Just One Friend
Ayush came to Mass that evening. He watched everything I was doing with an attentive eye. He wanted to worship in the right ways, to give glory to the King of kings. Even if his understanding was just beginning, Ayush could sense that he was a part of something more, something great. He was sitting only a few feet from the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Contagious Joy
On July 22nd, the mission trip of six adults left after being with us for nearly two weeks. The time we spent with them was very busy as well as very blessed. On the third day of the trip, Mallory, my dad, and I left with the mission trip and some of our host family to travel to a small village about 4 hours of mixed travel (plane and bus rides) away. Life there was simple but beautiful.
Doktors in Taiwan
The first night was interesting for sure. The nights still got down to the 40s and, without heat, we were a little chilly. There were a bunch of noises, too, to feed our imaginations: some weird squealing (which we think now is a nighthawk), a rooster who must be jet lagged too as he started at 2am, and then stray dogs barking for what seemed like hours at a time. We were rattled by the initial shock of being in such a different place. The next morning, the reading was from Mark 4 where Jesus calmed the storm and I felt like the Lord was speaking to me when he said, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Encountering Truth
The other day a man showed up at the gate of our home. He had seen a poster which I had made advertising a praise and worship night we will host at the church. Our new friend, an atheist who works as a fortune teller in a temple, extended an invitation to Rebekah and I to join his language exchange group, saying that we could come “teach them about Jesus.”
The Church Is Poor In Taiwan
Christianity is a simple and common concept in the United States, but I am learning that is not so in Taiwan. We are learning about the gods and ancestors that a majority of the Taiwanese people worship; about the ideals of wealth, power, success, superstition, and education that govern the people’s lives.
Love Over Fear
I am ready to move to Taiwan. I’m ready to love, and serve, and bring the amazing gift of Jesus Christ to my brothers and sisters there. No matter what the future holds, I’m confident in the love of Christ. I’m confident in His goodness. I’m confident that only with God as the center of my life is all this possible.
How To Love When You’d Rather Yell
“STOP pushing the desk! How many times have I told you the SAME thing! Sit up straight and don’t lean against the table!” The plump, untidy little six-year-old gave me a shame-faced grin as she did every single time I corrected her which was probably every other minute of the thirty minutes I sat with her.
