Love is a lifetime of persistence

Media missionary Peng Menghui

▲From a young girl to old age, her blond hair turned into silver threads. Time may have changed Priest Peng’s appearance and body, but it could not take away her innocence and enthusiasm. Reporter (Liao Meihui) took a photo with Peng Menghui.

She has many names, some call her "Doris", some call her "Rebekah", some call her "Teacher Peng", some league members call her "Grandma", some Muslim friends call her " Mother of All Nations. She didn't care what she was called, because from beginning to end, she knew her most important role was that of a missionary.

She is 88 years old and has lived in Taiwan for more than a decade. The people in Taiwan love her and the church in Taiwan is proud of her. She has received numerous awards, her students are all over the world, and her missionary journey has traveled to five continents of the world. She is the handmaiden of God - Doris Brougham.

Missionaries who responded to the call of China

Peng Menghui, known as "the English teacher of 23 million people", was born in Seattle, USA in 1926. She grew up in a devout Christian family. She was the sixth of eight children in the family. At the age of twelve, he made a wish to preach the gospel to the Chinese people.

During the summer vacation when she was twelve years old, Peng Menghui attended a summer Bible camp. The speaker, Rev. Ji Zhiwen, was a preacher from China. From Rev. Ji’s words, she heard about this ancient country far in the east... "The early missionaries came to China, many of them paid with their lives." Every time he heard the true stories of missionaries' sacrifice and martyrdom, Peng Menghui was not afraid, but was deeply moved and inspired.

"Who is willing to go to China to help the needs of the people there?" A small arm was raised in the crowd. Everyone smiled at the little girl's behavior, but no one took this promise seriously. But in her little heart, Peng Menghui knew clearly that "raising her hand" this time was her covenant with God and her commitment to China's call.

In 1948, at the age of 21, Peng Menghui waved goodbye to her family at the dock in her hometown of Seattle, and then embarked on a missionary journey to China. That was the last time she saw her parents in her life.

From 1948 to 1949, the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party was extremely tragic. Peng Menghui witnessed the tragedy of that era with his own eyes. He fled from Shanghai to Chongqing, then to Lanzhou, and finally followed the missionary association to retreat to Hong Kong amidst the turmoil and critical situation. Finally, Peng Menghui chose a place where he could preach freely, a small island in the ocean called "Formosa" , also known as "Taiwan".

"There is no turning back in the life of a missionary." Peng Menghui traveled from Hong Kong to Taiwan and found that churches were mainly concentrated in cities on the west coast, while the east side of the Pacific Ocean on the other end was almost blank. “Churches have been established from Tamsui to Pingtung, especially Tainan, which is booming. Only Hualien is still a wasteland...” In this way, Peng Menghui came to Hualien in 1951.

During her time in Hualien, she taught music at Yushan Theological Seminary, founded a small church, led a Sunday school with only nine children, formed a children's choir, trained Sunday school teachers, wrote poems... and became a good friend of the local indigenous people. .

Founded the "Aerial English Classroom" and "Tianyun Choir", a missionary who flies with wings

"What is the fastest way to let the most people hear about Christianity?" In the 1950s, there was no television in Taiwan, and the most mainstream media was radio. As a result, Taiwan's first gospel radio program was born under Peng Menghui's initiative. In 1960, Peng Menghui moved from Hualien to Taipei to establish the "Salvation Communication Association". In 1962, "Air English Classroom" and "Tian Yun Choir" in 1962 were established one after another under Peng Menghui's promotion.

In the early 1960s, in order to save the Salvation Communication Association from having to move frequently, it was necessary to buy land and build a building. Peng Menghui had no choice but to return to the United States and Canada to raise funds. "It's always embarrassing to ask people for money, but when I think that it's not for myself, but for God, I dare to speak boldly!" This is Peng Menghui's way of cheering himself up.

The founding co-workers of the "Salvation Communication Association" and Peng Menghui witnessed God opening the way step by step, from scratch, from small to large. During this period, they encountered numerous difficulties and challenges such as floods and earthquakes, but "the trials are difficult, and the trials are passed." ”, they were extremely grateful.

Today, "Air English Classroom" and "Tianyun" have passed their 50th birthday. "Tian Yun Choir" is Taiwan's first full-time Christian music group. In addition to appearing on radio and television, it is also active in missionary work overseas. "Music knows no borders. Music is the common language of mankind. There is almost no one who doesn't like music. In addition to singing, the members' life testimonies are also missionary." He loves music, and the trumpet has almost become Peng Menghui's "registered trademark." The thought of using "music for evangelism" is not only what she is good at, but also comes from God's guidance. Peng Menghui, an "action man", always comes up with just the right new ideas when he needs them most.

Creative and lively missionary

"How to preach the gospel effectively?" "How to let more people hear the gospel faster?" "How to seize opportunities to help people in need?" "How to "give" your life like Jesus Christ?" These are A basic belief that Peng Menghui has been thinking about and practicing throughout his life.

She has always been a different kind of missionary. Teaching English, holding evening parties, setting up poetry groups, setting up Bible study groups...there are many ingenious ideas and endless creativity. In addition to giving speeches in government units, private enterprises, campuses, Taiwan, China... everywhere, the goal is always the same: to share the Christian faith with the Chinese people.

"Although "Online English Classroom" is not classified as a religious magazine, readers all know that the teachers are Christians, so the values of Christian faith are already being transmitted and influenced by readers invisibly!" Peng Menghui emphasized: "Preaching the gospel is not Just say "Jesus loves you" on your lips, but also live it out in your life and truly care about the needs of the people around you."

One time, Peng Menghui took a taxi in Taipei and preached the gospel to the driver─

"You like to go to church and go to heaven, but I like this world better!" the driver said.

"It's good that you like this world. This world is indeed a very good place. Since God gave us this world, He will definitely give us a better heaven..." Peng Menghui tried to understand his position.

The taxi driver probably never thought about it.

"Priest Peng will not force people to learn things, but will push you with a relaxed attitude when necessary! Let you think from another angle." A member of Tianyun said that many Everyone around Peng Menghui has "benefited" from Peng Menghui's crucial "push".

▲The 88-year-old Pastor Peng rehearses with the Tianyun Choir at Ruoge Church in New Jersey, playing the trumpet with great energy.

▲Tianyun Meidong Music Evangelism Tour on March 28th and 30th, 2014.

The missionary who never retires

A concept that Peng Menghui has been practicing throughout his life is - "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Peng Menghui has been a missionary for 67 years, and has spent almost two-thirds of her life in Taiwan. However, she does not have her own house or car; most of her clothes, purses, and jewelry are gifts from others. The only exclusive item is a small trumpet. "I gave all my money to God, and He is better at taking care of it than I am. If I need it, He will definitely provide it!" Peng Menghui pointed to the smartphone in his hand and said to the author, "Look, this is a gift from my good friend Wang Xuehong. Give it to me!" (Wang Xuehong is the daughter of Wang Yongqing of Formosa Plastics Group and the founder of HTC.)

For more than 60 years, Peng Menghui has been famous all over the world and influenced countless lives. From a young girl to her old age, the years may have changed her appearance and body, but they cannot take away her innocence and enthusiasm! The eighty-eight-year-old is not only familiar with computer operations, frequently surfs the Internet, uses smartphones, but also uses her free time to learn diving.

Everyone who knows Peng Menghui has this impression: she is a happy person. Having been a missionary all her life, she has experienced one thing in life: when people let go of themselves and leave themselves in the hands of God, they will experience true joy.

At the end of the interview, Peng Menghui actually led the author to sing a song he learned in childhood: "J in JOY is Jesus (Christ), O is Others (others), and Y is You (self)..."

▲Priest Peng’s teachings are all over the world and he has influenced countless lives. In March 2014, many students from the "Air English Classroom" made a special trip to visit her at the "Tian Yun" US East concert.

No wonder Peng Menghui is a joyful missionary throughout her life, because she deals with people in this order - Christ, others, and finally herself.

"Have you ever thought about retirement?" The author asked the last question.

"I have thought about this question many years ago and asked Rev. Billy Graham (Rev. Billy Graham, a world-renowned evangelist who is 95 years old this year). I now have a very clear answer - 'There is no retirement for Christians.' If I still have the ability to do something, why should I give up the opportunity? I would rather be burned than disappear without a reason.”

Peng Menghui, who is still the editor-in-chief of "Air English" Classroom, not only does not retire himself, but also influences many Christians who were originally preparing to retire to continue working for God. Including Mr. Wei Huaxia, who once worked for World Vision and has been called by the Lord. She was finally invited by her to serve as the chairman of the "Salvation Communication Association", which he did for eighteen years.

Peng Menghui said: "The Salvation Communication Association" does not belong to her. Even if one day she passes away, this organization will still operate well. Because every co-worker performs his or her own duties, every co-worker has a sense of mission, and every co-worker knows that the real boss is God.

This little girl who raised her hands and made a covenant with God at the age of twelve has now turned her golden hair into silver. The wish I had when I was a child is still a lifelong persistence. The songs from her childhood still echo in her heart; Peng Menghui grew up with Taiwan. What is valuable is not her "great achievements" but her "sincere dedication." Peng Menghui is a different kind of missionary; a missionary who insists on giving love throughout his life.

postscript:

▲On the table, she teaches English, but in real life, she teaches life!

In late March 2014, Peng Menghui made a special trip back to Seattle to receive the "Lifetime Honor Award" from the U.S. Congressman, and led "Tian Yun" to the Eastern United States for the fifth time. The interview time coincided with dinner time, and the co-workers asked Pastor Peng to have dinner first, but she said, "Eating is a small matter, and cooperation to allow reporters to complete the interview is more important than eating." During the interview, I felt Pastor Peng's thoughtfulness and sincerity everywhere. . Pastor Peng showed reporters a photo album, including photos with celebrities from all walks of life such as President Ma Ying-jeou and Jackie Chan, as well as students from various places. One of them was a photo of her and Jeremy Lin. Seeing that the reporter seemed particularly fond of Jeremy Lin, Pastor Peng actually said proactively: "If you like this photo, I can give it to you!" Finally, he gave it to him himself. A signed book "Lifelong Friend-Peng Menghui" allowed the reporter to truly understand that she has been practicing "giving good things to others!" throughout her life. This also includes dedicating her best youth to others. Gave it to Taiwan.