October 2004 Archives

We’ve reached our 100th post. As we look back over these last four months it truly has been an exciting adventure for each and every one of us. First off we would like to thank each and every one of you who faithfully prays for us on a daily to weekly basis. Without your prayers the work here would all be in vain.

Please continue to pray for us. Pray that God would not only work in our hearts but that He would allow us to continue shining as lights of Jesus Christ to this nation of Taiwan. So really this 100th update is only possible because of your faithfulness in praying for us and God's working in each of our lives.

On behalf of the whole team here in Taiwan,

Daniel & Josh

Most of the schools here in Hualien are built so that you can see the Mountains from some point and two of my three schools are nestled right at the base of the Mountains. It is still awesome for me to look out the window at the shear wall of the mountain rising right before you eyes. I cannot help but think on the words of the psalmist in Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

Lord willing, most of us here in Hualien are in Taroko National Park today hiking up one of those mountains. This is a unique opportunity that God has opened up for us and we are excited to see what He has to teach us through it. There is something about being still before God surrounded by the wonder of all that He has made that is both refreshing and revitalizing after challenging week. It is so easy to get distracted by all the business of day to day living with most of your time taken up with either teaching or planning the lessons for the next day, that it is important to take some time to step back and do a priority check. Is the Lord the one to whom I am lifting up my eyes and in whom I find my all?

Christina Furrow
Singchen, Hualien County

Hi! Welcome to the only inland county in all of Taiwan. It is interesting to see what you can learn about where you live by teaching it. Tomorrow I will be helping teach thirty students from three different schools how to introduce the county of Nantou to Americans who come to visit, or to students in America they will converse with through some sort of e-pals program. We found out about it last week, and I hope whatever we will be teaching will be easy to learn, and also be beneficial to the students. I hope it will be fun, because it is only one of three classes I have to teach tomorrow. In the morning, Chase, Isaac, and I will be teaching the Character English class, and then at 7PM I help teach an English class for students and their parents. Needless to say, my life here is very busy. Sometimes when I am not teaching, which is... um.... ah..... well...almost never (and even then, I am helping my teachers with vocabulary or pronunciation if they ask me to), I am able to go out with various teachers and Chinese friends, or spend time with Chase, Mai, Christina, and Isaac, my God-given blessing of a team, and other team members when the opportunity arises. Please pray that these opportunities will bring occasion to share the love and hope of Christ.
Next Wednesday our team in Ying Pan will be teaching another extra class to the teachers at this school. We are teaching them how to incorporate character education into their teaching. Pray that we will be able to present our information in a clear manner, and that the class would be beneficial to the teachers and their students. Also we have an upcoming teachers conference (where is time going???) and then we get a break! For one week, all 22 of the American English teachers will be staying here at Ying Pan. Yes! I am so looking forward to it. It will give us an opportunity to meet everyone and have a great time together. Please pray that everything would go well with the teachers conference, and that our time with the whole team would be uplifting.
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. Often we can very clearly see the hand of God working in an impossible situation and know that it is because of your prayers. We serve the powerful God. Praise the Lord for His great love. Without the strength of Jesus, there would be no team here in Taiwan.
God be with you,
~Joel
Romans 12

"Why are you in Kinmen?”

Numbly staring out the van window on my way home from school a couple weeks ago, I was startled by this English sentence on a huge banner in front of the local “Cultural Center.” Everything else on the banner was in Chinese, so I had no idea what it was for – but the question felt like it was directed right at me and gave me quite a jolt.

Why are we in Kinmen? Each of us on this team has been asked that so many times. Last semester it was a very simple question for me to answer. I was in Kinmen because I was assigned here by my organization, and I was with the organization because I believed that God had told me to go teach English with them. I had never even heard of Kinmen before being assigned here. (And, of course, I would always add to my answer that I was so glad they assigned me to Kinmen because I love it here. ) Now this semester, I have the additional reasons- that I have so many good friends here to come back to, that I want to continue learning Chinese, that I was hoping to teach again at the same schools, that I have a wonderful church home here, and that there were so many relationships I wanted to continue in the hopes of seeing fruit. Really, though, it boils down once again to the fact that I believe God told me to come here. When I had to decide last semester about whether to come back for another year, I knew that I loved the situation at that time and would personally like to stay for another year in the same situation. I also knew though, that the situation wouldn’t be exactly the same again, and that it could possibly be totally different. I had to listen to God for direction, and not rely on my feelings for my decision.

As I was sitting and thinking in that van, though, it made me wonder why I was in Kinmen on that particular day. I was feeling so tired and so lonely for my family, and I had just finished teaching at my most difficult school. It reminded me that God’s purpose wasn’t to just generally point me in the direction of Kinmen, and then leave me to myself for the whole year. He must have a purpose and goals for each day that I’m here. If I’m letting myself get distracted, though, and not staying close to Him each day, I can’t hear His direction.

Then it struck me just how stupid it is for me to ever fall away in my walk with the Lord after getting the initial direction to come here. It really defeats the whole purpose of having followed the first command when I just go and wander around afterwards! It’s like sending a soldier into another country on a long mission, but then having that soldier basically disappear. He hardly ever checks in, he’s distracted when he does check in, and you can’t ever get a hold of him when you need to tell him something. It doesn’t matter that he followed your first command – he’s useless if he doesn’t listen to and follow the rest of your commands.

Of course, it’s one thing to realize something, and something else entirely to actually apply it. I always covet your prayers, and I’m sure all the others on our teams do, too. Please pray for our spiritual walks and for protection from the attacks of the enemy. Please pray, too, that God will open paths and hearts before us, and that we’ll be rivers of His love flowing out to all those around us.

May we each be an elite level soldier in this battle!

~BJ, on the island of Kinmen

It has been forever since I last updated something. I would love to be able to use some wonderful excuse, like being so busy with everything else that I just don't have enough time, or even better, I broke both of my arms while protecting little children from rabid dogs.
Alas I suppose that the true reason would have to be laziness, surprising I know but none the less true. The last time I blogged, I mentioned that there was a teacher that was kinda giving me problems, lately she has been surprisingly kind and very easy to work with, so that is a definite praise. The other day, I was riding a bus, when this Chinese guy asked me if I was an American. I'm not really sure what gave it away, I usually have no problems blending in here, but he must be extra sharp because he was able to see that I am an American pretty quickly.

Anyway we got to talking,and he turned out to be a very niceperson, and speaks a lot of english. At one point in the conversation, he said that he has a friend who is a hair stylist, told him that American hair is very soft. I'm sure you can guess what his next question was. Can I feel your hair? When I told him it was okay, he responded by saying, wow so soft, several times. He then asked if he could feel my nose, I thought it was a little wierd, gave him permission anyway. When he did he said,I can't believe it, it's real! Needless to say, he was an interesting fellow.

The next day, he called, and told me that his girlfriend had just broken up with him and never wanted to see him again. He was a little bit hard to understand, because he was crying so hard, poor guy. Anyway he lives in Taichung, and wants me to visit him on Saturday, so please pray that the Lord would give me wisdom on how to help him through his pain, and open up an opportunity to share the gospel with him.

This has gone on long enough, so I'll close for now.

Anthony Bender

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go and see different places relating to the culture of the area. We went many places, and saw many different things, and ate even more different things. One of the places that we stopped was at a wood carver’s house/ workshop. It not only happened to be a stop on our itinerary, but it also happened to be one of my students’ houses.

They were, of course, thrilled to see me visiting their home unexpectedly. I was equally surprised to see them. I had no idea that we would be visiting their home! It was a sobering reminder to me to see the difference between how they live and how we live. I knew that they probably didn’t have as much stuff as we did, but I didn’t realize how little they did have.

It gave me a new perspective on why I complain because I don’t have something that I want. I complain because I am being ungrateful for what God has given me. I have stopped looking at what I do have, and am only looking at what I think that I need or want. And on top of that, I’m going to fuss about it until I get exactly what I want. Ok, maybe I don’t go that far, but sometimes I sure do feel like doing that!

However, that not the solution that God would have me to reach! That is my own natural solution. Meaning, it’s a very wrong and bad solution! The right solution is for me just to simply be very grateful for what God has already given to me or done for me. As long as I keep looking at those items, I can never be the complainer that God didn’t intend for me to be.

Till next time!
Gracia Engle

Well, here is another update...

Today has been a very uneventful day, for a Sunday...This morning we had a short worship service, sang a bunch of songs, and prayed. I am really short of words right now, and don't know why...

Yesterday, we went out with some friends, and had a really good time. One of the Chinese guys we were with speaks very good English, has been to America, and has had a lot of Christian influence from the other teachers. Please pray for this friend, especially since he is really searching for the truth right now. We pray that he will respond to the promptings of God's spirit.

The other thing I would like to ask prayer for is that tonight and tomorrow another typhoon is going to hit Taiwan. Which could be good and/or bad. Just pray for safety for all the teams, as well as the Taiwanese people. The typhoons have done a lot of damage in the past...

I want to just thank you all who read our updates, for your prayers and support. It really means a lot to all of us. Thank you so much...

'Til next time,

Isaac Mazur
Ying Pan

Where do I begin with updating you all to the things that have been going on over here in Taiwan? This week in Hualien we took part in a first ever teachers conference. A conference designed to help give the teachers new perspectives on teaching English in the classroom. To be honest I don’t know why we did it or the purpose behind the whole thing but it seemed to work out well in the end.

I guess my biggest burden right now is to let you know some of the things that go on over here in Taiwan. Six months ago I would have never cared if I heard about it after all its sad but it doesn’t affect me. Having now the chance to see it for myself changes things.

I teach at Jing Mai Primary school on Tuesday. It’s the first out of the two days of having 5th and 6th graders back to back for two periods each. Something I’ve been noticing over the last number of weeks is how hungry these children are. They devour the food like the end of the world is upon them. After talking with Shirley (the English teacher that I work with at that school) and finding out that 75 % of the students only eat one meal a day because either there parents have no money or they spend it all on alcohol and cigarettes. As if that wasn’t bad enough the only clothes that a bunch of the children can wear are designed, or have logos by companies that profit from immorality. The other amazing thing is learning that most of these families have no money even to afford running water… so what do they do… they tap into the water supply that runs down from the mountain and along a trench that flows through the school. They run these long water hoses to there home’s to bring in some water to drink and cook with. Then you take the school not having running water most times to flush the toilets and that Jing Mai

Every time I go to that school I have this sadness and yet wishing for some way I might be able to reach out to children. In spite of all this the children are happy they are excited and I really pray that I can really be a light that God truly intended me to be for these kids.

Friday I took a trip into Hualien. The last two weeks I’ve been going in to watch on of the teachers conduct English classes at a school that has over 2000 students. I was going to meet up with Darcy for lunch and then to watch some more of her classes but first I decided to take a stroll. The first thing I noticed is the how open the selling of pornography is. It’s something that Dr. Chen told us about here in Taiwan… and yes literally it’s everywhere. If you think of all us guys over here please pray for pure eyes and a clean heart. Then if that wasn’t bad enough I pass by a store to hear music that is just absolutely disgraceful and most times I never have a problem with music just walking by but it really bothered me.

No less then half an hour later as I’m walking down the street I come upon a man reaching into a car with a screaming women as he beats her and continues to pull her in and out of the car slapping, screaming, and punching her the whole time. I wish I would have done something but this guy was crazy. Looking for some means to call the police or have someone help me stop this animal was just not to be found. Instead people just watched as it all happened.

These are just a few of the things that we see on a day to day basis. It really is different over here and extremely sad and grieves my heart to see what goes on. I’ve been so sheltered by a good life at home. Yes I grew up in some rough areas of town but never had to face just the poverty and the lives people live here.

As we were meeting as a team on Thursday evening here in Hualien we were all talking about the fact of how blessed we are and even the resources we have here at our finger tips. To make it plain in simple we live in the upper class of Hualien we have so many benefits and blessings that so many people never see and yet we find ways to say complain when were late in getting paid.

I guess in all of this I still have so many lessons to learn and I have so much more that I can be doing to reach this county and country for Christ.

Please pray for each of us over here. Pray that God would work in our lives and make us the clean and pure vessels so that He might flow through us to reach these people.

Pray that God would strengthen each of physically and that He would give us the grace to surrender our wants, desires, and selfishness for the sake of the people and the team here in Taiwan.

Also pray that God would give me new insights for teaching my classes and that He would work especially in the lives of my teachers. (Darcy, Jessica, Alice, Sonia, Shirley, and Pong)

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

Joshua Smith
Hualien

P.S. I was going to write about our adventure as a team today. It was great we toured around and ate a ton of food. Everything from flying squirrel or flying mouse to Bamboo rice and live shrimp… yes still squirming and jumping.

Have you ever sat down in front of your laptop and suddenly felt very, very tired? I didn't realize how very tired I was until I sat down just now. It's been a crazy day and tomorrow looks promising, too! This morning my whole team had a character English class for 1st and 2nd graders here at the school at 7:50 am. It was a little difficult to drag myself out of bed at that hour, but once we got some coffee in the system it was fun. Those little kids are so cute.

After class I grabbed my bike and sparkly blue helmet and set off for Nantou city to do some shopping. I got a couple of Christmas presents (you can never start too early!) and some miscellaneous groceries. Then I headed up to the food court for some good ol' Tappenyaki. YUM! My favorite. :-) While I was there it suddenly struck me how many friends I have here in Taiwan. I look forward to seeing the Tappenyaki chef that compliments me on my Chinese, the drink girl that grins from ear to ear when I walk up, the steak lady that always greets me even though I rarely stop to buy a steak from her.

A smile can do SO much guys, because really that's all I've ever done. God just brings these people into my life to encourage me and remind me that He is in charge of every little detail of who I am and why I'm here. The other day I was planning to ride my bike as soon as I got home from school but little things kept going "wrong" and I was delayed over an hour. A little ticked off, I set off at long last, got halfway to town and realized I'd forgotten my money. A VERY ticked off Tina turned her bike around and went back to get her money. As I sat at a stoplight for the second time that day with my money in hand, I turned around and was shocked to see behind me on their bikes a couple of American girls! I struck up a conversation with them and discovered they were headed into Nantou, too. When I asked their names, they introduced themselves as "Sister" whatever, confirming my suspicions that they were Mormon (I mean, who else in Taiwan would wear a skirt to ride their bike? Oh, yeah! that's right- me!). We talked the whole way into Nantou (about 20 minutes) and as we parted they asked if they could meet with me and share their "message" with me. Heh heh. Of COURSE you can share your message with me! As long as you don't mind hearing MY message in return... So they're coming over tomorrow- PRAY for me, okay? I have friends that know exactly what to say to Mormons, but I'm not one of those people, so it's going to have to be all God! I rode home later just amazed at all God had to do to get me to meet those Sisters! Trouble with my phone first, and when I was gonna head off too early anyway, I forgot my money! Our God is so amazing! I love being here in Taiwan to see the Lord work and today one thing after another was just reminding me how I need to keep giving and giving and loving- I get SO much love in return! Thank you so much for your prayers- you are so special in God's eyes. God Bless you all!

Tina Moody
Ying Pan Team

Coco, Momo, Jr. Highers, and Hangman

I doubt there is another job on this earth as exciting and adventurous, as an elementary school teacher. Add to that a foreign English teacher in Taiwan, and you have more than just "adventurous."
On Monday morning, I invented a brand new game to introduce to my 6th grade class that very morning. Twenty minutes later, when I arrived at the school, I realized I had left all the aids for the game back at the dorm (whoops!). We ended up playing the all time favorite, "Hangman"...so much for being creative. On Tuesday morning, I finalized the lesson plan that I had so carefully planned the evening before on vocab and sentence structure. Thirty minutes later, I found out I wasn't teaching vocab and sentence structure that day after all. On Wednesday, I left for school feeling like I couldn't possibly be any more LESS prepared. Twenty minutes later, I was enjoying one of my best English classes yet(hmmm....imagine the irony of that). Tomorrow is Thursday. The week is but half over...and who knows what tomorrow will hold!

Last Sunday evening, I sent out a frantic email to many people requesting prayer for a special class we teach at our Jr. High School for "potential dropout" students. The past few weeks we have had no control over the classroom whatsoever, and there are only 8 students!! Also, our communication with the students' teacher had been really bad and we just didn't know what to do! To say the least, the first few classes were "rough." As a team, we decided to really lift this class up in prayer. Monday night came, and the Lord answered our prayer (and yours!) in 2 very specific ways:

1.) We were able to talk with the teacher (through translation) and get her feedback on what she really wanted us to do. She asked us to LOVE the students and to not be frustrated with them. She also asked us to PRAY for them.

2.) As the class started, two new students came walking in, and I just about went RUNNING OUT! They were two guys that I had known from playing basketball. Let's just say, they have a reputation for being... ummm..."special!" However, as the class went on, both boys did really well. This was the first time for both of the boys. The teacher had been asking them for 5 weeks to come. We did 1 on 1 tutoring with them, and the teacher was VERY pleased. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!

"I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people, I will sing unto Thee among the nations!" (Psalm 57:7-10)

Lucas

Time has flown by it seems like just yesterday when I wrote my last update, but honestly it was about a month ago. By now I would have thought life would have become normal and boring, but I am fast learning normal and fair are not in God's vocabulary for my life.

Yes, Monday through Thursday I leave the dorm at 7:40 and head to the train station but after that everyday is just a little different. The wind sometimes blows so hard that no matter how hard I peddle the bike I can't seem to go very fast. When I finally arrive at the train station and buy my train ticket that does not mean life will be normal atfer that because sometimes the trains are late.

After arriving at the school if I am late then I come in the class room and there are fifteen kids bouncing off the walls telling me to say "Sorry I'm late, may I come in?" Or I might be in for a surprise when a different class walks in and tells me I am suppose to teach them now and not the other class, no big problem because they are all fifth grade it just sends me for a big surprise.

Then there are supposed to be nice quiet lunches were I rest and get ready for the afternoon classes, but having the principal showing up and wanting to talk or getting a phonecall or e-mail that sends me scurrying all over the school figuring out what needs to be done in order to answer the phonecall or email. After school is over we are supposed to go home and put up our feet and rest, right? The answer is no, where in the bible does it say we are to rest after working for five or six hours. We are to rest on the His day. Well, sometimes random things happen and I don't have time to put up my feet until bed time. A chinese teacher may come and teach us how to cook Taiwanese food or I may get another phone call asking me to correct some grammar before I go to bed that night.

I am eternally grateful to God that he has made my life so exciting and challenging, because without challenge there is no growth in my relationship with Him. Matthew 6:32 .. "for your heavely Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Everyday I wake up excited to see what new and challenging things God will do.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Josephine Papp
From the Hualien team

Greetings from the little town of JiJi!

The past week and a half has been interesting! Well, not really interesting, more along the lines weird! The other day, I woke with pain in my back and by the end of the day, I was at the emergency room! They said that there was nothing wrong, but gave me some medicine to relax the muscles. (Or, at least that is what I think it was for) I spent the next 4 days taking it pretty easy and was able to catch up on some rest and also finish a book. I have been to the chiropractor/ Chinese medicine woman twice now and she has done alot to help my back. The special thing is that through this I have been able to get to know her. Even thought I don't understand alot of what she says, just being with her has been good. She is trying to learn English, so when I am there she likes to practice.

At times, I wonder why I am here. But, at the same time I am so content being here. I know God has me here for a reason, but at the same time, I don't see that what I am doing is having any eternal impact. I look around me and what do I see? I first of all see my team. I see Sarah and Lydia loving on all the little girls, and all of the little girls love them right back. I see Tony, wearing his Taiwan Baseball jersey and everyone staring. (He was followed around at the grocery store, and on the bus he was giving his autograph.) The other day as we were walking down the street, there were kids in a van. When we walked by, the van door opened and the kids started yelling Tony! Tony! Tony! and did not stop till we were out of sight. I see Daniel doing sitting on the floor playing UNO with the kids, or finding some way to make them laugh After looking at those closest to me, I look a little further and I see the kids at my school. The ones that always give me hugs and jump on my back. The 6th graders who after English class teach me how to "properly" pronounce the different counties in Taiwan. Then there is the 1st grader who pulls on my earing, rubs my arm, and sticks his finger in my ear. There are also all of the other 1st graders who want you to sit by them in English class. After class, you can plan on it taking you a few minutes to get out of the classroom. Today, I was just hugged and pulled on and few kids decided to take down my hair and completely mess it up. Rarely can we walk down the street and not hear one of our names. Because I teach here in JiJi, I am always getting to see my kids. After the kids in my schools, there are so many other people. People like Justin, Lisa, Sam, Linda, and the other Lisa. Justin, is a guy from South Africa who is lives here in JiJi and works as a Cram School teacher. Since our schedules are just opposite, we don't get to see him too often, but we try to have dinner occasionally. Lisa, is a girl I met my second week here. She became a Christian through a previous teacher over here. She has been a real blessing. Watching her has shown me what it is like to be a Christian in Taiwan. To see the struggles she has with different beliefs in her family, and trying to find Christians to fellowship with, all of this has not been easy for her! As for Sam and Linda, they are just two of our night market kids. Both Sam and Linda are faithful visitors to our house if we fail to show up at the night market, or they will come to hang out with us until we go to the night market. It is so special to have the kids that we do things with on a regular basis. Last but not least is the other Lisa. Lisa is a college student who is studying teaching. She works at one of my schools and has really been very kind to me. If she senses that something might be wrong, she will make sure and ask me. I was able to have her over about 2 weeks ago and it just thrilled me that I was able to spend time with her. She is one of the people that I really want to get to know while I am here. Can you believe that this is just the start of my list?!?! There are so many people that I have the blessing of coming in contact with every day! When thinking about all of this, there is one thing I can be sure of. I know that God has called me to love these people. Regardless age or language barrier, I have been put here to be a witness to them!

I want to say "Thank You" to those of you who pray for us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers! One thing that I would appreciate is if you would pray for us that we know how to balance our busyness and our time with Chinese friends. That we would not allow our schedule to get in the way of really getting to know the people God has placed around us!

From the Tiny Town of JiJi,
Holly

Hello everybody!

Ok, today I just want to say a big "THANKS!!!" to the people that were in Kinmen last year. The way they handled the life here- both personal and public- has made the biggest impact on the way things are now. From the investments and choices they made to the the love they showed and the work done through prayer, a road was paved. Although it's not an easy one, it's a road with sure footing and Something at the end that makes even the blind curves and grueling hills scream, "It's worth every footstep."

I thought about this as I listened to a fourth grade class sing. It was at a particularly hard school- one that is tougher for me to prepare for. The girl that taught there last year as shared some advice for working there, and suggested singing. She said to get them to teach me their version of "Rain, rain go away." I'd never heard the class be so loud (they're usually very quiet). They sang their hearts out. Why? No doubt they had been taught to sing like that- with all of their heart.

It just made me think. Such an impact was made. In big things, little things..it's still being made. There's still evidence of it, even months after they left. Now it's me in that spot. WoW.

Choices..people watching...kids learning from me...teachers trusting me...principles offering me coffee... friendships... relationships... people investments...time with God...His purpose for each day..So much to think about!

So what am I going to do about it?

SOMETHING.

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.." Heb.12:1-2

~Ginger Jernigan
Kinmen, Taiwan

Greetings, one and all!
I guess you could say I’m the “new kid on the block”- or at least, the new kid on the site. My name is Christina Moody and I’m from Simi Valley, California. This is my first update cause I was home for most of the summer after they set up this site and then I missed my first update….oops! I nearly missed this one due to our internet being down this weekend. Better late then never, I guess! Anyway, I’m honored to be here.
This week has been an awesome one for me. Ever since I’ve been back in Taiwan I’ve been struggling with being completely here, wanting to be home, and even being bored with teaching. This past week God has been reinforcing to me the importance of seeking Him for ALL that I need and that prayer is a very powerful thing. I spent some time praying, especially for last Wednesday. Wednesday mornings I teach 5 classes in a row, starting with 7:50. I teach with a guy that hasn’t been teaching English for that long and thus isn’t quite as organized as some of my teachers. J Some weeks I get there greeted with “So, do you have something you want to teach this morning?” and other weeks I sit on the corner of the platform and make faces at the kids for the whole class. Anyway, I was really praying for Neil, the teacher, and that we’d be able to work together really well. Last Wednesday we had an absolute blast teaching together! We told the story of the three billy goats. I told the story and then he introduced a game that went with it. It was great- we bounced off each other and helped each other out through the whole class. The morning flew by, and I know it was all God. Every day this past week I’ve noticed such a difference in my whole perspective as I start each day by thanking God for it, and simply asking Him to go with me and help me. It’s so simple, and yet it’s embarrassing to think of how many days I’ve let go by without stopping and giving the day to the Lord.

Keep Nantou in your prayers! Pray especially for:
Principal Liang, the principal of the school we live at;
The English teachers we work with, that the Lord will work in their hearts;
The 600+ kids each of us teach every week;

The upcoming teacher training conference we’re planning (November 19-20).
We covet your prayers- thanks for serving with us here in Taiwan. Remember, prayer is not the preparation for the work, prayer IS the work. God bless each of you!

Christina Moody
Nantou, Taiwan

The other day one of the teachers I work with said, “You have so much courage to come to Taiwan. You didn’t know where you would live. You didn’t know the other Americans. You don’t even know how to speak Chinese.” I felt like laughing because at that moment I certainly didn’t feel very courageous! In fact my first thought was that maybe it was more of a stupid thing that I had done than a courageous thing. My next thought was, “Katrina, on your own you aren’t courageous. The only reason you are here is because of the courage and the strength the Lord gives you.” And so instead of laughing and explaining away what she saw as courage in my life I was able to share with her why I’m in Taiwan. I shared with her that because God wants me here I can ask Him to give me His grace, wisdom, and strength, to make it through the difficult times when I feel alone, confused, frustrated or scared.

And so when I’ve planned my teaching schedule for the day and one period’s plan gets thoroughly changed half a dozen times before the period is over I don’t need to become frustrated because the Lord’s grace is sufficient. When I have no idea how to motivate a class of sixth graders to learn I can ask the Lord for wisdom and He has promised to supply it liberally. When I’m not feeling well and am physically weak and tired I can claim the promise that the Lord’s strength is made perfect in my weakness.

During the past months I’ve been learning a lot about God’s grace. I’ve had many of the things that I placed my security in removed or taken away from me. I’m beginning to see that there are a lot of things that I held on to and looked to for my strength that when things got tough simply didn’t cut it. Today as I was thinking about the past few weeks the chorus to a song came to mind: “You can hold on to sorrow, hold on to pain. You can hold on to anger but there is nothing to be gained. You can hold to a thread at the end of a rope. But if you hold on to Jesus you are holding on to hope.”

For me right now, that’s where it’s at – holding on to Jesus and the grace that He offers me for every situation. And that my friends, is the only reason why I can face each day with courage.

Katrina Nisly
Hualien

Person 1: Ni jien tien hao me?

Person 2: Hao, ni na?

Person 1: Hao. Xie xie.

Or if I try it’s…
Daniel: Ni jien tien hao me?
Student: *blank stare*
Daniel: (Very slowly this time) Ni…jien…tien…hao…me?
Student: *blank stare*
Daniel: Ni ting da dong me?
Student: (shaking head) wo ting bu dong
Daniel: (in English) how was your day?
Student: (in English) good.

Sigh…my Chinese isn’t that bad.

Them: Today we will teach Moon Festival words. Like, barbeque, moon, moon cake, beef, pomello…
Me: Hold on…pomello? What’s pomello?
Them: It’s an English word. Don’t you know it?
Me: No that’s why I asked.
Them: It’s this fruit we eat.
Me: Oh..cool. How do you pronounce it?
Them: We were hoping you knew…
Me: Is it in the dictionary?
Them: No…
Me: Great…

Sometimes I get to learn English.

Them: I have something for you, Daniel.
Me: *starts thinking and panicking* …moon cakes…no…more…moon cakes…
Them: (they continue without me saying anything) I heard you talking about Mountain Dew the other day and how you liked it. I didn’t know what it was so I looked it up on the internet and then while I was in Taichung I picked up a can for you.
Me: Wow, thanks! You didn’t have to do that you know.
Them: You are a friend.
(let me now point out that a can of Mt. Dew in Taiwan runs about a buck)

These people are cool.

Housemate: (Said in a cheerful manner) Don’t you just feel like shooting yourself in the head sometimes?
Me and Anthony: (staring with wide eyes) Um…no I can’t say that I do…
Housemate: (Just as cheerful) Sometimes at the end of the day you just feel like shooting yourself!
Me: I’m trying to eat here…
Anthony: Uh…ok…
Me: here want some ice cream?
Anthony: Please…

I live with interesting people.

Other housemate: Doesn’t that guy ever put his shirt down?
Me: Hmm…doesn’t look like it.

There are interesting people around us.

Holly: Come on Justin! Click for us!
Justin: I can’t do it while smiling
Me: Hey, we had a deal. Smores for Clicks. We did our part of the deal.
Justin: Ok…

Justin is funny.

Alice: I love you teacher!
Me: I love you to, Alice.

There’s no better job than working with kids. Everyone should try it at least once.

Ready to sign up?

Daniel
Ji Ji

“Be still and know that I am God…” (Ps.46:10). It is so good, yet so difficult, for me to keep this command. There are times when I would rather be doing my own thing instead, yet when I have quieted myself before the King, He has blessed me by revealing many unanswered questions that I have had in the past.

Here’s one:

About four or so years ago, I was at the ATI Knoxville Conference. From what I remember, I believe I got a prayer card from one of the booths in the Stokely building. It was about a new ATI outreach that I really didn’t know much about, and it had five prayer requests with a scripture verse below each request. Though I really wasn’t too interested in going to that place mentioned on the prayer card, I decided to take it home anyway, so I could pray over requests mentioned on the card. It was around that time that I started to take prayer much more seriously, and since it was apart of ATI, I thought it must be pretty important! So I put it in my room, and for the next couple of years I consistently prayed over those five requests, until I unconsciously had them memorized along with the verses! However, when I came here I left the prayer card home and soon forgot about it. About two weeks ago God reminded about that list, and for the first time since I came here I remembered what the prayer card was for. Taiwan.

Though I had no desire or burden forever coming to this precious country, God did. These past couple of months have been absolutely wonderful, and any of my wildest dreams for my future (and I did have some doozies) cannot even compare to living on a little Island called Kinmen, a place I had never heard of before. Since then God has answered so many requests, including two huge one’s that I had from last semester, that I am ashamed at for my unbelief.

As a word of encouragement, please take time to know that God is God. He has purpose, and it is that all things will work together for good to them that love Him (Romans 8:28).

Remember to pray for us (with thanksgiving and praise). Phil.4:6,7

"Ni Hao" from Ying Pan

Wow. The hard times in your life are often the times you grow the most. I know that any of the others here will agree with that. Wehave had a lot of small irritating problems...and few bigger pains, but God is always faithful. We are starting to teach more and more classes, keeping more and more busy, seeing more and more opportunities to be the light of Jesus.

Just today for example. Joel and I went out for lunch with one of the teachers, and we started talking about spiritism, Chinese religion and Christianity. One of the things that was mentioned was the great fear that the Chinese have for ghosts. But for Christians, we have no reason to be afraid because the blood of Jesus covers us, and there is POWER in the blood!!! Praise the Lord! So that went well, we talked about the plans for teaching some extra classes here at Ying Pan...had a good time.

And then this evening, I went with Christina and Mai to the night market, where we just happened to pass some Mormon missionaries. So the girls suggested that I go and talk to them. And as they went to dinner...I found myself talking to the two "elders". They come out and talk to the Chinese people pretty often, and were just leaving the store when I approached them. I had an interesting short chat with them, I asked them about their work, so they asked me...so I just gave them a quick testimony of the gospel. Thank the Lord for the opportunities we have been given. Also, the school has been blessing us with a bunch of extra stuff that will be a lot of help. A hot pad stove...some computers. Very good. Please pray for they people that we are able to reach with the good news...also, we ask that you would keep Principal Liang in your prayers, that God would touch her heart, and she would respond to the Gospel.

In Christ, and for His Glory,
Isaac Mazur

“I will sing of your great love forever. With my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations.” This definitely was the week for singing. At the beginning of the week part of our team overheard a group children walking in our court yard singing very happily to themselves, “I love Ben, we love Ben!” The Chinese celebrated the annual Moon Festival this week as well. In order to try and blend the English language and Chinese culture I wrote a little song about this Chinese festival. The song quickly became a favorite at the two schools where I teach. Finally, the week ended with a request to travel to Taipei (a three hour train ride north) for a TV interview. (The company that sponsors our team is always looking for ways to promote the work) During the twenty minute interview I was able to give a short gospel presentation, smile, and sing three songs; a Chinese love song (in Chinese of course), my Moon Festival Song, and our Character First obedience song!

What a week for SONGS! The last song which impacted me was “My Faith has Found a Resting Place. ”I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.” This week has been a time of intense spiritual warfare in which I have seen the powerful effects of your prayers. God continues to amaze me with His plan and grace as I am challenged daily with seemingly hopeless situations followed by a humanly impossible tasks. Your prayers are making a difference.

As a team we are studying through the book of Colossians. One thing that has stood out from me is the love Paul had for a group of people he had never seen. Recently I wrote to my family telling them if they could experience what I was experiencing that they would pray more.

“I wish each you could come and see the work here. I wish you could eat lunch with my students, and have 35 kids give you high 5's at the end of each lesson. I wish you could chat with my teachers on the way from school and hear how lonely they are, without friends or direction or meaning in life. I wish you could stand on the roof of my dorm and face the hideous Toa temple filled with grotesque carvings looming with hateful menace. Maybe if you could see it you would understand that the five minutes you spend praying for us and for the Taiwanese people are not wasted. The prayer of a righteous man availith much!”

Since I wrote that I have realized how shallow it is. If you read Colossians chapter one you will see the intensity at which Paul labored in prayer for men and woman he had never seen.

I know I struggle to pray for those who I have not seen, but God will give us a heart if we ask him. Consider asking God to give you a heart for the people of Taiwan and maybe you can join with Paul in saying “We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”

Benjamin Jacob

Have you ever wondered what God was up to and why when it rains it pours, and when it is good it is so good that you feel like jumping up and kicking your heals.

Why is it that one minute you feel like crying your eyes out, and the next minute you feel like God could not pour out any more blessings on your life. No I am not talking about something that is only limited to females it is all about why God has the timing he does.

Why He allows things to happen as they do? Last weekend our team went to Taichung for church. When we arrived we had some time to shop for phone covers, and phone supplies. I was standing at the counter, and a man bumped into me. At that moment I knew that something had happened, I did not know exactly what it was that made me feel this way. I grabbed by back pack to go through it, and then I knew that my phone had just been stolen. Is God really in control of this crazy world, or do things happen by chance? God is Sovereign He rules the world. No good thing would he withhold from those who's walk is blameless Ps 84:11. As I sat through church last week wondering what was the thing that I was suppose to learn from this, or how I was to thank God for it. God gave me an insight on this. I was now able to pray for this man who I did not know. All I knew was that he need the Lord.

This morning I started off with a sad start, but when I walked into my classroom all of my third graders were hiding under the table. Now usually that could be a problem. How do you get those little kids out from under the table when you don't speak Chinese? As I walked to the front of the classroom they each started popping out from under the table with there mean growls and funny laughs. They all gathered around me, and laughed. It was at that moment that my heart was empted from my sadness, and filled with joy. This is why I am here. Yes God knows about my bad days, and my good days. He knows all about me, and every part my being. Yes my God cares for me.

Sarah Deluca,
Jiji

Happy birthday R.O.C. ! That's right, Oct. 10th marks the day of independance for Taiwan. As we think of this nation and their fight for freedom both politically and Spiritually,let's pray that God will loose the things that are bound, restore the years that the canker worm has eaten, and bring peace and revival to this small land.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Author of life, thank You that You have placed Your hand on Taiwan as evidenced by the prayer warriors that have arisen, crying out to you for this land. Please heed our prayer Lord, we are weak but You are strong. We stand in the gap for these wonderful people that You have created and pray right now that You would, as YOU alone can, turn their hearts toward You! In Jesus' name, amen.

Thank you once again for your prayers!

Megan Jefferies~ Kinmen

Thought of the day: "Do I spend more time chasing the world's idea of happiness or resting in God's idea of joyfulness?" Oswald Chambers

Question of the day: On any given leisurely walk, how many smells do YOU encounter? If you live in Taiwan the anwser is "a new one about every 5 steps!

Wow time is flying by so fast!!! Chase, Joel and I were just talking about how fast time has been flying by!! In just a few months it will no longer be 2004!!! Wow weird feeling!

Hmmmm........ what new adventure have I had recently??? I guess I'm not really sure because my whole life is an adventure!! This weekend I finally got to meet the legendary " AUDRA" !!! I love meeting new people full of life!!! Last night Christina, Audra and I had a wonderful time " just girl time" !!! If your wondering what we did...what do you think we did? What do girls do all the time?
TALK!! It was very fun!

I've been doing a lot of haircutting this past week. The "men" look very well and groomed! No more shaggy hair look... well I guess they weren't that far yet. They look very nice now so Moms they are looking very ....well as my mother would but it handsome.

This week Sandy from King Car came and visited us. It was a blessing to be able to spend time with her ,we (the team) hadn't seen here since the English Camp in Matsu. She came to our schools and watched us teach at our different schools. The only one that she wasn't able to observe teaching was Isaac. I was nice to hear her opinion on how I taught. Although my teacher that I was working with at the school was a basket case full of nerves. My heart went out to her. We all received good reports though, Yeah for the Nantou team!

Tomorrow the Team here will be attending a church once again in Taichung. It's about 30 mins. away. We attended (minus Joel as he was on the sick list) this church last week, I myself was very refreshed and encouraged by the Pastor. If we decided to attend that church every week it would cost a few dollars ( American ) to be able to go.

Then it dawned on me that I was willing to pay this same amount of money every week on something temporal ( like Food....MAI shame on me!). Why was I even pondering whether or not it would be worth it to pay to go to church every weekend? Shame on me! What a slash of cold water that was in my righteous face!! I need to be reminded by the Lord as to what again was to be my most important focus. So I humbly asked the Lord to forgive my selfishness and quickly turned to the others to encourage them that the traveling fares would be well worth it! I'm so grateful for His love and kind correction.

I was talking with some of my team hear and we were thinking about how interesting it will be to see how much the Lord is going to stretch us and help us grow (in Him) this year. I guess I personally would have to say as Mary did " Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word " Luke 1:38a.

From Nantou,
Mai Lewis ~ Luke 1:37 " ...For with God nothing is impossible! "

I love living here in Taiwan! The people, the beauty, I am even getting used to not being able to communicate with most people (you just smile and say “Wo ting bu dong!”). It is hard to believe how far way home I am over here...well, except when I'm trying to call my family without waking everyone up in the middle of their night! God has been so good in creating a home away from home for us here and while there are things that come up, He is the process of uniting us as a team to module the body of Christ to the Taiwanese.

Our days here are beginning to fall into a pattern as we get up have devotions, breakfast, team prayer and head off to our various schools, sometimes by train and sometimes getting a ride with another teacher from our school. I am teaching at three different schools, four days a week and am starting to get to know some of the teachers. Keeping the kids straight is another story as I teach seventeen different classes (a couple of those I have twice a week) and each class has an average of 20-25 kids so that equals...a lot of kids. I am taking pictures and starting to collect lists of names for the different classes and hope that I will be able to get a better handle on who's who and which school I know them from when I meet them in the night market. Two of my schools are country schools near by and are mostly aboriginal (Taroko) children and the third is a small school in Hualien City. One thing that really surprised me at first was the amount of variety in the kids because they are not just Chinese. I have some that look very Chinese, a lot that look more like American Indians than Chinese, and a few that could pass for Caucasian with countless variables in between. Some of my kids have auburn/red-ish hair, some are freckled, some are tiny, some are big, the list could go on and on. The one thing that is the same with all the kids at all my schools though, is that they are so eager to be close to me or talk with me. It’s “mob the teacher time” for a group hug when the bell rings that class is over, but I love interacting with them in-between classes.

I plan the lessons and all the teaching for 2/3rds of my classes, which has been a learning experience for me as well as the kids, some classes go really well and others, well, a few of them bombed. As God places me out of my comfort zone in some of the schools were the teachers English level is lower, it has been Awesome to see His’s faithfulness. Especially as I gain confidence in my ability to teach, God has been reminding me of how much I still need to depend on Him. My responsibility is to do the preparation and plan my lessons to the best of my ability, but it is God who makes a class successful and prayer a big difference.

Christina Furrow
Hualien County

I have been in Taiwan for a little over one month now and the time has flown by fast. My team is quickly bonding together, and I enjoy the time that we spend together. It has taken some time to adjust to life here in Taiwan with all the strange surroundings. But I am finally settled.

There has been some kind of festival going on this past week.

*Admin's Note*
It's a Festival celebrating the anniversery of one of the Temples in Ji Ji
*end of Admin's note*

It has been quite the sight. There are booths up and down the street that I live on. They sell every thing that you can imagine. They are very noisy, but I can sleep through the noise so it is not too unbearable. Almost every night my team, and I have gone out to look at some of the booths. We have bought a lot of stuff and have been able to spend some time with some of the kids in Ji Ji. They are sweet kids, and they remind me of the kids in my home town. I want to reach out to them more but it is hard because there is such a language barrier. I have been able give some of them tracts and that was great, but I still want to be able to talk to them and share Christ love with them. I want to be able to answer their questions about God, and be a godly mentor to them.

I still miss home, but I am growing so much here. I am learning to depend on the Lord for all my needs, and He is so faithful to always be there for me.

Pray that I will keep my focus on the Lord as I face each new adventure, and that in each task that I take on I will have an eternal mind set.

Lydia DeLuca
JiJi Taiwan

As I try to collect my thoughts for yet another update it seems my mind keeps coming back to the same theme again and again; that is the incredible need of the people I meet every day. Whether it is the little girl in my class who is desperate for my attention and affection, the shopkeepers who nightly burn their incense and paper money, the junior high kids who have such hopeless looks in their eyes, or the teachers we work with who are so driven to succeed… They all have one thing in common - they need Jesus in their lives.

The startling truth is that we may be the only expression of Him that they will ever see. They may never leave this island and may never meet another follower of Jesus in their lives. It is up to us, as we allow the Savior to live His life through us, to be a demonstration of His love to them; a beacon of light shining in this dark corner of the world that will guide these misguided, blinded people to the One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! The alternative is not a pleasant one, but its truth is equally as convicting.

As I look around me I am constantly reminded that many of these people I see every day will end up in Hell. What a sobering and saddening thought. It is heart breaking for me to consider this and yet I cannot allow myself to forget. I must live each day with eternity’s values in view; considering with each thought, word, and action whether they will count for Christ and His kingdom’s sake. Am I laying up the treasures in Heaven? Or will the things on which I spend my time and energy amount only to wood, hay, and stubble?

I pray that as I live and work here on Kinmen Island the Holy Spirit will so conform me to His Image that I will be a living, breathing picture of Christ to those I meet every day…that they will see me and be drawn to a love, a peace, a joy that they have not known, but that they so desperately need. Pray for me, and for the whole team here, that the Lord will grant these deepest desires of our hearts as we continue to serve Him in Taiwan!

Rebekah Gilley,
Kinmen, Taiwan

It has been quite an adjustment for me over the past few weeks. Going from calmly being at home, doing what I know how to do; to teaching 20 lessons a week, that I’m not sure that I know how to do. It wasn’t enough for me to go half way across the world, I also had to change occupations!

I teach at three different schools. On Monday and Wednesday, I teach at Huping Elementary School. On Tuesday, I teach at San Jhan Elementary School. On Thursday, I teach at Shuei Yuan Elementary School. All of the students at all of the schools seem to be very eager to learn English. Or at the least, they still haven’t gotten over the newness of their English teacher!  They are still surprised at how “white” my skin is, and how light my hair is. For most of them, I’m the first person that they’ve seen that doesn’t look like an Asian person at all.

The students have a lot of fun trying to get me to say something in Chinese. My extremely limited Chinese vocabulary is quickly exhausted any time that I try to talk to them. Then they laugh at my attempts to pronounce something in Chinese. Sometimes I wonder if I’m saying something else instead of what I’m supposed to be saying! They think that it is great though when I understand what they are saying, even if they are only talking in Chinese. I may not be able to answer them in Chinese, but I understand what they are saying in Chinese. That doesn’t happen very often, usually only when we are both using a lot of “body language!” We have a lot of fun learning from each other, that’s for sure!

Signing off until next time,
Gracia Engle

Hello to all of you! How is life back home in America? If you ask the same about Taiwan, this would be my answer...

How to describe in one word, or even several words? hmmm, lets see...OK, here we go. I would have to say that I am doing excellent right now. God is faithful as always, I am enjoying teaching, I have a great team, I am able to participate in some fun experiences, and I never lack for something to do.

Now, for some of the specifics… I have talked some about my teaching in the past, so I will leave more of that for a future update. This week has contained some abnormal events, abnormal in the fact that they don't happen all the time :). Let me explain

Last Tuesday was the Mid Autumn Festival; otherwise know as the Moon Festival. It is held here in Taiwan, and in China, on the day when the moon is the brightest. As with many festivals there is a story that goes along with it, but for sake of time and space I won't put it in this update.
Team Update 63

Anyway, in order to celebrate the Moon festival, our school took my team to Jiji. If you didn't know, there is also a team of teachers (our co-workers) teaching there. The 10 of us spent the evening doing a variety of activities, riding bikes (they were tandem bikes!), learning how to make moon cakes, and barbecuing. It was a fun evening, and it was good to learn some more about Chinese culture too.

On Tuesday, the actual moon festival, I went with my team back to Jiji. We spent the afternoon playing games and eating dinner with the Jiji team. We played ultimate Frisbee most of the afternoon, then went back to the house and grilled fajitas, they were very good.

Wednesday evening I rode a bike into Nantou with Isaac. I was able to visit the night market, and I got a lot of shopping done. If you don't know, a night market is a unique experience. Vendors bring their merchandise to a certain location (whether it be food, clothing, kitchen utensils, sunglasses, or whatever), where they set up stands and sell their goods far into the night. These are fun places to go, as you can usually find good prices on most anything you are looking to buy, and there is good food too :).

Today, Sunday, I went with my team to Taichung, a big city about a half hour drive from Nantou. We got there about 1:30, grabbed lunch and looked around a little. Then we went to church, which was our purpose for going to Taichung. I enjoyed the service a lot. It was a bilingual, which made it fun, but I could still understand what was going on :). After church we went to the night market in Taichung, which is about 10 times the size of our one block night market here in Nantou. Then we headed home. OK, that about sums up my week.

Please keep praying for our work over here. Time spent on our knees is never wasted time. Today, if you would pray for Joel, he has a cold and would like to have his voice for teaching :). Also continue to pray for the Chinese teachers we work with, and that we would be good witnesses of Jesus Christ to them.

Goodnight (for me), and a good day to you :).

Chase Hiebsch,
Ying Pan

Why am I here? This is the question that I spent all of last week asking myself. Yes I did know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord had called me here, and that he had even given me verses speaking to the fact that I should be here, but I was still struggling with why.

I have always been the kind of person who deeply desires and loves to be in and doing ministry, but when I would go to my schools and encounter problems and situations that are hard to deal with, such as teachers that seemed like they didn't want me there and the kids that seem like they aren't listening, and the list just goes on and on.

As I was thinking about these things, and yes I must confess maybe even feeling a little bit sorry for myself, I asked the Lord why he hadn't provided any ministry for me, after all that was my whole purpose for coming here right?

I realized that no that wasn't exactly the reason for my coming, the reason was actually serving the King car foundation as well as the government of Taiwan. I then began to complain inwardly and think, man if these are the only reasons, then I might as well go home right now. A little bit later, I went over to the school to hit some baseballs, thinking that perhaps the fact that I was hitting something might make me feel a little better.

Just as I was getting started, to little boys came up and asked if they could play with me, at least I think that's what they said judging from the fact that they took my bat away from me and handed me the ball. As we played together, I noticed how happy they seemed to be and also how content they were to be spending time the big American guy. As I watched the joy on the faces of those kids, the Lord seemed to be saying to me, this is why you're here, to play with them when they have nobody else to play with, to wave at them and say hi when they greet me on the street, to sit and wrestle with them when they come over to the house to visit. In other words to Love them, but not simply to love them, but to be a tool to lead them to the author of love.

So the next time someone asks me Why I am here, of course I will tell them to teach English, but I will also tell them about all these kids, and of the love that god has put in my heart for them.

That is the reason that I am here.

Anthony, in Jiji

The weeks are rocketing by here in Kinmen! We just have so many opportunities to minister; it can be overwhelming when I stop to think about it. We would appreciate any prayers for guidance as we each have to choose which opportunities to invest in.

One opportunity that has come our way this weekend is a visit by two young women from Taipei. I believe their father is some sort of doctor, and they’re involved with some sort of association called IBLP or some such strange name. I’m afraid we’re not really going to able to help them, though, and we’ll probably just have to send them back to Taipei on Monday. You can pray that God will bring someone else across their path over there. ;-P

Okay, just to clarify, the previous paragraph was a joke -- we are having a lovely and encouraging visit from Karen and Faith Chen this weekend! :-D They’ve been able to visit with an English teacher, two college students, and a salon owner that they’ve had previous opportunities to witness to, (Ted, Tammy, Emily, and Lucy, respectively). Our team has regular contact with all four of these people, and we would love to see them saved! I believe Emily is already saved, but please pray for each of them.

For a little more than the past week, we’ve also had kids playing cards with us to rather late hours whenever there’s no school the next day. It’s mostly Jr. High students, but also a few elementary and Sr. High students, living here at the dorm. We’re all in the same boat – living away from our families – so it’s nice to do things together in the evenings. There are a couple big differences in our boats, though: first, we’re a lot older, and second, we have our Heavenly Father right here with us. We’re praying that we’ll be channels of His love to them.

There are also some students, almost all Jr. High, from local families that have been joining us in the evenings. Most of their parents will eventually call them to come home, but it’s sad that some of them don’t seem to have any kind of curfew. Please pray for little Allen. He was in one of Lucas’ 3rd grade classes last semester, and now he’s in one of Megan’s 4th grades. He’ll come over all by himself and hang around ‘til we finally have to tell him that he needs to go home and sleep. Every time we ask if his parents know that he’s here or what time he’s supposed to be home, and he just says that they don’t care. It seems to be true…they never come looking for him. Last night at 11:30, Lucas finally walked him downstairs and helped him get his little bike over the fence (the school gates were already locked). :-( It sure makes me grateful for my parents.

This past Monday, we started doing a class with 8 potential drop-outs that attend this Jr. High. We’ll be working with them on English for two hours every Monday evening, and they have other classes the other weeknights and activities on the weekend. It’s a new program that’s just started, and I believe it’s mostly taught by their homeroom teacher and volunteer college students. They had a meeting last week to start things off, and all the students’ parents were supposed to come with them, but only one mother came. As soon as they saw a chance during the meeting, the boys ran outside to smoke. We therefore only gave them a 5-min. bathroom break during our class on Monday, but that was still plenty of time for them to run out and smoke. We’re working on a better plan of action for keeping them from doing that. :-) One of the boys at the meeting had what looked like a huge cat-claw scratch on his neck, and he told Rebekah that he got in a fight with his older brother. A couple days later, Lucas thought he saw one of the boys hiding by a tree near our dorm during class-time, doing something with a knife to his arm. Sure enough, on Monday, the boy had slice marks all down his forearm. We haven’t met all of the students yet, but I think there are two girls and six boys. Praise God, our first class went well, and we were able to break the ice with the five students that came. One of them was our old friend Bill/Jerry, (his English name was Bill last semester, but now it’s Jerry). For a while last semester, he came over to the dorm almost every day. It’s good for us to have a chance to work with him again. Please keep the class, students, and teachers in your prayers.

May God bless each of you, and know that we’re praying for all of you, too!

~BJ, for the Kinmen Team

Wow. Time is flying faster and faster as my time here in Taiwan is passing. It is already October! Fall is here along with the cooler weather. At least that is what they tell me, though it still is in the 70s and the leaves on the trees are still green... I will greatly miss the Fall colors this year, along with snow and cheese curds (cheese curds??)...

It seems like I just started teaching a few days ago. Maybe it is because I have not had time to think about it during the last few months. Life is getting very busy with teaching, planning for everything King Car can think of, meeting with people, learning, eating, etc... This last week, I was at Sun Moon lake all day on Saturday, met the Jiji team for lunch at Carrefour on Sunday, went to Jiji after school on Monday for a barbecue and a lesson on how to make moon cakes, returned to Jiji for fun and food all afternoon on
Tuesday, went to the night-market with Allen (Chinese friend who thinks he is American) on Wednesday, had dinner during an English class with a group of adult students of one of the teachers that Mai and Isaac work with on Thursday, and today I went to Chinese class, cleaned in our living area, and had Allen and another friend over for dessert.

Teaching is going great; at some of my schools, I am still trying to understand what I am doing, but it is all good. The students, for the most part, are very good to work with. I get along very well with all of my teachers and school officials. This last week, I received any moon cakes, pomelos, pears, and cards to help me celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival and Teacher's Day. The people are so friendly!

Our team here in Ying Pan is doing very well. All of us like to have fun together, and we are making some great friends that we like to hang out with. It is very interesting to see all of the opportunities that we have to be a witness of Christ and example of Godly character to many people. Pray that the Lord will be able to work through us in a mighty way as we become unified in our calling in Him.

It is always encouraging to hear that you are praying for us. I would like to thank you all very much for all of your efforts in supporting the team here in Taiwan. We need and covet your prayers, as there is no way that we can do this without relying on the strength of Christ. If you would pray for us that we would continue to remain healthy both physically and spiritually, and that we will be united together as Christ would have us to be. Pray for our students and the teachers we work with that they will see Jesus in us, and want to know about Him.

God be with each of you as you look to Him in everything.

For the team in Ying Pan,
Joel