“Why did you come to Taiwan?”
You might be surprised how many times we hear this question. It seems like everyone we meet wants to know why young Americans would leave their families, put a hold on their futures, and come to Taiwan to teach English. As I was thinking about what to write today, this question kept popping into my head, for the events of the past few days have reminded me why I came to Taiwan…
“BE QUIET!” I had to laugh. I was trying to help some second graders with some English dialog they had to recite and have me sign. Trying to get second graders to say “would you care for some ice cream?” can be like trying to catch mosquitos and paint their toenails blue- it just ain’t happening. To make matters worse, the kids like to swamp my desk during breaks and push each other around while they’re waiting. They seem to think its funny when they all start saying what they think is the dialog, so I can’t hear what the one who’s reciting is saying. I’d been signaling for the kids to be quiet for several minutes but they just wouldn’t stop. So in the middle of my “repeat after me” session I asked them to be quiet. It went something like this:
“Would you care for some ice cream?”
“Wa you ca wa wa i-suh cwee?”
“Would. You. Care. For. Some. Ice. Cream?”
“Wa you ca…”
“Be quiet, please!”
All the kids’ eyes lit up and they all yelled “BE QUIET!” They were probably thinking “Wow, something I actually recognize in English!” It struck us all as being so funny that it took a minute to restore order and get back to caring for ice cream. My point in this little story, however, has nothing to do with ice cream or being quiet. My point is that I absolutely adore all of the kids I get to work with and I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for the world. The kids are what make my little world go round and they always manage to find ways to totally brighten my day.
“Hi! My name is”- before I could finish, an excited student bounced in her seat and exclaimed “CHRISTINA!” I had never been to this class before. In fact, I had never been to this school before. No, I was not in a kindergarten class. I was not even in an elementary school. I was in a seventh grade classroom at the local Junior High school and every student in the room was trying hard to hide their excitement at seeing five foreigners in their classroom. Each of us would be teaching a seventh or eighth grade class for the rest of the semester, so we were introducing ourselves to the students. In the midst of the introductions, the Lord chose to show me one of the reasons I am here in Taiwan- more specifically, the reason that I am still in Taiwan. The student that was so excited to see me was one of my students from last year’s sixth grade. I love my students now, but there’s nothing like seeing a “cool” junior high student that is so excited to see you that they’re squealing and they can’t sit still. I realized that God still has me in Taiwan so that I can follow up on relationships that I’ve built throughout the year and a half that I’ve been here already. Whoever teaches that seventh grade class will find a special place in that student’s heart too, but I know that she will always be special to me and there may be opportunities to talk to her and spend time with her that might not have been there if I hadn’t been here last year… or if I’d have gone home this year.
“Max and Ted ran with the hen!” Now maybe this sentence wouldn’t bring happy proud tears to your eyes under normal circumstances, but last night that is exactly what it did. Perhaps it wasn’t so much the sentence but the little boy who was reading it with an almost perfect accent. Every Monday evening I get to give little Benny English lessons. We’re working through a phonics book- so far we’ve gotten through vowels A, E, I, and O. Most of the time we don’t get much of an opportunity to actually see our students progress much, but working one-on-one with Benny has been such a privilege. In just four lessons he’s come so far and last night just listening to the shy 4th grader read the sentence about Max and Ted with such confidence almost did bring tears to my eyes. Benny’s mother would love to pay me for the lessons, but as part of our contract with the government, we aren’t allowed to be paid by anyone other than the government without express permission. Too bad for Benny’s mother, but I think it’s great. Benny’s mom owns a vegetarian noodle stand and treats me to dinner every week, as well as any other time I want to stop by and get some. I love all the extra opportunities that God throws into my path to encourage and help others- it usually ends up being a much bigger blessing to me than to any of the people I’m “helping”.
Last night I was standing outside on our balcony thingy just looking at the dark sky, thinking, and talking to God. I like to “discover” things that are rather obvious to other people, and this particular time I was thinking about my life recently. It hasn’t been easy- God has allowed many tests of my faith. In thinking back, though, I can already see how God’s hand was clearly in every part of it and that he carefully planned each part of my life. Even the parts I don’t understand have a reason, and I’m so grateful that God is in control. This is also the most important reason I came to Taiwan and that I came back to Taiwan. God is in charge of my life and God clearly led me here. And I will always be so thankful that He did. Taiwan has touched my heart in a way I never would’ve imagined.
There are many other reasons why I’m glad I’m here. I won’t go into them now because this update is already way too long. Taiwan has and always will have a very special place in my heart. Last year’s tourist slogan was “Taiwan- touch your heart.”
I couldn’t agree more.
In His love,
Tina Moody
Ying Pan Team
