ALL ANTWERP. “When I expressed my faith in God, I also came out” (Antwerp)
Every weekday our reporter and photographer pick a casual passer-by off the street for a nice conversation. Want everyone has a story. And certainly in Antwerp. Today: Nicky Wellekens (42).
“When I was 15 years old, I volunteered for the Red Cross. That was a busy period, which I later ended by switching to defense. But a while after I started working there, I ended up in medical retirement. And that really shook me up.”
“When we consider our lives, I wonder what the role of humans is. With that question in mind, I set out to investigate. I already documented that in Ghent, and now Antwerp triggers me. It is an interesting environment as all religions coexist in this environment. And that is a nice fact.”
“Religion is an important element in my life. In recent years I have regularly set out on a religious journey. So I spent a few months in Israel. During those trips I mainly look for my inner voice and balance. I often find the answers in the Holy Books I read there. They have already helped me imagine a lot of trials.”
“For example, my parents turned against me when I expressed my faith in God. It would be good if I came out of the closet. And the more I mentioned myself in the Gospel, the greater the distance became. That is a pity, because my grandparents followed the way of faith, and they had a good life. Then why couldn’t I?” (lava)