"I feel satisfied"

Tonight we had the opportunity to have dinner with Ah Wah. We've known Ah Wah for about a year now, introduced by our friend Sean who would pass by Ah Wah and his buddies every morning on the way to work. A "hello" turned into a courageous "do you want to go for dinner," and now Ah Wah is pretty good friends with a bunch of us from church. 

A couple nights ago, someone stole all of Ah Wah's belongings. They took everything: his mattress, his clothes, his personal belongings, everything. When we met him tonight he shared that he hadn't been sleeping well, no doubt because his mattress was gone. But when we talk to him and asked him how he felt, he told us the unthinkable. "I'm satisfied," he reported, "it's just like the Bible says in Eccleasiastes, all those material things are meaningless. The most important is my relationship with God."

Every time I meet this man I am so humbled. God speaks the profound through the humblest. Through Ah Wah's life I see what it truly means to live a life of contentment not ruled by the material things we chase after. 

Christ is right when He says that the poor in Spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God. From what I see, Ah Wah is already far richer than most I know in this life. 

2014: A Year in Review

2014 was a huge year for us. It was a year of change. It will be remembered as the year we walked away from our jobs to head into the unknown in Taiwan. But beyond that, so many people, places, and events made this year so memorable. We want to take a look back and remember God's goodness in how He has led in every step of the way!

Technically our family trip to Cambodia started in 2013, but it went into the new year, so I guess it counts. Truly one of the most breath-taking places I've been to. A friendly people but a nation with a sordid past. 

On the trip, I picked up one of the most powerful books I've read at a souvenir shop. It's a book written by OMF missionary Don Cormack outlining the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime and how the Cambodian church was decimated in the Killing Fields. More than that, the book outlines God's sovereignty in building up His church through persecution. A very intense and inspirational book that moved me to reflect deeply on the cost of mission work and the part God calls me to play.

During Chinese New Year, I got to take a cross-Taiwan father-son bike trip with my dad. It was a really awesome time of bonding, something I am tremendously grateful for. Though my knee and back are likely permanently damaged as a result of the trip, my heart is forever fuller because of the time we spent together.

2014 was also the year I got to teach elementary again! I was so blessed with this class and had such a wonderful time teaching at CAIS. Even being hired at CAIS is a story in itself - one that God again orchestrated. Teacher's aren't supposed to say they have favourites, but since I'm not a teacher anymore, I can say that this class was the best. 6L forever!

God had been planting on our hearts the idea to leave our jobs to go on a year-long trip to explore the possibility of missions for a while. At the end of 2013, we made the decision to quit our jobs not sure our time with OMF would line up. But God, who works all things for the good of those who love him and have been called according to His purpose, brought us to Taiwan. In June, we said our bittersweet goodbyes to our friends and colleagues at CAIS.

After 4 years of Inline Hockey in Hong Kong, I finally taste championship glory. Let it go on record that I did not contribute much to our victory, and the age-old adage "No I in TEAM" still rings true here. The team carried me despite me being a liability. 

In July we returned to Vancouver for weddings and friends. It's always great to be "home", though "home" gets confusing after being away for a while. 

I (Tintin) finally learned how to play Mahjong. I can now confidently gamble with the best of them (and lose all my money).

In the summer, we helped my sister and Glen move into their new place on Vancouver Island. It was really great to see the two of them doing well. 

One of the things I'm most grateful for this year is that my mom didn't die. Seriously. We went for a little excursion to the local waterfalls and thought it would be fun to jump off the waterfall. When mom's turn came, she slipped on the ledge and plunged back-first into the water, hitting her head and back on the cliff wall. At the hospital we found out that she had only bruised her ribs. We are so thankful she walked away with only minor injuries.

Ay! Ay! Probably the furthest we have or will ever travel for a wedding - the Canary Islands. Highschool buddy Steve got married to his beautiful wife Daniele. It was an honour to be a part of his wedding.

While in that area of the world, we visited Barcelona and Madrid. AMAZING food, and beautiful architecture. Such a chill place. Tapas are the best!

In August we officially said "see you later" to HK...

...and "hello" to Puxin.
Being in Taiwan has taught us so much not only about the missionary life, but about dependence on God and His plans for our future. Being in Taiwan has helped us realize that we need to know Him better and be better equipped in handling His Word. We've since had to make some big decisions about the future.

In November, we got to spend 2 weeks babysitting missionary kids at a workshop down in southern Taiwan. It was such an eye-opening experience spending all day with little ones, changing diapers and dealing with criers. It was good to practice on other people's kids before doing it with our own.

In November we met up with Michelle's family in Korea. Besides seeing Jeju Island which is really pretty, my highlight was vomiting violently after eating bad food.

My parents came to Taiwan to visit for a few days. We went to Tainan for a few days to explore and try out all the local food.

Christmas in Taiwan was another big highlight. We, along with two short termers: Diana from Slovenia and Darren from Singapore, celebrated Christmas with the Chens. We had a great time sharing Christ with all our neighbours in Puxin.

So that in a recap was our 2014. I don't think in any other time in our lives have we been as stretched in our faith. But God is so good. He only promises to give us what we can handle. What an assurance to know that God is not after our comfort but after growth in Christ-likeness. We look forward to 2015 knowing that God has much in store as He continues to refine us. 

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ." - Philippians 1:6

Blessings in the Lord for 2015!

Christmas in Puxin

A video recap of our Christmas in Puxin. Video made by Michelle!

Tainan

The last few days were really precious as Mich and I got to spend some quality time with my parents down in Tainan. And though this blog isn't meant to catalogue our travels, Taiwan is a place we have grown to love. There are always neat places and little pockets to cities to explore. So if you ever find yourself in Tainan, take a good stroll around. You'll be captured by its old-world charm and amazing cuisine. You'll probably gain a few pounds too.

A snack before dinner the first night. 老肉麵 (minced meat noodles). The garlic broth packed a punch.

Hayashi - A newly restored department store from 1932. Really neat and refined products inside.

The best way to explore the city - by bike. Free from the hotel as well!

On the way to 安平 (Anping district) the old Dutch quarters

Anping Tree House

Crazy Banyan Trees

Chou's Shrimp Rolls on Anbei Rd. 

The shrimp rolls might not look the part, but they are amazing. The inside has a chewy, bouncy texture the Taiwanese call QQ.

安平老街 (Old Street)

Throwbacks

Dad getting distracted by an Antique collector

Oyster Omelette - Oysters, Egg, Rice flour goop, Bean sprouts, Sweet sauce, stuff

Coffin Bread - deep fried toast with some goopy congee-like filling

Deep-fried oysters. Delicious. Did not get sick. 

There's a little small street in Tainan called Shennong St. There are some really hip local boutiques in this lane.

Dad doing his thing

If you happen to see this red wall, you are close by

Overall, we had a really fun time exploring Tainan. The Anping sights were interesting and the street food suited dad who wanted to eat everything. I think it wasn't just the city but also the company that made it great. It was such a blessing to have mom and dad visit us here in Taiwan and see what we're doing here. The extra bit of travelling and time together was the bonus.

Apparently there are hot-springs to visit in the countryside of Tainan, but that'll have to wait until next time.

gods

A few weeks ago a god parade rolled through our town. I've heard that Taiwanese god parades are typically done during the day time to bring blessings to citizens in the light of day, but because Puxin is a small cluster of villages on the outskirts of a larger town, we got the leftover blessings as the procession came through through town after the sun had set. No matter. I'm sure the parade was just as festive as it would have been in the light. The fireworks crackled and glowed in the growing dark as people clamoured out of their homes to catch a glimpse of the passing spectacle. And as the gods passed, along with a marching convoy of exhausted highschoolers drumming away and the bored go-go dancer girls seated atop flashy trucks thumping out dance beats, people lined the streets to take pictures of their gods and invite blessings into their homes and shops.

In our brief time here, through conversations with locals and discussions with missionaries, we've had a chance to observe and piece together a sparse understanding of the unique religious climate that is Taiwan. In this polytheistic nation, where all gods are openly accepted- especially if they bestow blessings- three main religions reign: Taoism, Buddhism, Traditional Folk Religion. 

We've found during our conversations with people that there is little distinction between these religions in the actual workings of people's lives. As long as people perceive their gods to work, they will worship. It matters not what set of ideologies are proposed by a religion. So long as a business is saved, a child gets a good grade, or a felt-need met, a god is deemed worthy of worship. The interesting thing we've noticed is that religion is not about ideologies but simply about getting about something. Most Taiwanese we've talked with adhere to a mix of all three of these religions and don't think twice before crossing religious lines in their daily lives. So long as their lives are blessed.

As the parade passed by, I noticed a different god pass by every ten minutes. There is a different god for different aspects of life and creation: gods of wealth, gods of the harvest, goddesses of the water, the list could go on and on. Each diety can bestow or withhold blessings and favor can be beseeched if one would go to the temple to "bai bai" their god. 

That evening, as the gods bounced on by in their bamboo stilted stands atop the shoulders of frenetic young men; as neighbours entreated the favor of the listless statue with flashy LED lights powered by a trailing generator, I thought to myself, "This is so heartbreaking. Why are so many people revering something that can't stand on it's own two feet or stay lit with its own power?"

The humbling thing is that as I scoffed at these passing idols and the people who were bowing to them, I started to realize that invisible gods reign in our Western world so much as the visible ones do here in Taiwan. They fight on the battlefield of my heart and compete for a place on the throne of my life. So blind often are we to these insidious gods, yet we exalt them and sacrifice so much of our time and attention to appeasing them. 

In our culture, we esteem good things like education because a good education leads to solid job prospects and steady future income. There's nothing inherently wrong with desiring to do well to earn a living. But we've all seen when work and wealth becomes an obsession that overtakes our healthy passions and relationships. It becomes a god that we serve and bow our lives to. It sits enthroned as the most important thing we must revere at all costs.

the more visible gods

For me, those gods are frivolous things like social media: a desire for the "Instagram life" and the need to project my life as one to be desire. I spend so much energy chasing the values that this culture deems as beautiful. But what for? It has become my god, the idol I exchange my devotion to for a few pithy "likes" and scraps of social approval. For me, these gods are security which in itself is not a bad. But when I clamour to comfort and stability instead of clinging on to Christ who calls me upon the waters of risk and unknown, I put my hope in control and my own plans. I trust other gods.

So these gods parade, masquerading as innocent statues, creeping stealthily into our lives, choking out the wholesome parts and pushing away our affections for God. The struggle is real. We must beware. We need to take stock. We need to repent. And like Gideon, we must tear down those altars we have built.

I just want to end with a simple question for you. No matter where you live, whether in Taiwan where the gods are more visible, or in the West where the gods are inconspicuous, these gods exist. We all have things we bow and give our lives to. Take a moment to think.

What are the gods in your life? Are they worth serving?

Changhua

On this week's day off, we went to Changhua to do some exploring. But we needed to ride into the next town to first catch a bus to head to Changhua. And lo and behold, midway into the ride to Yuanlin, I discovered a flat. At first reaction, I started complaining in my mind how of all the days to pop a tire it had to be on my day off. But I soon realise, as it always is, that God was behind all of this.

After riding a few more minutes with the flat and Michelle praying, I looked across the street and there it was, a bicycle repair shop as if it dropped out of heaven. So glorious. Scampering across, we quickly approached the owner.

So long story short, what turned out to be an interruption turned out to be a God-given opportunity. Upon talking to us, the shopkeeper knew we were foreigners but asked us a strange question about whether we were living with American missionaries. Though we aren't, I sense that God is opening up an opportunity with this friendly and talkative shopkeeper. I hope to visit him again soon.

With the bike tire fixed, we were good to go and got on to Yuanlin and then to Changhua. Changhua, according to tourism sites is the breadbasket of Taiwan, one of the first settled places on the island. Life is simpler here. Lots of agriculture and simple foods. Very different than bustling Taipei or even Taichung.

猫鼠面 or Cat Mouse Noodles. No idea how they got the name, but it's great! 

Changhua and some other cities in the county now have Ubikes, stations where you can rent out by every 30 mins.

Nice to ride instead of walking in the sun

A railyard museum

So that was pretty much the day. An interruption in the morning, a nice stroll in the railyard and then a relaxing read in the coffee shop. A great way to enjoy the day off! 

Time

The last week or two have been a weird period of adjusting to the pace of life here in Puxin. As urbanites teachers enslaved to the clock, Michelle and I have been trying to figure out the value of time here. We are so used to calculating down to the minute in our timetables and packing our days full of tasks, events, and people to see. But here in Puxin things don't run at the same speed. Things are much slower.

People have asked us whether we've been busy. And while we haven't been drowning in busyness as we're used to in the classroom, we still reply that we have been. It's just the busyness here looks different. We are not running kids off to their next class, diffusing an argument between groupmates, or cramming down a lunch so we can discipline a student. Rather our days are packed with reading the Bible, meeting to talk about ministry, occasionally studying Chinese, and riding our bikes to the grocery store to pick up eggs and meat.

Time moves differently here. It's loosely governed and counted by chunks: appointments take up your morning and hanging out with kids could mean starting sometime around 5pm and just sitting around for the next 4 hours. To be honest, it's been a bit of a struggle getting used to the work output here.

So we've been adjusting to this new notion of time. Be flexible. Do what you can. Things may or may not happen at their proposed times. Sometimes they won't happen at all.

On a day off the Chen's took us out to Lugang, an old fishing village on the coast.

Ministry has been interesting as well. Since school has started for the highschoolers, we've been figuring out how to provide a safe and productive afterschool hangout environment for the students here. Most students don't have much to do at home, no homework, no real hobbies or extra-curricular activities. Some head to tutorial classes. But most who don't will often spend their evenings playing with their phones. We've been brainstorming how we can give the students a place to learn, grow and develop better study habits. So on weekdays after school, kids are invited to come hang out. Some days they come, some days they don't.

On the days they do come though, it's usually pretty loud and happening!

Here are a couple pictures:

Last weekend: putting up some Mid-Autumn festival decorations for our BBQ.

Mid-Autumn Festival BBQ (Kao Rou) is very popular here.

Families gather outside their front door, squat, and then grill food together for the whole evening.

Some of our girls being silly.

This girl had never eaten Hong Kong-style moon-cake. Her response: "These things are horrible. I will warn anyone who goes to Hong Kong to never buy them!" She then paid her friend to finish her piece of "disgusting" moon-cake.

The other ministry starting off are Champion classes at the local highschool. Champion classes are the equivalent to Health or CAPP classes back at home where students learn life skills to deal with stress and life problems. Wayne and Angela teach classes every week and have invited us to be their assistants in class. It was a neat gaze into schooling here in Puxin.

Pu-Hsin Junior High School

Waiting for students to finish their after-lunch siesta. Too hot to learn!

Ninth grade

Learning about life! 

I think that being here in Puxin the last few weeks has slowly stripped away the value I place on achieving things in my day. The slowness has forced to be honest with myself. Without my job, my appointments to run off to, and my errands to attend, I've been forced to ask myself where I derive my sense of identity. Do I feel good about myself because I was able to accomplish things today? Was I successful because I was able to pack much into my schedule? Or am I still being fruitful - or more importantly faithful to what God has called me to despite the slow turn of events?

We all live in different places with different paces of time. What I've learned in my time here is that God doesn't measure based on the busyness of my calendar but rather how my heart will delight in being faithful to Him in every moment of my day. Whether life be quick or slow, may my heart rejoice in giving Him my very best even when it might not seem like a lot in my own eyes.

Even when it's mundane.

Even when it's plain.