Hoang Chuong Dinh Nguyen, SVD

Time to Remember

When I listened to my CTP/OTP classmates share about their ministry experience, I had to acknowledge that my experience in Taiwan and Beijing was completely opposite. I did not have the opportunity to live in the parish environment or have a chance to live in a small village. During this moment of sharing, I was really struck with the word, “ministry.” Pausing for a second, I could not search for a clear definition and figure out what ministry really means to me. During the pause, I took a deep breath and extended my thought. As a result, I made a courageous step to dig deeper into it. My approach was to propose a new question: What can be called ministry? This phrase is borrowed from Professor Tran Van Doan ideas when he investigated the question, “What can be called tradition?” I just replace the word tradition with ministry.
 
One of my daily life activities in Beijing was to be a student at the Beijing Language Center. The Jesuits congregation is the main operator of this institution. Thanks to their hospitality, they welcomed me to be part of their program. Their goal is to educate American students to learn about China. These young American students are around the age of 18 to 22 years old. Our class schedule included studying simplified Chinese characters in the morning; and in the evening we used English to learn about Chinese culture, politics, economics, religion and philosophy.
 
Before profession of final vows, Divine Word Missionary priests and brothers participate in the Cross-Cultural Training Program (CTP). This program enables them to live in another culture, learn another language and begin to minister more fully to God’s people. In most situations, they serve in another country in Africa, Asia, South America, Europe or Oceania, for a period of one to three years.
Interacting with these young American students opened wider my personal knowledge and understanding of human relationships. I became a person of empathy with their struggle. Spending time with them enlightened my cross-cultural experience. I came to recognize and feel that it is not easy to live in a new country, adapt to a new culture and to learn a new language. Together with my two years cultural experience in Taiwan and as a native born Vietnamese, I was able to point out to them some differences of customs between American culture and Chinese culture. When they felt confused and lost, I often reached out to them with support, care and compassion. This experience helped me to understand what is it means to do ministry and to be a person of ministry.
 
Due to the restriction of the government, our SVD community in Beijing is not able to form a large community like in other countries. We have to divide into many small communities; each house consists of three to five members. Email or cellular phones are our ways of communication. Sadly, I did not have the opportunity to live with them fulltime. I was alone in the small dormitory room of UIBE (University of International Business and Economy). Every weekend I visited them for a meal and meeting; most important was community Mass. I never thought that I would live “alone” for one year. It was a huge surprise. During this period, I cherished the moments with the community. I recognized how important it is. I was “alone,” but I did not feel “lonely” and never felt distant from them. Because I realized that I was only temporarily apart from them. Deep down inside my heart, the community members are always beside me to show support and care. Therefore, I am close to them and always feel connected to them. I am grateful for their trust.
 
Early one morning in December 2009, the weather in Beijing was extremely cold. There was a man about 30 to 35 years old standing beside the school’s main entrance. On my way back to our SVD house, I saw him standing in the corner to sell hot sweet potatoes （熱白薯）. As I approached him, many questions came into my mind. What if the person standing there was me? What would my life be like? We both exchanged a short conversation, and then I bought some sweet potatoes for my breakfast. During the interaction, I asked him, “老闆今天您的生意過怎麼樣？- Boss, today how is your business?” He responded with the Beijing ascent, “事情還行 - Things are Okay.” After I said good bye to him, my heart felt disturbed with pain and hurt. I felt how fortunate I was, and then I realized that God has been too good to me. I have an opportunity to live in a good environment and enjoy a comfortable life. With a deep pause, I reflected and became aware that I am the most blessed person in the whole world.
 
Reflecting on the two different types of life that I experienced, the hard life of the potato man and my interaction with some American students, I have come to a deeper understanding about the meaning of life. One special year in Beijing helped me to know what it means to do ministry when it is not allowed. If an SVD asks me what I did in Beijing, I would kindly respond, “I did the ministry of being present among and to God’s people.” Jesus teaches me to love people. Returning the love that I have received is ministry. Moreover, through the implicit actions and words, somehow people responded to me with a joyful laugh or smile. Besides trying to show care, I also expressed spiritual support. When they were in need of support, I gave them attention. Of course, life is not easy to live; I gently asked people how life was treating them. I learned that when we communicate to others with a little compassion, it means a lot to them. Plus, showing a smiling face helps people feel happy, and unspoken words do bring some meaning. I give thanks to God for everything I have been doing.
 
To end this reflection, I would like to express that there are various ways to do mission in China. No matter what type of ministry we are involved in, I strongly believe that God does bless it. There is no need to do a “big” thing or complete a big project. All I have to do in my mission is to share love and show concern to people with a smile. St. Arnold Jassen and St. Joseph Freinademetz, please pray for us and our missions.