Arnold Janssen, both personally and as aGerman citizen, felt responsible for his brothers and sisters who lived in the remotest corners of the world. Though he never left Europe, he dedicated his life to them. When he found it necessary he renounced his German citizenship so as to cross frontiers that were otherwise closed to him. And because the Kingdom transcends the limits of nationalities, cultures and races, he soon transformed his "German" foundation into an international community. In this way legitimate differences could not only be respected but also valued as a witness to the presence of God's all-embracing love. Arnold insisted that missionaries be educated in the social sciences so that they could systematically study the cultures and languages of other nations and so be able to appreciate the cultura richness of the people with whom they would work.

Joseph Freinademetz once wrote that "not even for 3000 coronas am I prepared to leave country and friends so as to relocate myself forever in a new world." But love for Jesus and for all of God's people motivated him to do exactly that. He left country, family, friends, culture and language, to go to China, a world that was totaly new to him. It was a difficult challenge. Struggles with the language and the new way of life provoked in him a "culture shock" that made everything seem dark and depressing. This same experience afflicts almost all those who have to emigrate and put down roots in a new reality. But he was able to respond to the challenge. Though he never forgot the mountains that surrounded his native valley, he opted to become Chinese among the Chinese, even writing: "I love China and the Chinese; I want to die among them and be laid to rest among them"..."I want to continue being Chiese even in heaven". And so it turned out... There is a certain irony in the fact that the vicissitudes of history erased all trace of his tomb in China. It is now ntirely impossible to separate him from China.