I just had to laugh. Sometimes Taiwan just makes you laugh. I was sitting in a big dark room on a nice black leather seat; behind me members of the PTA were enthusiastically singing along to popular Chinese songs. Very loud popular Chinese songs… In front of me Joel was squinting in time with the music as lights from the disco ball thingy would spin and hit him square in the eyes. Ike had two laughing little kids on his lap bouncing happily as if Ike were a giant trampoline. Chase reached over and began tickling the kids and soon the American teacher playground grew to include him as well. Mai was to my left chatting with Lisa, one of my good friends and an English teacher here at Ying Pan. Welcome to the end-of-semester thank you dinner for Ying Pan Elementary school. Parties here are definitely an experience… Yup, I love Taiwan and sometimes I just have to laugh- and be extremely grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to spend two years of my life here. Taiwan will always have such an incredibly special place in my heart.
We had to leave the party before the cigars and round two of Chinese karaoke (bummer). We went outside the restaurant and caught the next bus into Nantou city to meet the Children’s Institute and Basic Seminar team for dinner. It was great to see so many familiar faces and talk to some old friends. After waving goodbye to the “Hosanna Bus” and CI team we hit the night market. I had a nice talk with the Sock Man. I understood most of what he was saying but he seemed to think I understood every word cause he was talking stinking fast. I bought some socks from him too. I like buying things from nice salespeople. Anyway it was a great night and I’m so thankful to be here in Taiwan now.
Please be on your knees praying for our winter camps. I have now entered coffee mode as I try to finish up planning and I know most of us are scrambling to get last minute details smoothed out. Pray that we would remember why we are here and not get so caught up in the logistics and details that we forget to just love the kids. Pray that communication with King Car representatives and TAs will be clear and that we’ll be a good witness to them. And above all, pray that our focus will be continually on Jesus and that everything we do will spring from that. You don’t know how vital your prayers are to our ministry here and I for one am extremely grateful for each of you that prays for us. Thank you!
For the Ying Pan team,
Christina Moody
