Chen Yinhui, a dynamic woman, goes from Buddhism to Christianity
Taipei (AsiaNews) - Ms Yinhui Chen (陳 姻 蕙 小姐) has run an advertising agency for years, especially in TV and Internet marketing and promotion.
Such is her expertise that she has been very good at picking the cream of the crop of Taiwan's new tech-savvy college graduates.
Given her inexhaustible energy and understanding, something rare among her cohort of entrepreneurs, media companies have lined up to consult her company.
Born into a Buddhist family, she chose the Christian faith "for its dynamism". Although she deeply respects her parents' tradition in which she too was raised, she has never regretted her choice to change.
I was baptised on Easter night of 2012. Until a few years earlier, I had no a clue about who Catholics were. I had heard about them, but I did not know anyone.
Working briefly with the Kuangchi Program Service (光啓 社), for the first time in my life, I met missionaries: Father Jerry (丁松筠 神父) and Father Bob (劉 神父).
Bob was an American in a wheelchair. I was drawn to his story. He was someone who was very much at peace with himself and his situation. I wondered whether his Christian faith had anything to do with his openness to life. All this and much whirled around in my head.
I opened a marketing agency that was personally fulfilling. Yet, something was missing.
After a few months, I asked to be baptised. I think it was more out of curiosity than anything else.
I had heard stories about missionaries, and not all men. The nuns especially intrigued me because they had a very deep inner life. Their work for those on the margins of society struck be in particular.
One time, a Catholic friend of mine invited me to a catechism session, in Holy Family Parish. The pastor took me under his wings, and patiently accompanied me on my long journey. I attended catechism for eight months.
After I was baptised on Easter night, some people asked me whether I was rushing into things. Others told me instead if I want to learn to swim, I had to jump into the water. What better way to learn about a life of faith than joining a community in which I "had to swim". Without experience, one cannot really understand the Christian life.
I graduated with a degree in International Business (國際 企業) in 1998 from the National Taiwan University (台大). I am not sure why I chose that field, but I did enjoy my college years.
I also volunteered with prison inmates, which I continue to do to this day on a weekly basis. Every Saturday I teach, and organise social and educational activities.
At first, I worked at things that were unrelated to any type of business, by which I mean things that earned lots of money. At the same time, I was also involved in fundraising, especially for two non-profit organisations.
My Christian community, my Bible study group, has 15 members. We share a lot. My favourite Gospel pages are those in which Peter talks to Jesus. Although Peter often does not understand much, I like it because he is sincere and generous.
For me, helping others is undoubtedly my greatest passion. Since I still have a lot of energy, I want to use it to bear witness to God's generosity. I am very interested in prison inmates.
One theologian I like because of his way of making the Gospel message relevant today is Father Jesus Muñoz (穆 神父). He has a style all of his own that fits my interests and needs. He is not put off by simple or even stupid questions; everything for him is important.
In my future, I want to be satisfied and happy about what I am planning. There is a lot of hope that women can play increasingly important roles in society and take on greater responsibilities.
Truth be told, even men are under great pressure, especially in the family. They have to work and earn money, and in our culture, they are not supposed to show weaknesses. They cannot cry! But things are getting on a more even keel. Now everyone is crying, men and women.
There are many women in the Christian community, but vocations to the priesthood are slightly down. None of us is planning to give up though. The Church cannot stop; it must, however, improve communication with the young generations.
Too often, we use an old-fashioned language, protesting and blocking things, instead of being more constructive and courageous in understanding different positions. I would like to see more debate. This is something closer to my personality.
Basically, I am in good company, because from what I read and hear, even Pope Francis said, "Who am I to judge?" In fact, in the Christian community, thanks to the Holy Spirit, there is a legitimate plurality of positions.
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