On the morning of July 3, 2019, international friends’ descendants that attended the Purple Grass International Peace Summer Camp visited places where their grandparents once worked and lived: the historical memorial hall of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and the former residence of John Rabe.

What "conversations" would the descendants of Mr. John Rabe, Dr. Richard Brady, and pastor John Magee have with their ancestors?

The Deeds of Ancestors Inspire Their Generations.

In 1937, more than 20 westerners stayed in Nanjing and established the International Committee of Nanjing Safety Zone. The safe area was located in the northwest of Nanjing city, and the Drum Tower Hospital was in the safe area.

In the morning, the descendants of international friends visited today’s modern Drum Tower Hospital and its historical memorial hall, and had a discussion with the hospital director Han Guangshu.

The historical photos and documents in the memorial hall attracted the attention of the descendants. During the Nanjing Massacre, the selfless spirit of the medical staff to rescue the refugees and wounded soldiers moved everyone deeply.

In the memorial, a historical photograph of Richard Brady was displayed. At the time Brady was a doctor at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, where he treated injured refugees.

"This is a picture we've never seen before. Now I'm standing where my grandfather used to work, looking at his picture and feeling a connection with him. The work he did inspired and encouraged our family." Steve Brady, Dr. Brady's grandson, said with emotions.

During the massacre, pastor John Magee filmed a large number of videos about medical personnel treating the injured at the Drum Tower Hospital, and these files have become the only moving images of the Nanjing Massacre that remains to this day. The memorial has a photo of pastor Magee with the medical staff.

John Magee (second row, fourth from left)

Chris Magee, the pastor's grandson, said his generation knew deeply about the history of Nanjing Massacre yet their children knew few. 

 Chris Magee and his daughter

"Through this visit, the children have learnt more about the history. This camp brings our family together with the Rabe family and the Brady family to connect with each other and help these kids carry on the spirits of their ancestors." Chris Magee said.

John Magee's two grandchildren talking before their grandfather's exhibitions

Passing on of Peace in a German Family

Later, the descendants made their way to the former residence of Rabe. It has been built into the Rabe Memorial Hall. In 1937, Mr. John Rabe was elected chairman of the International Committee of Nanjing Safety Zone. No.1 Xiao fanqiao, where Mr. Rabe lived, had sheltered more than 600 Chinese refugees.

Christopher Reinhart, Mr. Rabe's great-grandson, knelt in front of John Rabe’s statue with tears in his eyes.

"This is my great-grandfather; this is my grandmother; this is my mother...” said Reinhart pointing at the historical photo.

"Our generation is getting older and we need a younger generation to understand and disseminate history. This time, the three families came from different countries to Nanjing. A single spark can start a prairie fire. I hope every member of this big family of peace can carry on the spirit of great love from their ancestors." "Mr. Reinhart said.

Christopher Reinhart and his daughter 

There is a saying in Germany: "Good things must be shared, and bad things should also be shared." This saying has deeply affected this ordinary German family: the Rabe family has been accepting and taking care of refugees fleeing to Berlin. "We do this just following our hearts.” said Mr. Reinhart.

Tomorrow, the camp will visit the former residence of John Magee, visit the burial site of the casualties in Yijiang Gate, and read Rabe's diaries... The offspring of international friends will continue to feel the great love of their ancestors. Full coverage will be coming soon.