I’m visiting the team here in Kinmen this weekend along with Chase, Daniel and Joel. It was really nice eating dinner all together and realizing that more then half the team was together in one place.
After dinner we went out to play some volleyball and a few guys played basketball after that. Once most of us got back to the dorm last night the guys got into playing Counter Strike till 2:30 in the morning. It’s always amazing how fast time flies when you’re having fun or shooting something.
As I’ve had a chance to see parts of Kinmen I have to say I really like it here. One of the amazing things is the relationships that the Kinmen team has developed with the local children here on the Island. As they walk by they’re all yelling out there teachers names and very eager to strike up conversations. All of them here in Kinmen are really working hard to build relationships with the people of Kinmen.
One of the things I was thinking about here the last number of days and especially last night is how God delights not in our “sacrifice” or good deeds, but He delights in our Obedience. I’m still trying to piece it all together but even in what I’m doing yes at times I’ve sacrificed privileges that we would take for granted every day and I’ve made sacrifices on the things I can eat and all of my “comforts: yet I’m seeing with all these things if I’m not obedient to the Lord in even the smallest things its of no value. All of our sacrifices in life or the things we do mean nothing if we aren’t obedient to God and what He’s telling us to do.
As I’m nearing the end of my stay here in Taiwan and realize that my time with the children and the people of Taiwan is short and coming to a close I can’t help but wish that time would slow down. I wish I would’ve studied Chinese harder, I wish I would’ve taken that extra few minutes playing with the kids over break rather then taking a nap. I wish I would’ve been more obedient to God and much less prideful in doing the things that I want to do.
I guess in all of this please pray for us especially as some of us come to the end of our stay here. We’re leaving behind what we’ve come to love and what’s become home for many of us. We really covet your prayers and are so grateful for all you do in praying for us.
If you get a chance please write us, we do love to hear from you. You have no idea how much it makes our day.
Blessings
Joshua Smith,
Kinmen
