Remarks by Dedong Zhongxuan

Ding Tonggan and He Lishan

A few years ago, Pastor Li Xiuquan gave Tong Gan a book called “The Second Half of Life.” It's a popular and well-written book. On its cover, there's a special subtitle: "Shifting from Pursuing Success to Pursuing Value and Meaning." Last year, when we decided to retire in early 2006, we began to think about how to live a more meaningful life. In 2004, we participated in a short-term mission trip to Paris, France for the first time. Then, in April 2005, we had the opportunity to broaden our horizons further by going to Germany with five brothers and sisters from North Church. Our ten-plus day visit and mission trip from West Germany to East Germany, visiting four cities and many fellowships and churches, left a deep impression. In 2005, due to an ankle injury, I was unable to attend the Southeast US Summer Conference, but Tong Gan brought back exciting news. Three co-workers pioneering campus ministry in East Germany actually came to the Summer Conference to share their vision for East German campus ministry. In addition to the excitement, Tong Gan invited them to Atlanta for more sharing and to get to know them better. A few days of interaction allowed us to understand their ministry and needs more concretely. We see the tidal wave of Chinese students studying abroad sweeping across Europe. The number of students studying in Europe is several times that of those studying in the US. However, it is difficult for them to find jobs after graduation, leading most students to return to China one after another, which is a natural and effective medium for the gospel to return to China.

Since 1997, I began to have some learning and service opportunities in the Far East with my wife. In 1999, we also “traveled together with family” once. But it was the only time; afterward, I still “went alone.” I long for after retirement, my wife and I can go together and minister together. This East German campus ministry seems to be a path God has opened for us. Therefore, since last July, we have been continuously praying for this, seeking God's confirmation and guidance. As we humbly sought and waited on God, we saw God's preparations in both places. First, in Atlanta, we found a suitable caregiver for my 92-year-old mother, who could take care of her during the day. In March, my niece agreed to temporarily stay at home and take care of her grandmother at night. This was completely unexpected, and everything at home was settled so smoothly by God. And on the campus in Chemnitz, the student fellowship workers had been praying for a long time, hoping for a teacher to “reside” there and help them. When we decided to go, the students also very smoothly rented student dormitories for two months. In mid-April, we even encountered a family moving back to China who left all their household items for free, allowing the students to experience God's provision and faithfulness. Thus, the two of us finally set off for Germany on April 17, 2006, the day after Easter, after being commissioned by the church.

After the plane reached Frankfurt directly, we took the ICE high-speed train to Dresden. At the end of last year, the East German campus ministry established a center here, and Pastor Fan Dasheng and his wife spend most of their time living in this city. Two days later, student representatives from the Cannes Bible study group came to pick us up and took us by train for an hour and a half to our destination, Chemnitz. Currently, East Germany has established eight campus Bible study groups among the fourteen campuses that have been contacted. It is said that Chemnitz has a group of very zealous Christians. It is God's grace that the coworkers have given us such a good group of students to lead. At ten-thirty that night, we finally arrived at the new home the students had prepared for us, feeling as if we had entered a “newlywed's chamber.” How amazing was the students“ care, thoughtfulness, meticulousness, and love. It was truly like ”a sparrow, though small, has all the vital organs"—everything was provided in the small studio apartment, from the large desk, wardrobe, and bed to the small items like detergent, rags, and toothpicks. Wow! The only children born in the 1980s are not as pampered as one might imagine!

The next day, a newlywed couple, accompanied by “Old Pei,” went shopping with us, which further impressed us with these students. On the first Sunday, Tong Gan took over the Sunday sermon, and on the second Sunday, coupled with Li Shan's Sunday school, “Introduction to the New Testament.” The students had a great spiritual appetite, and we arranged two campus evangelistic meetings in a row. The students designed exquisite posters themselves and posted them on campus to invite friends. Later, we had another evangelistic meeting in Dresden using the university's audio-visual classroom. In early June, in collaboration with Brother Chen Yimao, we had a four-day edification camp. On the first Saturday of each month, students in Cannes specifically arranged four hours of fasting and prayer. Though they had not been believers for long, their love for the Lord and their reliance on Him were so pure and certain.

Every Sunday, we arrange for different students or couples to come over for meals and conversations. They share their thoughts and vent their frustrations, giving them a sense of home and warmth. Sometimes, even lunch breaks are utilized to make time. Thursdays are even more exciting. First, there's dinner for fifteen to sixteen people prepared by Lishan. Then, Tong Gan leads students through Romans using inductive Bible study. The students do their homework first, and then Tong Gan analyzes and explains it point by point. The students are extremely enthusiastic. Every Friday and Saturday on the Cannes campus, there are five Bible study groups, and we all participate separately. Every Sunday, besides the morning worship service and Sunday school, my wife and I take a 45-minute train ride in the afternoon to oversee the Bible study class on the Freiberg campus. In addition to these two regular Bible study groups, we also visit Dresden, Cottbus, and Leipzig for various themed sharing sessions. Indeed, it is a fellowship where teachers are actively involved in care, and students grow rapidly.

On the first Sunday evening after arriving in Chemnitz, we had “dumpling making,” followed by “making fried pancakes,” and “eating hot pot in June.” We quickly bonded with the students, becoming like family. Tong Ge daily busied himself providing spiritual food for the students, while Li Shan happily busied herself providing physical food. Every time we saw them “eating heartily” and “gobbling down food,” no matter how many dishes we prepared, they were always “dishes wiped clean” and “everything spotless.” All fatigue was forgotten. The children's hearts are so pure; they tell us whatever is on their minds. However, matters of dating often give us a headache and worry us. These are temptations brought about by loneliness, homesickness, combined with language, study, and economic pressures.

Before going to East Germany, we didn't know how we would spend these two months of intense indoctrination. But we realized upon returning home how quickly those two months had passed. After returning, the students still contacted us via MSN and Skype, as if we had never left. They are our spiritual children. We hope that by investing this little effort, we can nurture more talents for the Kingdom. We are merely instruments in God's hands. May the Lord continue to use us.