This Hymn Needs More Gong

China ~ the doorway with the sword

"The Adam West Conspiracy" 

I chose 'the doorway with the sword' for no apparent reason, other than that it had a Christian connotation to it. The sword as the Word of God, divine judgment, and spiritual warfare. It had a nice ring to it. Fortunately, I travel with my pocket bible and app on my phone, so I could look it up: SWORD!

After reading, I felt good about my choice and the path I took. I carefully closed the door behind me.

So, that was done. I was on my way!

I looked around me; the sun was lowering down from the bushes, it was late in the afternoon. I put on my sunglasses.

Where was I ?

I watched a Chinese temple in the middle of an island surrounded by a wall in front of me, like 200 meters in front. A tree to the left. Tourists scattered around and taking pictures.

Huh?!

Could this be the Forbidden City in Beijing, China?

Yes, yes, it looked familiar. I just recently had done the online tour of the Forbidden City and it matched like a glove.

I took my phone out of my bag again and looked at Google Maps. Yes, indeed. This was Beijing.

NiHao, I sighed silently. Hello!

Slowly I walked to the bench underneath the tree. I sat down and took it all in.

The air was filled with a gentle breeze, it smelled like jasmine. It smelled nice.

Beijing, China, what a surprise... I always wanted to visit in real time.

I suddenly was distracted by a strong rumble in my stomach. Hungry, I was hungry and had to eat something before I could go on.

To my left there was a Chinese stall on wheels that sold meat and veggies. I sighed of relief. But then it dawned on me. Could I pay for it? Did I have money on me?

I searched my bag, took out a purse (didn't look familiar though) and opened it. There were a few paper banknotes. Chinese money? I unfolded two of them. It said 20 and 50 YUAN. Enough to pay for the food. There also was a bankcard on my own name.

I came prepared. Lucky me!

This could become a real nice adventure, fast, I thought and looked with great interest to the food display on the stall.

Corn, rice on green leaves, chunks of meat (lamb?), my mouth was watering. I bought some food, took the tray to a place in the shadow and sat down on a square rock. I sipped at my water bottle.

This was excellent food, this was good.

After 30 minutes of bliss, I emptied the trash in a bin, took back the tray and walked toward the main entrance of the building known as the Forbidden City.

Of course it was closed.

I took my phone, took some pics and decided to follow the tourists out of the square.

I had to find myself a hotel room and then decide what to do in Beijing.

I always wanted to be a Christian missionary in China, call me crazy, with the persecution of Christian believers in modern day China.

So, my first stop after finding a place to stay had to be a Christian church. I found the Beijing Christian Church, Chaoyang Church on 60, Dongfeng South Road, East Fourth Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

I could make an appointment for a tour the next morning at 10.

That night I slept like a rose. In my dreams I saw Jesus Christ with a sword in his hands, spreading the word in China. I woke up with a smile.

I had my appointment at 10.

Plenty of time to get an international breakfast with at the Western Corner: freshly baked pastries, pancakes, waffles, cereals, yogurts, and made-to-order egg stations (omelets, avocado toast, and Benedicts). Cold cuts, cheeses, and breakfast meats like bacon and sausages.

The Live Noodle & Dim Sum Bars had the highlight for many other guests. Chefs prepared customized noodle or wonton soups (huntun) on the spot. Also grab baskets of fresh dim sum, such as baozi (steamed buns), siu mai, and har gow.

At the traditional Chinese Station: Savory, umami-rich items like congee (rice porridge) with various toppings, tea-soaked eggs, fried rice, fried noodles, and steamed whole foods like sweet potatoes and corn.

And at the Beverage & Fruit Bar: Freshly squeezed juices (like watermelon or cantaloupe), a wide array of tropical fruits, and specialized coffee machines serving cappuccinos and lattes.

When it was almost too late I ran around the corner to the church and signed in. My stomach hurt of eating too much and I had to slow down so I would not lose my coffee along the run.

But I made it.

I stood there waiting to get ushered in when I noticed a little Chinese man, in an orange t-shirt and jeans, waving at me, getting my attention from the other site of the corridor.

I looked over both my shoulders, but there was no one else but me in his sight line, so I looked him straight in the eye and mimicked Do you mean me? Me?

He nodded Yes, You, and walked toward me.

The next thing I knew was the barrel of a gun in my right side, and a hissing voice ordering I should come along, without a fuss.

After five meters we were back in the street, and I was placed in a white van. The doors closed, I got a hood over my head and a Chinese man with a heavy accent yelled I should be still. Or else.

Within a 5-minutes-drive and several turns we stopped, they took away the hood and I noticed we were at the back entrance of the same church we left earlier. The Chaoyang Church.

A small, with weed overrun back door opened and a Chinese warrior in brown ornament walked out.

I recognized the outfit of the warriors of the terracotta army I saw once in my own country. Replicas of the clay army that was. This was a life soldier, but unmistakably one of the army of Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC), the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China.

He looked at me, saluted and walked passed.

The Chinese man who accompanied me protected my head, we ducked and entered the building.

It was dark, and it smelled like mud, moss and stale water. For several meters we had to bend over and walked with our heads lowered.

Until, somewhere in the middle, there opened another door and a hand motioned us inside. The Chinese man and I went in, the rest stayed in the hallway.

When my eyes adjusted at the light from the window inside I saw.

I saw, I saw...me...me everywhere, me as on posters, on photographs, in cardboard form real size, on the walls, near the walls, on the desks, as far as the eye could see there was ...me!

What the heck? I began to stutter, what. was. this?

The Chinese man who accompanied me sat on a chair near the window. He had lost interest at all. He put away his gun inside a holster, and lay down the holster on a desk. Then he closed his eyes and napped.

In the middle of the room, at a desk with multiple computer screens, one woman stood out. She was working the keyboard with extreme speed while shouting in a headphone.

When she saw me, she stopped what she was doing, her face lit with a big smile while she walked towards me and shook my hand.

Great, great lady, thank you for being here. We are so glad we found you. Sorry about the gun, we hope you didn't get spooked or anything, but we had to make sure you came along to our humble residence here.

Never mind the gun, I felt I was losing my temper. What is all this? Who are you people? Why am I on display like this?

We are the Army of Qin Shi Huang Revisited in 2024, the AQSHR24. A taskforce with the sole purpose to find the heir to the Qin dynasty. In short, we found her...it's you! You are the sole heir to the Qin throne. you are his latest ancestor, by bloodline of your Indonesian family at your mother's side. We have traced you down since 2024. For the last 2 years we have been researching you in your country. But it's true, without any doubt. you are her...you are Qin's family member and heir to the throne.

My throat felt soar and thirsty. I motioned I wanted something to drink and from out of nowhere there came a bottle of water, and two, and three.

I drank some water and immediately felt better. The two spare bottles I put in my bag.

For the coming two hours they filled me in, and the details were dazzling.

They told the story of the great Qin, emperor, born Ying Zheng.

Rising to the throne at age 13, he conquered all rival warring states by 221 BC. His rule was defined by brutal autocracy, massive infrastructure (including early Great Wall sections), and his quest for immortality.

He was scared to death about death, the reason he created his Terracotta Army of over 8,000 life-sized soldiers, built to protect him in the afterlife.

Then they shifted the focus on the story to do research on me, the heir of Qin, in modern Europe.

So, I had two sides of the story to listen to.

Your name is WIES, isn't it? You are a European citizen?

I nodded.

You are now in your sixties, a writer, living alone with your dog. Where is he, by the way?

Suddenly, I was scared. My dog, where was he, how did I get here without my dog?

I stuttered, I left him at home. I was doing some shopping before all this happened.

The woman shouted something in Mandarin and people in her staff took action, they left in a hurry.

We have taken care of your dog. He will be transported over here real soon.

Thank you, I nearly got tears in my eyes. The very thought of my dog all alone at home almost broke me.

She shifted back to the story.

How do you feel about being the sole heir of the Emperor Qin?

I had to think for a minute.

I dunno, what does it mean? Am I rich all of a sudden, do I have to live here in Beijing? What if any are my responsibilities as an heir to an emperor?

All great questions...she looked at me with fondness in her eyes. I think you and I are going to work fine together. All will be revealed in due course.

First we will accommodate you inside a summer palace, with staff of your own. We will reunite you with your dog and provide written explanations of your whereabouts in Beijing for your family and friends. So, they won't worry about you. They can come and visit when things settle down a bit.

There is one thing you have to get used to.

And that is?

You'll be monitored 24/7 in your palace. Videos will be part of your daily routine. A special staff of security personnel will be responsible for the account of your every move. In every room, even on the toilet you will be monitored. You'll get used to it though, it's just a switch in your mindset. Nothing fundamental changes. And we are very responsible when it comes to your privacy. Welcome to modern China!

I had to let this info sink in for a bit. It resonated with the information I had about China and its spying on their own people.

I think I can live with that, my answer was. Can you bring me to my palace now? I am getting hungry all of a sudden. Do I have a cook in the house?

Yes you have. A staff of 5! I will bring you there now.

She brought me to a large taxi, settled me inside and gave directions to the driver.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep in the backseat.

While the story around the heir of the emperor tightened, outside in modern Beijing at Tiananmen square, the largest public square, people caught the daily flag raising at sunset.

And the Drum Tower dominated the area dating back to 1272 providing a magnificent view.

In the distance the Lama Temple, one of the most beautiful Tibetan Budhist Monestries outside of the Land of Snows can be visited where monks and locals pray daily at this ornately decorated one-time imperial palace.

In Greater Beijing there is the art district where in one factory it all began and now turned out to be Beijing's most cosmopolitan corner. The work is innovative and ingenious, sometimes even infuriating but never, never boring.

The Summer Palace, the Antique Market and the Beihai Park are worth visiting as well.

Beijing, magnificent and powerful Beijing.

To get under the skin of China's capital one must visit once the crisscross alleys and discover its unique street life with heavenly courtyard architecture, pinched lanes and a strong sense of community spirit.

Eat classic Beijing dishes, many of which you'll find only at places specializing in Beijing's cuisine like Zuo Lin You She Restaurant at 50 Meishugoan Houjie in the city of Beijing. One of 60,000 restaurants.

In the afternoon one can visit one of many little cafés to drink, chat and be merry.

When they talked there was a performance outside. Luckily a window stood open and I could hear a guqin, a string instrument especially crafted for the performer. Beautifully suited. I was mesmerized.

On my phone I looked it up.

For more than 30 minutes I was gone with my mind...I could not hear the talking any longer, but solely focused on the music.

This was China at its best! This was the country I wanted to get to know better. This was what my forefathers had in mind for me.

So, I interrupted both the talking, the music and my own thinking and said: YES! Yes, I will stay as the heir of Qin. Lead the way and I will follow. Show me what to do.

After a few weeks living, breathing and interacting with locals in Beijing I knew what my task would be as missionary in China. I would write, talk and mingle with others (lobby) on behalf of the Christian faith. 388 million Christians worldwide were being persecuted, India and China were the countries with the highest score. It was probably the psychological pressure that was the most tangible in China.

Because I was a European writer with Indonesian roots my presence in China was tolerated. I knew the government was aware of my whereabouts in their country, but they never once bothered me.

I had a staff of five people working with and for me. We lived in the small corners of the Summer Palace and after a few weeks, Sprout my dog joined us too. I was over the moon.

In early times dogs were treated as a delicatessen and people would capture, cook and eat dog. But not anymore. So there was no imminent danger for Sprout. And I kept an eye on him at all times. Outside the palace he was not allowed to roam without a leash.

After two months it was time to invite my brother Frits van Rijswijk to come over from the Netherlands. He was a firm believer of the faith and I knew he would love to see and experience where I was living now, and where I was doing my missionary work. We had been close by phone and email so he knew what I was doing those months. But it was better for him to see it firsthand.

Hi Frits, morning. I was especially chirpy that morning because I intended to bring him the good news. It was 6 hours later in Beijing. 10.41 am in the morning at his place.

Morning, Sis. I could tell he was still sleepy on this Monday morning. How are you and Sprout?

Fine, fine...I could not contain myself. I will send you your roundabout ticket to China from June 17 till Aug 2nd. 10 hour flight. Arrival the 18th, is that Okay? 860 euros. I will send a car to the airport to pick you up. You'll stay at the palace of course and we will have such a good time.. I will show you around for 1 1/2 month.

He was very excited and we discussed everything.

I was especially excited that my brother would visit. My little brother would see with me what my life looked like with the Lord in China. I felt humbled and proud at the same time.

I didn’t sleep the night before. I sat behind my computer, wondering if the plan to entertain my brother those first few days would work. It would play out 4 options I wanted to treat him with.

Of course the touristic highlights of the city Beijing. Then a tour along some of my dear projects, the Poorest Project, inspiring poor people; and the Word of the Lord Project, bible class with locals. I was very fond of both.
Third, there was an evening with some lectures on topics my brother would love, the Hudson Taylor Talk about missionary Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) in China and my own talk on missionary work.

After changing some of the details I closed files and walked to the kitchen to Mee, my dear cook. The Indo-Chinese cookie was busy making some last minutes cakes.

It’s 1 am, you should be in bed by now, I mockingly scolded her. It’s gonna be a busy few days with the visitor and all.

Of course, Lǎo bǎn (Boss), she replied with a smile. I am glad you yourself take your advice seriously. I set the timer and then I go. Good night and see you in the morning.

And she was off.

I looked in the fridge to see if she had left something of a treat for me, like she used to do.

There was some left-over-soup. Yummy, I filled a bowl and heated it in the microwave.

I sat down, ate and left the bowl in the sink. Then I switched off the light and went to bed.

At 7, I got notice my brother would arrive at the airport at 1 pm that afternoon. So, I send out a car to pick him up.

I took a shower, brushed my teeth, did my stretching, prayed to God and walked to the kitchen for some breakfast. Sprout was already awake and in full gear, after his morning walk with Jao, the gardener.

Hi, my lovely!

I told him the sad story of one of the Chiwawas from our previous street address in the Hague. They were always walking the streets without a leash. One of the big dogs said SNAP, and the Chiwawa died instantly. Police cars, neighborhood in peril, everything. I heard it on the app.

Sprout was very silent after my talk. As if he understood perfectly. Then he walked to his water bowl and started drinking.

I ate my soup cold, and had my first coffee. Because of my diabetes I was used to eating small portions throughout the day, rather than 3 big meals.

I checked the spare room and replaced the flowers to the nightstand. A big bunch from the garden, Jao had done well. A reminder I had to thank him.

At 9, I was fully occupied with daily business, at 12 I did a quick walk with Sprout and waited for the arrival of my brother with a small bite to eat.

Upon arrival we should have a good lunch together, I instructed Mee.

The gate opened and the car was parked. I hurried to the back door, opened it and embraced my brother with glee.

Yo, Bro, you made it. Welcome to China, to Beijing. Welcome to my house.

Sprout was excited as well, barking and moving around my brother and me. He recognized him all right.

That afternoon we talked during lunch, walked in the garden and had an enjoyable quiet dinner with the staff.

At 9 pm. my brother went to bed, it had been a tiring few days for him. He was glad he arrived.

Night, bro!

At 6 am. there was a sudden fright. A call from one of the friends in the countryside. There had been a police raid at 10 that evening. The police had arrested 10 people and a preacher inside their home where they attended a living room Mass. After several hours they released the parishioners, but the preacher and his assistant were still in custody. Charges unknown.

Immediately we arranged for an attorney.

At 8, at the breakfast table I filled in my brother with what happened during the night. He was also a member of the Open Doors association that provided information on persecuted Christians all over the world. He made some phone calls to his network.

By 11 there appeared to be some movement, a lot of bullying but no real danger. Within hours the preacher and his assistant were on the outside again, an experience richer.

We all were involved and nerve wrecked. Mee cooked us a light dinner and we all sat in the garden talking things through. We did the forbidden Falung Gong excersises to enhance our energy: Buddha Stretching a Thousand Arms (Fozhan Qianshou Fa); Falun Standing Stance (Falun Zhuangfa); Penetrating the Cosmic Extremes (Guantong Liangji Fa); Falun Cosmic Orbit (Falun Zhoutian Fa) and Strengthening Supernatural Powers (Shentong Jiachi Fa).

The moon and stars were playing their part in the story of the arrested Christians. In the wee hours of the night we at last fell asleep, exhausted.

In the morning Frits and I prepared a text for our lectures. I persuaded him to talk also on that next gathering.

I tried my luck in Chinese Mandarin but switched to English. Too difficult at this stage.

Chinese is often referred to as a language of pictographs. Many of the basic Chinese characters are in fact highly stylized pictures of what they represent, but around 90 percent are compounds of a meaning element and a sound element.

A well educated contemporary Chinese person might use between 6000 and 8000 characters. To read a Chinese newspaper you need to know 2000 to 3000 characters but 1200 to 1500 would be enough to get the gist.

In 1958 the Chinese adopted Pinyin, a system of writing their language using the Roman alphabet. The original idea was to eventually do away with Chinese characters. However traditions die hard and the idea was abandoned. Pinyin is often used at shop fronts, street signs and advertising billboards.

Mandarin is a language with a large number of words with the same pronunciation but a different meaning.

So, I stuck to English for the time being. And so did my brother.

In that first week we pretty much established a daily routine that worked for the both of us.

I did some research on a Christian missionary who went from the Netherlands to Indonesia and worked during the second world war. Johannes “Pa” van der Steur (1865-1945). In the 19th century there was a migration stream of missionaries and missioners all inspired to bring the true Christian belief to the East. The Caritas blossomed and churches, hospitals, schools, leprosy institutions and its infrastructure were built.

I felt I was a kindred spirit wanting the same for China.

The population identifying as Christian has largely stabilized in recent years. This plateau is widely attributed to heightened government restrictions and digital surveillance under President Xi Jinping’s “Sinicization” policy, which requires that religious practices align with state-defined ideologies.

In 2026, China's Christian population was approximately 72.2 million of the 1.405 billion people. (5.14%) Believers face escalating state repression, including church demolitions, mass arrests of prominent leaders, and disruptions of peaceful worship.

There was a lot of work still to do.

Frits worked on his talk.

And Sprout did what he was best in: sleeping!

When we were teens my brother and I had a complicated relationship. Our youth was far from a safe and loving upbringing. Lots of fighting, verbal abuse and hardship in general. We brought that with us every time we faced each other as adults. Except when I joined the army of the Lord, then all of a sudden we could get along just fine. I was happy about this development.

My brother was a firm believer all of his life, although he struggled being also a philosopher. I only saw the light a couple of months ago and was now already involved in missionary work in China. How fast can you go?! I felt I could learn a lot from my brother.

What could I learn from him?

Just make it as concrete as possible.

To be and stay humble.

Frits said once to me: You are not humble (enough). I didn’t know what he meant and certainly didn’t agree. That was before I met the Lord.

The Bible teaches that humility is the foundation of faith, defining it not as weakness, but as putting God's will first and valuing others. It promises that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, ultimately exalting those who humbly serve Him. The scriptures on humility:

1. Valuing Others: Christians are instructed to avoid selfish ambition and instead count others more significant than themselves (more in Philippians 2:3-4).
2. A Teachable Spirit: Jesus taught that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must have the humility and teachability of a little child.
3. Walking Humbly: Micah 6:8 summarizes God's requirement for humanity: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".

The Rewards of Humility:

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2). Exaltation and Honor: Multiple passages, such as Luke 14:11, state that those who humble themselves will be exalted. God's Favor: James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both heavily emphasize that God grants favor to the humble.

In the morning I was reminiscing about our youth, in the afternoon I tried to give a voice on paper to those thoughts. I kept a journal, wrote sermon-like notes and tried to lay down my own faith's process in a blog.

At 5 pm, we met for tea and cake and had our evaluation of the day.

It was a joy to have those family gatherings before dinner.

Tomorrow we would visit the city and act more like tourists. I was looking forward to that. I didn’t have much time so far myself to explore the city. It was necessary to meet Beijing.

We started early In the Xicheng District, Beijing, the Beijing Massage Hospital, founded in 1958, the birthplace of modern blind medical massage in China. 85 dollars for 1 hour. Traditional Chinese massage performed by highly trained blind individuals.

We came out renewed, our muscles were loose again. Because my brother and myself always resided in our heads, it was good to realize we also had a body that needed relaxing and unwinding.

Afterward we drank coffee at a local restaurant.

The plan was to go sightseeing until lunchtime; crisscrossing the streets and local shops for one hour before having lunch in the Space Lab, where food descends from the ceiling via a 360-degree metallic orbital track. Dishes slide right onto your table in UFO-shaped delivery pods within 17 seconds. The Food: Primarily Western-style, such as burgers, steaks, pizzas, and pastas.

I wanted to treat my brother on some place unique.

We both ordered a pasta with a glass of red wine. Nothing fancy, but tasteful.

In the afternoon we both wanted to see the great wall for a couple of hours and the forbidden city private tour, with English speaking guide and driver we were busy for 6 hours in total.

Then it was time again to go home for an attractive dinner prepared by Mee. Boy, were we hungry.

She made a Chinese meal for two with meat, veggies, noodles and fortune cookies. My brother’s said: Psalm 23:2-3 (NIV): "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.". Mine said: Psalm 121:8 (NIV): "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

We had an excellent time and enjoyed the day.

In the evening we entertained some friends and watched the best and most acclaimed religious movie about missionaries in North Africa Of Gods and Men (2010).Based on a true story, this French drama follows a community of Trappist monks living in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria during the 1990s.

They peacefully serve their impoverished Muslim neighbors by operating a medical clinic, but are forced to make a harrowing moral decision when a violent civil war breaks out and Islamic fundamentalists threaten their lives. The film is celebrated for its deep exploration of faith, community, and devotion.

We had a lively discussion about this wonderful movie.

The next three weeks were a mercy to the both of us.

Frits could take care of me while I was suddenly incapacitated because of lumbago in my lower back. I couldn’t move properly and walked bent like a hoop. It was awful and very painful. But I was so thankful this happened while my brother was there to take care of me and Sprout.

I was graced to have my staff present in my hour of need, but to have a family member taken care of poor old me was a true blessing and another humbling experience.

Frits took really good care of me, and took over some of my missionary tasks like leading in prayer and taking care of bible class. We were able to continue more or less the activities around the poor.

He was surprised at how rewarding missionary work was and I felt blessed to have given him this sight of his personality to ponder about. Perhaps he would continue while back in his country?

And then something unexpected happened.

At one of the lectures he met a woman named Quisha, a Christian woman violinist in an orchestra. They were clearly smitten and everything was different now for Frits. They even talked about him coming back to China after his stay with me to explore what they wanted to do with their relationship.

Because they both were not the youngest they felt they had to act quickly in order not to lose precious time. I was so happy for them both, things couldn’t be better. Quisha was a lovely woman and Frits was over the moon.

Once a month I wrote to inmates from The United States on death row to keep them in the eye of the beholder, not to forget those in their darkest hour of need, who were tried and convicted for hideous crimes and waiting to get killed in the system. Although I was against their crimes I also felt mercy for their souls. So, for months now I singled out a few inmates and wrote to them.

This month it was a letter back to Manuel from California.

[…]

Thank you for your letter. Your handwriting is very beautiful and elegant for such a big guy with all his teeth present…HAHA!

No, in all honesty, your handwriting is steady, and very nice. I am more of a computer text person, writing from the keyboard with one index finger. I am slow but love to write.

I think you should not feel guilty because you get your college for free, you just take advantage of the possibility and learn and make everybody proud! What do you study?

I did Psychology long time ago. Always comes in handy!

You also do self-help groups and bible class? I am a layperson who lives in China, talking and writing about the Lord.

We should find time to pray together so you will know that you are not forgotten.

You can always write me and I will try to write back once a month. Take care and God Bless you.

[…]

Together with the Watchtower of The Jehovah Witness we spread the word that week. In China we sometimes collaborate with other groups to save energy and time.

“People around the world deal with problems that cause them to feel sadness, anxiety, and even pain. Have you ever faced a situation that made you feel those things? Perhaps you are suffering because of an illness or because someone you love has died. You may ask yourself, ‘Will life ever get better?’ The Bible provides a reassuring answer to that question.

1. How does the Bible give hope?

The Bible not only explains why the world is filled with problems but also shares the good news that these problems are temporary and will soon be gone. The Bible’s promises can “give you a future and a hope.” (Read Jeremiah 29:11, 12.)

Those promises help us to cope with our present problems, to have a positive attitude, and to find lasting happiness.

2. What kind of future does the Bible describe?

The Bible describes a future time when “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Read Revelation 21:4.) The problems that can make life seem hopeless today—such as poverty, injustice, sickness, and death—will no longer exist. The Bible promises that humans will be able to enjoy life forever in Paradise on earth.

3. How can you build up your trust in the hope the Bible gives?

Many people hope for good things to happen, but they cannot be sure that their hopes will ever be fulfilled. What the Bible promises is different. We can build up our trust in what it says by “carefully examining the Scriptures.” (Acts 17:11) As you study the Bible, you will be able to decide for yourself whether you can believe what it says about the future.”

In small groups we talked about the bible. Despite my pain in my lower back I was content.

My brother would leave within a few days.

Because we spend so much time together discussing the faith and being involved with prayer I made a decision that would alter my life as well. After he would be gone, I would enlist in a theology study online to deepen my faith and prepare me for my missionary work in Beijing. I already made some inquiries and found a suitable university that would help me get ready for a new plan for my life.

I was excited, to say the least.

And he made the decision to come back within a month to explore his relationship with Quisha. I couldn’t have been more happy about that. Who knows what the future would hold?

Anyway, it looked like we would be more involved with each other’s lives. We both agreed the time spent was great and we were grateful, and we praised the Lord to have found a new beginning between us siblings.

I found a green, rubber band bracelet in my belongings, I wasn’t sure where I got it but it was there. It said with black letters: Jesus Loves You. I thought it was awesome. Light waited, cheap to make I reckoned, clear and concise. In other words fun and effective. I loved it.

I was thinking about some merchandise that would be incorporated into our missionary work and this was it.

I put the one I found on my wrist and didn’t let go.

For the rest I outsourced it to a factory in the neighborhood. They promised to have the order of 10,000 by next Friday. It cost us 200 euro or 15,555 yuan. 2 cents per bracelet. It was a good investment.

When the boxes arrived at the palace I was very excited. It felt like Christmas, opening presents.

Thank you. Lord.

Because I was the heir of Qin, the emperor of the Qin dynasty, they sponsored my ministry. In return I tried to do research on Qin and incorporate some of his work in mine.

That was difficult enough, since Qin wasn’t the most democratic of emperors. He was a brutal and savage master with a death fetish. A sinner no doubt so a true object for me to make the most of.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang (the first emperor of a unified China) was a brilliant visionary but a brutal tyrant.

His good traits (innovation, ambition, and administrative genius) laid the foundation for modern China, while his bad traits (paranoia, ruthlessness, and extreme cruelty) caused immense suffering.

The Good: Visionary and Administrator Unification: He successfully conquered the warring states, ending centuries of bloodshed and politically unifying mainland China.

Standardization: He standardized language/writing, currency, and systems of weight and measurement, which connected diverse cultures and boosted trade.

Infrastructure: He ordered the construction of massive infrastructure networks, including early versions of the Great Wall and elaborate canal systems.

Meritocracy: He promoted government officials and generals based on competence and skill rather than noble birthright.

The Bad: Ruthless and Paranoid Tyrant

Authoritarianism: He strictly enforced Legalism, outlawing other philosophies and executing hundreds of intellectuals who opposed him.

Book Burning: He ordered the notorious destruction of historical and philosophical texts to erase pre-imperial history and control the narrative.

Forced Labor: Hundreds of thousands of peasants and prisoners were forced to work on his massive, dangerous construction projects, resulting in countless deaths.

Paranoia: Driven by a desperate, obsessive fear of death and assassination, he enacted draconian laws, melted down weapons, and buried alive the artisans who built his tomb.

He was a person of dual perspective. But I thought it was only good to also be honest and frank about his shortcomings.

I made a wooden plank with his quote and put it in the lobby of the palace!

On establishing his legacy: "I am Emperor, my descendants will be numerous. From the second generation to the ten thousandth, my line will not end." (Spoken when declaring the title of "Shi Huangdi" or "First Emperor" and establishing his divine right to rule.)

I thought it was appropriate, since I was the last in line.

On the morning of Frits’ departure we prayed the rosary:

‘Make the Sign of the Cross.
Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
On the first bead, say an Our Father.
Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
Say the Glory Be
For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture), then say the Our Father.
While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys’ while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
(After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.)
After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this dialogue and prayer:
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.’

We both were struggling a little bit between praying the rosary in Dutch or in English, but we managed. It was in spirit a good prayer and most importantly to protect Frits at his travel back home.

We had a lovely lunch in silence and then it was time to say goodbye.

We’ll meet soon, I assured him with tears in my eyes. He nodded. Then he was gone. I waved to the back of the taxi.

I didn’t have much time myself since I had a meeting with Quisha, Frits’ girlfriend. She had said her goodbyes the day before, so they would have had their proper time before he would be gone for more than a month. But she wanted to talk to me. So, I took the car with my personal driver Johnny and went to see her in a suburb of Beijing.

When I saw her, with her hair tucked back in a shawl and dressed in a nice female outfit, she normally wore jeans, I sensed that something important had to be discussed.

And so it was.

She sat in front of me, pour tea in two cups, provided for sugar and sweetener and blurred it out:

I am pregnant.

Tears in her eyes. But she was also jubilant and proud.

Do you want this child? Yes. Does Frits know? No. Do you think he will be happy? Yes. Do you think he will marry
you? On the spot.

Why didn’t you tell him this yesterday?

I didn’t want to corner him in his decision. I will tell him tonight in his hotel, over the phone. But he has to be free to make up his mind. I love him too much.

Ok, your decision. But if you two are gonna marry I want to organize it for you, in the palace of course.

We both laughed.

First things first, she said. Frits need to know first.

Of course Frits was over the moon happy and came rushing over immediately to marry his woman. He never made it to the Netherlands, but was back in a few hours not to leave again without his bride-to-be.

Everything he had to organize back home would be possible at a later date with the two of them working together as husband and wife.

So, we planned the date for four weeks later so they had time to find a place to live. In the meantime they stayed at Quishia’s flat.

Mee, the cook and my staff spend overtime to organize everything. I myself was only necessary with the preparation of the sermon. It was not my call to marry them since I still was a laywoman preacher. But I had my network.

The day came. It was marvelous. The weather, the people, the ceremony, the presence of the Lord, everything was as it should be.

Quishia and Frits said their vows and gave each other their word.
China was the perfect background for this young, not-that-young-couple, smiling to each other in their most hopeful and joyous of moments.

I was glad, since Christ had provided me with a family in a country that blossomed. I had a task to fulfill, I knew that much. And it was the lord himself who gave direction to my life.

Sprout sat next to me when they said YES!

And we were happy.

The End

WC: 7207

Featured in "Short Stories Newsletter (June 17, 2026)"