Major Bosshardt: Example of Tolerance, Love and Compassion, Dies
Filed under: Politics — Michael van der Galien, Editor-in-Chief on June 25, 2007 @ 4:50 pm CEST
Major Bosshardt, who is well known and loved by every Dutch person, has died at age 94. Boshart was a Major in the Salvation Army and dedicated her life to the poor and addicted. She first became famous because she regularly visited the red light zone in Amsterdam, to talk to prostitutes, to listen to their stories, and to be there for them: she did not condemn them, she loved them. When asked why she always went to prostitutes and drug addicts, she said that, in the end, we are all sinners and that these people truly need her help and God’s love.
This is quite a tremendous loss for the Salvation Army and for the Dutch as a whole. The entire country mourns her deaht, and celebrates her life. May God bless her - and quite frankly, I am sure He will. This woman was truly filled with love and compassion. She hated no one; she loved everyone. Major Bosshardt served, and continues to serve, as an example to thousands, ten thousands, and even millions of people - whether they are Christian or not.
I was raised a member of the Salvation Army. My parents became, when I was 12 years old or something, Envoys. Envoys do not have a community of their own: they help the Captain (pastor) in their own city, and travel sometimes to other cities to lead services / sermons. I was raised, in a way, with Major Bosshardt. My parents talked (and still do) a lot about her - whenever she was on TV, we all ran to the TV and watched the show.
She laughed, she made us cry, but above all, she showed us what God’s love can accomplish in people’s lives and that not words, but actions matter - no matter how small those actions appear to be. Major Bosshardt taught us that one truly saves the world, by saving one. You do not have to save thousands of people, you do not have to change the lives of thousands of individuals for God to love you, for God to notice you, and for God to be there for you. God is always by your side and God loves you - no matter what you do. God’s love knows no boundaries, and Major Bosshardt constantly reminded us - all of us - of it.
It’s a sad day for the Dutch, it’s a good day for Major Bosshardt who finally meets the God she worshipped and served all her life.
1 Alan
June 25, 2007 @ 5:25 pm CESTThat’s sad.
She reminds me, in a way, of Mother Teresa or Dorothy Day.
2 mvdg
June 25, 2007 @ 5:28 pm CESTShe was really. She was like a Dutch MOther Teresa, albeit one who wasn’t internationally famous.
3 Alan
June 25, 2007 @ 5:51 pm CESTSo your family is part of the Salvation Army.
Did you ever do any bell-ringing?
4 mvdg
June 25, 2007 @ 5:53 pm CESTMy parents collected money regularly. Why?
And yes - we’re actually a very normal bunch.
5 Alan
June 25, 2007 @ 6:02 pm CESTJust curious–wasn’t sure if the Dutch Salvation Army had the bell ringers with the red tin kettles, like they have here.
6 C Stanley
June 26, 2007 @ 2:37 pm CESTI had never heard of Major Bosshardt but it seems she did extraordinary work. Her picture is lovely as well; she really seems to radiate joy and God’s grace.
7 mvdg
June 26, 2007 @ 2:38 pm CESTYes she does, doesn’t she? She was so filled with it, that it was pouring out you know? Like a buckett with too much water. She was so filled with God’s love, it pour out of her.
8 C Stanley
June 26, 2007 @ 3:07 pm CESTYes, exactly, Michael (I had the opportunity to see Mother Theresa once and she was the same way).
Your post here and on TMV and the reactions (some of which were negative toward SA, which seemed to surprise you) made me wonder about funding. Does the SA receive any govt funds in the Netherlands for its social services? Are there any issues with criticism over discrimination, or do you perceive that the US branch of the org may be running things differently than in the Netherlands?
9 mvdg
June 26, 2007 @ 3:11 pm CESTDiscrimination? No, why? And I believe the SA’s charity branch gets some money yeah… Not 100% sure, have to check that.