Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Van Steenbergen.
Hi Charlotte, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Indonesia, formerly known as the Dutch East Indies, of Dutch/Chinese descent. I am a WWII Japanese concentration camp survivor. This imprisonment took place during the Pacific Theatre when the Japanese were overtaking territory throughout the South Pacific. The American military got involved when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. My family and I were liberated by the Americans in 1945. Unfortunately, we were then hauled back into imprisonment after being free for only ten days by the Indonesians, who fought now for their independence from the Dutch.
My family and I escaped to Holland in 1949 and then came to America as a refugee immigrant at age 17 in 1957. I became a proud US citizen as an adult in the early 1970s. It wasn’t until there was another attack on the US that brought up all the trauma, PTSD that I had sustained during the WWII concentration camp as a child. This was the 9/11 attack on Twin Towers in New York. All the horror and trauma that I had pushed down and ignored was brought to the surface through nightmares. This was a pivotal moment for healing for me through writing down my memories. These journal entries, along with poetry writings, birthed into a memoir titled, MEISJE: I MET GOD IN HELL, A Young Girl’s Journey to Forgiveness. Today, I am an author, speaker and artist. I share my story of gratitude to the US for giving me the “gift that keeps on giving.” Not only have I experienced the freedom of the United States but it continues as a legacy through my children and grandchildren.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles were that we had to start all over again from scratch – first from the birth country (Indonesia), then to Holland and then to America. We looked at it as a blessing to be in America – the Land of Opportunity! Yes, it took hard work but we were completely vetted and then accepted with a church sponsor that was obligated to be financially responsible for my family for five years. This was so that we would not become a burden to the taxpayers. The church provided a house, a car, furniture and toys/clothes, and a job for my father.
As a teenager in a new country, I had to learn English which I did going to summer school. I also helped with my younger siblings since my mom was in poor health after the war. I received a full scholarship to Pepperdine University, but my church pastor and the family doctor asked if I would consider postponing my education in order to take care of my mom and siblings. I ended up forgoing attending the university and instead stayed home to take care of my family and went to community college for two years. In the meantime, I met a fellow immigrant from my birth country and we married and had two children. We were married for nearly 60 years. My husband, Jim, passed away just a few months shy of our anniversary last year.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a painter and creative artist. What I am most proud of is my writings. This is because it gave me an outlet for becoming a healthy person. Like a butterfly, I metamorphosed from survivor to thriver. Through my poetry and writing my memoir, this cathartic process helped me overcome survivor’s guilt, PTSD and molestation. I did not stay bitter nor rooted in pain, but with the help of my husband, family and friends, plus counseling, the medium of writing helped me see my Heavenly Father’s orchestration of my life and all its moments as a beautiful symphony which He planned and purposed for “such a time as this.” This, in turn, created a speaking platform for which I can share my gratitude for my life in USA and especially for our Veterans. My joy is when I can say a personal thank you to our Veterans and their families who have so generously sacrificed for our freedom. I am deeply aware of the cost of freedom and I am incredibly grateful to America for continuing to send masses of men and women out to all over the world to fight and risk laying down their lives so that generations will also live in freedom.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
AMERICA’S GIFT
Oh, America, when I first came and saw your beauty entering the harbor in New York
Shivers of excitement and anticipation went through me
Upon seeing a Lady beckoning us holding high her torch
The Statue of Liberty.
Oh, a symbol so powerful speaking of, and representing the dreams, hopes and longings of its huddled masses who came before me.
Now offering all that and more once again to those who enter.
It is a cycle repeated over and over as they come from all parts of the world, Crossing the borders by land, sea and air; The poor, the broken and the dreamers, all coming, wanting to know the way to freedom.
Oh, America, how can one not love For is it not so, that it is because you loved first?
Now we can start healing our broken spirit and mend our body
So we can start dreaming, working and learning.
Yearning to integrate ourselves to become one of mind, body and soul
A TRUE AMERICAN.
Oh, America, how I love you,
For opening wide your arms to a wretch like me;
For reaching out with your infinite love to rescue me, a stranger a foreigner…WHY?
Oh, America, I thank you,
For sending the masses
of sons and daughters to distant land and shores far away
To fight and risk laying down your life so that I might taste your freedoms enjoy your hospitality, sanctuary and refuge.
And above all, to share in your wealth and worship your GOD!
Oh, America, for that
I thank thee from the bottom of my heart.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Pricing:
- $12.95 – Book/Memoir
- $5.00 – America’s Gift bookmark
Contact Info:
- Email: Sunny@AlwaysSunnyinOC.com
- Website: https://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=meisje-i-met-god-in-hell-a-young-girls-journey-to-forgiveness
- Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorCharlotteVanSteenbergen
Image Credits
Charlotte at Statue of Liberty by grandson, Jordan L Wheeler
