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This Chinese Rehab Is Changing Addicts' Destiny

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YUNNAN PROVINCE, China - The Chinese government is known for keeping secrets, but that changed when it revealed this summer that drug use has now spread into 90 percent of the country.

To battle this epidemic, residents of one Chinese province are relying on prayer to help addicts kick the habit.

CBN News traveled to the southwest part of Yunnan Province, near the border of China and Myanmar. Nestled at the foothills of a mountain range lies a unique drug rehabilitation program that is mixing prayer and Bible study to change the destiny of addicts.

"We rely only on God, on His mighty power, to change lives," Xu Chengyun told CBN News.

Three Daily Routines

Xu helped start the Gospel Rehab Center in 2007.  
 
"We never use medication or other extreme methods," Xu said. "Instead, we follow a simple routine every day."

A routine of prayer.

"Father, we are submitting in front of you to pray for our brother," Xu said as he placed his hands on a heroin addict lying in bed.

"We pray that you will use him, help him to stand firm. We pray he can see your mighty power here," he continued. "Make him realize his mistakes and sins and repent to you for the second chance so that he can gain his second life and be made new through Jesus."

A routine of worship.

"You are the one I rely on," a group of Chinese sing at the start of their day. "My victory is gained by your presence. Jehovah, you are my God. I will never stop praising your name. You are my God who I rely on. My victory is gained by your presence."

Each day involves hours of Bible class.

"Let's all read together this verse," Xu encouraged the group as he stood in front of the class preparing to address the morning Bible lesson. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

Serving one another is also a core value at the center.

"Those who come here for help must see the evidence of Christ's power to heal," Pai Jianhua, a guidance counselor who helps in ministering to the addicts, said. "We have to be an example so that others can experience God's love."

Creating a Safe Place

Xu said it's all about creating a safe place for struggling people. The results, he said, speak for themselves.

"So far, 60 percent of our addicts have overcome their drug problems. Those who have relapsed end up coming back to the center, and God touches them. We are thankful because we know every success is from Him," Xu said.

Zhao Linbin is proof that prayer works.

"My drug addiction started in 1989 and it continued for 20 years," Zhao told CBN News. "I was addicted to heroin. I tried to quit but failed. I even entered a government-run labor correction center. But I never managed to come clean. Gradually I lost all hope."

That changed in 2010 when his mother begged him to try the Gospel Rehab Center.

"He used to be a very obedient child," recounted Zhao's mother while showing us his baby pictures. "He was a good boy but was led astray. I knew if any place could help him it was the Gospel Center so I pleaded with him to go."

A Miraculous Work

Zhao agreed. The center requires that each addict spend at least a year in the program.

"In the beginning it was very difficult. I was easily irritated and found myself in continuous conflicts with the staff. I refused to listen to their advice and I would insult them. I didn't want to pray or read the Bible," Zhao said.

But the staff wouldn't give up. They kept praying and believing that God would touch him like he touched so many others who had come before him.

"We are not trained doctors or drug addict specialists," Xu admitted. "We simply rely on faith and the power of prayer. We are experts in this! This is all we know to do."

Zhao said it took some time, and eventually he had a revelation of the depth of Christ's love and forgiveness.

"Twenty years of my life has gone, but I never want to return to my old life. I even went to prison. But I know God will restore those years that were wasted. Undoubtedly God has done a miraculous work on me," Zhao said.

He now works as a counselor here and loves playing drums during worship.

And the miracle continued as he travels and shares his testimony with others of what happens when a life is touched by God.

"I believe that if I repent sincerely and accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I will be forgiven and welcomed into his kingdom," Zhao told a church gathering one Sunday morning in his hometown. "Now I now that Jesus is the hope of drug abusers."

Preparing for the Future

The folks at the Christian rehab center are preparing to receive more patients. And here's why: new numbers just released from the China National Narcotics Agency estimates there are now some 14 million drug addicts in this nation.

CBN News was on site when the center opened its doors to a new arrival.

In a province known for high drug addiction rates, the Gospel Rehab Center works to make a difference one life at a time.
 
"When we look back, we can find God's purpose and presence through everyone around us for He placed them here," Wang Caizhong, a Gospel Rehab Center counselor, said.

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About The Author

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George
Thomas

Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and of Indian descent, CBN News’ Senior International Correspondent and Co-Anchor, George Thomas, has been traveling the globe for more than 20 years, finding the stories of people, conflicts, and issues that must be told. He has reported from more than 100 countries and has had a front-row seat to numerous global events of our day. George’s stories of faith, struggle, and hope combine the expertise of a seasoned journalist with the inspiration of a deep calling to tell the stories of the people behind the news. “I’ve always liked discovering & exploring new