Hello Dear Great Ones,
The Umbrella Revolution still lingers on in Hong Kong, although it seems to be on its last legs. Many of the protestors were students and they are back at school. Public opinion, once so positive for the protestors, has dwindled. People want to carry on with their lives, the blocked roads have become annoying causing traffic jams.
Yet, despite the fading of the Umbrella Revolution and the Chinese government not giving into the protestors demands, I believe something good will come out of all this. The Hong Kong protests were initiated by Christians. Churches opened their doors to protesters so they could rest and get food. Church groups sang and prayed at the protests. Unfortunately the media barely mentioned this, focussing rather on the pepper spray and the scuffles. Still there is no question that the Umbrella Revolution set new standards on how to run a successful protest. Peaceful, courteous, picking up garbage, recycling, no looting, no destruction, lots of talk, lots of encouragement. Very Christian.
Images of the protest managed to find their way through the great internet fire wall of China and I believe that some time in the near future similar demonstrations will occur there. China will soon be the largest Christian country in the world. The persecution of Christianity there by the government only fuels the curiosity and desire of the people to understand what and who Jesus Christ is all about. The persecution is actually helping Christianity grow like wildfire in China. I believe eventually it will be the millions of Christians in China that will protest against the oppressive and draconian government of the People's (how ironic) Republic of China like they did in Hong Kong and basically shut the country down.
The government will have to take action, but it is hard to believe they will respond like Tianamin. It would hurt business and economic success is the main reason why the communists even remain in power in China. More likely they will respond like the old GDR and give concessions, opening the wall so to speak for freedom of expression, and more opportunities to elect leaders who are not 100% sold out on communism. Intellectual moderates with strong Christian ties will win the day.
That is my greatest hope and prayer for China.
Here again are some personal photos from a unique moment in Hong Kong history, nay Chinese history.
Student's artwork at the Canton Road protest site.
International signs were everywhere at the Admiralty Protest site. This is German and it means: Enough now! For democracy.
Umbrellas everywhere.
Setting up beds at the Canton Road protest site.
Supply tents.
At a barricade.
Banners everywhere.
View of the protest site. Note in the distance a man sitting on a bridge with a huge air mattress below to save him if he jumps. The man was an anti-protestor and wanted the protest to end. He eventually was taken away by police.
Canadians including my brother Sven providing support.
Media from around the world was there in full force.
Violence against the protestors made them more determined.
Posted notes on the Lennon Wall.
A close up of the anti-protestor.
Polite protestors. Many on their mobile phone.
Kind protestors giving Sven a hand over a barrier.
Barriers blocking off traffic.
Supply tent.
The Umbrella Revolution still lingers on in Hong Kong, although it seems to be on its last legs. Many of the protestors were students and they are back at school. Public opinion, once so positive for the protestors, has dwindled. People want to carry on with their lives, the blocked roads have become annoying causing traffic jams.
Yet, despite the fading of the Umbrella Revolution and the Chinese government not giving into the protestors demands, I believe something good will come out of all this. The Hong Kong protests were initiated by Christians. Churches opened their doors to protesters so they could rest and get food. Church groups sang and prayed at the protests. Unfortunately the media barely mentioned this, focussing rather on the pepper spray and the scuffles. Still there is no question that the Umbrella Revolution set new standards on how to run a successful protest. Peaceful, courteous, picking up garbage, recycling, no looting, no destruction, lots of talk, lots of encouragement. Very Christian.
Images of the protest managed to find their way through the great internet fire wall of China and I believe that some time in the near future similar demonstrations will occur there. China will soon be the largest Christian country in the world. The persecution of Christianity there by the government only fuels the curiosity and desire of the people to understand what and who Jesus Christ is all about. The persecution is actually helping Christianity grow like wildfire in China. I believe eventually it will be the millions of Christians in China that will protest against the oppressive and draconian government of the People's (how ironic) Republic of China like they did in Hong Kong and basically shut the country down.
The government will have to take action, but it is hard to believe they will respond like Tianamin. It would hurt business and economic success is the main reason why the communists even remain in power in China. More likely they will respond like the old GDR and give concessions, opening the wall so to speak for freedom of expression, and more opportunities to elect leaders who are not 100% sold out on communism. Intellectual moderates with strong Christian ties will win the day.
That is my greatest hope and prayer for China.
Here again are some personal photos from a unique moment in Hong Kong history, nay Chinese history.
Police presence.
Pray for Hong Kong and China.
Love adios and ping on!
Dirk
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