the CI journal

The Killer Wasabi!

2012-01-24T16:02:00.000+08:00

Today began with an early start at 5:55 in the morning. Wei Wei, Katie N., and Mary B., and myself all cooked breakfast this morning. We made scrambled eggs with toast for everyone.

Later that morning, all the CI teachers had the opportunity to make banana rice at a local Aboriginal tribe - the Taroko people. As you could probably guess, the key ingredients are bananas & rice. We mixed these two items together in a bowl, wrapped them in a banana leaf, tying the ends with string. The village ladies then cooked them to perfection.

For lunch, the tribe prepared a huge feast for us. It was during that meal that I had my first experience with "Killer Wasabi." Unknown to me at the time, was the fact that you are only supposed to use a very small amount of the sauce. I loaded up an onion with as much as I could and had the surprise of my life!!! I thought my head would explode, and that the hair in my nose would disintegrate. I fear my taste buds will never be quite the same. After my run into that killer sauce; we had the chance to hike up part of a mountain to take in the fabulous view. Although it was an amazing sight, it does not compare with my memory of that first experience with Wasabi!

Aaron Vaughn

A Day of Traveling.

2012-01-23T15:55:00.000+08:00

Yay! Chinese New Year's Eve!!! We got to sleep in, which was a very refreshing sleep; especially after eating a bug the night before! Haha! We packed up and had an ICIC [International Children's Institute Church] service. Then we loaded up in our bus (which is pretty big, and MUCH larger than a 15 passenger van!) and embarked on our journey to Hualien!

While on the bus we talked and talked, played some games, slept, and talked some more!! We made a couple of stops along the way so we could feel the breeze of the China Sea and the feel the Pacific Ocean on our feet. Well, at least some of us did!

We eventually stopped and had a wonderful, special dinner that was called in ahead of time by our very kind driver, John! The dinner was made up of rice chicken, cuttle fish, seaweed and a whole bunch of other stuff. We arrived safe and sound sometime after dark and got settled into the school where we are staying & teaching at this week! It was a long, but very good day!

God has really blessed me with a ton of patience to adjust to this different culture; and in learning to work with interpreters thus far! It has been amazing to see what God has done in the past week! I'm excited to see what He'll do these coming weeks!!

Lillie Elliot

Did God Bring Me Here to Teach or to Learn?

2012-01-22T22:24:00.000+08:00

This trip has been a big learning experience for me. I always thought I was coming to Taiwan to teach children about God, but the longer I am here, the more I realize that maybe God brought me here to learn. It has been a challenge trying to teach children that speak a different language, but it was definitely worth it all when I saw the children's faces singing for their parents at 'Parent Presentation.' God definitely knew what He was doing putting me on a team with Hannah & Bill. Hannah taught me so many new things about teaching and Bill, my interpreter, was very patient with me. I don't think I could have done it without them. I am very excited about our next CI in Hualien, and cannot wait to see what new things God is going to do in our lives!

Annie Mae Senn

Becoming His Masterwork

2012-01-21T21:56:00.000+08:00

God has been working in my life this past few days as I face the challenge of teaching the children through an interpreter. It has been tough at times, but rewarding as I see them understanding what is being taught. But I first had to endure the challenges of teaching through an interpreter and use it as an opportunity to grow closer to God before I could see results as we learned yesterday in small group.

The kids in Tainan are really friendly and full of enthusiasm. I have been encouraged by the way they want to learn more about the Lord. I pray the He will give me enthusiasm and creativity as I continue to learn. We were invited to Tainan Assembly of God for lunch, where the children presented a song about the hidden hand of God in their lives as they faced difficulties; uncertainties. They told us how most of the children there have been through a lot of hardships. But we learned in class to welcome suffering so that we can grow in maturity through those situations. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things works together for good to to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."

Jordan Tan

God is Love - Forever & Always

2012-01-20T15:15:00.000+08:00

Recently, life has been very hard for me. A lot of things are changing. I was frustrated by this kind of life. So, I prayed to God and asked Him to show me His love and mercy. Although I never doubt, I still hope to see some signs or symbols.

Today, one of the girls on my team had a problem understanding what Mary was teaching since she is still too young. So I took her into the hall so I could explain it to her more, and we talked with some of the staff. When I held her hand and explained things to her, I realized how big & deep the love of God is. Even if life is hard sometimes, I have to remember that God is holding my hand. And later, when the girl looked up to me, I instantly realized that the presence of God never leaves me. All I have to do is just look up, and I'm going to see the Almighty God gently smiling at me, and saying "I love you, and I will be will here for you."

Peter Chiang

An Encounter with God.

2012-01-19T16:32:00.000+08:00

Today is Wednesday, our second day of CI's in Taiwan. It has been the best day of my trip so far. The best day because God met me in so many special ways. Here are a few examples:

-During quiet time, I was really wrestling with God that He would show me how to be a good assistant, and to love the kids because He loves them. God gave me such a peace about it, and the evening went so much better than last night.

-One of our student assistants, Peggy, showed initiative and helped her teammates many times without being asked.

-I spent some extra time with one of the students, and she really responded and wanted me to help her instead of my interpreter, even with the language barrier and I didn't understand much what she said.

-Our team leader was showing good leadership skills and keeping the kids attention. It made it easier for me to follow his example and be a good assistant.

I'm thanking God for showing Himself strong to me, and trusting many more days will go as well as it did today.

Esther Strickler

Ni-hao!

2012-01-18T20:31:00.000+08:00

Ni-hao! It was a fantastic day here in Tainan yesterday! We are all getting over jet lag, and are getting used to the food and eating with chopsticks. It is sometimes harder then it looks!

We had our first day of teaching yesterday, and boy what an adventure! We spent the afternoon in training, learning how to teach with an interpreter , reviewing materials, and getting everything else ready for the evening.

The kids began arriving at 6pm. Most teams started with name games and a craft. My team, Josiah & Katherine began a little different as two of our boys, Andy & Arky are rather full of energy, making it difficult to get the team lesson started. Please pray for us, and other team leaders with "special kids."

Large group was greatly enjoyed by the kids, but somewhat confusing for the leaders as it was all in Chinese. Joy led the kids in learning the Creation Song, Psalm 8:1-2, and the all important secret CI hand signals. Tim then told the Creation story, in English, translated by Simon. The kids really enjoyed it, and so did I. We then had another small group where the kids learned their 10 Unchangeables, and did another craft. The next large group included the "Bubble Song," and a skit with "Dr. Bubble." It was a full evening, but an enjoyable one.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." [2 Cor. 3:5]

In Christ,
Mary Bourne

Green Tortillas & Adventures in Tainan

2012-01-17T20:42:00.000+08:00

The first day of Taiwan met us very late in the morning after extremely long hours of traveling. Those who were not frightened at the sight of green tortillas filled with eggs and corn enjoyed a delicious new kind of breakfast.

After a quick briefing and lunch we headed out to see some sights of Tainan. The first place was an old house with trees growing throughout, a fascinating attraction. Following this we made our way to a street market filled with all sorts of trinkets and colorful objects to catch the eye and empty the wallet. The afternoon quickly flew by as we continued to see more of the city and culture, and getting to know each other with children's games in a park. Finally we stopped at a western restaurant filled with a sea of giant stuffed animals and rainbow covered walls. To say the least the food was delicious.

Overall, the first day was a wonderful greeting to us foreigners hungry for adventure and new sights, ready to tackle a country full of smiling faces and needy hearts.

Andrew Lukachick

Tainan, the beginning!

2012-01-17T10:42:00.003+08:00

It's been a whirlwind the past couple days, but God's faithfulness has been shown time & time again, and we're safely here in Tainan! The team has been adjusting to the time difference very well, and they all stayed awake yesterday 'til 10! :) Success!! YAY! Please continue to pray for the health of everyone as we're heading into 3 very busy weeks; and pray as we prepare this afternoon for the first night of Children's Institute, in Tainan.

God’s Masterwork?

2012-01-12T23:36:00.000+08:00

The team is arriving on Sunday, and to celebrate the fact, I'm showing a sneak peek of this year's CI t-shirt.

This year, the theme of the CI is, "The Masterwork of God." We used this curriculum several years ago, and back then I chose the picture of Taiwan on the globe to show how God created the world, and acknowledge his creation of Taiwan in particular. This year, however, I really wanted to show how God's creation of this island, of this world, of this whole universe, is something intensely personal: something that was made for His masterwork, human kind. In this particular instance, especially the team that he has put together for this year.

At first I worried if this was too audacious of a design. Is it presumptuous of me to claim that we are His masterwork, that this ministry trip is God's plan?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

I hope this t-shirt can be a reminder for our entire team of our purpose here, and the fact that God planned out this entire trip for us to be together to serve Him.

Tim Chen

The Countdown Drumbeat

2011-12-21T19:42:00.001+08:00

The first seminar in Tainan will be starting in four weeks. Boom. The staff team will be gathering in 3 weeks. Boom. Our early registration deadline is in one week. Boom, ba da Boom.

Every passing day is like a drumbeat, reminding me that the 2012 Taiwan Children's Institute Ministry trip is fast approaching.

This time of year has always been a test of faith for me. On the one hand, there's the worry that you won't be able to get everything ready in time. On the other hand, there's a worry that can be summed up in a single word.

In the past, the largest CIs and adult seminars
were held in arenas like these.
© http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyleroxendine/

Numbers.

How many people have registered? Do we have enough teachers? Will we have more children teachers? When will we break 50? Can we make at least a hundred at each seminar? Will we be able to break even in the end?

Looking back at the difference between the CIs then and the CIs now is disconcerting. That was the age of the mega seminars, the gigantic CIs. Back then, it was normal to have a CI with more than 1000 children. Though it was almost 20 years ago, I have vague recollections of attending the CIs of yore: the hordes of children, the cavernous auditoriums, the maze of teams separated by pipe and drape, the distant projections on gigantic screens of the action on stage, the armies of teachers required to keep everything running smoothly.

Taiwan CI attendance over the years

Now, instead of children in the thousands, we are lucky if we break a hundred. Instead of a large auditorium, we now comfortably fit into a classroom. Instead of needing an army of teachers, we can get more than comfortably by with a modest sized team.

Even though the seminars are smaller, that doesn't mean they are any easier to put on. Each year, we still have to scramble to line up the details, wearing ourselves out in the process, all the while praying our bodies will manage to stay healthy until the end of the trip.

After reading this, you may wonder why we keep doing the CIs year after year: that's a good question, this is something I ask myself too.

Bonding with the 2010 Taipei CI Student Assistants

Though I may have doubts, thought it can be easy to be caught up within statistics, I have to stop and remember the many blessings God has shown us year after year.

The joys of close intimacy and fellowship that comes with having a smaller team of teachers.
The greatly simplified logistics when you don't have to deal with moving several hundred bodies from one place to another.
The connection that you can have with a crowd of children when you can recognize every face by the end of a week.
The thank you letters from parents and children who are touched by the lessons they learned while attending the seminar.
The excitement that comes from knowing that everyone, children AND teachers, are learning and growing in the ways of God together.

So, onward the march to next year's Children's Institutes!

Timothy Chen

從幫忙到參與兒童營

2011-11-22T17:14:00.000+08:00

Now that the CI application for Taiwan based teachers is out, I asked my friend Sophia to share some of the different way she has participated as a CI teacher.

在 2010 年台北兒童營

耶穌說，這些事你們既做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。過去八年來，神透過我在兒童營的服事，教導我要如何愛那些「最小的」。

2004 年帶著忐忑的心的我，第一次擔任兒童營助教。本來帶著純粹幫忙翻譯的心情，但是沒想到卻從此愛上在兒童營的服事。每一次的營會都會碰到幾個「不可愛」的小孩，但看到上帝在短短幾天內如何改變一個孩子的態度，以及每一次孩子單純的禱告回應上帝的愛，是讓我每年都想要參與兒童營的最大原因。

從 2004 年開始，每年寒假我都會參與台北場的兒童營。一直到 2009 年，因為兒童營負責人慕天的邀請，我決定參與全程的營會。一開始我以為除了與老師們一起住以外，參與全程或單場不會有太大的差別。但上帝卻透過這一個月讓我更深的經歷祂。

以往參與單場場次時，比較覺得自己是「騰」出時間來服事，而參與全程就像是在參與一個短宣。在一個月的時間中，除了教導孩子以外，透過團隊中每天晨更、與外國老師的彼此分享，使我更深的經歷認識這位又真又活的神。在服事的過程中，有許多和老師們彼此相處、服事和禱告的機會，使我更多了解是什麼樣的原因使他們願意付上代價與一個月的時間來到台灣服事孩子。除此之外，和團隊一起相處及出去玩更是難忘的回憶。

過去每一年在兒童營中，神透過小組中一個孩子的改變或回應、一次團隊的靈修、一段與同工的對話等不同的方式來對我說話。也透過一年一年經驗的累積，學習如何帶領孩子來到神的面前。一個月的時間可以平淡的度過，也可以充實享受的與朋友在一同服事、經歷神的時間中度過，若你還沒參與過全程的兒童營，邀請你給自己一個機會讓神開拓你的視野!

Sophia Chen

陳舒慧

The 2012 CI trip is coming!

2011-10-27T11:44:00.002+08:00

Here is our 2012 seminar promotional poster!

For those of you at unable to read Chinese, the tagline at the bottom says, “Who is willing to stand in the gap?” It is a reminder that God is looking for people who will live according to His ways, and the need to stand firm, even when society is pulling the people around us away from what is right.

The two cities listed on the poster are:

Tainan: January 17-21
Taipei: January 31-February 4

In addition, in the week between our two seminars, we will also be going to Hualien to hold a camp for children from smaller, underprivileged communities at a school. Last year was the first time we held a CI in Hualien, and it was a joy for all of our teachers being able to teach the children there.

For those who are not currently in Taiwan, and who are interested in coming as teachers, I’d encourage you to apply ASAP, because last year we had to turn some people away. Please contact the International Department at IBLP Headquarters for more information.

For those of you who are in Taiwan, I will be releasing more information about how to apply very soon.

Also, this coming year happens to be the FIFTEENTH year we are holding Children’s Institutes in Taiwan! Because of this, I wanted to take extra time in the preparation to think about where the CI has come from, how the CIs have changed over the years, and the future direction of the Taiwan CIs. To help crystalize my thoughts, I’ll be writing periodic blogs about the various random questions, ideas, and critiques that I have about the ministry.

If you have been involved in the CI ministry in the past, I’d love if you would follow along, and join in the discussion. Also, please keep the trip in your prayers.

Timothy Chen

Ending the Happy Way

2011-02-14T21:36:00.002+08:00

Today was amazing! After a short nights sleep, (well for me anyway) the team got together to practice a Chinese song. At 9:15 we loaded up onto the bus and headed toward church. During the service, Tim translated for us. It's funny how accustomed I have become to hearing everything in both Chinese and English. It has become almost a part of life. After the offertory our team sang "Ye Su Ai Ni" (translation: Jesus Loves You). It was so beautiful hearing the voices as well as the harmonies rise together! We stayed longer to fellowship and eat lunch. Finally, we had to say "good bye" to Simon's parents, as well as 2 of my interpreters and several others we met.

Again, the bus carried us to another destination, downtown Hsinchu. Here we were able to shop for 3 hours in the rain as well as get to enjoy the city. 4:45 found a weary group of youth headed back to the seminary. Some rested, some packed and some hung out as staff secretly decorated the cafeteria for the farewell party.

At 6:30 we were let in and were surprised by our awesome companions singing, "You are our sunshines, our only sunshines." After an awesome meal of pizza, we played several games. First, we signed big hearts for the members of the team. Then all the guys and girls separated and make lists of "10 things guys/girls like about girls/guys." Then Madelyn, Nate, David and I read them out to the group. Next, our accountability groups completed against each other on a "survival" game. Each member wrote down 1 thing they could not have survived the trip without and then using those items we had to figure out how we would survive against starvation, a typhoon, savages, and then 30 years later to leave the island.

Lastly we also had to do a rendition of "You Are My Sunshine". Our team incorporated each "staff member" into our performance. It was so much fun! Then we all shared what God taught us on this trip or what was most difficult for us with the team. Lastly we enjoyed watching an awesome slideshow that Alana put together. (Thank you girl!).

Well to top it all off, several of us pulled an all-nighter and are now preparing to leave the most awesome place on earth for--home.

Katie Reeves

Last CI Day

2011-02-12T20:37:00.000+08:00

Though we were all tired and sick of living out of suitcases, the last of the last children's Institute saddened us all. It honestly seems like it was years ago that we that we did the first CI in Taipei, but I loved every CI and would do it all again. It's amazing to see how far each one of us has come from week one until now, the lord has taught us all so much. I made tons of new friends from the kids, staff, teachers and not to mention the amazing interpreters! Thanks so much everybody for your prayers!

The Canadian (Ryan de Roos)

Serving God and Kids

2011-02-12T11:17:00.001+08:00

This is my first time to come to CI. I’m so happy and excited but very nervous. Lol~ I love children so much and I want to learn more about interpreting, so I come to CI to serve children and God.

I learned about how to communicate with kids. Some kids were so shy and didn’t want to talk with teachers. But I tried to communicate with them, and I talked with them. Thank God~ He helped me a lot. And I also learned about faith during CI. I pray for God to help me have boldness and confidence in teaching the children. Today we learned about the Helmet of Salvation. I have to protect my thoughts. Sometimes I think a of not important things, so I think this class also reminded me of this.

I came to CI and learned a lot. I’m so happy. I’ll do my best to teach kids. Thank God!

Michelle Chao

Back In Taiwan!

2011-02-11T13:04:00.001+08:00

We’re back in Taiwan where the weather is colder than Hong Kong! I’m really grateful for those long-sleeved shirts and jackets in my suitcase!

Today each teacher was given an opportunity to present a portion of a lesson of their choice to the rest of us. It was great practice for public speaking! Or, as Tim put it, a “getting rid of the fear of man” session.

During the trip, it’s easy for the lessons to become dry, predictable, stale and boring. Watching how others have illustrated the same lessons and the stories they’ve used was an excellent way to get new ideas.

God is continuing to bless the CI and the kids here. Please continue to pray for us as the trip comes to a close and we finish our last seminar.

From chilly, windy and rainy Hsinchu,
Laura Weaver

Starting Off Grand

2011-02-10T18:42:00.001+08:00

Being here in Hsinchu is just another reminder of God’s everlasting, non-wavering love. This being our very last week of the whole CI trip, I am so very thankful for all God has done in the children’s lives and our lives. I have met so many amazing people on this trip. But God is not done working yet! How can I express all the treasured memories made for today?

Well, we started our day with a wisdom search in 2 Samuel chapter 7 led by Simon. I was very encouraged by his testimony he shared. After wisdom search we were able to meet and fellowship with all the new interpreters! And get to know and work with our new team assignments. I’m so thankful for my awesome leader, Yvonne Chiang, and for my amazing co-workers Daniel Wright and Sylvia Chow! We began our first CI here at around 6:45pm and it started off grand.

The children started piling in, they are all so sweet and precious. Witnessing first hand how God can work in people’s lives just makes me rejoice in how big our God really is. We are half way across the world and God is still showing His mighty hand. God has really taught me a lot about having faith in Him. I’ve made so many clay men and patience pencils these past weeks that I’m pretty sure I could do it in my sleep :-) On our way out of the church where the CI is held, we all go cookies. And then we headed out to our bus to travel back to our rooms to get a somewhat restful sleep and start the day all over again in the morning! All in all it was a very successful 1st day. Praise God for His faithfulness!

In Christ’s love and mine,
Madelyn Adams

Rejoicing In The Lord

2011-02-09T15:40:00.001+08:00

“I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee…” (Ps. 9:1-2a)

Today was our last day in Hong Kong, and I am rejoicing in how the Lord has been working on this trip. We’re all exhausted and several on the team are sick, but we serve an amazing God who has shown Himself strong in our weakness, and I’ve been encouraged by His faithfulness.

Our time in Hong Kong was awesome! It was great to see the Lord working in the hearts of the kids, and encouraging when several prayed to get saved. Our short time there was a wonderful opportunity to practice patience with out overly energetic kids :-) but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The kids are so cute and they always make me smile. I have many sweet memories of Hong Kong: my adorable little five year old who didn’t want to let go of me and loved to sit in my lap… how much my kids were amused when I attempted to sing the songs in Cantonese… when my sweet adopted little sister Katie ate a chicken head, brains and all :-) But like every place we’ve been, I absolutely loved all my kids, and it was so sad to have to say goodbye today.

After the CI ended today, we did some quick, last minute packing, and then rushed off to the airport to fly back to Taiwan. We start off the next seminar in Hsinchu right away tomorrow evening. I am excited that we get to teach another CI, but we are all so sad that we only have a few days left.

Please pray for all of us, that God would strengthen and heal us, so that we can finish this trip strong, and pray that God would continue His marvelous work in Hsinchu

Karissa Carlson

God Working in Hong Kong

2011-02-08T09:28:00.004+08:00

Today the seminar started at 9:45. While its an early morning, I am continually amazed at how God always gives the strength that we need for every challenge!
God has been working throughout this trip, but even today it has been exciting got see what He has done! At cool down each day, I look forward to hearing what God has done that day on various teams and to hear the challenges and bring them before the Lord. We must expect God to work through these difficult children, sicknesses or whatever else for His glory. Today, it brought me great joy to see the boys and girls on my team listening intently to the message of the gospel that my wonderful assistant was sharing with them. We have prayed that God would reach the children's hearts with this message and He has been doing that here, as He has everywhere else! Praise God!
For dinner we went to a very nice restaurant and had a wonderful Chinese dinner and go to learn a few things from Tim about Hong Kong/ Chinese Tradition, which became quite hilarious at time, as always!
When we got back to the hotel, we spent some time together singing, praying and sharing. It is always a blessing to take the time to listen to the Lord, worship Him, and enjoy Him together. Our God is such an amazing and wonderful God

Bethany Reeves

First Day in Hong Kong

2011-02-07T10:55:00.004+08:00

We started off a great day with breakfast in the staff's suite between 9:00 and 10:00 am. Getting there required elevator jumping as we were on the floor twelve and thirteen and they were on twenty two. First we had to ride the elevator down to the third floor and then take the elevatorWe started off a great day with breakfast in the staff's suite between 9:00 and 10:00 am. Getting there required elevator jumping as we were on the floor twelve and thirteen and they were on twenty two. First we had to ride the elevator down to the third floor and then take the elevator up to the the twenty second floor. But we get joy thrills from riding elevators, so this was right up our alley. (?!)
Lunch was awesome-some Korean barbecue. In addition to all the delicious food, Alana persuaded me to try sushi. The orange colored fish eggs, commonly called caviar, made me gag, but thankfully the cookies n' cream ice cream erased my taste buds memories. Sure does work wonders!
The after noon was diligently spent in teacher training sessions and craft preparation. After a lot of paper cutting, we were rewarded with getting to go shopping at the ladies' market in the evening. I am a huge fan of the reward system. It was pretty cool bargaining with the stall owners, and some of us got fun Asian style shirts and dresses. This was definitely the best thing that happened to me today! Thank you Jesus for your good gifts, and some calm before the storm of doing CI's every day this next week.
Julia Shir

Flying to Hong Kong!

2011-02-05T15:55:00.004+08:00

We are going to Hong Kong! Morning we have a devotion at 10am after that we going to airport and fly to Hong Kong and now we here we are ! Thank God we are safely arrive! This is my first time to be here, and the city is so beautiful! After dinner we go to a bridge and a peak in Hong Kong. It was amazing. And thanks to all the people who fetch us and thank you for your enthusiasm and generosity. We appreciate it. Tomorrow we will be start some of the preparation work. We already finish three CI's in Taiwan and this will be the fourth CI here and I'm glad that I have this opportunity to come and serve the kids and I really pray that God will use these kids and will do his amazing think here in these three days!

Janet Pang

From Hualien to Taipei

2011-02-05T14:38:00.003+08:00

As I was brushing my teeth by the outside sink of the school in Hualien, looking at the fog covered mountain ridges and palm tree forests, I realized that today we would be leaving all this.

Hualien is very rural yet very beautiful. The kids on my team were more rowdy than my teams at Taipei and Kaohsiung but they are so loving. Some of my kids would run up and hug me then run away. They are so precious! Many of the kids on my team had never heard of Jesus. What a privilege it was for me to be able to share the gospel with them for (maybe) the first time!

The school felt empty without them, as our team packed and cleaned up I will miss my kids.

The bus ride back to Taipei was long and the scenery was beautiful. The road wound at times around the sides of the mountain so that on one side would be clifts with the ocean below and the other steep hillside. We got to go to the beach where the water aws a bright turquoise blue. It was a wonderful day for taking pictures.

Another CI was over and now there are only two more to go. Time sure does fly.

Elisa Joulfaian

Of Circumstances and Grace

2011-02-04T09:18:00.002+08:00

If you are looking for a picture of defeat, you could just look at me. Right now, in this moment, I am defeated. Completely broken.

It’s been a while since my heart has hurt this much, but right now it does. I thought I had learned how to respond to circumstances. I thought I had figured out how to be flexible. I thought maybe, just maybe if I was at my favorite place on earth, Satan wouldn’t attack me and it would be a good trip.

Think again...

------------------
I sat in the office this morning with tears streaming down my face as I wrote that. It was true.

This morning I woke up, pushed myself off the floor of the classroom where I was sleeping and glanced at the girl beside me. She didn’t look all that different, so I smiled at her, and continued getting ready for the day. I totally missed that she had gotten sick in the night and was feeling awful. Of course my grand observation skills left me feeling like a lacking staff member, but still I headed out to start my day with the rest of the team. Even with that over my head, it seemed like it would be a great day, I had such high hopes as soon as I stepped outside and saw my favorite mountains.

I can’t help it, Hualien just holds me almost in a trance with its beauty, maybe it’s the living here before that did that to me. I can’t say that the day suddenly went down hill. I can’t even say that without a few rough things the day wouldn’t have been good. But all it took was my skirt twirling around and I was the helper in an accident that sent the story for the only large group into disarray.

Then it happened.

During the large group, my camera broke. It suddenly just stopped working. No warning, NO EXPLINATION, just stopped. My whole reason for being in Taiwan was suddenly taken away from me. Circumstances couldn’t have made me into more of a failure if they had tried.

I could go on about the bad part of the day. But it just wouldn’t do any good. I laugh now, at how I was so determined before large group, pacing back and forth saying, “Satan I refuse to let you have my joy. NOPE you’re not getting it. Just because we have to come up with a new story you can’t have my joy.” Let’s just say I said that a lot more after my camera went down.

Friends, after today all I can tell you is God’s faithfulness is what makes passionately following Him worth it. I was in Hualien, my home, I had friends who would search high and low to try and find what I needed for my camera. I had a God who gives creativity to the leaders of our team, which made the story more impacting in large group than I believe the original one would have been. The rest of the day was far from easy, but Ryan graciously gave me his camera to shoot with for the remainder of the day.

All of that was grace.

It’s now the end of the day. Our team went out to a wonderful Aboriginal restaurant for Chinese New Year Dinner. I walked away so encouraged. The food was wonderful, but the greatest encouragement was when the owner shared her testimony. This woman is passionate about her culture, but even more passionate about God. Anytime someone comes into her restaurant it’s her goal to share with them about Aboriginal culture and also who her Savior is. She has been changed from a hard somewhat harsh woman; into one of the most welcoming restaurant owners I’ve ever met.

As far as experiences go, tonight was one of the best I’ve had in Taiwan. I’ve never had the chance to help make mochi or watched New Year fireworks from an open elementary school balcony. I’ve never laughed so hard in devotions or cried so hard at circumstances.

God is good. I wouldn’t have come away from this day thinking that if I hadn’t seen God so at work in Hualien. We leave tomorrow, but what I’ve seen today tells me, God is working here. His heart is for this little part of Taiwan and no matter the attacks I’ve been part of today, His grace is still there. Always.

So, pray for us. Pray that God will contenue to work so much Satan will still want to attack. Pray that we will have the faith to see through those times, and the zeal to overcome them. Pray that we won't walk away from this trip just having fun, but that we will KNOW God has changed lives through us, and our lives through Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Much Love,
Alana Miller

The Caffeine in Our Coffee

2011-02-02T22:17:00.003+08:00

From jumpy kids to crispy foods, to unusual amount of energy, today was filled with diverse and exciting experiences. The CI started started early in the morning with excited kids arriving as early as 8:30. I quickly tired of channeling their energy into a push-up competition, which turned out to be less than successful. Throughout the day, two cute kids would frequently give me the biggest hugs and constantly long to play games with me. To see the kid's love and sweet affection is always worth the long hours and frustration at naughty kids. It is so encouraging to see the kids go from picking at each other's name tags and chatting with their buddies to listening with unblinking eyes and eager hearts as I explained how Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Their curiosity for truth and longing for hope is the caffeine in our coffee that wakes us up and gets us pumped for the day. I must keep reminding myself that although I am just a crazy American, although I can only say ten phrases in Chinese, although my best work is only dirty rags, God can still use this inadequate soul for it's kingdom and glory.

In Christ Alone,
Andrew Lukachick

A Day Indescribable

2011-02-02T08:54:00.003+08:00

There is so much to write about, but not enough words to describe it all!

Hualien is amazing! Our first CI here was AWESOME! The children are amazing. They are so sweet and they have such big hearts. When you smile at them and they smile back there is a love that just shines through them.

Before getting to Hualien we were told that the children would be a little crazier than normal. So we prayed that God would take our expectations and destroy them. When CI started and the children arrived we were blown away at how awesome the kids were. God had taken our expectations and destroyed them. One of my favorite times of the is Wisdom Search. When our whole group comes together to worship our wonderful God. It is awesome to come together in unity and praise God for His mercy and goodness to us.

In Wisdom Search we are studying the life of David, and one thing that has constantly been sticking out to me is David's dedication to God.How he lived for God and was so focused on Him. He "lived to the hilt every situation he believed to be the will of God." (Jim Elliot) It reminds me to live for God with everything I have. Hold nothing back.

I am stoked to see what the Lord has planned for the rest of this trip. He has already been so amazing. It's going to be so great there isn't a word to describe it! haha :)

Laura Jackson

2011-01-31T22:59:00.003+08:00

OK. So I'm going to bed tonight on a blanket on the floor in a gradeschool classroom. I have ten roommates...and there are 11 more in the next classroom. Plus all the guys down the hall... All of us girls are sharing one bathroom and shower, which is quite the interesting experience. But it's good... WE ARE IN HUALIEN!!! I guess the excitement of certain people (ahem, you know who you are...) has rubbed off on me. Plus, somehow I feel that God is going to do great things here in the lives of the kids.

Tomorrow our camp is starting. Here we are not actually doing it along with seminars, we are basically holding a three-day camp for the children. This is the first time a CI team has come to Hualien to teach. It is a very special opportunity. Especially as many of these children have little-to-no Christian background and many come from broken families, etc. But anyway...in just over seven hours we need to be up, ready for the day, and done with breakfast... Plus we still have some of the craft and lesson preparation to do. The camp technically starts at 9:00, but the children will start arriving around 8:00, so we will need to be ready before then.

* * * * * * * * * *

I actually started writing this yesterday night in my journal...now we are done with the first day of the camp...but the privilege of writing about today has been taken by someone else...hehe. So I won't say anything about today.

A little more about yesterday though...we attended the morning service at the church that hosted the seminars and CI. I really enjoyed church, and it was cool to see some people again for the last time before leaving Kaohsiung. That was sad...but if we hadn't left, we wouldn't be here now. A couple of my CI children who attend that church saw me after church and greeted me. That made me smile. :)

As soon as we finished church and got thebus loaded, we began our bus ride. We stopped for a really late lunch at about 4:30...so basically it was our supper. Other than sleeping and enjoying the view outside the window, we planned for our Hualien and had some time of worship and prayer. To make a long bus ride short, we arrived in Hualien at like 9:00...It might have been after, I'm sort of forgetting now.

But no, we couldn't go straight to bed. We had to unload the bus, have some orientation, move into our classroom-dorms, set up our team rooms for camp, start preparing our crafts since we would have like no time this morning for that, get a few showers in (or several...), and then finally...bed. :)
So, it was in interesting experience. The scenery here is be-a-u-ti-ful... and being here in a more country-type, poorer place reminds me of the many times my family visited people in the countrysides of China when I was young.

I know this isn't a very eloquent post. I have had trouble finding time to do enough journaling these days...when there is so much to journal about. But thanks to all of you who are keeping up with our blog and especially those of you who have been praying for our team. We need all the prayer we can get.

Just wanted to end with this verse that came to mind last night and has been with me today too. :) Familiar...but something good to really think about again. "For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13.

Hannah Ruth

The Longest Day

2011-01-31T07:48:00.003+08:00

We have just completed the longest CI day yet! We started teaching at 8:30, and finished at 6:15. It was pretty intense, but totally great, and the kids loved getting to spend the whole day with us. All the teachers were so excited for the 40 minute rest time... the kids weren't as thrilled :) Todays lessons were on freedom and the belt of truth. I think the kids got what we were trying to teach them, even though our brains were completely fried and tired! The interpreter's have been awesome with breaking the language barrier and helping out in the lessons, couldn't have done it without them! I'll personally really miss these Kaohsiung kids. This week has been a majorly positive experience, a lot of kids opened up, and that was great to see. I'm really excited to see what God has in store for us in the next couple of weeks.

Leah de Roose

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

2011-01-29T23:03:00.002+08:00

It's hard to believe our time with the Kaohsiung CI is coming to a close. As we have only one day left, we are working to make the most of every opportunity we have to share Christ. It is difficult to be always giving everything we have to these kids, but we are all learning to rely on God for strength.

Today started out with a late wake up and the wonderful breakfast we have enjoyed all week at the hotel. For wisdom search, the guys went to a park and enjoyed the sunshine. During the afternoon we learned about the next city we are going to, called Hualien. The people there are predominantly aboriginal and are fairly isolated from the rest of the world. We are excited about the opportunity to witness to many children who may not have a clear idea of the gospel. Tonight we focused on learning about suffering. For our skit the story of Joseph was told and a creative manner. I was the body while tow others hidden behind a curtain were my arms. The provided much amusement to the children as the three of us worked together to provide a coherent interpretations of the story. At the same time we prayed it would give them important material to think about.

This trip as been an exciting time to watch God work in every real ways. It is my goal to be treating every moment as a unique gift from God so I can leave Taiwan, as William Border said, with "No reserve, no retreats and no regrets."

Dan Wright

Day at the Beach

2011-01-28T14:40:00.003+08:00

Two Rhemas from Proverbs 31.
Pro. 31:9 "open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy."
Pro. 31:30 "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

This morning breakfast was hungrily devoured in anticipation for an exciting afternoon on the beach! We left the hotel around 10:00, rode the bus to the ferry, rode the ferry across the water to an island, and walked to the beach. Devotions consisted of a Bible trivia contest, with Hannah and Bethany Reeves tying with the most points. From there, we walked to a seafood restaurant where we adventurously tasted new foods. Of course, chopstick wars preceded the meal. For an horur or more we walked around the town and watched team members play football and ultimate frisbee on the beach. Large waves and strong winds kept everyone somewhat wet. At 13:40, we recrossed the river on the ferry and walked to the strawberry icy shop where everyone signs their names on walls and tables. The icy's were delicious. We finished quickly and boarded the bus for home. While on the bus we were serenaded by and impromptu "barber shop quartet." We arrived home in time to shower, change or freshen up and then head off to the CI. The children enjoyed watching 2 builders construct houses. Also during the evening, the battlefield of the mind was explained and we pray it will take affect on their minds.

Anna Weaver

CI and Change in My Life

2011-01-27T21:00:00.002+08:00

Last year, I graduated from the high school and entered the university, majoring in physics. I was excited to being able to live outside our house and to start a new life. Otherwise, I was kind of happy to have a chance to go to a new place where no people know who you were and what your background was. I had always been a “good” Christian, which means I not only went to the church every week but was also the Christian leader of our school and the leader of all high school Christian leaders of Taoyuan County. I decided to be a “normal Christian”. So, I tried my best to avoid serving God both in the church and in the college while still acted like a good Christian in front of those who knew me before. Then it was time for me to decide whether I was going to CI or not. I finally made up my mind to come because one of the pastors I respect a lot told me that I should have changed my attitude toward serving God which caused me to notice how bad my attitude was and how horrible my relationship with God was. I considered CI a good chance to adjust my attitude.
Today is the second day of CI Kaoshiung, we had this skit about Saul and how his attitude changed that caused the death of himself and his men. I suddenly realized that I was kind of like Saul. Saul was the king of Israel chosen by God while I was a Christian leader in high school chosen by God, too. Saul tried to do things by himself and I tried to stay away from God’s words. The only difference between us was God left Saul due to the wrong decisions Saul made, and I made a decision to leave God. I was shocked and was kind of afraid. I mean, I wouldn’t want to die like that! So I prayed to God and asked him to forgive my wrong decisions.
Just like what Tim always reminds us” To be wholly committed and holy committed!”, we should always remember to pause for a few seconds and ask God weather we are having the right serving attitude or not.
Thanks God for bringing me here and taught me a such important lesson. Thanks God for giving me an awesome team leader Madelyn and awesome teammate Bethany. Thanks God for giving us 8 awesome, obedient kids. Thanks God for Saul and his miserable death. And thank God, I’m Asian.

Peter Chiang

Kaohsiung's Beginnings

2011-01-26T23:34:00.004+08:00

We're staying in a palace-like hotel right now, and after a restful morning, we came to the church for an awesome afternoon of training. Having taught the material last week, this CI is different in a way. I sorta know what's coming and I feel like I can actually learn about how to lead a team instead of just choking down material to survive in small group! We learned about managing a team and how to make the greatest emphasis in the children's lives through a life centered around Jesus. Between the right CI material we are teaching and the challenges to my life in Wisdom Search and training, I feel I am learning much more than the CI kids. But I kinda knew that would be the case when I decided to come :)

Tonight my team turned out to be very small, then one boy who came in crying lost his dinner all over the entire team station. Definitely some excitement for the evening I think I could have done without! But the children's' enthusiasm for life brings a smile to my face!

As I and my assistant and interpretor awaited our first student this evening, a little boy came stomping toward the door. A glare on his face, he yelled and fussed and said he had been dreading the CI for a long time, he was scared and he didn't even like Americans. As we listened to his excuses, we laughed and sighed with relief when we discovered that this little snake was on the neighboring team. As Timothy Chen started playing a game, he warmed up and started to inch closer. A few minutes later he began to play with him. He joined his team and started to play games with them, smiling and laughing. I realized that the little guy yelling and stomping isn't something to be thankful we could avoid, but the reason for the CI. He is our opportunity.

I'm so thankful for the challenges and opportunities this CI will offer~ I'm excited to see what God will do!

Hannah Reeves

Genuine love

2011-01-25T14:30:00.005+08:00

Lately I have been studying how to have genuine love. I have been meditating on 1 Corinthians 13. I asked God to give me chances to show genuine love. When you ask God something like that He gives you LOTS of chances. I did not realize how many times in a day I have the opportunity to show His love and I fail. A verse in 1 Corinthians 13 says, “Love is suffers long and is kind.” I always think I can suffer long…But can I be kind while I am suffering? In Taipei I had two active little boys. They were so cute and it was really easy to love them when they were being good. But when they wouldn’t listen it was hard to love them. Today we left Taipei. It is hard to move to a new city and get new kids. You have to learn how to love a whole new set if kids. By the end of each CI you know how to love your kids. But every week we move to a new city and get new kids. It is difficult showing love to so many different children. I am praying that God will fill me with His love, which never runs out.

Grace Lukachick

Last Day in Taipei

2011-01-25T00:11:00.004+08:00

Yesterday was the last day of our first CI! Wow God is so good! I never thought it would be like this. I don’t think I have ever cut so much paper before. My highlight for yesterday was the parent presentation. It was awesome to see all the kids singing together.

Wow Taiwan is great! I never imagined that I could have so much fun cutting out or making crafts. (Just kidding) ;-) Anyway yesterday was our last day and was I ever busy. I got through it though, praise God. God blessed me greatly to see all the kids together at the parent presentation.

A very awesome thing happened to me last night! Not only did I get a lot of sleep I went to Taipei 101 it was great! I got some awesome cheesecake with Tim. I have to go now but I have to say one more thing. God is good!

John Schroeder

Being Refined Through Suffering

2011-01-23T14:08:00.007+08:00

Today we told the kids about suffering, it made me think of my life and reminded me of a lot. I spent a while trying to figure out, why is there was so much pain in my life? I'm the princess of heaven, I should't suffer from my schoolwork, the nonsensical teachers or something like that, I should only haveto play soccer, eat ice cream and use my Facebook everyday!

Why we suffer? God wants us to be happy, doesn't he?

I wanted to hold my future and control it by myself for I was afraid that my plan won't be as same as God's plan then my dreams wouldn't come true so I would become a dreamless person.

Trusting Jesus is the hardest and the easiest thing. One day, I suddenly decided to give the ownership of my future to God and offer it, because I knew if I want to be used I have to be empty. Removing th

e things that hurt the relationship between God and me, I quit my hip-hop dancing club and rock band at school, so my suffering started.

It was pretty painful to face the thing I didn't good at, especially math. To reduce my stress I spent more time with God and I did get closer to him.

I realized that the purpose of suffering is not only to draw me near to God but also to refine me more like Jesus.

Suffering is painful and filled with tears, but it's worthy because it

helped me to know that: Nothing is important but Jesus and abiding in him.

My God is so AWESOME!

Yvonne Chiang

Of Devotions and Preparing Crafts

2011-01-22T16:54:00.005+08:00

Today, we didn't do our devotion together. We spread into different groups and each group went to a different place to do their devotion and to eat lunch.

After lunch we had teacher training and Chinese class. We had a lot of fun learning Mandarin. At the end of the class, our teacher Grace told us a story about how she was frustrated a naughty boy on her CI team 8 years ago, and how the boy changed and received Jesus as his personal Savior. That encouraged me a lot.

After that, we were very busy preparing the crafts for today tomorrow and Sunday because we didn't have time to prepare it after that.

Of course, we had a great night teaching and doing crafts with the kids.

I thank God for giving me this opportunity to serve Him and glorify Him.

Jane Pang

Thursday 1/20/2011

2011-01-21T15:59:00.002+08:00

Today as a team we study Samuel 18-19:This month we are going to be studying about David. After morning devotions we went and got the school ready for the Children's Institute. We had teacher training and a Chinese lesson in the afternoon. This evening we started our first of five SI's in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Our first CI is in Taipei, Taiwan it is a four day conference. We are teaching on The Armor of God. There was round 150 kids tonight. Today the children were taught about the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Ten Unchangeables.

Bethany Hulley

Taipei Day 1

2011-01-20T13:31:00.006+08:00

I woke up this morning and looked out my 8th floor window to see my first view of Taipei in the daylight. I was really excited! Today was the first day of Taiwan CI training. I began the day eating breakfast with chopsticks and shortly after we had our wisdom search. We will be studying the life of David throughout the trip. After the teacher orientation we had an intro. Chinese lesson. I spent most of the time confused about why my mouth wasn't producing the same sounds as our teacher. After eating a delicious bowl of noodles and beef we went on a field trip to the International Floral Expo in Taipei. While we were there we played a game and each of us had to ask a random person how to pronounce various objects. The catch was that we had to employ our newly acquired Mandarin skills. That was a lesson in humility and respect (at least for me). Praise the LORD for our interpreters!

Speaking of interpreters, we met them tonight at supper and then had interpreters 101 class.

Well, praise God that all of us are here and being prepared for the ministry He has for us. I am confident that He is with us, even while we are recovering from jet-lag. The first CI starts tomorrow night, so pray that we will make a lasting impression of God's love on everyone around us.

Nathan Petersheim

CI 2011 is Here!

2011-01-18T15:38:00.003+08:00

"Think of whatever you are doing as an adventure and watch your life change for the better."

-Wilfred A. Peterson

Today, with the team arriving in a few hours, begins the Children's Institutes for 2011! Excitement is brewing as the staff prepares, with no one having idle hands.

This is our adventure.

For the next 4 weeks our team of 32 plus a number of interpreters are setting off to see what God will do in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Yet we are not only looking at what He will do in these two countries but also in the lives of all on the team. We are looking for adventure, knowing we will find it. It is God that we trust as our guide, the One holding us close as we travel and learn.

As we take off on this journey, we are so grateful for your prayers!! It is an amazing gift when others pray for our team! Our schedule is packed so please pray for safe travel, health for our bodies, and that our minds and hearts will be ready for every twist and turn.

The seminars will take place:

Taipei from January 20-23

Kaohsiung from January 25-29

Hualien from January 31-February 2

Hong Kong from February 6-8

Hsinchu from February 9-12

We also are asking for prayers for the children we will be teaching. Right now we have 143 registered in Taipei, 82 in Kaohsiung, 75 in Hualien, 71 in Hong Kong and 59 in Hsinchu. Pray that the Lord will open their hearts to all we will be sharing and that He will pull them to Himself.

Thank you friends! We are so grateful for your prayers!

Goodbyes and Endings

2010-02-22T22:10:00.005+08:00

Wow, where do I begin? The day started terribly early, or perhaps I should say the previous day ended horrible late. Our crazy Merry Christmas goodbye party did not end until 4am. Most of us still had packing and miscellaneous things to get done, so the average bedtime was 5am. We had to be out to meet the bus at 9:15.

The party was so much fun, we had a special time of sharing, but now it was time to start saying goodbye. Although we were all dog tired, few slept on the way to the airport. Most of us were flying back to Taiwan, then home the next day. But we were leaving some in Hong Kong.

I believe that goodbyes are the most difficult things on earth. I hate them, especially when I don’t know if I will ever see the people again. But although I hate them and they hurt, I wouldn't trade them for anything. We have been a team for a whole month. We have been together almost 24/7. We have worked and played together, cried and laughed together, grown and experienced together. It feels like a close family. I know many of these people in a deeper way than friends I have know for years. And now we had to say goodbye.

Needless to say it was a difficult day. But we made it back to Taiwan, and to our rooms for the very last night. We packed, talked, and reminisced. Our last meal together was a feast of traditional dishes. It was so enjoyable, though we were all trying not to think about leaving. Of course we stayed up late again. No one wanted to go to bed, but we all ended up caving in to irresistible sleep.

Taiwan holds a special place in my heart. Each team member holds a special place in my heart. This trip has been amazing and life changing. In a way I don't want it to end. But all things must come to an end. The challenge now is to return to 'normal' life. I want to hold onto the lessons I have learned, I want to be changed and not just revert to my pre-trip self. But I also have to live my everyday life. It is quite difficult to say the least. I just keep on trusting my Lord, and thank Him so much for allowing me to experience the Taiwan CI trip in 2010.

Jeanie Mendenhall

Last Day of the Last CI

2010-02-21T00:00:00.007+08:00

AM
Church service at Kowloon International Baptist Church – First time for a CI team to attend a church in HK other than ICIC (International Children’s Institute Church)

NOON
Vietnamese lunch take-out

PM
Parent Presentation – Despite the huge room which seemed to swallow the low volume of the kids’ voices, I am proud of them for learning what they did of the 8 verses and 5 songs.

Despite being nervous that I would blank out during verses, I enjoyed standing on a chair on the balcony and doing hand-motions as big as possible without falling over the edge.

I find CI kids especially endearing and precious during Parent Presentation. Who couldn’t love 60+ children quoting the Bible in unison and singing the Aaronic blessing to you in Cantonese and English?

Class Reward – Our last story of this 2010 CI year. Done as a skit without narration and went overtime as became typical of large groups.

Farewell Party: Dinner – Pizza, ribs, and potato chips, back at our residence hall.

Surprise Christmas Theme – And yet, was it really any surprise? What could have been more natural?

Simon’s game – Involving rubber bands, packing peanuts, straws, string, and paper Christmas trees, this activity could potentially become the basis for the next reality TV game show.

Santa Claus contest – Scottie Haines as best Santa and Johnny Keller as best Santa’s campaign manager.

AM
Farewell Party continued:

Singing contest – CI-themed parodies of Christmas songs. Much fun, humor, and lyrical brilliance. For the 2^nd time tonight, Johnny Keller takes home the award for best version of “Go tell it ~~on the Mountain~~ to the Children.”

Last Wisdomsearch – Read the last chapter of John and completing the Gospel after a month of devotions in the book.

Last Worship time/Roll Call – Sharing and tears on lessons learned, difficult times, items of gratefulness, and experiencing God’s love.

Slideshow – Re-living the trip through over 400 snapshots of 4 cities.

Thank you team members for your part on this trip. Thank you family and friends at home for following our blog and praying for us (apologies for the absence of photos in HK. They’re getting caught up). Thank you God for everything you have taught us and for showing your love through the Taiwan/Hong Kong CI 2010.

Rachel Hung

The Longest Day

2010-02-20T20:21:00.007+08:00

Today was the longest day of CI that we have done this whole trip. We got to spend a full day with the children, most of them began to arrive at a little before 9:30 in the morning and we said our good byes at around 6:00 in the evening.

I remember getting the schedule for this week on Wednesday, the first day we began the CI in Hong Kong and thinking to myself, “Saturday is going to be such a very long day, I don’t think I have the energy or strength to even make it through this week and especially not Saturday.” But God once again showed Himself faithful, He gave us the strength that we needed for today. It was a blessing to see all the little things He did today.

After the CI, we went to a market and got to do some last minute shopping before most of us leave on Tuesday. We had a great time of trying out some different foods and bargaining for different merchandise. This one lady that was selling chop sticks saw that I was kind of interested in buying some. So she quoted me a price of 130 HKD. I told her that I wasn’t interested, so she said that she would give me a special for 110. I really didn’t like the chopsticks and I told her that I didn’t want to buy any; however, she thought that I was commenting on the high price. After multiple failed attempts to leave and getting dragged back in because of a lower price; the lady finally told me that I was handsome and she quoted me a price of 50 HKD. I felt kind of bad walking out on a descent deal like that, but the experience was totally funny.

This Hong Kong CI has been an amazing experience; seeing God work in the lives of these children and seeing them respond to us as we show them God’s love is something that I won’t forget for a long time. Please continue to pray for the team that we would all finish this trip strong.

Brian Iorga

The Third Day of HK CI

2010-02-19T01:34:00.003+08:00

(FIRST THIS IS MY 2ND TIME TO WRITE IT, AND ITS 2:13AM NOW, SO MIGHT HAS MANY MISSPELLING AND MISTAKES, SORRY FOR THAT, AND THANKS FOR CORRECT THEM)(I made it shorter this time, I'm not happy about it, it's not as good as the 1st time :-( but hopefully it still works)

Today is the 3rd day of HKCI 2010, there are 2 more days to go. Before I came to HK, I thought I'm ready for this, I have been looking for it since my winter break started, I thought I'm familiar with it from the experience I had last year, but I'm wrong. Everyday is new, everyday is different this year.

This morning was so cold!!!! Well at least for me it was, but I'm glad it did not rain as much as I thought. We start this cold cold day with wisdom search in John 19. Tim lead us to find out how did Jesus show Himself to people and how did people believe that was Jesus. I had never read the Bible this way, its new and good, got me to think deeper, and realized many things that I had missed out. Such as Jesus showed Himself in different ways which just fits that person. I gave thanks to the Lord for He is so caring. He knows exactly how we are and He always wants to help us to know Him more.

In the Interpreter's Training afternoon, God remind me again of His ownership. Rachel asked us to wrote down the most valuable (cost most) thing we own, and guess who wrote the paper. Everyone knows my paper, I think it's just too hard to not notice it, haha. Everything we have is came from God, and He controls it. So everything happen to them is in His control, even we will never wish anything bad happen to them, such as lost all the pictures in our computer since we usually don't print them out since we have digital pics, lost our love one (family, children) or our job... If thats not MY THING, but HIS Thing, then we will not feel that bad, even still would be sad. But this is easy to say than do, I can even hard to think about anything bad happen to my camera, I lost all my things in my computer once, I know how that feel. But again, everything is God's , He gives, He takes.

Something made me smile today was my new girl Renee who only understand Mandarin came last night, so I have to interpret to Mandarin to her in the large group, that made me enjoy the songs n stories less, but I'm glad she got to understand and enjoy more. In her first large group last night, she didn't want to listen to me, but the 2nd one with the very funny story Johnny and the guys played, she wanted to know what was going on,and today when I asked if she wanted me to help her, she said ok. In the story of the Very Special Book she asked me to tell her what the people said. Looking at her smile and laugh on her cute face, I know she is more relax and enjoy more and more, so dose her heart. I'm so touched and glad, its much better than I enjoy the time myself, I just hoping and praying for her that God will reach her heart in the CI even she can't fully understand everything. God has His own way.

Tomorrow will be a long day from 9am to 6pm. Since everyday is full of differences and surprises, I looking forward for tomorrow for even more unexpected things happen :-) Just keep your eyes, ears, hearts open, there is something new in the corner :-)

Shirley Guan

An Ode to Today

2010-02-18T01:09:00.002+08:00

What to say about today.
It went right by and was OK.
We could sleep in, which was quite nice.
Breakfast was good. I could have eaten it twice.
Had wisdom search with accountability groups.
Our lunch started with Russian soups.
The place where we ate had old music, funny.
However the food we ate was real yummy.
Back to prepare for CI at last.
The day continued to more by real fast.
Most children behaved, some were just OK.
The lessons went well, what more can I say?
The day went well and all I can ask.
Is that each day surpasses the last.

Elizabeth Auer

Language Inability!!!

2010-02-17T01:34:00.004+08:00

Once again, I’m here, in Hong Kong. I feel so insecure for people around me all speak a language that I do not know a bit of. This is sad! I was an interpreter in Taiwan for three weeks. I didn’t know that not being able to understand what’s actually going on feels that horrible. What’s worse, there are lots of people that keep talking to me and asking me lots of questions in Cantonese. I feel helpless, and sort of ...ARGH..... But anyways, that’s just me. The first day of CI in Hong Kong went well. We didn’t have many kids, but it worked out just fine. There are a lot of things that are new for most of us, which makes this CI a lot more interesting and exciting.Once again, I’m here, in Hong Kong. I feel so insecure for people around me all speak a language that I do not know a bit of. This is sad! I was an interpreter in Taiwan for three weeks. I didn’t know that not being able to understand what’s actually going on feels that horrible. What’s worse, there are lots of people that keep talking to me and asking me lots of questions in Cantonese. I feel helpless, and sort of ...ARGH..... But anyways, that’s just me. The first day of CI in Hong Kong went well. We didn’t have many kids, but it worked out just fine. There are a lot of things that are new for most of us, which makes this CI a lot more interesting and exciting.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Simon Yeh

Out and About in Hong Kong

2010-02-16T01:15:00.004+08:00

Today is our second day in Hong Kong & is also the 3rd day of the Chinese New Year. It’s quite different for me in Hong Kong. Because when we’re in Taiwan, I can understand both Mandarin and English but in Hong Kong people speak Cantonese and I can only guest what they are talking about... the other thing is the weather... is really cold now at Hong Kong.

Anyway we started this day with our wisdom search on John 17. After wisdom search we were having a delicious lunch- some Hong Kong DimSum which is really yummy at the nice restaurant. Some of the Americans had tried the chicken feet which was an interesting experience for them. Because of chinese new year I think almost all of the chinese restaurant in the mall is full! After having our lunch we took a bus to a place called Stanley which have a shopping mall/market on the mountain. We have a lot of fun bargaining & shoping over there.

After shopping we were having our dinner at the nice park/garden of Tsim Sha Tsui. It was really cool that we can enjoying the beautiful night scenery of Hong Kong city while we are eating. =) I was fascinated by the beautiful Hong Kong skyline after dark and took many pictures of it. We also went to the avenue of star! By the way we have a chance to watch the light show and it was awesome! Eventually, we ended our exciting and adventure-filled day by going back to sleep.

Thank you for reading it…. please keep praying for us that God will do many great things in and through us during our final seminar. Also, please continue to pray for spiritual strength and physical health for each of us. Have a nice day! =D

Eunice Pang

Going to Hong Kong!

2010-02-15T00:51:00.001+08:00

We are going to Hong Kong today and we can only have one checked bag instead of two. Also it can’t weigh over 20kg, so the day started by saying goodbye to all our excess luggage, it’s amazing how much I brought that I don’t really need. It will wait safely for us in Taipei at the IBLP office.

Now it was off to see the Chiang Kai Shek memorial. The changing off the guard was defiantly the highlight of this adventure. I don’t see how the guards can stand so motionless. You would think they were statues, for an hour at a time!! The museum under the memorial was also a point of interest.

Now it was time to say good bye for real. Yvonne, and Peter came to the Airport to see us off. It was really nice to have their company but hard to say good bye. Well, before you know it here we are in Hong Kong, ready for our last week of CI’s. One other thing, I knew I shouldn’t have left my coat in Taipei.

Timothy Allison

Happy Chinese New Years/Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T01:19:00.004+08:00

So today started off like any normal day... that is until we went into the common room and found something rather uncommon... DONUTS! Which in the slight chance you wanted to know, were really good. Then we went to the English service of Friendship Presbyterian Church, where Peter and Yvonne joined us for the day. Which was totally awesome. Also It was rather cool listening to the music sung in English instead of Chinese, though I actually kinda missed hearing it in Chinese. Then we went to lunch at this Beef Noodle soup kinda place (I apoligize for not knowing what it was called). Then later that afternoon we took the MRT all the way to the end to this awesome market place thing. It was pretty crowded because of Chinese New Year, but it was still a lot of fun and really noisy with all the people yelling out special deals... or at least that's what I think they were yelling out, I couldn't really understand it. Oh, and the fireworks definitely added to the noise, but it added to the awesomeness of it. :-) Oh, and luckily for me there was a McDonalds. :-) Haha. Okay, so I only had an icecream, but to get that ice cream I had to eat stinky Tofu. So it was kinda worth it... Okay, so it wasn't, but still I got icecream. :-) Haha.

Then that night since my brothers birthday was the next day, I made a Birthday banner and got everyone to help color it or to write some notes on it. So late that night after we had finished the banner, a few of us snuck out and decorated the hall outside his door with a bunch of balloons and his Birthday Banner. It was a lot of fun doing it, and surprisingly enough even with all the noise we made, he hadn't the slightest clue of what was going on. :-)

Sarah Keller

Finishing Strong!!!!

2010-02-12T23:16:00.001+08:00

Well today was another day. Today was our sports day. We played ultimate Frisbee and soccer. It rained today which made playing soccer very fun and wet. We were able to finish another CI successfully today. Praise the Lord!!!!!

This week I was a team leader and David, my brother, was my assistant. I really enjoyed this CI. It was not my favorite, because you are not supposed to have favorites. But if I had to pick one that I liked the best so far, it would be here in Taichung. My kids this week were so good and they really enjoyed the CI.

Tonight we are packing up our things so that we can leave in the morning, to go back to Taipei for Chinese New Year. A lot of the team members have been getting sick. But we are all praying the Lord will give us the strength to finish strong.

At times it’s really easy to be lazy in our lesson planning or just whatever. But laziness is a sin, so I am trying to pray for the strength I need to make it through without being lazy. Because I know that I cannot finish without Him. At the end of this trip I want to be able to say that I finished strong and depended on Christ throughout the whole trip. Even though we will have hard times, we still need to trust in Him. Because Jesus said that we are going to have trouble, but we need to take heart because He has overcome the word.

In His name,

Grace Lukachick

Girl's Day Out

2010-02-11T01:04:00.004+08:00

Today was a little different from the other days. For one thing, we did split wisdom search, which meant the guys got to sleep in and the girls got to do wisdom search in pajamas. I don’t really know what went on in the guys wisdom search, but the girls’ was special. We had a time of just sharing what was on our minds and on our hearts. I learned how easy it is to live three weeks or longer with a person and yet still not know the difficult things on their hearts. So we all got time to talk and “unburden” it was a unifying experience for us as we shared with, listened to, consoled and prayed for one another. Afterwards the staff girls gave us flowers to signify the passage in Matthew 6:28 "Consider the Lilly of the field how they grow; they toil not neither do they spin." We are reminded that God cares for and clothes the flower and how He will care even more for us and our issues and problems.

After wisdom search, we girls went out to have our hair washed and styled. It was definitely an interesting experience having our hair washed for us, but it was also fun and relaxing. For the Taiwanese people it was an interesting experience too as many of them had never dealt with so many foreigners before. Also I don't think they were prepared for Jeanie's bright red, thick curly hair. They all wanted pictures and had no idea how to style it. Us girls found it pretty comical.

After the outing we all got together for training and then prep work for our evening ministry. I got to help prepare the “mud melon” for the CI story. I guess I didn’t do a very good job of it, because when the story teller went to slice the melon through with a sword, it bounced off the melon and poor Tim had to saw at the melon unil it finally opened spilling it’s muddy yuckiness. So yeah, off the record if anyone else ever prepares a mud melon, try to use a fresher melon and actually pack the dirt in. ;-)

Patricia Keller

Weird...

2010-02-10T19:33:00.006+08:00

"The kids are beginning to be weird," remarked Peter after today's lesson was over. We thought that was an appropriate thing to write on the post script for the day. The children behaved poorly. Grace Miller was sick and Caroline remained quiet throughout the day due to a sore throat. I began to come up with a lesson for Peter, which mean that Faith I & II were combined into a larger group. Today's lesson was on the topic of Suffering, and I felt that experience would be a better teacher for this lesson than teaching itself. We had our kids separated into two groups and played games such as "suicide" (running back and forth." However, a 6-year old on my team named Caleb cried because he could not win the competition. I was very thankful when Jane helped me take care of him. When I instructed the kids to select the person that they felt was "strongest" (or "the best) in their team, Peter's team selected a tall 5th-grade boy, and our team selected a 3rd-grade boy. I then announced, "You are to recite the Bible verses that we have been learning the past 3 days," so it turned out to be fair. Our team's kid won, for that The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. And that was an important lesson for me, too.

I taught the lesson to the kids right after the game ended. "You guys learned a great lesson in this game - you have to endure suffering in order to win. No pain, no gain - and you have to be responsible, have good self-control, listen to your authorities, and understand God's purpose for designing you. In this way, you will have real freedom and succeed one day." (If you have the Teacher's Manual, you will understand what I was referring to.)

It's important to pray for the kids even after the seminar ends. We may only be with them for a week, but Jesus can continue to do more in them through our prayer.

Jonathan Fan

Hi! Here It is...

2010-02-09T21:59:00.003+08:00

Yeah!!! Today is my day to write! Now what should I say?! Actually today while we were waiting for our bus to come and take us to a shopping tourist spot, we (a "certain" group of us CI people) were standing outside a little pet store looking and the CUTE puppies in the window, and watching them… enjoy... life, we turned and wondered who was going to write the blog for today because the puppies were so memorable. So I found it quite funny that I was chosen to write about today... continuing on~~

The Bus arrived soon and 30-something seminar people loaded onto it, but sadly about 6 people had to stay behind either because of sickness or just to rest to be ready for tonight. The ride lasted a short 15 minutes before we arrived at the entrance to every shoppers dream place. There was a mall made of 3 buildings of 11 stories plus streets and streets of brand-named stores and small local shops selling everything you can imagine, except flip-flops Eunice, Jane and I found out! But that is another story... the one thing that made this area stand out was the mall and what made that mall stand out from the other shops was it's... washrooms!! You know that each floor of a mall will normally have at least 1 bathroom but this mall decide to be more creative.... each floor not only has a WC but each one is completely different! At least that is what we had all heard. My friend went to see and tried to find the one on the floor we were on. When she came back we were eager to hear if what we had heard was true, and the first floor's bathroom looks....normal! To our dismay! So of course we went up to another floor with the hope of finding the promised decorative washrooms. To make the story short(er), this bathroom was very different from any we or you have probably ever seen.

After our morning of shopping, we headed back to the Hotel so we could change into dress clothes, freshen up, and for some, take a short rest... then we started walking to the school where we are teaching the CI this week. Once there time flies very quickly until the Kids arrive and the night begins. Each night that we teach the children; we, the teachers, learn many if not more things than the kids. Teaching different aspects of life cause you to look into your own life and either seeing where you need to grow or praising God for what He has done already in your life.

Well, I should get some rest tonight and prepare for tomorrow!! Thanks for reading and keeping us in your prayers!!! 晚安！

Jessica Fitzpatrick

First Experiences as a Teacher

2010-02-08T21:51:00.002+08:00

Attending CI for the second or third time (I really forgot), I was excited and a little bit nervous. I was excited about the teachers I would meet, the kids I would teach, and the interpreting experience I would get for the very first time in my life; while I was nervous about the whole unpredictable week, because the last time I attended CI was eleven years ago when I was the youngest kid in my group! What challenge would God give me as I being an assistant this time?

After the enjoyable first day, I was truly thankful for God putting me in this institute and using me in the area of interpreting. The kids in my team are so lovely, and the teachers and I worked together so well. Besides, I learned special things from all of the staffs here.

It is the second day of CI in Taichung. I went back to Hsinchu early in the morning for a reunion with my fellowship friends in high school, so I missed both the devotion and the little food-trip my group took to a Japanese restaurant and Starbucks before the training in the afternoon. After the normal training, the lesson started. Today we taught about the character of self-control. In the first part, we used the parachute man as a metaphor for people who obey the authorities. When in the large group, the children were crazily excited about the skit of Mr. Moggie and Maggie. Seeing them laughing all over, it reminded me the precious of being pure and joyful. It is really amazing how children are so easy to be satisfied! In the second part, we told the kids about how God showed His authority in the story of Moses and the ten disasters upon Egypt. There was an episode in the skit that Johnny, who played the Pharaoh, broke a chair accidently, but it seemed to make the drama more exciting. As we went back to the small group, there were so many crafts left for us to do, but the kids were still energetic and eager to have them done.

Time passed by so fast that another day came to an end as we gathered around again for announcements and prayers. Although things are not always going so well, we could always thank God for being with us and guiding us all the time. Even if we cannot see now, I believe that the Lord will keep working in every child's heart. I enjoyed today as well and am looking forward to tomorrow--we're going to hang out in Taichung! :-)

Pearl Lin

My Birthday and other Surprises

2010-02-07T21:28:00.004+08:00

Wow! I can't believe that we just started our last Children's Institute here in Taiwan. Next week we will have one more CI in Hong Kong, before heading home. Just like they say, "Time really flies when you are having fun," although I'm trying not to think about the trip ending quite yet! This morning began with Tim leading our team in our own little "church" service here at the hotel. Tim called it the "ICIC", International Children's Institute Church =P.

After church, we walked over to the school where we will be holding the seminars and the Taichung Children's Institute. We ate a good lunch before going off by ourselves to have an hour long quiet tme between God and ourselves. I always enjoy sitting outside in the nice warm air thinking, reading the Bible, and praying. Tonight our two lessons that we taught were on Faith and Design. While I was having my quiet time, trying to figure out what plans God had for me in the future, He would reveal different verses to me that would be answers to my questions. He kept telling me to just have Faith- taking action even though you don't know what is going on. During our quiet time around 2:15 pm, some of our team felt a slight shake from an earthquake. Not much of a shake, but enough to realize that the rattling of lose items in the classrooms around was not normal.

This week, I am the leader of my small group which is always a challenge for me. My 5 boys and 1 girl all seemed very quiet and shy, but it was neat seeing them begin to open up a little more as the evening went on. I hope that they will continue to open up to us, and have open hearts and ears to what is being taught.

I am very blessed to have my birthday here in Taiwan on a CI trip for the 2nd time in a row! The girls on the team all left a bunch of green sticky notes posted all over the wall next to my hotel room door wishing me a happy birthday. That was a nice way to start out the day! It was so sweet of them. That evening, the staff had me be in one of the skits during large group and had all the kids sing Happy Birthday to me in Mandarin. That evening during cool down they gave me a delicious and pretty cake, along with some different flavored cheese cakes to go with it. The staff always has a way of surprising me when I least expect it, but it makes the day extra special. The staff guys made me a nice bright pink and blue card (haha), and the girls gave me a little present and card as well.

I have been extremely blessed in being able to come on this trip once again. It's such a great feeling knowing that you will be impacting this kids, and everyone else around you (hopefully for the better). It's such an encouragement knowing that each day there are people praying for you. Thank you! Please keep praying for the team's health, and the children and adults who will be attending these last two seminars.

Caroline Rodgers

Meditiations on my Second CI

2010-02-06T23:59:00.006+08:00

Second time serving in CI; still, I felt nervous yet excited. Looking forward to seeing my kids, what they are like? What are their personalities? Will they like me? These questions kept stirring in my mind. Also, I know it's a good bonding time between God and me. I get to spend three weeks learning God's words and translating his message; besides, I love kids so much, I know it's a can't-miss opportunity.

Teacher training started in the afternoon after lunch, every lesson seemed so easy but weirdly, I felt like God was trying to teach me something. Freedom, authority, or responsibility, every lesson surely is a reminder for me. We taught kids that we need to be responsible for everything, but am I really acting like a role model? Am I really listening to the orders from my authority? We tend to just have a big talk but not actually doing it. I know its God's lesson for me, some principles which I've long forgotten already.

Seeing my kids so well-behaved, I felt joy in my heart. They are so cute and innocent; I couldn't help but smile at them all the time. I love being surrounded by little kids, they would pop out the most simple and craziest answer to your question or when the moment came, if they felt like swimming on the floor, they will, without hesitation.

I was sharing a childhood story with one of the kids about why I stopped going to church and never prayed to God again four years ago. "I even forgot how to pray and didn't know what to say to God." I said to her. "How can people don’t know what to say to God? He is so nice and He is our Father." She replied. Isn't she right? As an adult, for me personally, while making decisions or trying to do something or say something, I do get affected by worldly affairs or just simply think too much. For kids, they have a pure heart so that they can have a direct relationship with God. There is almost nothing may interfere their learning or understanding about God. I want to be like that, I want to love him and talk to him wholeheartedly.

Saying goodbye to them today, I couldn't really find words to express my feelings. What can I say, they are so adorable. One of my kids, Paul, a smart young little boy, is addicted to my camera. Before he left, he even asked me to develop those photos and send them to him. How cute is that!

All in all, I know we are here for a reason, teaching them God's words and hope they can become Christ-like. I sincerely hope they can remember the lessons we've taught, and maybe the seed planted in their heart might grow someday in the future. Anyway, I love serving in CI, God bless y'all. :-)

Helen Wu

As our time in Tainan draws to a close...

2010-02-05T17:59:00.005+08:00

Our beautiful, sunny Friday morning started out with our wisdom search in John 10. Grace (Wang) asked us to look for what the chapter told us about Jesus and what it tole us about ourselves. With Jonathan as our scribe, we quickly made a long list of each. Verse ten especially caught my attention. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus is a giver. He did not come to earth for what He could get from us, but to give. He did so only because of His great love for us! How much we have to thank Him for. And this should make us ask ourselves, "Am I coming to do the CI because of what I an get out of it?" We probably don't think so, but I wonder how often are we actually looking more at what we can get out of it than what we can give to others through it.

Following our insightful wisdom search was a second delicious lunch at Quinton and Elmer's church. The church's hospitality not only filled our stomachs but also gave us the chance to see love in action and to enjoy the fellowship with others during the meal.

The church's hospitality did not stop with the meal. After lunch they drove us all (in five vans) to visit three different historic-type places. I enjoyed them all, but my favorite was the second place we went called something like "The Tree House" place. Walking around in the area made me feel like I was in a rain-forest type jungle. The lush green trees growing in and around the old buildings combined with the cool breeze and quiet atmosphere made me want to sit down and rest there for while. It be a cool place to spend a day. Walking around and enjoying God's creation with other team members made my heart full of joy. The vine-like trees and walking bridges awoke in me a long-lost desire to "go wild", climb the wonderful trees, hang precariously on branches, vines and anything else I could hang on...and get dirty and tired. :) I did actually get tired, but I didn't let myself get all dirty. We were only there for 20 minutes anyway. I think we all were tired even before we started the evening's seminar session, but we thoroughly enjoyed our outing.

In spite of our exhaustion, we were able to make it through our last evening CI session without collapsing...though I did see several teachers dose off during large groups. The topic for the evening was Ownership/Contentment. A lot of the boys especially liked the story of Thunder---a baseball story with a great lesson on ownership and salvation. Brian, our guest story-teller held us all in suspense as he expounded on the ways in which to tell if a watermelon is good or not. The conclusion was that the only real way to know is to give it "the sword test" --- to cut it open. Likewise in our lives, the only way to really know what a person is like is by his fruit. After getting a little grossed out at what we found inside the ''mud melon'', the second watermelon was cut open. I was proud to have one of ''my boys'' picked to go up and taste the delicious fruit for the whole group.

  This seminar our small group offered a prize to each child who could, before the end of the week, accurately quote our entire passage for the seek (Ps. 34:1-8) on his/her own. Most of our kids did so. Our youngest child, a six-year-old boy was so precious. Though he caused the most trouble for us (We sent him on three wisdom walks in that one evening!), he was also the one who would loudly and clearly belt out the verses and songs during large group. He cried when he left...not the way he would whine to get his way during the CI, but a genuine cry. He told his dad he didn't want to leave. And by the way, he and his sister were usually the first ones there and last ones to leave each night. I am so blessed to see the ways Father did work and I believe is still working in the lives of the eight children on our team (the largest team this CI). Though the Tainan CI is now over, I pray that the truths they heard would continue to take root in their tender hearts, and that they would each be fruitful branches for Him.  

Thanks to everyone who is praying for our team! We would not be doing what we are if it weren't for your prayers.  

And thank you Father for the ways you are working in our lives to make us more like You as we seek to share You with the precious children of Taiwan.  

Grateful for you all.

Hannah Morrison

Lessons Learned

2010-02-04T17:29:00.001+08:00

Today's opening is John 9. We talked about what we should see in our life. Because different people have different insights, and we need to make sure what God wants us to see. Don't waste any chance which God gives you to learn something important. All of us need to learn how to have the sight of Jesus.
Then we went to Tainan Assembly of God Church where Quinton's family and friends cooked for us! We ate a lot with a thankful heart. May our kind Lord bless them!

We always could learn something by teaching children. Today's lesson was Forgiveness and Suffering. The real freedom is to forgive people who displease you, and don't let your mind rise and fall for them again and again. Besides, everything has its own reason, we should believe that God controls all things even our thoughts. So we don't need to worry or doubt why God allows these to happen. It's very important because it's an easy way for us to deplete our energy.

In the end, we went into the large group room to pray. The night snack was Oreo with peanut butter. We had six more cookies, so people who answered the question could eat it. That made us so excited to win the Oreo! I remember when Jerry got the last one, and we all heard Johnny say "No, no, no…" as a joke. To our surprise, Jerry did give the last one to Johnny! Johnny was so happy that he started to use exaggerated actions and facial expressions to show how touched he was! That made us have a big laugh for a long time. LOL.

What a sharing and Thanksgiving heart it is! =)

Thank God for today!

All things have their own reason!

Carrie Liu

One Could Ever Hope for a More Blessed and Exciting Day

2010-02-03T17:08:00.002+08:00

After a long and restful night, we began our Wednesday morning with a wisdom search on John 8. Jerry, the leader of the wisdom search, became light-headed and fainted abruptly. Several minutes of drama and confusion filled the room. Soon after, Jerry was the shipped to the hospital to find out the real reason of this sudden episode of heavy light-headedness. Jerry has now returned to the team, but will still need continual prayer.

So, we then begun a walk to a scrumptious three course meal (all at different destinations) - noodles, winter-melon tea, and a famous miscellaneous Tainan restaurant. Trying the amazing and famous was a marvelous experience. As we walked around Tainan one can know that here is where a huge spiritual warfare is going on. Sadly, there are so many people here that are confused about their lives and are blind to the real true. You cannot walk down a street that does not have a temple of some kind: one that draws others away from the One True God.

Then we headed off to a nearby field to play some ultimate Frisbee and soccer. It was wonderful being able to spend time in the bright sun and fresh air! Dripping in sweat and dirt, we hurried back to the hotel to prepare ourselves for the fun-filled evening of CI's. Not only do we have to prepare ourselves but most importantly our hearts. Christ must be first in our live to fully work for Him and Him alone.

Arriving at the church, we immediately began to prepare for the evenings lessons and crafts. The character quality for tonight was Responsibility: and the children thoroughly enjoyed the little skit that demonstrated the fact that hiding a sin, even a little one, can have a huge conscience. Also one of the points that was taught to the children was Taking Thoughts Captive.

I am really looking forward to having a blessed and exciting day tomorrow, after a goodnights rest. :-)

Scottie Haines

Please note...

2010-02-02T17:23:00.002+08:00

We arrived in southern Taiwan, Tainan to be exact, on Sunday and since then have not had regular access to the internet.

We apologize for the lack of contact and silences between blog updates and would like to assure family members that we are all still alive and well (though some less healthy than others).

Do stay posted as we will try our best to add news here and photos on the CI Picasa web albums as often as possible.

CI Team

Food, Kids, and More Food

2010-02-02T16:49:00.005+08:00

My day consisted of getting up in the morning at about 10:00AM, and after that we all went to a restaurant where you actually cook your food yourself. And then when we went back to the church for the CI.

We taught the kids about the character quality of self-control, which I didn't only teach them but taught myself about what self-control meant. And I also learned that even if you have 3 boys, that God had sent to your group, that they matter just as much as 10 kids. God has a purpose for those 3 boys whatever that may be. At the end of the day, we got to go to a "Tibongla" fruit stand that had really good fruit drinks.

Jonathan Gleaves

Do you really love the kids?

2010-02-01T23:46:00.004+08:00

Today is the first day we started CI in Tainan. I thought it is easier for me because I can teach in Mandarin and we have fewer kids in our team than in Taipei. But it is completely different than what I thought. I think this is the most crazy CI night I ever had.

I have 3 "super active" boys in my team. I had a hard time to get their attention and control the class. Because they fought with each other and went all around, so I have to chase them.

I felt that God is asking me, "Do you really mean what you thought last week?" And I know that God is teaching me to love people even they are not perfect, to trust in Him and not myself and to rejoice in the Lord always no matter how the circumstances are.

Suffering didn't make me feel good, but I made me come close to God.

Jane Pang

On our way...to Tainan!!!

2010-01-31T17:19:00.001+08:00

I woke with a start. What time was it? I rolled over and looked at my phone (alarm). The battery had died during the night. I looked around for a clock. It was 8:05am; I had planned to get up by 7:00am. This would give me plenty of time to get a coffee and my favorite breakfast before we left for church. My plans were crushed! Instead, I jumped in the shower and proceeded to get ready for church.

After church, we returned to the hotel to gather our luggage and wait for the hired bus to arrive. The bus driver was late so in no time a soccer ball and football appeared and the fun began in the Cul-de-sac in front of the hotel. After we were sufficiently hot and sweaty the bus arrived and we had to load all the luggage on the bus. After this momentous task was accomplished we were on our way.

On the bus ride I got the opportunity to be a flight assistant of sorts… rather a bus assistant. I ran up and down the aisle fetching people their sugar, tea and food. It was fun! I am considering pursuing a new career as a flight attendant. =D

After we arrived, dropped off our luggage at the hotel, we visited a nearby night market. This night market is known for their famously good food. They had some very amazing foods at this night market. One food that I tried was an oyster omelet. It was very delicious! I also tried a food called the coffin bread; it is basically corn, peas, carrots, green beans, and pork with white sauce inside a piece of toast. It was quite yummy as well.

After settling into the hotel room and retiring for the night, I was filled with anticipation for this upcoming seminar in Tainan! It will be good to see what God will do.

Jerry Simpson

One Down, Three to Go!

2010-01-30T17:07:00.003+08:00

Ni hao ma? Well, i can't believe that we are already on our second week; time seems to be flying! I really like it here, but I recently found out that the people here don't speak English!

I've made a lot of friends here and I think that it will be really hard when we leave, although I really miss my friends back at home!

The shower head in my room is like super low and it points strait down which is totally lame, because both me and my room-mate are like 6"1'.

The food is kinda weird but most of it is really good. I'm not afraid to try new things, unless it blinks or crawls off my plate. In that case, I'll just let it go.

Well, that is really all I have to say, oh except that the moon here is totally awesome! It's like...uh, big and round!

Johnny Keller

Saying Goodbye to CI

2010-01-29T23:35:00.003+08:00

As I sat in large group today amongst the hyperactive little boys in my group, it hit me like a (due to lack of a better word) train. This Taipei CI of 2010, would truly be my last. Sitting here now, I sip on unhealthy instant noodles, but before my eyes, the handful of precious memories and experiences begin to play like an old black and white movie. =)

Serving at CI has been quite the exceptional experience. Each seminar I meet new people; children and adults alike, I learn new things; about God and in actual training alike. But when it all boils down, I felt that the biggest lesson I've learned through all these CIs is that the privilege of serving God is a rare, fruitful, and exceptional experience. In the past, serving has often times felt more burdensome than enjoyable, but the CI has continuously proved me wrong in that serving God is a blessing that not many have the chance to do.

Today I looked at Oliver, Hannah and Irene, and wondered why was it that amongst the 50+ classmates in my grade God gave us 4 the chance to serve Him? I'm sure God has His plans in all this but I'm just so thankful that I've been chosen by God, to do His work and to tell children about the Good News.

As the Taipei seminar ends in 2 days, so will my days as a CI-interpreter. If I've made this blog post overly nostalgic or depressing, I apologize. =P but while it does sadden me to think that I may never serve at CI again, I also thank God for ever giving me the very opportunity to work for Him. Why He chose me, an ordinary boy living in Taiwan, to serve Him, I have yet to fully find out, but I must say that serving God has been one of the most joyful and enjoyable experiences of my life.

Daniel Cheng

Taipei 101

2010-01-28T22:36:00.006+08:00

Today was a really great day!

I am finally over jet lag and am now able to enjoy my time here without having this sick feeling in my stomach. Looking over the events of today, it's pretty amazing to see all the activities you can pack into one day.

It all started with a great devotion on the fourth chapter of John, than it was off to the Taipei 101. After having a scrumptious bowl of rice in the food court of the Taipei 101, I headed to Starbucks to get my heart’s desire - a mocha java chip. Mmmmm!! After doing so, I headed off to the top of one of the worlds tallest skyscrapers in the fastest elevator. Pretty cool!

It was really incredible looking onto Taipei at that height; seeing so much of the vast mountains that surround the city, made me fill really small. It got me contemplating on the fact that this same God, who created all this was interested in me, in every thing I did and was taking care of me. To think that the very same person who holds the world together holds me in that same hand. Why would I need to worry or to fear of the small insignificant obstacles in my life?

So after leaving, we went to our long anticipated Chinese lesson. Then it was time to start preparing for the fun filled, action packed CI night. We finished all of the craft prep work and my lesson planning a little early, so it gave us time to pray for the Lord’s help throughout the evening. The children started to arrive and the night was underway. The lessons were on responsibility and bringing every thought captive. We were expecting there to be some distraction going on but the Lord was faithful and they were calm as David held their attention with a captivating story. In large group, there was a hilarious skit that was designed to teach the children about the importance of truthfulness. The night came to an end as parents started to arrive. We finished cleaning up and walked outside to the sweet smell of a rain shower.

I'm looking forward to another awesome day tomorrow only after a goodnight sleep. :-)

Grace Miller

My Extraordinary Day in Taiwan

2010-01-27T22:42:00.006+08:00

It's nice not to have jet lag.

The second day of CI has passed. Where has it brought us? What has it taught us? My day started exceptionally well, meeting my dear brother and sister-in-law Karen for STARBUCKS! I knew then that the rest of the day was going to be amazing. And it was.

We all went out with our accountability groups for devotions and lunch, mine found a place in the sun to sit, and then a lovely pizza place to eat at. I can't tell you how amazing it was to eat an ENTIRE pizza MYSELF! I know everyone was more then happy to be eating real, American tasting foods. Well, I was anyway. Never enough bacon, potato pizza baby!

Teacher training started off with an tre fabu Chinese class led by my most very favorite Chinese teacher, Grace Tseng! I've known her since the first year I came, and her teaching style never ceases to amazing and challenge me.and lunch, mine found a place in the sun to sit, and then a lovely pizza place to eat at. I can't tell you how amazing it was to eat an ENTIRE pizza MYSELF! I know everyone was more then happy to be eating real, American tasting foods. Well, I was anyway. Never enough bacon, potato pizza baby!

Dinner's highlight was watching Jonny eat WET seaweed.

Tonight's lessons centered around Self-Control and Authority. My favorite part was telling the kids that one way to control their eating was to eat more FRUIT! Because it's so HEALTHY! :-D I was lucky enough to get to be Maggie (MuoJi) in the skit, the parachute skit where you get to climb around on a ladder and pretend to fall and die! Oh, also break eggs.

The second story of the night was about Pharaoh. Jerry was Pharaoh and we got to watch him spew red water out of his mouth and get totally grossed out. And we learned that we need to obey God...the first time He tells us. It was cool to see my kids get the message, and for them to see the importance of obedience of God and authorities.

As the kids left tonight, their foamie frogs around their necks, my heart swelled with happiness and thankfulness that I get to be here with them. I get to be here in this place, with these people, where God is working.

Please continue to pray for the CI here. We have more then half the seminar left and need much prayer for strength and creativity for the rest of the week. Thanks and that's all from...

Naomi Kallberg

A Journey Starts with Faith

2010-01-26T23:42:00.005+08:00

It just started!

We began our day with studying the book of John, chapter 2. It's about the first miracle Jesus did in Cana, how He waited until the night time and prepared the great wine on the wedding. Just like our lives, we wait for the time to come and prepare our selves until the coming of CI, holy and wholly committed in serving these children around us in Taiwan.

Tonight we taught the principle of design, the wonderful and amazing principle that we are made in His will and are able to get together even we are from different cultures and places; but we know that we are serving the same God, who created us, calling us to know Him more each day.

That needs a step of faith, too. Like father Abraham, leaving the familiar places and choose to follow God even when he didn't know where to go. We also need to learn to follow God even we sometimes do not know the design God has put in our lives, and we still can take a step of faith but we know He already has a plan for each one of us.

Just like the words on the craft: design reveals His goodness.

This year we are going to learn the blessings of God, how He gave His rich blessings through His principles. And I know we are learning, and it is going to be a wonderful and amazing journey.

Angel Liao

First day in Taiwan

2010-01-25T22:14:00.005+08:00

Well the first day of the trip and for most of the American teachers it’s their first day in Taiwan. I am really excited to be back in Taiwan and ready to see the Lord do a great work.

Today thankfully we did not do any teaching just sight seeing and eating amazing Chinese food. We also got to go to a museum and see lots of China's very old stuff which looked really old. After having an amazing time and an extremely exciting time at the museum, we went on to more spiritual things.

One thing that we do on the trip, and is always at the beginning of it, is that we go on a prayer walk. And this prayer walk for me has always been different and has always set a mindset for me. It’s one of my favorite parts of the trip because God always shows me so much on that short prayer walk around the city. And this year was different from the other prayer walks for me because God did not tell me too much, He just simply wanted me to be still and know that He is God that He wanted me to love Him and to have a deeper relationship with Him.

And this was different for me because I thought I was going to be praying for Taiwan not for me, and I believe that God was showing me that I cannot love the world or Taiwan or anyone, I have to learn to love God first. I have to learn to love God with all my heart and soul and mind, then to love Taiwan and love the world will come naturally. It’s all about having a relationship with God, and then sharing it with the world.

Keep us in your prayers.

David Lukachick

They're here!!!

2010-01-24T23:30:00.006+08:00

The teachers all got here today!!! The day we've been anticipating for, and yet, do not quite feel ready for. Anyway, they're all safe and sound. The seminar will start SOON. There just seems to be so much to be done. Maybe we'll never be prepared, but I know our God is always ready to move His hand and work in us. =)

This is my first time to be involved in the Taiwan CIs. I usually just do the CI in Hong Kong, and I'm so grateful that I was given this wonderful opportunity to see more of the CI and to serve the Lord in this way.

Personally, I'm actually getting pretty nervous about the whole thing. But one thing I'm sure
about is that whenever we feel weak, there we find strength in Him. I know God recently wants me to learn about having faith in Him and to trust in Him even when things don't seem right. So I'm excited to see what God is going to do here!

Please do keep us in your prayers, and especially pray for our health and for His wisdom to teach the children. We really need our Lord's love to help us share our life with the kids. We all can't wait to share with you what the Lord is doing here in Taiwan and Hong Kong. =D So follow our trip here on the blog. ;-)

Ada Leung

Getting ready!!!

2010-01-23T22:04:00.010+08:00

We're in our last stage of preparation for the coming CI. We really appreciate your prayers for all our teachers, as well as the children and parents who are coming to the seminars. Here's a glimpse into what we're up to. =)

Making CI craft samples.

Making our cool orange name tags.

Our teachers are arriving tomorrow night. Please pray for their safety and health.

Ada Leung

CI 2010 is Near!

2010-01-21T15:22:00.006+08:00

On Jan 19, 2010, all of the CI staff members gathered here in Taipei to try to get ready for the one-month long CI trip.

Everyone has a lot of work to tackle before the American teachers get here on Sunday. We're all very excited but sort of nervous, for this CI is going to be a little different than before.

Prayer request:
1. Pray for the health of all the staff members here.
2. The numbers of kids registered in Taichung and Tainan are relatively low. We sincerely hope that more kids can come to the CIs and learn more about the Truth.
3. Praise God that 15 American teachers are willing to spend their precious time coming to Taiwan/Hong Kong to serve Him.

We appreciate your prayers. Each day, we will have a teacher or interpreter post their journal on this blog. We will try our best to keep you updated.

In Him,

Simon Yeh

Birthday Gift from the Above

2009-02-07T07:22:00.000+08:00

你好！

So today was our last day of the VERY last seminar! We left our hotel around 7:40 a.m. and rode the MRT to the church nearby to prepare lesson plans and materials for the day before the parents started dropping their children off.

El Shaddai (All-sufficient One), Jehovah Tsidkenu (God is my righteousness), and Jehovah Nissi (God is my banner) were the three names of God that we all taught today. If you think enough about it, there are most likely instances in your life where all three names of God are applicable. Today, the name El Shaddai seemed to be the most significant to me. It reminded me of just a few days ago, when two teachers from Nantou came to visit for a few days. The day that they were planning to leave to go back to Nantou, Bethany and I and ended up having to stay back at the hotel for a day and sleep because we were sick. This meant that we wouldn't be able to lead our two teams that evening, leaving just our translator there with about 12 kids. God, being all-sufficient, saw our need and provided those two visiting teachers who were able to stay and take the place of Bethany and me that night! They ended up staying the entire week and they kept their position of Team Leader, while Bethany and I became the Team Assistants because we were still recovering.

On the way up to lunch, Tiffany stopped me and handed me a java-chip Frappucino from Starbucks (my favorite!) and a nice birthday card! That was a really nice surprise. At lunch, we all had Subway sandwiches, which just so happens to be my favorite fast-food back in America =D. As we were finishing up lunch, I had another surprise. The staff brought out two really delicious (and pretty) birthday cakes!

After being stuffed with delicious food for lunch, we had to go back downstairs to do the afternoon half of our seminar, which ended around 5:00 p.m. After all the kids were picked up by their parents, our team had its usual debriefing and prayer. That evening, the entire American team (along with a few Taipei interpreters who stuck around) walked to a local night market. As usual, we were allowed to break up into groups of three or more to go shop and/or eat dinner. Bethany, Daniel, David R., David L., Hannah, Oliver, Peter, Skyler, and I wandered around the night market and it's surrounding streets for about an hour or so looking for a place where we could have a sit-down meal instead of the usual night market food stands. We ended up going to an Italian restaurant called Dr. Pasta! I couldn't have had a better birthday and I was even was feeling better then I had all week!

Sadly these few weeks of ministry have to come to a close. Many of us hope to return to Taiwan in the near future. I am very grateful for the many opportunities ATI provides for me to grow spiritually and to expand my understanding of different cultures. I am also so thankful for the friendships with other believers that I have made here in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

再見。

Caroline Rogers

Lessons Learned

2009-02-06T07:56:00.000+08:00

“Don’t be afraid, I found you!” As Tim acted on stage as a shepherd, he said this to the lost sheep. At that moment, my eyes are bursting with tears. “You are found, my daughter.” Yes, I am found. And yes, we are all found!

The week before I came to CI is a difficult time for me, some problems form school started to show up to me in a painful way. It was too complicated that I even forgot how to worried, and too overwhelm that I even couldn’t feel the pain. Sometimes I cry at night, praying to God asking why this could happen.

In the days of CI, I tried to focus on the children and God. But still, sometimes sorrows would still come to me. As I tried to hide the feelings, the situation got even worse.

Today when me and Josie were preparing the lesson of Suffering for the little group, she told me the story about how a shepherd guide and teach the sheep to grow to love the shepherd more. She said this to me “God allows us to go through sufferings because He loves us.” He knows what is best for us, He loves us even more then we do. Even though it is hard to know why things happen like this in our life, as long as we remember that God is in control, we should no longer be afraid.

Jehovah Raah, God is our shepherd. He is not only a shepherd but a very good one. He loves us, and knows our deepest thought. When we are walking through the sorrows, Jesus carries us on His shoulder and walk through it with us.

Today, the teachers of CI are still coughing, and my problems are still unsolved yet. But after today’s lesson, we know, that God is guiding, and He know our needs. Just look up there and follow Him, that’s what a good sheep does.

When you feel your strength is running out, and lost; just call upon the name of the Lord, and you will be found.
“I found you, I found you.” He said.

Grace Lu
(Interpreter from Taiwan)

For Each Day

2009-02-05T07:37:00.001+08:00

We started this day with wisdom search: Does God show in some place than others if He is the all-knowing, omnipresent and unlimited God? Hmmm…. That is quite interesting; we discussed it and had a debating, and had an encouragement keeping this in mind. But I hope God will show Himself to us, in this seminar.

After wisdom search we went to a Thai food restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal. Sitting together with long tables, tasting each new dish, oh, of course, practicing how to use chopsticks, we had to say….we love this wonderful Asian experience!
Then we left for the very famous tour site: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, having the group picture… Even the sky was full of clouds, with little rain, but it could not stopping us appreciating the beauty of Chinese culture, and enjoy this outgoing day. Also we took a shop at Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center, where made us bring quite much stuff, very happy!

Tonight we taught about the name of God: El Roi to children again, teaching them the power of God, how He watches us in our daily life, how He keeps us and how we should be responsible for ourselves, and build the truth in our life, making our foundation strong in our holy God. And that is also a lesson for us, reminding that our God is with us all the time, being the securely reliance for us. Just because of His wonderful name El Roi, we are able to give our all to Him, letting the work of God be accomplished; we are be able to go through every day, knowing there is the hope for us, for these children, for this seminar, for this country, for tomorrow.

This is what I know and learned from His names just for me.

Angel Liao

Homeschooling-- Here and There

2009-02-04T00:24:00.001+08:00

Today, we got to do something very special.... we met the Joshua Students! Joshua Students are a group of homeschooled children in Taiwan. Homeschooling is not very popular in Taiwan and education is very important here, so this group is being very courageous to introduce a whole country to the homeschooling system.

Anyway......

These students came and will be spending the next few days with us. This afternoon, David Lukachick had all of us play some games to introduce us to one other and then to help us remember their names. So first, we were divided into 2 groups, each group having a mix of American teachers and Joshua Students. Then we, stood in a circle and said our names as well as one adjective that started with the same letter as our names, for example, my name is Jessica and my adjective is Joyful. But wait... that's not all we had to do... oh no, that would be too easy... :) The 1st person would say his adjective and name, and the 2nd person would have to say the 1st persons name and adjective as well as her own name and adjective, then person 3 had to say person 1 and 2's names and adjectives as well as his.... etc. .. all the way around the circle. I felt kind of bad for the last person who has to remember everyone's names and adjectives!! It was a lot of fun... and a lot of creative people. By the time both groups have finished, we knew each other much better.

Now that we had learned everyone's name, we played the game. One person was given a paper baton was told to tap anyone person in their circle with it. There was a catch though, when the person with the baton was coming to tap you, if you said your name and another person's name before you were hit, the baton would be directed to the person whose name you said. The person with the baton had to remember which name belonged to whom. Now, if you did not say the names fast enough, you would be tagged, and you would be the person with the baton, out to tap the next person.... only if you were faster then the minds of your team players!! This game proved full of lots of fun and laughs!!

I really enjoy getting to know the Joshua Students and look forward to working more with them and spending more time with this incredible group!!!

But for now....
Zai jian ~ Good Bye

Jessica Fitzpatrick

The Last Mile

2009-02-03T14:47:00.000+08:00

We started our first morning back in Taipei with a typical continental breakfast, then wisdom search. We talked about Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. After reading Philippians 4:4-7 I was excited to see that God’s peace comes by rejoicing in Him and not worrying about outward circumstances. So, after wisdom search we headed to the church.

We didn’t waste much time getting started. Setting up was the first step, ie: arranging chairs, hauling boxes up two floors of stairs, setting up tables, and all that fun stuff. Needless to say, we were slightly overjoyed when we heard it was time for lunch. I was pleasantly surprised to find out we were having awesomeness for lunch! (most people call awesomeness dumplings) Yum!

So, after a nourishing lunch of awesomeness, we continued our preparation for the CI. We met the new interpreters and had some helpful teacher training sessions, and soon it was time for more food! Supper was some really good chicken that was close to being almost as good as awesomeness. (aka dumplings) After supper we went down to wait for our kids.

I was nervous, like usual, on the first night of the seminar. However, this time I called on God as Jehovah Shalom and rejoiced in Him. God was faithful, and He flooded me with His peace. The children were great and everything seemed to go smoothly. Praise the Lord.

God really showed Himself strong that night. He gave us all the strength we needed right when we needed it. Between God and vitamin C (his faithful agent), we were able to get the Taipei seminar off to a great start!

Angela Joy Clark

Intermission

2009-02-02T08:04:00.003+08:00

“For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands.” (Psalm 92:4)

As I look back over the past two seminars, I find much to be glad about. I have seen the Lord answering prayers, working in kinds’ lives, and teaching me. As I look forward to the next seminars, I am confident that we will triumph through the work of His hands.

This morning, we left Hong Kong and flew back to Taiwan. Our next seminar does not start until tomorrow, so we went on a fun outing this evening. We went to Shilin night market—the largest night market in Taipei.

Perhaps the most noteworthy cultural experience of the day was eating stinky tofu. Stinky tofu is as its name implies—tofu that stinks. It has this unique sickening stench. However, it does not taste nearly as bad as it smells. In fact, it tastes ok.

Thank you for your prayers for us. As you continue to pray for us, pray that God will do many great things in and through us during our final seminar. Also, please continue to pray for spiritual strength and physical health for each of us.

Teresa Vanderford

I Left My Heart in Hong Kong...

2009-02-01T08:26:00.010+08:00

I just couldn't believe that IT'S OVER now!!!

The CI team has been here for almost a week, and it's been an amazing week. Taking the teachers and staff to one of the outline islands, praying with them, serving with them, seeing how God works in the children's lives... No wonder there's a Cantonese saying goes like this, "Happy moment flies!" (快樂的時光過得特別快). As a co-host and stage interpreter here in Hong Kong, it's my greatest pleasure to work with this bunch of awesome people. They all have a servant heart, a love for the kids. They never complain about the food, nor ask for spacious room. I can always see a smile hanging on their face after a long day teaching the kids. It's really my honor to serve the Lord with these awesome people!

Moments with the kids are flashing back on my mind. The kids are all so precious in God's eyes. I'm touched by the love of the Lord. I feel the immense love of our Father when I see how the kids get to know Him more here and how some of them were changed here. I'm so grateful that I can be used by the Lord in such a way.

It's the last day of CI. I know we all gonna miss the kids. But I'm praying that our loving Father, who is Jehovah Raah, would watch over them wherever they go, and that the kids would follow the Shepherd all the days of their life.

It's over for me here, but the teachers and the staff are heading to Taipei tomorrow and continue their journey of sharing God's love with the kids. Please keep them in prayers. It'd mean so much to them. =)

Ada Leung
(HK Stage Interpreter)

His Power, My Weakness

2009-01-31T15:10:00.003+08:00

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9a)

Saturday was our first full day of teaching. Most of the team had colds or coughs and everyone was tired. Our strength that we had at the beginning of the trip was fast running out and God had many opportunities to show His strength through our weakness.

One such instance stood out to me very clearly. All week the whole team had been praying for our kids that we could be able to reach out to them and to connect to the team. I had also been praying for my personal team that God would give Joy Clark, our translator, Tom, and I wisdom on how to build a relationship with the kids and how to draw them out.

In preparation for Saturday, I don’t actually recall giving to God the issue of how to relate to the children, but at some point I yielded it to Him in my spirit. Well, God loves to show Himself strong when we get out of the way! That day God provided opportunities to connect with the kids, especially the older students. God really opened our hearts and the hearts of the kids on our team and gave us the ability to reach out and connect with them.

“Most gladly will I rather glory in my affliction that the power of Christ might rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:9b)

Laura Weaver

A Different Chinese Language

2009-01-30T23:41:00.002+08:00

It is the second day in HK.

Everything seemed to be better than the first day. It’s quite different here in HK, to me especially. When we’re in Taiwan, I can understand both Mandarin and English, and I’m happy about that. But here in HK, people speak Cantonese. I feet so lost. I used to be an interpreter. However, this week, apparently, I can’t interpret. I become a teacher. And of course, I have to speak English. Now I get to kind of understand how the American teachers feel. (Uh…um…not exactly…oh well, they’re using their first language while I’m using my second language.) This is the first time in my life to work with an interpreter. It’s sort of interesting. I have to say, interpreters are so very important to the whole seminar. And the quality of interpreters can decide the efficiency of the seminar.

Today we talked about authority. This is an important lesson for kids and would help their parents a lot if they can learn this principle well. We made a crown as a craft. I told them that the crown represented authority and we had to let our authority wear the crown rather than us. And then I challenged them to give the crown to their parents to show their acknowledgement of their parents’ authority. It was really interesting that some of the kids kind of wanted to keep the crowns because they thought the crowns were beautiful. And…ha! Abraham, a naughty kid on our team, was the first one who gave his crown to his mother and made her wear it. That was cool.

Simon Yeh

It's All about Love

2009-01-29T08:55:00.007+08:00

Good Night!

Today we started the CI in Hong Kong! This afternoon in teacher training, Jerry thought on how to love the children. The lesson was very good and brought our focus back to the children, our purpose for being here.

This message spoke to me and cut right to my heart. I have been asking the Lord to give me a loving heart for these children. Even the verse the Lord gave me in my quiet time this morning was on loving people.

The chapter that we discussed was 1 Corinthians 13. Jerry emphasized how it didn’t matter if all we did try to do was a big huge terrible mess. It didn’t matter if all we did was perfectly put together nothing went wrong and everything fell into place perfectly. If we don’t love these children we missed the point. It’s all in vain. It’s all a waste.

Well, tonight didn’t start out very good. I didn’t think I got the point across. Everything was pretty much a mess. Were the children listening at all?

Test 1: Rebekah, do you love these children?
Answer: Lord, only through You am I able to have these children. Everything seemed to go wrong, but in the end they know the answer to al the questions I asked. I believe tonight You were glorified in my weakness and helped me love the children and see them through Your eyes even when things didn’t always go right. Thank you, Lord, for Your help.

Rebekah Fisher

Hello, Hong Kong!

2009-01-28T00:39:00.009+08:00

After all the stress and responsibilities of the Kaohsiung CI, it was nice to switch gears to "vacation mode." Vacation mode meant we could dress more casual, take more pictures and eat interesting food from every food stand (that is if you are Tim). This day of site-seeing began with a delicious brunch at a restaurant in Hong Kong. (the name of this restaurant can be supplied by the aforesaid Tim =P) The first thing I noticed about the restaurant was the round tables with glass lazy susan turntables in the center. On these turn tables were tea pots of hot water and a big bowl both for sterilizing our dishes. Sterilizing one's own dishes became a tradition in Hong Kong after the SARS scare, many people wanted to make sure they would not get sick so they insisted on cleaning their own dishes. After washing our dishes, the waitresses brought us tea and began filling the table with little foods, which we shared with everyone at our table. The Chinese, Hong Kongian and Taiwanese people at my table had a "wonderful" way of not telling me what I was eating until after i tried it. Does anyone like fish eggs? I did, until i found out what they were. =(

After eating we took the ferry over to Llama Island. From there we walked past shops, restaurants, temples and banana trees to the beach. The beach was beautiful and we all enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine (pictures to follow =))

Like among energetic young people is never boring and today was no exception. One of the girls got a kick out of planting her barking dog alarm clock into the backpack of one of her unsuspecting teammates, Simon. It was perfect! The alarm clock went off during role call and everyone was staring at Simon's barking backpack. He was chagrinned. After that it was a big game among the CI team to slip the alarm clock into the bag/bag pack of anyone who was not paying attention. It definitely kept people on their toes.

We finished the wonderful day at the ladies market, which ironically is opened to all regardless of gender. It was a lot like the night market at Kaohsiung, except that it required a lot more bargaining. The prices were usually jacked up two or three times the actual worth of the items. It took some real skills to get anything at a good price. Some of us were better at it then others. I personally am going to have to wok on it or else I'll have Bethany or Jerry or David bargain for me.

Patricia Keller

The Two Cities

2009-01-27T00:44:00.001+08:00

My day began as any good day should, with extra sleep. The night before I had packed and repacked, so after the much needed rest, I thought the third time might be the charm. Afterward I made my way down to our group wisdom search, which was led by our fearless leader Tim Chen. He shared with us his thoughts about God as Jehovah before splitting us into smaller groups for more in-depth study.

Since this was our last free day in Taipei, we decided to catch not only our breaths, but some of the sights of the city as well. Our adventure began with a thrilling MRT ride and less then thrilling walk, when at last we reached our destination; Taipei 101! Having mastered the streets of Taiwan, the conquering heroes (as I like to think of myself) greatly anticipated our hard earned reward of lunch. Personally, I went straight for the fried rice and noodles. I followed that with the most delicious strawberry smoothie. It was made from fresh strawberries and needless to say I will probably be having sweet dreams about that smoothie for quite some time, but I digress.

Our stomachs were full and our minds were ready for more action. So, we did what any normal group of tourists would do in the world's tallest building... (pause for dramatic effect)...went looking for the basement! Going to the lowest point in the tallest building is not for the faint of heart, but we were not daunted by such obstacles.

A few minutes, a lot of laughs, and some memorable pictures later we rushed back to the hotel. We loaded up the bus and said our momentary goodbyes to that amazing city. At the airport we regrouped with Simon, Tiffany, and Angel. While mentally preparing for the flight, my nose kindly informed me of a nearby Subway restaurant. A sub sandwich and cookies had never tasted so good.

We arrived in Hong Kong and got a few glimpses of the city on our bus ride to the hostel. Once there we got our roommate assignments. For the third straight time David and I were roommates; this time joined by Simon. Tired and happy it is time to turn in. I can't wait for all that God has planned for us tomorrow.

Skyler Davenport

Happy Chinese New Year!

2009-01-26T01:06:00.009+08:00

Today we celebrated Chinese New Year! :) We began the day with a trip to Starbucks, well, some of us, at least, before devotions. We talked about the Holiness of God and how to live a holy life wholly dedicated to God.

After devotions we had a time to get ready and then we were off on a shopping adventure in Damshui! :) The girls jumped on the MRT for a 30 minute ride while the boys went bike-riding somewhere.

Our MRT ride involved talking, picture taking, and sight-seeing out of the windows. :) When we arrived in Damshui we split up in groups and went on a shopping spree! :)

We had fun jumping from shop to shop while enjoying different foods along the way. Fried octopus or squid (Sophia wasn’t sure which it was), boiled birds eggs, dumplings, candied strawberries and cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, and deep fried sweet potatoes, were some of the foods I tried. Most of it was really good especially the sweet potatoes! They were amazing!! The boiled birds egg and candied tomato were not so good. :P

So we spent the afternoon shopping, talking, walking and taking pictures. It drizzled on us some but I found it refreshing. :) After shopping we met back up and hopped on the MRT to head back to Taipei.

We began packing for Hong Kong when we got back to the hotel. After some packing, we headed to the Chen’s apartment for a pizza dinner. :) I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated pizza so much. :) We also enjoyed fruit and soup.

We then played some games and enjoyed felloshipping and singing together. We learned a Chinese New Year song and another song based on Psalm 103, in Chinese, of course.:) That was fun! :)

We headed back to the hotel and packed some more, weighed our suitcases and packed in props wherever they would fit. :) Eventually, we ended our exciting and adventure-filled day by going to sleep to the sound of fireworks. :)

I’m so glad that I have been a part of this CI team! Not only is God doing wonders in the kids’ lives, but I know He is working in each of our hearts as well. Learning more about the many names of God has been enlightening. God is doing wonders here and I am excited He has chosen to use us as His servants! I’m looking forward to seeing him do many great things here in Taiwan and in Hong Kong.

Abigail Bergeron

Taiwan/China, Past & Present

2009-01-25T07:28:00.005+08:00

Beep Beep! Beep Beep! I fumbled around in the dark trying to find the off button on my alarm clock. Stumbling out of bed, I glanced outside the window. Yep, another cold day. Similar to the 50 degree weather we encountered upon arrival in Taipei, much contrast to the summer-like weather in Kaohsiung. But still, for us northerners, the weather is more like autumn weather. Anyways, enough about the weather, the team all met downstairs in the lobby a short time later. Not the nicest hotel, but with a Starbucks right across the street (literally!) I can’t complain!

Then we all walked to “Friendship Presbyterian Church.” The whole service was in Chinese, which was very....interesting. :) During the singing, they sang hymns that I knew, only in a different language. It was interesting for me to think though, about how one day in the Heaven, all nations will worship God together. And what a glorious sight THAT will be! After service, we walked to a Sababas, a Mediterranean place, really cute, small, and amazing food.

Then back to the hotel, where we all changed before going to the National Palace Museum, a museum about the history and culture of Taiwan. And with my homeschooled mind...mom, be proud of me. I got brochures for my portfolio!  We then took the MRT back to the hotel, which me & Caroline had much fun on. A very fun, almost subway like thing...only a LOT cleaner!

Then everyone just hung out for a while, before journeying to the Taipei IBLP office. Then we had the traditional “hotpot” dinner, watched some fireworks...Oh, did I mention today is Chinese New Year’s Eve? Haha. So we pretty much just chilled... played some games, sang some songs...and of course wished many people a happy new years. I’m looking forward to tomorrow when everyone will say to me “gong shi”, which basically means “Congratulations. You made it through the night! The monster didn’t eat you!” LOL.

Oh yeah, and my end of the dinner table had a pepper eating contest. I was in the lead, after eating 7 peppers, making myself cry for quite a while (because of the peppers, not the victory!) But then some people just can’t take defeat. So...I’m not really sure who won, maybe a tie between Caroline & Skyler? All I know is that David definitely lost!

Anyways, in conclusion, please continue to pray for us. Pray for health, pray for safety, and praise God for amazing work He has already done in not only the kids’ lives, but also my own. It never ceases to amaze me how I come here to teach children, but in turn always end up learning more myself than I could ever teach. Thank you for your prayers.

Bethany Heath

One Down, Two to Go!

2009-01-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

Today was our last seminar day in Kaohsiung. We went to the church in the morning at 8:00 AM... During my last small group, I was reviewing God’s Names that we had learned the past few days, and I realized how short a time that I have, and how much I really want to impact these kids’ lives. Though the kids were a little bit too hyper on the last day, I really felt it was a good ending for us and a good start for the kids when they go back home.

As the kids went home, we wrapped up really quickly, had lunch together, and got on the bus to Taipei. It was sad to say goodbye to the interpreters on the bus, especially when I saw Kathy crying; I felt so sad. During our 5 hours bus ride, I sat in the front the entire time, because I was afraid to get car sick, but I could hear everyone chatting and singing in the back. Though I couldn’t join them, I enjoyed the happy atmosphere in the bus!

We arrived in Taipei and are looking forward to getting some rest. Hope that in the coming two weeks, I can learn more from God.

Sophia Chen

Ni Hao-- Hello!

2009-01-23T23:06:00.001+08:00

Today is our last full day in Kaohsiung, and our last night teaching the CI.

We had a Chinese Lesson, then had teacher training on ownership and freedom with the plan of salvation and the freedom of sin! Most of the leaders were nervous about the night because the importance of the message.

We had a prayer before the children got to the church, we all got on our knees and asked God to bless the building and all that entered, and that the children would have an open heart to the words of Christ.

When we taught our lesson on freedom we were going to the have the children raise their hand if they wanted to receive Jesus as their Savior. Instead the Lord worked it differently. When each child came to Sophia Chen, our leader, with their craft, she personally asked every child. The way that God worked is still amazing to me. All 12 of our children received Jesus as their personal Savior!

I know that God was and is in control! As we prepare for the other CI’s, please pray God will do mighty things in the children’s lives as He is doing in my own life!!

Thank you for your prayer for all of us, the children and the CI in general!

Jayme Hierholzer

Here Comes a Local!

2009-01-22T22:54:00.001+08:00

After my alarm clock rang, a new day began. At 9:30, we had Bible reading called “Wisdom Search”. Tim shared with us about Elyon, the Most High.

After Wisdom Search, we were going to the beach! We took a ferry, and a view there was so beautiful. When we got to our destination, the first thing we were going to do was eating seafood for lunch. Tim said to foreign teachers “We won’t give you extremely strange food. Unfortunately, it will be extremely strange for you!” we had a great time during the lunch. They were so brave to try those dishes!

After we finished our lunch, we went to the beach! The view there was so lovely! The sun was shinning, and you could feel the cool water over your feet. We took a lot of great pictures there. It’s fun! After playing on the beach, I went shopping with Carrie. We ate some special desert.

At 1:30, we took a ferry back. And we began preparing the lesson “Suffering”. Alaina, Carline and I prayed together, hoping God could give us strength because we could do nothing without Him.

We had 12 children. All of them were so cute. We had two crafts, one of them was called “Love Stickers”. Children draw their sticker, and gave them to anyone who they wanted to show their love to. I got some beautiful stickers they were so sweet.

Being one of them in CI, I truly saw the character that we taught tonight—Love.

Joy Liao
(Interpreter from Taiwan)

A Tropical Winter Day

2009-01-22T22:46:00.005+08:00

I have loved so many things about this trip that it would be impossible to pick a favorite. But so far, today has held the most surprises. Following yet another amazing breakfast, Tim led us in a Wisdom Search that I found particularly applicable to my life. But that can be saved for another blog.

After Wisdom Search, it was time to depart for the much anticipated beach trip. We boarded a shuttle decked to the nines in blue t-shirts and flip flops. A short ride later, we were at the ferry on our way to the island of Chijing. After disembarking, Tim led the way to a seafood restaurant where you could see your food laid out on the tables before you went in. I made a decision to eat at least one of everything that was served. The first course was shrimp, which, when shelled, was very good. You will have to ask Skyler how they taste with the shell… Typically you are supposed to bite off the head, but one of our interpreters assured me that eating the head was quite normal and proceeded to prove to me that he thought it was. So I followed his example. It really wasn’t too bad. Although I can’t really say I have had worse. The next few courses consisted of squid, minnow, clam, fish, fried oyster, and fried fish. All were in their original form with the exception of the fried foods and even the fried fish had eyes that watched us.

After stuffing ourselves, we walked to the beach. The first thing I thought of was all of my friends and family in PA who were walking around in snow and ice while I was burying my feet in the hot sand. The next hour or so consisted of jumping, running, wading, and dropping people in the water, all of which provided many moments of mirth. For the rest of the afternoon, we perused the shops and drank milk tea. After gathering up the rest of our blue-clad friends, we boarded the ferry and returned to Kaohsiung.

We arrived to the church with not much time to prepare but miraculously had written our lessons, prepared our crafts, and were closing in prayer just as the first of our kids began to arrive. The night also held a few surprises for me. I made friends with one of the children who we had prayed for the night before and the one guy on our team who seemed to have trouble adjusting began to come out of his shell. All in all it proved to be a most exciting day. Just one of many that we have had and will have in the weeks to come!

David Rowe

The Names of God 101

2009-01-21T13:51:00.000+08:00

I woke up early this morning well so I thought. It was 8:00 and I was not so excited about the day. This was the second Day of the seminar which means the most fun. Today I had to teach my accountability team about Adonai.

For those who don’t know what an accountability team is they are the teacher and translators from America and Taiwan. I was very nervous as I taught my team about Adonai , but God gave me the words to say. My lesson turned out very good and I thank God for allowing me to share how He is my Lord and Adonai over my life.

God has already taught me so much and it has only been 3 days I am so excited about what God is going to do.

Please pray for us that we would have strength to make it to the end this journey and that God would continue to use us for His glory. We shall keep you updated for the days to come.

God bless.

David Lukachick

Reflections on the Day

2009-01-20T00:00:00.004+08:00

I awoke with one thought in my mind: “I’m on the good side of the hotel! Life is good!” Yes, I find my self once again in the most fabulous hotel in Kaohsiung. My room, on the 37th floor, looks out towards the ocean. I’m not sure I’ve actually seen the ocean yet, but it’s there…I know because I saw it once last year… ;-)

The day stretched out before me with promise—today the CI would begin. Breakfast at this amazing hotel is no less then you would expect: amazing! (that is for all you parents who are afraid your kids are only eating stewed dog and fried squid) After a cheese omelet, a bowl of granola, and 4 cups of coffee I’m ready for anything!

Devotions, led by Tim Chen (our Most Excellent Team Leader) was based on Ex. 4-5 and made us think about Moses, and his response to God’s direction.

Directly after our study we headed out to the church to prepare for the evening. Set up consisted of watching Jerry (our Kind of Excellent Materials Guy ;-) and his minions run around and move things back and forth. Quite a good time if you ask me!

We had Mexican for lunch! Can you believe it! We come all the way to Taiwan-ready to experience any number of horrors in the cuisine world, and they feed us Mexican! Ah, life is good! I love this! :)

Then the real work began: teacher training. For this we have to actually use our brains…by now jet lag is beginning to kick in a little and our eye lids are drooping…but Rachel (our Most Excellent Teacher Trainer) did a wonderful job of keeping us interested and focused. At the end of training we were set loose to prepare, and then eat dinner. I had spicy chicken!, At least they told me it was chicken… (once again, the running log of our food is to set all parents minds at ease…)

6 o’clock came…show time! The kids start to arrive…freak out time! My team got two kids…and then none. The team next to us got about 38 kids, and still we only had two! I was beginning to worry…especially when my only two kids appeared to be much more interested in killing each other then coloring in their oh-so-cool books of remembrance…finally I decided to begin the lesson. Like clockwork, as soon as I started to teach, the rest of my eleven kids showed up—successfully causing chaos every time a new child entered the room. The lesson was on Elohim, God our Creator. I love this name of God, and enjoyed teaching about it, even though it was in 10 second increments.

By the end of the seminar, as the kids were being picked up by Mom or Dad, I was totally exhausted. Chasing small children will be a sport at the 2010 Olympics, I’m sure. It was a good night, it had tough moments, but God was in it all, and I can’t ask for more then that.

Please be praying for us. Wisdom is always needed, as is patience and enthusiasm…but the most necessary component is love. Pray that God’s love would shine brightly in each of our lives, that we would love the annoying as well as the adorable, that we would see these kids as God sees them. I couldn’t ask for more then that.

Tired yet excited about the days to come, I fell into my bed at about midnight. Glancing out at the beautiful skyline etched against the night sky, I was again struck by gratefulness—happy to be back in this land I love, thankful to be chosen by God to be a part of the 2009 CI team.

From the Most Excellent Group,
Nomes (Naomi Kallberg)

A Start of Something New

2009-01-18T12:00:00.011+08:00

We arrived in Kaohsiung at 3:30am, Sunday morning. A bed has never felt so good.

After a great breakfast, the group walked to the church where we will be doing the CI. We had our own worship service and Tim talked about the love of God.

We spent the afternoon at the Outdoor Café soaking up the sun and learning how to play Chinese get-to-know-you games.

In our accountability groups, we went on a prayer walk around the city. The lesson that God taught me was that if I was willing to look, I could see His face everywhere and spread his love to the people that He brings into my life.

For dinner, we went to this little place with good food, but I was more sleepy than hungry and I found it hard to pay attention. :)

After dinner, we spent time at the night market. If you have ever been to Mexico, it’s a lot the same...lots of people and lots of shops. Thanks for your prayers.

Smiles,
Alaina Carmen

In the Beginning...

2009-01-17T12:00:00.001+08:00

Today was a very special day, the day that the 2009 Taiwan/Hong Kong CI team joined together.

The CI workers already in Taiwan finished a full day of office work and packing up seminar materials. The part of the team from North America finished an incredibly long flight and safely arrived at the airport.

It was nice to have some time to talk and get to know one another. Later that night (or morning if you would call it), we worked as a team to unload the boxes of materials into the church, and we got the job done quickly and well!

Finally, we arrived at the hotel and most of us were 120% ready to sleep. Despite several minor inconveniences (such as the keys not working or light switches in hard-to-find places), we went straight to bed, hoping that we would have as little of the “unavoidable” jet lag syndrome tomorrow. Did we succeed? Well, we will find out on tomorrow’s blog post!

Hannah Huang

A new year of CIs

2009-01-09T10:51:00.003+08:00

The CIs will be starting up again in a few weeks, so it is time for us to start up the blog again. The following is our seminar schedule for this year.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan
January 19-24
Hong Kong
January 29-February 1
Taipei, Taiwan
February 3-7

We would appreciate your prayers for us in Taiwan and Hong Kong as we are busy getting ready for the next few weeks. If you have any thoughts about any of our posts, you can feel free to comment. Facebook users can use their login on our blog as well.

Let's see what God does this year!

Tim Chen

2008.01.30

2008-01-31T16:08:00.000+08:00

This morning came way too fast. Everything seems to come too quickly here in Taiwan... the mornings, the nights, the kids, the end. Or perhaps we simply have a more realistic view of the preciousness of time while we’re here because of how quickly it goes. I’d like to think that anyway.

After a most encouraging time of wisdom search where we remembered God’s goodness to us, we embarked with the Joshua students on the all popular annual CI trip to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. However, this year was quite different than any previous year’s trip to this memorial to the great founder of Taiwan.

The buildings at CKS are all being “renovated.” There is no more changing of the guard. In fact, there are no guards at all. There are no boundaries. President Chiang sits in brazen form now surrounded by larger than life banners of protests of his Presidency. Strange colored objects are everywhere. Gone is the atmosphere of reverence and respect. CKS Memorial Hall is now the Liberty Plaza. Everything is different. I could have cried.

I couldn’t help but think how that one “Plaza” is a representation of our lives as Christians. For some reason, we seem to eventually come to a point where we feel that our faith needs “renovation.” We lose sight of the simplicity of the Gospel and forget how beautiful it is. We begin to fill our lives with things, other things, any things, to keep us busy and make us feel spiritual. When all we really need is what we had in the first place. Seems like that’s what we’ve been talking about in devotions recently, too...

In other daily news, we had Thai food for lunch. Karen seems to have this strange obsession with the stuff. Ah, well, it was quite good just the same. CKS still looks really cool from the outside. As for the CI, words cannot describe how well it’s going... or what Nomes has added to our music repertoire!

Thank you for your prayers! God is working and you are a part!

—Krystal Heath

2008.01.29

2008-01-31T16:01:00.000+08:00

Yesterday started with an alarm clock going off and me realizing it was very cold. But, forcing myself to face the frigidness, I got out of bed and prepared for the day. Bundling up, I went downstairs to find I was over bundled and outside was a lot warmer than my room. So, removing a layer, I stuffed it into my bag and headed off with my accountability team to catch the bus.

We rode to a little street, then walked to a restaurant called “The Diner.” It had a great brunch menu. When my French toast came, topped with fresh fruit, I was quite satisfied.

After eating we read Isaiah 62 and discussed the attributes of God displayed in the chapter. We also shared what commitments God was calling us to make. Isaiah 62:3 says, “You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”

This verse shows me God's protective provision. He wants me to be a crown in His hand. But to be that I must be willing to be different. One of our first nights in Taiwan, we did a prayer walk around the city of Hsinchu and I felt God impressing on my heart Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
God really spoke to me through this verse, and during our brunch yesterday morning, I realized that God was asking me to change 2 things:
1. I can't keep trying to look like everyone else if I'm going to be God's light and salt to this world. Light shines in the darkness. It doesn't hide in a corner.
2. I need to become like Paul in Philippians 4:11 and 19, “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content... And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” I've always put the emphasize on the words “all your needs.” But I think Paul would have said, “My GOD shall supply...” It's not about the need; God must be my contentment.

Later on that day, we went to the church and met a group of Taiwanese home-schoolers. We did a huge relay race. It was really fun. And after we removed all the scuff marks from our exertion, we went to another room for a time of testimonies. Since most of us CI teachers are or were home schooled, we were able to share about our experience with the Taiwanese students. We encouraged them to see that God is working through their homeschooling to prepare them for their future.

Then, after dinner we started our second night of CI's. I have a great translator and team and it was a good night. One of the boys on my team, Enzo, and I got to be Adam and Eve in a skit. Then, when we returned to our small group time I was able to share with my team the Gospel. I think they understood it well.

Please pray that the truths the children are hearing would continue to sink into their hearts. Pray for the health and strength of the staff and team. Pray that the older CI children will be interested in what's going on and draw closer to God this week. Pray that the Basic Seminar will continue to touch the lives of the adults. And pray that the children and adults attending this seminar would grow to be greater lights in the city of Taipei, the country of Taiwan and the entire world.

—Anna Lukachick

2008.01.28

2008-01-31T15:49:00.000+08:00

My first morning in Taipei started at 8:00 when my alarm went off. As I rolled over in bed I saw that both my roommates were still dead asleep (typical.) So, being the awesome roommate that I am, I willingly told them I would take the first shower….only to find out the shower head was WAY too short for my head. That, on top of not being able to get my ears wet, made for a very awkward shower. Then, being hungry and ready to go way before my roommates were even out of bed, I went to eat breakfast …by myself. :-( Pretty much all the food was some weird Chinese meal. Needless to say, my morning did not start off so great. BUT, don’t worry-my day got much better as the day went on. :-)

On a more serious note, both my roommates (which are Krystal and Naomi btw) pretty much rock my face off, I just like giving them hard times. After breakfast we had wisdom search, which was led by Kennan. We read Isaiah 61, and Kennan’s topic was the gospel, and how much we sometimes add to it. He illustrated it by drawing a diagram with God’s love on top, and our sin on the bottom. As you can imagine, there was a big gap in the middle. The point was, the cross (or the gospel) should be what fills in the gap. But sometimes as we grow as Christians we tend to only partly fill in the gap with the cross, while also filling it with our own performance and comparing ourselves to others. Of course, it sounded much better the way he said it, but I don’t have the time or space to talk as much as he did. So anyway, after wisdom search we headed off to the church. We got to go on this awesome subway-type-thing called an MRT. We all got these awesome “easy passes” which pretty much makes it easy to get on! It’s so cool you just like swipe the card and you’re in!! So, after swiping my really cool “easy card” I got on the really cool MRT, and we headed off to the church. The moment finally came that we had all been waiting for, team assignments! As all the teachers names were being called off, and I anxiously awaited my turn to find out who my one and only assistant/translator would be, my name was finally called---as an ASSISTANT!!! It was so awesome, I get to be Wayne’s assistant instead of a leader. I was very happy indeed.

A few hours later, we were waiting for-our kids to come. My awesome team ended up with 8 kids, but found out at the end of the night that Micah’s team actually had 2 of our kids the whole time, so we actually have 10 kids! However, the 8 kids we did have are pretty much awesome. A few of them actually even speak really good English!

Sadly, this is the last week. However it is a very important week, as we probably have the most kids this week than any other week in Taiwan. Please keep us in your prayers, especially for those who are getting sick or getting over sickness. Pray that God will be in the midst of the CI, and the teaching will not be done by us Americans, but when we open our mouths, the Lord would fill it with His words. I pretty much love it here, but I’ll be glad to be home. Well, that’s pretty much all I have to say. So I will end my post with “tzi-jien”.

—Bethany Heath

2008.01.27

2008-01-28T11:01:00.000+08:00

Today, we all got on the bus at about 10:00 am and headed for Taipei! We started our bus ride off with our own Sunday service. We all sang songs – accompanied by Rachel on the guitar – and then Rowan gave a message.

Rowan turned to 2 Samuel 23:8-39 which talks about David's mighty men. We read about the mighty deeds that David's top three men did. The first man took on a band of 800 men and killed them all at one time! Amazing by anyone's standards! These men risked their lives when the odds were against them. One of the men was deserted by all his soldiers and fought alone. Honestly, I would have retreated. I would have followed the crowd, but these men saw that God was doing something, and they stuck it out even though, by our standards, it was fool-hardy thing to do.

I had to face this question; am I willing to risk all and dare greatly for the Lord? What will he do through me if I do? God is doing a work in this world, no matter how hopeless it may seem. I want to be part of that work!

So after having our service and talking and playing games and shooting rubber bands and having a wonderful McDonald's lunch (Finally! Something my stomach recognizes!!), we arrived at our first destination: the English Village! The English Village is a learning center that some ATI students are helping out at. So we got to say hello to some fellow Americans and we also got a tour of the amazing facilities!

On our tour, we came to a mini airport, where the kids learn to buy a ticket, board a plane and find their way around an airport, all in english. After the airport, there was a library, a bank, a convenience store, a science room, a theater, and... probably some other things too... I can't remember it all!

Touring this "English Village", I couldn't help but imagine all the possibilities... I could have so much fun in a place like that! Oh, I wish my little sisters could see it! It was amazing!

After our visit to the English Village, we all got back on the bus and about an hour later, arrived in Taipei! It has been a relaxing evening; we all found our rooms, and had a nice, long, sit-down dinner. But tomorrow, we will hit the last seminar full force!!

—Elise Gillson

Friday, 25th January

2008-01-26T08:20:00.000+08:00

This is my first time in taiwan. Its has been the most incredible experience of my life. The Lord has been teaching me alot.Today we had segregated wisdom searches. later the guys went bowling. mucho cool. The high score was won by Rowan Gilson with 172. The girls had their hair done at a salon (I'm glad I'm a boy, how boring).

Mid afternoon, we had teacher training. The teams each presented a skit on a principle of life. I think first place goes to team three, who did a hilarious twist on the Joseph story combined with "high school musical".

6:00 pm. Ok, kids start arriving. Its been intresting working with the interperaters. Many challenges but lots of fun. We had a amazing breakthrough with some of the teams who had difficult kids. Praise the lord.

Right now I'm thinking of the people I love all the way around the world. Pray for us. We as a group are getting really close. Its awesome.

Now I must go to bed and face what adventures the night has in store for me.

Micah Cassidy

A Day of Answered Prayers

2008-01-24T08:02:00.000+08:00

They were determined not to participate in the C.I., they used language that is not permitted, and they wouldn’t join the rest of our team. They were only two young girls, yet they drove me to the end of my rope! What was I to do?

“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me.” Ps. 77:1

Today began like a perfect day should begin-nothing planned until 11:45! Karen, our accountability group leader, wisely decided that we should pace ourselves and take ad-vantage of a chance to catch up on some rest while we could. So we had wisdom search over lunch at a wonderful little sandwich place called La Petit Prince. You can’t imagine how excited I was over a bacon sandwich and a bit of sweet potatoe salad! Seafood wasn’t even on the menu! OooRAH! While we ate, we discussed Isaiah 57. The book of Isaiah has been a source of hope, encouragement and promise for me in the last 5 years of my life and so studying it as a team is such a blessing!

After our scrumptious lunch, we walked to the church to prepare for the C.I. At teacher training, Kirsten effectively demonstrated the power of a story by reading to us “The Children of the King”. And she challenged us to use stories from our own life to impact the hearts of the children on our teams.

Then it was time for the children to arrive...and I was already stressed and at the end of my rope because I knew that my two young troublemakers from yesterday would be returning today. Charlene and Charmaine are sisters (12 years and 9 years old) who decided that they were “too cool” to do any of this “childish stuff”. But this wasn’t just the normal “too cool” syndrome, this was the ABC (American Born Chinese) “too cool” syn-drome where they speak better English than you do. I was at a loss of how to reach these girls who demanded my full attention and balance that with my responsibilities to my team leader, Tim Kruse, and the rest of our team. What else was I to do, but to cry out to God and trust Him to be true to His promises.

Charlene and Charmaine were the last to arrive at our team and as they walked in, a peace and calm came settled my nerves and as I waited to see how they would behave, I was shocked! They both put on their sashes which they wouldn’t wear before, they sat down with the rest of the team and listened attentively to the lesson, they helped with the craft, and they even did the hand motions in large group! God is so good! He never fails and He answers prayers!

Dominique Aguilar