Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 35 from Perbais to Gembloux

this blog continues the previous Part 34,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in.html

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.”

Alan Alda (Jan. 28, 1936) American actor, director, screenwriter, comedian and author

   Walking through the fields between Perbais and Ernage somehow the time blurred away until I finally discovered first roofs on the road far a head. After a slight left turn I faced the first buildings after a very quiet time passing the fields. 

Take me Home, Country Roads...

   From the right side of the road a car drove out from the pathway, the first reminder that I've returned to civilization. Sill walking I discovered some red dots on and beside the road with cherry stones squashed by some vehicles. Looking up a tree I've discovered indeed dark cherries grown on a wild tree which no one seemed to care about...I picked up a view from a lower branch and enjoyed the gift of a sweet morning snack.
  Before a document from 1293 mentions today's name 'Ernage' former Latin texts provided names Asnatgia or Asntatagia (946), Asnatica (around 1040 and in 1136) Esnagia or Estnagia (1213). The Romanesque form Esnage appeared between 1194 and 1229. In its historical topography of Walloon Brabant published in Amsterdam in 1692, Antwerp Jacques le Roy spells this area Ernaige and Erfnage. 

   As I walked parallel to the main road it was not difficult to return through the houses and found the way back to the Chaussée de Wavre, as this part of the A4 is named in this area. Coming to the intersection there were some cows just opposite of the road, an opportunity for taking photos which I would not like to miss. 

Young Cows grazing beside the Road

   I turned right and followed the main road and enjoyed and easy flat walk until I passed the Snack Factory (www.snack-factory.be), an American Style grill and diner directly beside the road. The sun was still on the rise and the restaurant closed. But the interesting light let me take a photo of the American styled neon sign behind a swinging Elvis.

   Still walking through the countryside I've notice a big truck standing at the right sight of the road loading potatoes. A conveyor system forwarded the potatoes on the truck with the earth falling off into containers or on the floor. Knowing that French Fries or 'frites', as they are called in Belgium, are a basic food staple in this country, seeing this had no small meaning. As there is a steady demand for potatoes this loading is a significant sight for tourist like me. While I stopped to watch the procedure and to take a picture the truck driver and the worker waved to a me as a friendly gesture to the interested tourist hauling his sports bag along...

Loading Potatoes in Belgium

   The next larger city, Gembloux. was not far away and a relative leisurely walk. The city has only around 22.000 inhabitants but is very well known for its Agricultural University, the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech.
   As I walked along the main road I've noticed a lot of police motorcycles and cars with policeman securing the road. I suppose some important person/s wanted to visit the town or the university but I a not much sure about that. 

   I passed some older and newer buildings and followed the Rue Sigebert into the city center. As along the whole way there were many road signs and as the Belgians are good educated people the only problems were the cobbles which were not only on the roads but also on the sidewalks. 
   The road name changed into the Grand'Rue and I passed a Tourist Office but did not pay much attention to it. As the road went a little downhill I've discovered the main entrance of the before mentioned Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech University on the right side. There is a gate and through this gate I took the picture below. The University is housed in the historic Abbey of Gembloux which was founded about 945 by Saint Guibert of Wibert and dedicated to Saint Peter and the martyr Saint Exuperius (died around 410).

   After the French Revolution (1789-1799) the monks were expelled and the abbey sold. In July 1860, the Agronomic School of Thourout was transferred to Gembloux; in 2009 it was merged with the University of Liege and renamed into Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (wikipedia).

Main Building of the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech housed in the former Abbey of Gembloux

   As a son of uneducated parents, a violent alcoholic father and an even more violent Nazi mother, I longed my whole life for knowledge and still admire every person who could and can have a university education which was never possible for myself. 
   My tyrannical mother thought of herself to be a big planner. As in Germany the education is decided after the fourth grade her plan stood in my to open the path to a higher education. She wanted to leave the family as soon as possible after the children became independent and have their own income. Learning at the secondary school (German: Gymnasium) is a requirement to study at a university in Germany would take too many 'additional years' she had to spend with this family. So she decided against her children to pursue a higher education for the sake of a fast income.
   After my school graduation, I got an apprenticeship as a "Wholesale Businessman" at a local Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche Dealer. This education included one part vocational school and one part working to gain experiences and a small salary. My mother was, of course, very happy because I was able to pay 1/3rd of salary as 'living expenses' directly to her.
   I remember the first day at the vocational school when we had to write a report to introduce ourselves and why we've decided to pursue this career as homework. I've written my assignment and gave it to the teacher. One week later he returned my homework and told me "I've read your paper and wonder what are you doing here? You should study at a university, not learn here at the vocational school!" "My mother wanted me to come here and earn some money!" was my sad reply. She shook his head and left...

   This is one of the many reasons why I like to spend some time to catch the atmosphere and make photos from universities whenever I pass them...

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_22.html

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (5) Crossroads (2)

   I don't know how many people take the time and effort read the whole Bible, the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT), together in 'one' session. I know quite a few believers who did this and not only once... When people read the Bible as 'a whole' the reader or believer will realize that there is an underlining tone which connects both parts which is God's love.

   The OT says: 12 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors (Deuteronomy 7, NIV). Thee NT, as an extension of the OT, adds; 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3). 

   The connection between the two parts of the Bible very obviously is God's love, mentioned over and over again. In the OT God created the world with the first humans out of love, “15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden ', ...18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. (Genesis 2)”. 

If this is not love, what is it?

   Later God saved Noah, “9 a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God (Genesis 6)" from the flood. God reached out to call Abraham, because “3 Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4).” “11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac (Genesis 25)”. It is very clear In above examples that God's love is not a one-way relationship. Noah was saved because of His righteousness Abraham was called because he was righteous, Isaac was blessed because he followed God. 

   It is very clear, not only for me, that the love from God is not a one-way street. God created the garden Eden for Adam “16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him (Genesis 2)”. But “when the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Genesis 2)”. 

   Because Adam and his wife did not follow the command of God “23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken (Genesis 2)”.

   While it is clear that people have to 'earn' the love of God by respecting Him through a righteous life it is strange that there are still many 'vague ideas' about the relationship between God and humans. This is because many Christian leaders and teachers do not teach very clear.

   In the Great Commission Jesus told His disciples: “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 19 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28)”. Teaching them is a very clear part of the Great Commission...

   While serving the homeless I took my job serious, not just go there to 'have a good time' but trying to teach the Bible in a way that everyone could understand it. I did not take a prepared 'old' sermon like an older Pastor advised me but each time I started with a white piece of paper. prayed and asked God to give me a direction for the sermon which I followed. Before my sermon I made a habit to handle out Chinese (Mandarin) copies of the Bible verse because many homeless do not have an own Bibles. These papers became so popular that many started reading immediately after they got them in their hands...

Homeless and Low Income Family Members lining for Dinner

   I had one sister, clearly possessed by the devil, who volunteered to read the scripture in Taiwanese, a local dialect. Many elderly people in Taiwan can not read but they listened carefully and even asked questions and gave comments concerning the Bible. It was a wonderful experience to see people thinking about their lives. I saw many changes within the brothers and sisters as a result of God's words.

    The person in charge came once to me saying “It is strange that now so many people are in this church...Last week when you lead the sermon there joined a record of 72 people attending Sunday worship”.

   My 'secret' is that I take God seriously, I am serious about my call and work and respect people generally; if old or young, female or male, rich or poor! And I know that it is not my work but the work of God!

Be blessed, Gerhard   

Fighting the Cobbles - My trip to Belgium in 2018, Part 34 In and Around Perbais

This blog continues the previous Part 33
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/12/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_19.html

Saturday, June 30, 2018

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 –1964), first Prime Minister of India

   I've followed the main Gran Rue in Perbais and was again very much surprised about the clean environment created by its citizens. I could not even discover one one piece of paper - what a pleasant difference to my home in Taiwan.

  The Municipality of Walhain has existed since 1977, when the entities of Walhain-Saint-Paul (including the hamlets of Perbais and Sart-lez-Walhain), Tourinnes-Saint-Lambert and Nil-Saint-Vincent were merged. From its history until today it was and is predominantly an agricultural community which I would experience not much later...

   I passed very tidy houses until I came to the only building I could find some information; the communal school built between 1889 and 1890 in eclectic style after the plans of the architects Van Halen, who could have some connection to the American Rock Group but I don't know for sure. The double level two-story brick and limestone is crowned by a pediment decorated with a pattern of ash brick. The axis above the entrance says 'Communal School'. In this early Saturday morning hour the whole school was as quiet as the surrounding town.

   
   After the obligatory photo I've continued and passed an unknown church on the left with the Madonna and a very young Jesus. Why they are caged might be difficult to explain, so I'll leave it there. Even there is not much information about country towns in the internet but there is a lot to discover...

   Not much later I turned left into the Rue de la Sucrerie, at the next intersection I've turned left again into the Rue de la Cruchenère because my aim was to walk parallel to the main  N4 road direction Gembloux. When I've passed the last houses I could discover two different lonely cats, a single horse grazing and a lonesome bird flying around searching for breakfast; finally, I came to wide fields, as far as the eye could see. 

   In front of me was a small country road with occasional sections of cobbles like in the famous Paris-Roubaix cycling race. I am not a country boy but I've noticed something looking like wheat growing on both sides of the road; some was already harvested. In front of a bale of straw I paused, took out my tripod and a portrait of myself. The reader might notice that I was wearing my sunglasses because of the bright sun while I still had my fleece sweater on because of the cool weather on this still early morning.  

   Walking alone through the fields on my sides I occasionally let my hands slide over the wheat while I was walking. I don't know if a farmer would do and feel the same but I sensed a kind of simple joy seeing these fertile plains. While many countries fight stones and even sand to grow some vegetables and fruit this part of the world seemed blessed; rich and fertile...

Fields of Gold

You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we walk in fields of gold
So she took her love for to gaze awhile upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down among the fields of gold

Will you stay with me, will you be my love among the fields of barley?
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky as we lie in fields of gold
See the west wind move like a lover so upon the fields of barley.
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth among the fields of gold

I never made promises lightly and there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left we'll walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold

Many years have passed since those summer days among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky when we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold, when we walked in fields of gold

Gordon Sumner / Dusan Bogdanovic

(to be continued@
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2019/01/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_20.html.

Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel

My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (4) Crossroads (1)

   I am a German living in Taiwan and very glad about this fact. My family was made out of an alcoholic father and a Nazi mother which would hardly count as 'glad'. But I've learned that a nearby community service center of a local church can be a safe haven from all the troubles in the world. The pastor and the youth leaders did not solve my personal problems but they created a sense how a peaceful world close to God could function for real.

Aborigine Church in Taidong County, Taiwan

   Many people do not quite notice that most of the humans move constantly between two worlds - the spiritual and the worldly. In the world we have society standards like separating the human races into colors of skins, levels of educations, religions, culture and so on. But Christianity in fact, according to the Bible, unites us in Christ.

   Jesus was born as a Jew, his parents both have been Jews. The Jewish religion is based on their father Abraham, according to the Bible:

   "When Abram was ninety-years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers (Genesis 17)." 

   Not much later the Bible added:

   "9 Then God said to Abraham, "10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you."

   So every Jew must be, according the the Old Testament, a descendant of Abraham and undergo circumcision to belong to the 'chosen people of God.

Inner of Church in Hsin Chu County, Taiwan

   The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament and, even most Christians do not read the Old Testament, the old part is quite essential to understand the roots of our Christian faith. A testament is not 'an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death' but rather 'a covenant (agreement, promise) between God and the human race'. 

   When Jesus was born the land, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants, was occupied by the Roman Empire. This happened because, as the Prophet Isaiah explains "They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him."

   Jesus came into the world "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3, NIV)."

   This is clearly a new covenant from the former relationship between God and the human race: away from the family of Abraham and the circumcision to a new relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ!

   Jesus promised His disciples "19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live you will also live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

What a great promise! 

For me, writing this is so clear and touching that I wonder why this is so difficult to teach in a way that others are touched in a similar way! Jesus came here that we repent and return to Him, that we understand His grace and became a new human being in Him!

(to be continued)  

Horex VR 6 (1)

Hello,

  As a fan of motorcycles, I am very interested in niche products and curious about enthusiastic companies starting new ventures and dare to shake up the status quo. One of these most interesting companies for me is Horex, a German manufacturer producing motorcycles with an extremely compact built six cylinder in 'VR' arrangement. 
   Their latest model is the Horex VR6 Raw in the 'deepest' black glossy or matt color available. With extremely light aluminum wheels the dry weight is 200kg - for a motorcycle with a 1218 cc six cylinder engine a very reasonable weight indeed.  

Horex VR6 Black Edition, http://www.horex.com/en/models/horex-vr6-black-edition/

   The origin of this true manufacturer dates back to 1920 when Friedrich Kleemann (1868-1949), financial manager at Rex Konservenglas Gesellschaft (preservative jar manufacturing company) in Bad Homburg (Germany) purchased Columbus Motorenbau AG, a small motor factory in Oberursel, right in the neighborhood of the mother company. 

   In 1923 the Horex Fahrzeugbau AG was founded and developed a range of models with single cylinder Columbus engines from 250 cc to 600 cc. In 1933 two parallel-twin models were added; the 24 hp 600 cc S6 and the 30 hp 800 cc S8, both with chain-driven OHC valve gear (Wikipedia). Due to the high price and some engine problems, there were only very few sold of both models.

Horex S8, http://motos-of-war.ru/en/motorcycles/horex-s8/

   World War II interrupted the motorcycle production for civil use but in 1948 Horex resumed its output with a 350 cc single cylinder model named Regina. It featured a 342 cc air cooled OHV single cylinder with 18 hp @ 5,000 rpm.

Horex Regina

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-german-motorcycles/horex-history-more-than-singles

In 1955 Horex added a 500cc OHC parallel-twin which was called the Imperator.

(to be continued)

My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (3) Education

   

Trying to collect Donations for Church Work on a Busy Shopping Street (Nov. 2011)

   In my experience, one of the biggest problems in Taiwan is the meaning and approach of education. According to Wikipedia ‘education is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and habit’.
   I remember that I was so touched that I could study in the Seminary that I had tears in my eyes when I stepped through the door. For me it was a great honor to spend my time to study the word of God, that I could improve in my relationship with Him. I tried to be humble and soak in as much as I could - I studies for life and neither for a subject or a degree... 

Graduation from the Chinese Evangelical Seminary

   As a husband, father and Christian I’ve learned that education is not something that is taught from a 3rd or higher point like a pastor should teach the true meaning (truth) of the Bible from the view of Theology in Taiwan. On the contrary, Christians come to church and expect that their own views are matched by the leaders but neither challenged nor corrected during worship.

   For example, during my service, I teach the 'Triune God' or 'Holy Trinity'. It holds that ‘God is one God but three coeternal consubstantial personas or hypostases; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’ as ‘one God in three Divine Personas’. While the homeless and low-income families very fast understood very easily (I’ve made a test after 1 hour and everyone passed!) many university graduates, struggle with it after being Christians for many years.

   I found out this is simply because the homeless have a very different attitude and/or approach to education. Like one of my Seminary teachers said: “You have to believe to understand Systematic Theology” the homeless have a very simple approach and listen, without comparing it to other religions, cultures or traditions etc. and, as this teacher put it, ‘simply believe’ and trust that the teacher is truthfully to the Bible and Christian Theology. But many educated people in Taiwan don’t have this simple mind to approach Christianity or Christian theology; some even connect Jesus Christ with one of the Spirits in Buddhism to understand and explain the meaning ‘Holy Trinity’. As Christianity and Buddhism are very different religions, his approach is not very useful...

   Trying to understand some background we have to go back in history. On 28 Feb. 1947 the 228 Incident began in Taiwan. An anti-government uprising was violently suppressed by the Mainland Chinese ‘Republic of China’ government and thousands of civilians have been killed. This marked also the beginning of the White Terror under the martial law (1949-1987) in which tens of thousands went missing, died or were imprisoned. The government created a network of spies who infiltrated every layer of society as a a tool to suppress political dissidents.

   With this background it could be explained why Taiwanese have suspicions against everything new challenging their status quo. But Christianity is not about spying on but helping people, is not about separation the society in different classed but about unity as one in Christ.

   The other problem I face every day in Taiwan is a general mistrust in everything (Western) foreign. For me this does not make a lot of sense because 

- foreign orders created an influx of badly needed currencies, 

- with many professors foreign educated the society changed

- with American fast food came a clean standard of cheap restaurants to Taiwan

- with 7-11 came 24-hour open convenience stores with clear prices on the goods on the shelves

etc., etc., etc.

   I tell and teach that the only enemies of Taiwan or the Taiwanese are their relatives in Mainland China, the only country in the whole world that 
- sees Taiwan as part of theirs, 
- successfully stops any attempt of Taiwan to join international organizations like the UN or even the International Red Cross
- is the only foreign country actively involved in the free and democratic elections in Taiwan. 

   Why this suspicion against Western foreigners exists, I honestly can not explain after living in Taiwan for nearly 30 years!

Be blessed, Gerhard

My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (2) Church Life

Good Morning!   

   As a devoted Christian living in Taiwan for many years, I would like to share some of my experiences on this 'Beautiful Island' or Ilha Formosa as it was known since the Portuguese passed it in 1544.

   I've decided to move to Taiwan in the year 1989, the same year as the violent Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace!) Massacre in Peking and peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the reunification not only of East and West Germany but of all Europe, happened. For many both of these events may not have a lot in common but for me these two events followed me like a silver lining through the rest of my life. While as a German I try to consolidate or find reasons in everything, my Taiwan neighbors are not only divided 'under the surface' but often very unreasonable to put their own egos or own agendas above anything else.

   I personally have experienced rejections and even open violence against myself while living in Taiwan up until today. My wife's family did neither welcome nor recognize me based on the simple fact because I am a foreigner and therefore 'different'. Because of tradition I have no right for an own opinion or a personal view on things. I can speak Mandarin, the official language, very fluently, but in the south of Taiwan people communicate in Taiwanese (or Hokkien), spoken by the Taiwanese Hoklo people who descended from immigrants form the southern Fujian during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). And, of course, when the family gathers they speak Taiwanese, which I neither speak nor understand, when I am present. So, as a foreigner, I am simply invited to be excluded. But at the same time, when I talk to my daughter in my native German language, I am told that it is 'ill-mannered' to speak in a foreign language.
   Some years ago I've decided rather to be alone than to waste my time with ignorant people, if family members, friends or anyone else unreasonable. 

   Strange thing is that the same happened and happens to me in all the different churches I've attended during my nearly 30 years in Taiwan. Originally all main churches in Taiwan have been founded by western foreign missionaries in the 1950s and 1960s and were given after the 1st generation to local Taiwanese. The problems I experience is that many pastors don't see the church as the 'body of Christ' with 'Christ as the head of the church' (Ephesians 5:23) but rather as their own fiefdom with the pastor himself being the duke making his own rules. This leads to much competition and distress between brothers and sisters to gain favors from the pastors and all other leaders; something I've never expected in German churches and simply is wrong. But leaders clearly appreciate that and, as long as they are supported and benefit from it, why should they change it?

   A very bad idea was the arrival of the 'micro groups', a development from 'successful' churches in Singapore and Korea. The idea is that one church member opens his or her home and invites nearby living brothers and sisters to worship, prayers and reading of the Bible. Intended as a 'help' for the pastor it replaced the original work of the pastor, meaning the responsibilities of the church leaders were loaded onto the 'micro group leader'. In my micro group the pastor never showed up... But the group leader had not only to prepare the 1 1/2 hours but also to clean and prepare his house or an apartment, prepare snacks and, of course, has to clean up after everyone left. This might be declared as 'service' to brothers and sisters but as most group leaders have no theological background or any Christian education and are, as mentioned, only leaders because they are favored by the pastor or elders, there is not much Bible work done but rather trivial or worldly matters be discussed.

   I've experienced only proud and dominant pastors with a focus on the tithe or donations as a source of income for the church. I've only met one pastor interested in me and my family but more from a 'responsible' standpoint. My wife was very active as a Sunday school teacher and therefore much appreciated while everyone made a 'curve' around me, the 'unable' foreigner.

   I was never invited to take over a responsible work even after I attending one church for 10 1/2 years! I was never chosen to be a speaker but was allowed to sweep the floor. As my wife and I were successful with a youth group of 72 people (!) within two years the pastor became outright suspicions to a point that we've decided to return the whole group to the church and left the church. Needless to say that the pastor decided to closed the whole group and, in fact, 'kicked out' young Jesus seeking people and the future of his 'own' church.

   Later I've joined the church of a Korean pastor, a war veteran of the North-South Korean war. I never understood how a soldier who killed others can lead the church in the same violent way without any remorse concerning brothers and sisters or a hint to the 'Love of Jesus'.

   Reading about all these problems it might be difficult to understand that I still went to a Seminary in Taipei, spend my own time and money to study and finish a degree in the evening education department. One reason is that I feel a kind of responsibility to the Lord and the people out there who are without knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that the world could be heaven and I could play a part in it.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28)"

   Without a church, I had the chance to serve homeless and low-income families independently as a volunteer. From their eyes, I've seen that people can accept Jesus Christ even under most severe conditions and from faith they have get the power to change. I had some wonderful experiences and many touching moments in these 2 1/2 years. A clearly demon possessed sister became a great co-worker willing to share her bad experiences to help others to find the Lord. She told me that she did no more see the black shadows hunting her in her house but became a peaceful person! What an amazing transformation! 
   But, as readers can imagine, helping others in truth means bitterness for some who can not stand seeing themselves in the mirror. So I got fired because I remembered the 'co-workers' to the teaching of the Lord. 2 1/2 years of time and service erased by an Email! But I don't have to carry this cross... "22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. (Matthew 8)"

   Despite all the human problems between church leaders and me, despite all the stones thrown on my path serving Christ by Christians (!) I've opened my own Bible study class on 01 Dec. 2018 in a nearby activity center with only 1 person attending. But, as Confucius said, "every journey begins with the 1st step"...

   Sometimes I don't know why I do this all - I could have a simple life by following earthly pleasures, why should I care about Taiwanese who care so less about this foreigner? Because there is something inside me knowing that God is watching and that I should give and do the best in and for Him despite all these hurdles! Even I am not important and a no-one I still can not compromise on the Truth of the Bible and, in fact, on the Truth of the Lord!

   While not sure where this might leads I believe in the power and glory of God and know that I am not alone...
   Wish everyone a successful and Happy New Year, Gerhard

My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (1) Freedom in Christ

My Christian and Church Experiences in Taiwan (1)

   I came to Taiwan after I've met my later wife during a trip around the world which was cut short due to some financial problems. While on my last days in Hong Kong I've discovered an unknown little island called Taiwan, around three hours by plane. I've arrived on a polluted and very busy island and decided to leave the capital Taipei as soon as I could. Traveling around the island I've discovered many passionate people, working hard to support and improve their lives.

   On my trip I accidentally took a ship to Orchid Island off the coast and met a kind teacher on her trip to the same island. In 1989 I’ve decided to move to Taiwan, married her and one year later and became a father in 1992. 

Married in Taiwan in 1990

   In the beginning, I was not very passionate about our Lord but, because I thought I should introduce the Lord to my young family we’ve attended a local church.

   When we started to join this church I have to admit that I was not very much a part of it. Of course, my body attended the worship, sang the songs of praise, prayed and I ate the free lunch but my soul was not very much connected to the church, the pastor and the brothers and sisters. Basically, the way the whole church worked and the environment showed a clear discrepancy to the teachings of the Bible but because of my family I tried to fit in…
   The pastor himself was the Christ, much admired and even worshiped by many members. Furthermore, the contents of the sermons were rather focused on earthly things and made for entertainment than teaching Christian education and values through the Bible.

   After some time the pastor invited me to attend a meeting concerning the management and work of the church. I hesitated but agreed and was very disappointed by the attitude of the other attendees. Several times there were senseless arguments about trivial matters which could be simply solved by ‘love’ as taught by the Bible. After the meeting was over I discussed the contents with some brothers and had in my mind the opinion that it is their church – not mine. But suddenly I realized it is neither mine or a Taiwanese church but God’s  'body'. With this ‘touch of the Holy Spirit' my attitude towards the church started to change.

   I took my church service more seriously, volunteered for kitchen work and started with my wife a youth group. But as more as I dived into God’s grace as more I got disappointed and even met resistance. The church was still a one-man show, the entertainment element grew even larger and there was, understandable, no spiritual growth of the church members at all! But as more effort I put into the church as hungrier I got (for the truth of God) as less nutrition I found! Strangely, I was the only one who felt something was going wrong.
   I experienced several very intimate revelations like a fire coming out of a cross or youth, after moving from a room in front of the cross, were singing like angels etc. But as I’ve tried to share these close experiences with the Holy Spirit I did not meet any compassion or interest but rather rejection and suspicion for this foreigner.
   Once I've attended an American missionary team and joined them to spread the Gospel in the south of Taiwan. During this one week long trip, there was one pastor teaching us healing people with the help of the Holy Spirit. On a Friday evening, I had some very astonishing results in healing unseen blisters, muscle pain etc. after their own testimonies. Back in the church’s micro group I’ve tried to share these experiences enthusiastically but was met with disbelief and even warnings! And these reaction despite the clear Bible promise “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion (Romans 9:15).” 

   Simply put, if a church does not teach, follow and act according to the word of the Bible for me it is not a church and, at one point, it was very clear for us to leave. Why so-called faiths like the

- Mormons (The Church of the Latter-day Saints) expect life devotion for their organization 

 from their members or associates

-  FLDS (The Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) have their own militant

 group to ‘protect’ their interests

-  Scientology even split family members into ‘faithful’ and ‘unfaithful’

etc. 

makes me wonder why they have members at all. Because the Bible teaches clearly:

"Freedom in Christ

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5)." 
The Bible says also: "36 So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8)."

If Jesus Himself assures every Christian that you are free (in Christ) how can anyone including a government, an organisation, a church etc. take this freedom away?
  

(to be continued)