As tensions between North and South Korea continue to fester, the people of Germany prepare to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the peaceful dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the nonviolent overthrow of communism. This is a true story of the unification of a nation – the story of former enemies sharing a life of brotherhood and love.

Korea is not at the brink of war. It will soon be one nation. This might seem a far-fetched dream, but it could happen tomorrow. Twenty years ago Germany was divided. The tensions and fears between the people of Germany were as real as the feelings of many Koreans today.

I was born in 1972 in Dresden, East Germany. Both my parents and most of my teachers were members of the Communist Party. As a school child I remember lining up along the road to welcome Kim Il Sung when he paid a visit to our town. My life was dedicated to the fight against the imperialism of the western world. After eight years of judo training I became a black belt. I was supposed to win medals for the communists. In 1989, to secure a place at college, I volunteered to serve for three years in the East German Army. This was twice as long as what was mandatory. I was ready to defend my country against the capitalists. Little did I suspect that the border I was to guard and the enemy I was ready to kill would vanish that same year.

Andreas was born 1966 in northern West Germany to an upper middle class family. As a skilled mason and brick layer he worked 60 hour weeks. In addition to a BMW sports car, he could afford many other material things. Andreas like the rest of his family was a good Baptist. His father’s idol was the American evangelist Billy Graham. In 1987 he finished his 15 month service in the West German army, The Bundeswehr. For Andreas this meant guarding an American first strike nuclear missile base in Germany. Like the rest of his generation he was urged to serve and defend his country.

I was his enemy.

Both East and West Germany were prepared to destroy each other. Just as in Korea today, each government had plans and strategies to defeat the enemy on Day X which never came. For decades the youth had been prepared by their governments and churches for war. But what came was peace and unity, and no one was ready for it. It came like a thief in the night without the Russians, Americans or Germans being prepared in the slightest. We never realized the degree to which we Germans on both sides had been indoctrinated. We were all good people. Many high ranking politicians and Christians had fallen prey to a deception and lie. In the same way, many Koreans today will be aware of their true state of mind.

A church that believes in the defense of its territory and trains its youth for war is not ready for peace and unity. It will have nothing to offer when a divided Korea unites. It falls for the deception that the fate of a nation is in the power of its people and their human efforts and dedication. It fails to recognize that there are far greater spiritual principalities influencing history. Such Christianity can send its missionaries all over the globe but will be unable to reach and win the hearts of their fellow countryman for Jesus.

When the Berlin Wall fell, all that the Christianity of the West had to offer was “wealth and prosperity for all”. That is what election campaign posters actually said. Ten years later the chancellor, a Christian Democrat, was caught in a big scandal because he sought wealth and prosperity for himself. In the hearts of many people Germany remains divided.

But Andreas and I have found a new life beyond capitalism or communism. We live as brothers with our families in a Christian community. We both deserted the defense of our “earthly Kingdoms” in the longing that God’s Kingdom may come on earth. We left material possessions, careers, parents and relatives to live in a community where a completely new society has taken shape. Actually it is as old as the first Christians. We share all our possessions because private property is the root of all division and war.

My former enemy Andreas gave me my first practical training in our woodshop where we manufacture equipment for schools and nurseries. Our children play together each day. If we told them that only twenty years ago we – their fathers – were ready to kill each other it would not make sense to them. Why then does it make sense to us adults?

What should give us all hope are the young Koreans who refuse to be indoctrinated with fear by refusing to arm themselves against an enemy who is their brother. They need our thoughts and prayers. Today they are persecuted and locked up as a security threat, but they are the real peacemakers. They set the stage and create an atmosphere that will discharge tensions and encourage dialogue. They are the forerunners of a new society and history will prove that they stood on the side of right. Their courageous sacrifice will help bring about the unification of their country.