AMBASSADOR OUTREACH
TAIWAN EMBASSY RESIDENCE OF
AMBASSADOR AND MRS. DAVID LIN
I was very excited when David returned from Parliament one day, and said he had enjoyed a delightful conversation with the Ambassador from Taiwan. The very next day we received an unexpected invitation from Ambassador David Lin to be his guests for dinner. The Taiwan Embassy residence was a good hour and a half drive out in the countryside near Waterloo. It was very difficult to find, and quite a drive from the European Union area in which we live. After several stops to ask directions, we finally arrived. It was the most beautiful home and setting, and the country French style has always been my absolute favorite!! As we approached the front door we could see that the servants and the ambassador's wife were watching us through the glass, so they could invite us in before we even rang the bell.
The grand entry hall was lovely, with beautiful marble floors and an elegant staircase. The ironwork railings on the staircase were beautiful, and complimented the French elegance of the exterior of the home.
Taiwan Ambassador and Mrs. David Lin with guests Dr. and Mrs. David A. Peterson
By the time we arrived (just a few minutes late), most of the guests were already there. We were met at the front door by a servant, two asssistants and Mrs. Lin, who then escorted us into the living room and introduced us to her husband. The Ambassador then introduced us to the other guests which were mostly men, and all Chinese except for one German, who was a twenty year Member of Parliament, and one French "Eurocrat." Following the introductions, Mrs. Lin escorted me into the sun room, where two other female guests were seated. It was very obvious that the women were to be separated from the men during this get acquainted period, which lasted about forty five minutes. David enjoyed a very convivial conversation with the other male guests, all of whom were very interested in his academic and diplomatic experiences.
At eight o'clock, our hosts announced that we would now proceed to the dining room for dinner.
We walked into the oval dining room, which held a large round table for the fourteen of us. My husband had already been seated next to Mrs. Lin on the other side of the table. When I entered the room I hesitated as to where I should sit? Then I heard the Ambassador standing next to me say......."Madame"...gesturing for me to sit on the chair on his right! My first thought was.... "what... me sit next to the Ambassador"?? We soon quickly understood that WE were the honored guests at this dinner, to each be seated at the right of our hosts!
In the center of the table was a large lazy susan, with several standing open menus, for all to see what was to come. Not being a fan of anything "fishey", I soon realized that the second and third course would have to be skipped, so.... I would enjoy the cashew chicken and vegees, which sounded delicious! The Chinese guest on my right soon discovered that I did not eat fish...and so at his insistence he summoned the cook to the table and requested extra fried rice and vegetables be brought to me. Yummy... this made me perfectly happy!
As each course was presented, they were placed on the lazy susan in front of the Ambassador, and also his wife on the other side of the table. They then each both served the "honored guests" first, (which was us... yikes!) For dessert the embassy provided a large fresh fruit platter, and small mini chocolate cupcakes. They added to this any chocolates or cookies that were brought as hostess gifts, which I thought was a grand idea. I had brought gourmet cookies from the famous "Neuhaus" chocolatier in Bruxelles. When the desserts were placed on the Lazy Susan, the Ambassador's wife gestured to the plate of "my cookies" and said to me....."Madame", indicating to me that she was serving my cookies.
AMBASSADOR KAREL KOVANDA, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO THE UNITED NATIONS
A TABLE SET FOR AN AMBASSADOR!
This evening turned out to be a wonderful gathering! And as you can see.....the table settings were spectacular, thanks to Z Gallerie in Mesa Arizona, and our great son Taylor, who worked with me in getting these beautiful items purchased and in the mail to me in Bruxelles!
The mirrored coasters which held the lovely crystal goblets were beautiful, and the large mirrored placemats with a second woven silver mat overlay, complimented the crystal "chargers", or service plates. These allowed one to see through the charger and see the silver mat and mirrored base underneath. The flatware was gold, and the silver salad and dinner plates added to this "icy" motiff.
The cut crystal votives and the "diamond" emerald cut placecard holders, also enhanced the ambiance of the table. I selected the gray sparkley shear fabric and the solid gray underlay for the double napkins while in Arizona, and my friend Becky Mills in Mesa was kind enough to sew them for me before we left for Bruxelles. The two napkins were secured together with a beautiful crystal flower napkin ring, and they looked magical! Thanks Becky!! The beautiful fresh pink peonies were the perfect added touch of color to a fabulous looking table, fit for any Ambassador!!
Ambassador Kovanda has had a distinguished diplomatic career beginning in 1993, when he served in New York as the first Ambassador to the United Nations of the newly formed Czech Republic. As the winds of freedom began blowing through Central Europe, he returned to his native land following a successful business career in Southern California. His willingness to assist us in making diplomatic contacts in Bruxelles has been greatly appreciated! He is part of a group of former Ambassadors who have pooled their talents and contacts under an umbrella of "strategic dispute resolution." His wife, Noami Kovanda, was born in what is now Slovakia, and is a devout Christian woman with a great interest in the message of the Restoration.
The evening turned out to be a wonderful gathering with the Ambassador and his wife, and also with our dear friends Astrid and Orlando Casares, who are in our Bruxelles ward. Although Orlando is from Texas and Astrid is from Denmark, they have spent the past 18 plus years living in Bruxelles, where he founded a large law firm. We have been guests in their home many times for wonderful dinners and family home evenings with their cute children.
The conversation this evening was interesting and lively, and we had quite a detailed discussion about the history of our Church, and how it came to be. For the first time ever, I had arranged to have someone here to oversee the kitchen and the serving, for which I was very very grateful! It was really the first time that I was able to sit and enjoy a delicious meal and converation with our honored dinner guests, without having to constantly jump up and down to take care of kitchen matters! And then the best part, was to discover at the end of the evening when everyone had left, that the kitchen clean-up had all been done!!! What a blessing!
VICE MINISTER GAO YONGZHONG
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
GAO Yongzhong holds a very powerful and trusted position within the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) in Beijing. As a Vice Minister in charge of the official party history, he left no doubt that he was a devoted Marxist, and that they were on the right side of history. We met at The Belgian Royal Institute for International Relations (Palais d'Egmont), where he explained to a captivated audience of European intellectuals, the inner workings of the mysterious process of leadership change going on in China. Major changes in the composition of the CPC Central Committee are expected this Fall, after a meeting of the National Party Congress. This is all going on in an un-democratic country of 1.3 billion people, where might makes right, and the selection of those in the inner Political Bureau must have some semblance of legitimacy in order to maintain order and party discipline. GAO repeatedly referred to it as a system of "democratic centralism"used to select a "collective leadership", and avoid the rise of one supreme leader as in the past. My question: when will China open itself to the winds of freedom, the rule of law and respect for human rights?
This bright young woman is SUN Yongzhong, Deputy Director, International Department, Central Committee CPC. She was eager to meet an American, and surprised to find one in such a European-
focused meeting at Palais d' Egmont. Recent events in China have revealed a number of cracks in the smooth transition of power hoped for by the ruling elite.
The arrest of a "rising political star" Bo Xilai, and his wife Gu Kailai, sent shock waves through the China-watchers community. Bo was seen as a man favored to ascend to the ruling nine-member Communist Party politbureau standing committee this Fall, in a once-in-a-decade power transition. (My guess is that he and his wife had become too independent and wealthy for the inner circle, coupled with an alleged murder that involved the suspicious death of a close British business agent.)
The "Financial Times" has noted: "while Gu and Bo remain in detention awaiting an official verdict, their downfall has also revealed a deep rift among top party echelons of the Communist party, and debunked the idea that authoritarian China has managed to institutionalise an orderly succession process in the absence of democracy. 'Bo and his ambition were seen as the most dangerous force in Chinese politics, and people inside the party always compared him to Hitler,' said one senior official who worked closely with Bo. 'He was a Marxist-Leninist who opposed western liberal democracy, but the irony is that if the Chinese people were allowed to vote, he probably would have been elected president." FT (July 21, 2012)
The arrest of a "rising political star" Bo Xilai, and his wife Gu Kailai, sent shock waves through the China-watchers community. Bo was seen as a man favored to ascend to the ruling nine-member Communist Party politbureau standing committee this Fall, in a once-in-a-decade power transition. (My guess is that he and his wife had become too independent and wealthy for the inner circle, coupled with an alleged murder that involved the suspicious death of a close British business agent.)
The "Financial Times" has noted: "while Gu and Bo remain in detention awaiting an official verdict, their downfall has also revealed a deep rift among top party echelons of the Communist party, and debunked the idea that authoritarian China has managed to institutionalise an orderly succession process in the absence of democracy. 'Bo and his ambition were seen as the most dangerous force in Chinese politics, and people inside the party always compared him to Hitler,' said one senior official who worked closely with Bo. 'He was a Marxist-Leninist who opposed western liberal democracy, but the irony is that if the Chinese people were allowed to vote, he probably would have been elected president." FT (July 21, 2012)
We can only pray that changes will take place in China which will one day permit the gospel to be preached in that land. President Thomas S. Monson has said: "There remain, however, areas of the world where our influence is limited, and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely. As did President Spencer W. Kimball over 32 years ago, "I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel." As we prayed then in response to President Kimball's pleading, we saw miracles unfold as country after country, formerly closed to the Church, has opened. Such will transpire again as we pray with faith." We recall the day when it seemed impossible that the Soviet Union would change so dramatically, and allow our missionaries to enter to teach the gospel. The Iron Curtain seemed an impenetrable barrier to freedom of religion, and the blessings of the Restoration in Eastern Europe.
The prophetic leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds the sacred keys which will open all doors and bring to pass the will of the Lord. "The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the
Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." Joseph Smith, Jr.
China is going through enormous economic, political and social changes. Its economy is expected to grow by 8.2% in 2012 and no other major country, not even Brazil and India, is expected to come near this rate of growth. China has an extraordinary investment rate of 48% of gross domestic product! GAO's visit to Bruxelles provided an opportunity to meet younger members of his entourage who will probably attain even higher positions of influence in the future. Here are SUN Haiyan, Deputy Director, Research Office of the International Department, CPC Central Committee, and ZHANG Yansheng, Secretary General, Academic Committee, National Development and Reform Commission, The People's Republic of China. A former counselor to the U.S. Treasury secretary put the China riddle in perspective: "Concerns about China's economy are often exacerbated by anxieties about its political stability amid a leadership transition, rampant corruption and official economic data of questionable veracity. But put those emotions and knee-jerk skepticism aside, and the economic picture looks rosy, at least to me." A former French foreign minister once observed: "when China will awake, the world will be shaken."
We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to make many new friends for the Church and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at the Brigham Young University during our first year as Diplomatic Representatives to the European Union. Our prayer each day is for the Lord to lead us to meet those whom HE has prepared for some great future role in the unfolding of His magnificent work of the latter-days. THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
Gerard Mercator (1512-1591) was an extraordinary map-maker and mathematician. We still refer today to his "Mercator Projection" which brought a new method of cartography. He influenced the great Voyages of Discovery through his work which was designed to show much more accurately distances between points, and allowed flat mapping of the global surface of the earth. Born in the Flemish town of Rupelmonde, this year marked the 500th anniversary of the birth of this great man who was the leading globe-maker of his age and a strong advocate of religious freedom.
Henri de Brederode (1531-1568) was born in Bruxelles to a Dutch noble family. I like the
strong features portrayed in this sculpture, indicating a man of character and kindly determination. He converted from the Catholic Church to the Reformed Faith and stood at the side of the Count of Egmont in resisting the introduction of the Spanish inquisition and the evils of despotism in the Netherlands. He spoke for 300 Knights in presenting a petition to the Regent expressing various grievences and was singled out for his courage and strong will. Interestingly, we see through history the decisive influence of those choice souls who stand by their faith and seek the blessings of liberty for their fellow men!
Jean de Locquenghien (1514-1574) was Mayor of Bruxelles 1549-1553. We can just see him riding or walking through the muddy streets of the town, visitng with merchants, workers and the people of his beloved home. His dream was to connect Bruxelles to the sea, by means of a channel which would enhance the capital of Spanish Netherlands economically. These were turbulent times, however, and two noble men, the Earls of Egmont and Hoorn, who lead a Dutch uprising against Phillippe II's religious intransigence, were beheaded in the Grand Place in 1568. No such dramatic public executions today, however heated Belgian politics and religious divisions are clearly evident!
BONJOUR, BONSOIR, AU REVOIR ...until the next time!
