last year.I will ^so be able to assist in the Oretown Church of Christ which meets onthe campground and is ministered to by Bro. Morse.

During this time I shall not be available for speaking engagements amongthe churches, much as I should like to visit those who have generously supported China Christian Mission. These churches are widely scattered over theUnited States and visiting them would require an exhausting tour which it isimpossible for me to undertake.

Pledges or offerings should be made to toe Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp anddesignated toward my support. It is suggested that pledges of definite amountsper month be made to the end of 1953, toe money, in case of my leaving beforethat time, going into the general fund of the camp. My address will be P. O.Box 22, Oretown, Oregon.

Yours In His Service,ROLLAND SJODIN

SUMMARY

(Con'd from p. 1)

is not based on their religious belief, but upon alleged politicalaffiliation with a foreign spy.

It is improbable that any church services have been held sincethe time of the arrest. No doubt some of the denominational

churches are still meeting if not deprived of their Chinese leadership. If they do meet it is certain that they are required to presentthe needs of the government for "voluntary" contributions to thewar against American "imperialists."

Upon his release from prison Bro. Sjodin was informed thattheir two adopted baby girls had been placed in a governmentorphanage.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL REPORTJan. 1, 19;>0 — Dec. 31, 1932

Balance, Jan. 1, 1950Receipts, Jan. 1, 1950 — Dec. 31, 1952

Total

Expenses, Jan. 1,1950 — Dec. 31,1952Home Expenses

Repayment on Loan

Spent in China

Spent on Return to States

Total

Rolland L. Sjodin

Box 22

Oretown, Oregon

$ 665.97

971.74

2858.17

1497.32

5993.20

^ FEB >19

P»E®*

$ 212.5G

5780.64

5993.20

$5993.20

Mr. Harrold McFariandMission Services, Inc.Willernie, Minn.

RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEEDHENRY RRINTING CO , EUGENE, ORE.

8l8 Bennett St*Sedro-Wooley, Wash*

:Oct. 30, 1952

Dear Bro, McFarland, . 'Arrived in Vancouver, B* C* Get* 29* Walter Jones & wife met ship*.

The morning after my arrival in Hong Kong on Get* 3> I sent the news immediately to ray forwarding agent, Mrs*.Neilan D* Dodson, Nanton, Alberta, Canada, knowing that she would give it proper publicity* Since then I have had,additional correspondence with her about my experiences in Kweiyang, Kweichow,China, trusting her to use her best judgonent about any publicity* Since I .was almost rushed off my feet with an unexpected and wonderful opportunity ofgetting passage on the steamship "Canada Mail" to Seattle, leaving the 8th,I did not get any other messages off from Hongkong except to ray family*

So now I am very glad to write a good letter to you, thougri'^ it will beshort. First of hll I want to express ny deep appreciation to you and the' .personnel of Mission Services for the fine way in which you have tried to be':of help to us missionaries by maintaining contacts and getting out the "news 'about missions in a live way* - •

Actually I got aboard ship in Hongkong Oct. 9 and left the next day* Itwas at 5 o'clock'^yesterday morning that the ship docked in Vancouver, B* C*Walter & Vilda Jones, who are with the church here at Sedro-Wooley as you mayknow, gave me an uhdipected and delightful surprise by meeting the ship and giving me a place to stay temporarily* I shall be going to my parents* hcme inPhoenix, Arizona quite soon*

It would probably be most useful to you if I should just make a brief sum-maiy which you may use of the events of the past three years* Let me say firstof all that I would consider it most gracious of you if you will consider thefollowing facts as not being included deliberately: C)iinese Christians mightbe injured in some way if their names or activities were publicized^ my wifewould desire absolutely no publicity about herself since thei» are personalreasons involved stemming from the way she felt in being "torn away" fromChinaj iSy own wish is for an indefinite period of rest from any public appearances until the Lord leads as to the ministry I shall undertake in the future*Please consider-this paragraph absolutely confidential* Thank you* - • • • *

On OCT* 29, 1951 I and three other missionaries in Kweiyang, representingthree different missions, were imprisoned by the police. Six missionaries ofthe China Inland Mission were confined to their homes^ We four prisdiaers werein separate cells, but never isolated from Chinese fellow prisoners. The onlyphysical torture I suffered was that of being handcuffed at one time for 20days, during which I could not go to sleep because of the discomfort. Theother three were not punished in this way, but they all suffered more than I •.did from the cold weather, beeause they were not allowed sufficient clothes andbedding, and fran illness because of the unsuitable food* For some reason I- wasnever ill a day, and I do not believe that X lost many pounds in weight althoughI certainly did become very weak, as the journey out has shown* Our quarterswere fairly clean* We were not subjected to indoctrination in COTimunism, butthere was for a long time no other reading material but a very l^ited supply ofgovernment propaganda in Chinese, so we read that or nothing* We all enduredgrueling hours of "third-degree" to try to get us to confesii acts of espionage,followed by cruel threats. But these came to an end before the middle of JIarth*We were told that we would be spared a death sentence only ty confession and inthat event we would be released* Of course we confessed nothing, and the weekswent by until we wondered if we had been forgotten* Oh July 18 we were all p^ittogether in one room with a Catholic priest and five Chinese* Then began a newperiod in our prison life, for two of the missionaries had just been given

their Bibles (I never got mine or saw it again) and another a book of religiouspoems -an^aily devotions* Upon thdse, and especially upon the book of Psalma,we nourished our refreshed and joyful spirits* Then came the day, Sept. 2,when one of the missionaries was sent out to his home to pack* I and theothers were called on following days, I on Sept. 2* While I packed my clothes,there were given me two letters frcm my mother, one letter from a source nearmy wife, and several jSS "Horizons" and "AO"s. On Sept* 6 we were taken fromprison, went to the police station to have our baggage checked and sealed,then to the court to have sentence of expulsion as spy agents of a foreignpower prono\mced on us foiroally (and printed on doc\iments Yhich were givento us and taken from us only at the border into Hong Kong), then to -a hotel*On Sept* 7 we began the bus trip of three days to Chungking, where we^waitedH days for a boat, on which we traveled four days down the Yangtze River to

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as we talked of the wonderful mercies of .the Lord, especially as vouchsafedto Bro. Morse and myself• , r- v

On Oct« 29 I was met unexpectedly, and delightedly in^ Vancouver by a •friend who saw us off to China just ^ years and 2 months 8,days ago — , • •Walter Jones, minister at Sedro-Vtooleyi and his gracious wife who are now.;extending to me the hospitalify of the|.r home \intil I le^ve shorl^ for ^home in Phoenix, Arizona*

The Lord has been very good* The prayers of the brethren have been 'answered, loved ones and friends have been sustained by the Lord's grane*.Now may he have your praise :,and mine in the measure^ of which he is worthy*

wish is that by the continued pr^ers of God's people and the marvelousgrace of God I may serve Him with ny whole heart in whatever ministry he* maycall me to after a period- of retirement sind preparation fof the future* ; 'ri-

God bless you. Brother Harrold, And may the volume of consecratiQn'!& :prayer among our churches increase and'be a mighty inspiration and help in- ,the work of giving worldrwide publicity both to the Gospel and to the work~ers. • .. Tours, in Christy^^Rollahd L, Sjodin ^

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