Remarks by Dedong Zhongxuan

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.

Ever since Tongan started some missionary training and service in the Far East in 1997, we also “brought the family along” in 1999. But that was the only time; afterwards, we always went alone. We long for the day when, after retirement, my wife and I can go in and out together, serving as missionaries. This campus ministry in Chemnitz seems to be a path God has opened for us. Therefore, since last July, we have been constantly praying for this, seeking God's confirmation and guidance. As we humbly sought and waited for God, we saw His preparations in both locations. First, here in Atlanta, we found a suitable caregiver for my 92-year-old mother who could look after her during the day. In March, my niece agreed to temporarily stay at home and care for her grandmother at night. This was unexpected, and everything at home was arranged 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. And in mid-April, we even met a family who was moving back to China and 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 the day after Easter this year (4/17/06), sent by the church.

After the plane arrived directly in Frankfurt, 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 Fan Dasheng and his wife spend most of the year living here. Two days later, student representatives from the Cannes Bible study group picked us up, and after a one-and-a-half-hour train ride, we reached our destination, Chemnitz. Currently, East Germany has established eight campus Bible study groups among fourteen campuses they have contacted. It is said that Chemnitz has a group of very earnest Christians. It is God's grace that our colleagues have entrusted such a good group of students to us to lead. At ten thirty that night, we finally arrived at the new apartment the students had prepared for us, feeling as if we had entered a “new house.” How surprising it was to see the students“ care, effort, thoughtfulness, and love. Truly, ”though the sparrow is small, it has all the vital organs." In this small studio, everything was provided, from large items like a desk, wardrobe, and bed, to small items like detergent, rags, and toothpicks. Wow! The only children born in the 1980s are not as pampered as one might imagine!

The very next day, a newlywed couple accompanied us out shopping, which further impressed us with these students. On the first Sunday, Tong Gan took over the sermon, and on the second Sunday, Li Shan, along with the Sunday school, presented “An Introduction to the New Testament.” The students had a great spiritual appetite and, in a row, organized two campus evangelistic meetings. The students designed exquisite posters themselves and posted them around campus, inviting friends to attend. Later, we held another evangelistic meeting in Dresden, utilizing a university audiovisual classroom. In early June, in partnership with Brother Chen Yimao, we had a four-day enrichment camp. On the first Saturday of each month, students from Cannes particularly arranged for four hours of fasting and prayer. Though their time since believing in the Lord is not long, their love for the Lord and their reliance on Him are so pure and certain.

Every Sunday, we arrange for different students or couples to come for meals and conversations, to share their thoughts and troubles, and to give them some of the warmth of home. Sometimes, even lunchtime needs to be utilized. Thursday's program is even more exciting. First, there's a dinner for fifteen to sixteen people prepared by Lishan, followed by Tonggan using inductive Bible study to guide students in studying Romans. The students do their homework first, and then Tonggan analyzes and explains it point by point, which the students find very engaging. Every Friday and Saturday, there are five Bible study groups on the Cannes campus, and we all participate in them separately. Every Sunday, in addition to the morning worship service and Sunday school, my wife and I take a 45-minute train ride in the afternoon to take care of the Bible study group on the Freiberg campus. In addition to these two regular Bible study groups that we oversee, we also visited Dresden, Cottbus, and Leipzig for some topical discussions. Indeed, it is a fellowship with resident teachers who provide care, and the students are growing rapidly.

On the first Sunday evening after arriving in Chemnitz, we had “dumpling wrapping,” followed by “making fried bread,” and “hot pot on a June day.” We quickly bonded with the students, becoming like family. Tonghan was busy every day supplying the students with spiritual food, while Lishan was happily busy supplying them with physical food. Every time we saw them “eating heartily” and “devouring their food,” no matter how many dishes we prepared, they were always “plates licked clean,” and our fatigue vanished. The children's hearts are so pure; they tell us whatever is on their minds. However, matters of dating and relationships often gave us a lot of headaches and worries. These were temptations brought about by loneliness, homesickness, language barriers, academic pressures, and economic stress.

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.