It took me a long time to think about what I should write in my article this time, however, the word Terrorism came into my head. My iphone brought me the news of Paris, the heart of France, even Europe. As I write this something like 129 people died and many hundreds wounded in this terror attack.
Terrorists used to cover their faces with masks while holding the hostages. The political goals were made known, and on many occasions, whether released by the terrorists or police raids. most of the hostages would survive. That changed in Paris. None of the terrorists covered their faces. In the theatre (owned by a Jewish family), the massive slaughter of 10 minutes or more, the terrorists re-loaded and kept shooting people.
Those terrorists with suicide bombs tied up in their bodies, along with killing themselves yelled out their "Holy War" slogan. The purpose of terrorist attack was once for political cause, now a political/religious one. Killing someone is in order to pursue religion belief. The logic is bewildering.
A few months ago, I wrote a article about Lindt Café in Martin Place, Sydney, now Paris. I ask what is the core reason for terrorism? In my view terrorism stems first from a lack of temporal power. But we know that once such people get the power they crave, then no one is safe. This terrorism is a cancer upon us all.
My story
I was born in South West of China, city of Chongqing. It is known as the "mountain city" and raised there for 19 years. I completed my primary and secondary school there and in all those years, I never once heard the word "Christian".
After I completed my high school in 2005, I went to Malaysia to continue my education at the University of Hertfordshire (England UH) which has an international campus in Malaysia. It is called the INTI International University College. Students come from all over the world to study at the 'UH' Malaysian campus.
As my first language is Mandarin, not English, I had to complete an English foundation course before I was allowed to start any major course at the university. I met Ms Kang, who is from South Korea, in the English foundation class. She was very friendly to me, so we became good friends in the 3 month English course.
Once I completed the English course, I enrolled as an Accounting student in my second semester in the university. In the class, I found some of the accounting classmates would attend church every Sunday morning. At first I felt weird around them, in a sense I was comparing myself with them, I always put Sunday to better use, to sleep in till lunch time.
One day, I was having a 'gathering dinner' with English course classmates, and Kang was there as well. During the dinner, Kang and I had a very long chat, this was unusual as we were both busy. We had not seen each other for quite some time.
Invited to church
I could not remember how we started the conversation about going to church, and then she invited me to visit her church, which located in Kuala Lumpur City. At that time, all I could imagine was the different shapes of church buildings. But I had no idea how people worship inside the building. However, I said "no thanks" to Kang's invitation by using an excuse as I need to sleep in on Sunday morning.
For the next couple of times when I met Kang, she always mentioned about visiting her church. Finally, I felt that I could not say no to her any longer, and finally I went to church with her one Sunday. The church is called "City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur". The church building is not a traditional building, but a modern one, the service starts at 10:00 am every Sunday.
I was welcomed warmly by the ushers, I stepped into the church hall, and was so amazed by the inside of this building. There was a 'big performance stage' in the front centre of the church, the musical team were playing the instruments and leading the singing. After the singing, Pastor Kevin, a young Chinese in his 30s, gave the congregation a sermon that centred on how God loves us and gave His only Son Jesus Christ to forgive our sins.
I was so touched by the Spirit of the Lord after the sermon presented by Pastor Kevin. I remembered when I was listening, more than once I felt like crying out to God. At that time I could not tell the reason why I had that kind of feeling. Now I realised that my heart was woken by the power of God's Love.
26 May 2006
After the first visit to church, I attended each Sunday service at City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur. And on the 26th May 2006, I made a very important decision in my life that I wanted to follow Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.
I finished my university life in Malaysia in November 2008, and migrated to Australia to be with my parents on the same month. I initially served the Croydon Park - North Campsie Baptist Church in Sydney as a visual aid specialist for three years. My wife Heyley (also Chinese) and I now worship at an Anglican church in Auburn.
In my view that God have a special plan for each one of His children. I encourage everyone to trust in the Lord and follow the path God has planned for each one of us. Along this path, we will feel the love of the Lord, light of His way and God's passion!
Oscar Duan is from China, he has an accountancy degree from University of Hertfordshire (UH) International campus in Malaysia, and has undertaken further accountancy studies in Australia for accreditation here. He is married to Heyley.
Oscar Duan's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/oscar-duan.html
