Hoang Chuong, SVD

The Overseas Training Program (OTP), also known as the Cross-Cultural Training Program (CTP), is a pastoral training program for young members of the community who are in formation. A member in temporary vows has the opportunity to live in and experience a culture that is different than his own. The experience is meant to give him a deeper understanding of his missionary calling and to strengthen his faith.

When I had the chance to participate in the OTP, I decided on Taiwan. Taiwan has become my temporary home where I live and work with the members of the Divine Word China Province. When my classmates asked me why I had chosen Taiwan, I gave three reasons for my decision.

I told them that I want to learn the Chinese language and Taiwan’s cultural values. I hope that, with this strong background, I will then have the opportunity to serve the Chinese people as a missionary priest. My second reason is that I want to continue in the footsteps of our Divine Word Missionary pioneer, St. Joseph Freinademetz SVD. Finally, I told them that my third reason for going to Taiwan is because I enjoy eating fried noodles and beef noodle soup, and I am told Taiwan has some of the best.

No matter what the reasons for my OTP choice, I am still a young missionary. I will continue the heritage of our founder, St. Arnold Janssen, and work to proclaim the Good News in places where it has not yet taken root. I am confident that each step I take will be guided by our founder’s spirit.

My experience in Taiwan has been an exciting journey. United Airlines flight 929 landed at Taoyuan International Airport on August 22, 2007. My first thought was that I had arrived safely in Taiwan and it would be my home for the next three years. I have been living in Taiwan for almost five months and during those months, I have experienced some of the basic challenges of the missionary life.

In the beginning, I felt sad, lonely and homesick. I experienced what it is like to be disoriented and confused in a new land because I did not know the language or the most common Chinese/Taiwanese customs. I felt like a child when it came to some of the basic activities I normally took for granted in my own culture. Day by day, I found myself questioning my purpose for coming to Taiwan. No voices responded to my doubt. So, I stopped asking all the questions and put my faith and hope in God. Gradually, I have come to find peace and joy.

Despite all the difficulties, I still keep in mind my three purposes for being in Taiwan. I keep reminding myself that my purpose is to continue the mission of our pioneering Divine Word Missionaries. At the same time, I believe God is always doing something new in my life. I just have to open my mind and have faith as I respond to the new environment and challenges I experience daily. I understand that God will lead me to new and deeper relationships with the people I will encounter and come to know. 

Indeed, God has been active in my life. I would like to share with you my recent experience of discovering God’s grace. His grace was evident to me one day when I was biking from Fu Jen Catholic University back to my little room in the Taishan formation community. The weather on that day was warm and sunny. While I was biking, I experienced a sense of peace and joy. I was aware of all the living things around me. I saw how beautiful the sunlight was, and I felt the heat of the sun as it touched and burned my skin. These feelings helped me understand that I am a being existing in God’s eyes. I also became more aware of the beauty of life as I enjoyed the sunny day with all the wondrous living beings around me. During those moments, I remembered all the people who have helped me and journeyed with me in my life.

Most memorable for me was the time I spent at home with my family in Richmond, Virginia, and my time with Divine Word brothers at Epworth, Iowa, where I spent my college days. Those good people taught me to become a more mature person. The Techny community, where I did my novitiate, and my formation community on the southside of Chicago, were places where I learned how to become a young Divine Word Missionary. As I rode my bike and remembered the people and places that meant so much to me, I really wanted to share with them the newfound joy I was experiencing deep down in my heart. I hoped that they would also feel the peace and joy I felt. At that moment, I said a short prayer of gratitude for them and asked God to continue to bless them.

On that beautiful, sunny day, my profound awareness of the simple blessings life and the special people in my life was the greatest gift I have ever experienced and received from God. I realize that I am a blessed person. Each day of my life here in Taiwan is a blessed day. I always give thanks to God and, at the same time, I give thanks for the Divine Word pioneers who did so many good things for people and the Church. I am proud to be a part of continuing their tradition.