December 20, 2005

In exactly one week I will be boarding a plane to return to America.  The intense mixed feelings are really too hard to express, and I have no idea what that is going to be like as I land and begin to see all your faces and get to talk to you with full freedom.  I am praying that the Lord will allow me to express all that is in me, but I must ask for your grace to understand that though I did miss home and you so much, the Lord, rightly so, had my heart broken, focus changed, and given me a love for this foreign land that doesn't seem so foreign anymore.  (But nevertheless still foreign) He has taught my heart to love in a whole different context and way.  I have heard and seen how our God's love endures when His body is selfish, His creations worship a statue, and I fall on my face once again for I try to step on uncharted ground.   I have been faced directly with the holiness of our God and been brought to my knees, and not because someone told me, "this is what you are supposed to do."  I have always talked about how our God has true life.  Now, I have truly seen the power of this statement.  I have seen spiritual chains that are so obvious they might as well be visible; Oh, how Satan would hate for us to be free!  I was sharing with two girls at Feng Chia University about Christ.  They had never heard about Jesus, but they always knew that their religion was a little "out there."  No one had ever told them truth before.  Their names are Eunice and Ada.  Pray that they experience the life they were created for, and that they would be released from death that would love to keep them blind.

I will be spending Christmas here, and two days later, on my Dad's birthday, December 27^th, Landee and I will head home. This last week is filled with Christmas parties, and final meetings with almost everyone that we know here in Taiwan.  It really is an exciting ending note.  Last Sunday night we had our big Christmas outreach in which we had about 50 people come and hear what Christmas is really about.  One of the highlights of the night was a dance that Landee choreographed and Sara, Jenny, Vanna, Landee, and I danced to.  It was a bunch of non-dancers coming together as the body and trying to be unified in movement..at times this was quite entertaining as you can imagine.  It was fun though; we all really enjoyed the time.  Sara said, "I really enjoyed dancing for God."   Christmas time is a perfect time to share Jesus' story with others, for almost all Taiwanese are very curious about this holiday that especially America makes such a big deal about.  We are having a Christmas party at Feng Chia University on Thursday, one on Christmas Eve, and a Candlelight service on Sunday.  Though it seems like so many activities it allows for many opportunities to invite friends that might not be able to come to one of the events.  This is an open door into people's lives that would never be interested in coming to a Bible Study or Church.  Pray that during this time that seeds of truth will be generously sown in the Taiwanese. 

I have asked for prayer for a group of girls from Feng Chia University.  The Lord has given me wonderful time with each to show how much God loves them.  We are having our final time together tonight at KTV, which is the most popular night entertainment here in Taiwan.  It is a personal room for karaoke!  There are KTV's everywhere!!  Taiwanese love to be a "superstar" for a night.  I have not been to one yet, surprisingly.  This will be quite the experience.  We plan to go tomorrow night.  They say that they stay all night often, but I don't know if I could handle an entire night.  Pray that this will be a time that they can feel comfortable and that my mouth will bring glory to His name.  Their names are Eunice, Ellen, Catherine, Iris, Little Flower, and Cherry.

I watched "Finding Nemo" in Chinese the other night, and I understood a lot.  This mainly was because I have the movie memorized in English, but it was cool to see how much Chinese I can understand though my depth of speaking still is not as much as I would like.  I learn so many new words just by listening, and I can clearly distinguish between Taiwanese and Mandarin.  When I first arrived I had no idea if someone was speaking Mandarin, Taiwanese, or in Tongues.  Now, however, I can tell right away the language and the jest of what someone is saying.  Body language is another great form of communication.  The Chinese are impressed with my bartering skill, and have said that they want to go shopping with me for I am able to talk down prices.  I think a lot of it has to do with feeling sorry for the poor foreigner girl, but it is fun.  Taiwan really isn't known for bartering like most Asian countries, but Landee and I do what we can. 

Today one of my friends made the comment that Landee and I get around so easily and are so relaxed.  I laughed as I thought about how many crazy bus stories, long, long walks, confused taxi drivers, and bike detours lead to this now ability to navigate Taiwan with somewhat ease.  It has been a long road, literally, getting us to the point to where we could with confidence go where we want to go.. and now we are leaving, how interesting.

The month of December has been eventful with a retreat on December 9^th and 10^th.  It went really well.  We had a place right on a beautiful blue lake with trails through the jungle around the lodge.  I set up a low element that we have at Logan Valley at the end of one of the trails.  It's called the Spider web.  It was the first time that they ever did such a team building activity.  I really wanted to do this activity, for we were talking about what it means to be the Body of Christ to one another.  Praise the Lord for how he provides and allows us to be united with people under Him all over the world!

We have a BIG white Christmas tree in our apartment.  It is not the traditional American style, but it will bring a smile to your face. 

One aspect of this time in Taiwan that I have not talked a lot about is the Social Work internship that we have spent over 150 hours completing.  We worked at the Center for Counseling and Growth.  Through this counseling center they put us in touch with many different people and organizations around the island.  Landee and I traveled to orphanages, women's crisis centers, aides hospices, and baby houses.  Our hearts for this need has deepened as we have seen faces and heard stories about those who are not just lost, but desperate for help.  My heart was softened to working with people and situations I never thought I would consider previously.  I know the Lord is preparing us for a life that exists to bind up the broken.

I am so grateful for this time in Taiwan.  It is hard to believe that it has been half a year since I have been at home.  I am very excited to be going back, and I am also sad for the life that I will be leaving here. 

I didn't play a single volleyball game, personally win someone to Christ, or become fluent in Chinese, but the Lord took me down a path that I never imagined.  The joy that I have found in Him through suffering, and the reality of my God's holiness will ever be the theme of my time here in Taiwan.  Praise be to God!

I think I said it before, but the main thing that I am taking away from Taiwan is that..I am weak, but He is strong.  He has shown His power.

I am running in my second race here in Taiwan on the 26^th.  This has been an experience that has been a result of the Lord asking me to give every single part of me over to His care, even physically.  I am learning how it is He alone that makes me complete, not being American, from a good family, or my appearance.  To have the "spiritual concepts" move down from my mind to actually be flesh living out explains hard times that I have had to release ugliness in my life to be transfigured into the image of God.  Even as I talk about these things they are too great for my understanding.all I know is that His miraculous hand has been upon me.

I cannot wait to see you all!!!

Your prayers have literally sustained me.  I know when you are praying.  It has been such a wake up call for me in the power of prayer.  I know that what you have been praying in your Spirit has directly affected mine!  I believe in prayer like I never had because of your faithfulness to lift me up.  Thank You!

Merry Christmas!!

Love,

Signing off of Taiwan.soon to be landing in a town near you. 

Here are some pictures from the retreat, the Feng Chia girls who came over to our apartment for dinner (notice the huge white tree!!!), and all of us in our dance outfits last Sunday at the Christmas party.