Mission Taiwan

God’s Fruit

Eric — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:38:01 +0000

I shall not care

Whatever I gave

Of labour or money

One sinner to save.

–

I shall not care

If the way has been rough,

That Thy dear feet led the way

Is enough.

–

And when I am dying

How glad I shall be

That the torch of my lofe

Has been burnt out

For Thee.

–

…How anxious we are to see ‘fruit’. When a little appears we tend to brag about it, show it off to our colleagues, write letters about it and even photograph it: because it seems to justify our existence to others and ‘make it all worthwhile’. But we do not need to justify our existence. God called us and will use us when and how He wants. Dare we say that to obey Him is not worthwhile?

Let us work at what is in front of us to the best of our endeavours, not broken down by our own weakness—nor letting what is not being done press too hard upon us, for this is God’s responsibility and not ours.

When we have tried our utmost and done our best, we shall still be unprofitable servants, but was it not those same ‘unprofitable servants’ who heard the Lord’s ‘Well done’?

(Who’d STAY a missionary? Helen Morgan)

VGM Team

Eric — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:32:48 +0000

The Village Gospel Mission team this summer met the team from Blacksburg Christian Fellowship (Blacksburg, Virginia) in Chaiyi County for the past week to share Christ and their lives with the students of GouGou Middle School. Throughout the week the students had classes in basic English conversation, character, and sports activities. At the end of the week, the VGM church supporting the summer camp also invited children and families to have a fun ceremony at the church to be able to meet and share stories from throughout the week. During this time, the church also is able to introduce more of who they are and how they hope to serve the community, as well as share a couple testimonies about Christ’s work in their personal lives. (BCF trip blog and pics)

I am thankful God gives our students this opportunity to participate in the summer camp. I can see his work in each one of their lives as he shows them how great and sufficient his love is for them while they serve. It is also very apparent how God is stirring their lives for a lifetime of sharing his love with their friends, families, and classmates after they return home. Please pray for continued opportunities for both the friends from BCF and our NCUE students to grow in their relationship and dependence on God, as well as heed God’s unique direction to follow him for each of their lives.

Planning and preparing at the church before the campers arrive.

First day program and camp song.

Follow up after the camp back at the church with campers and families.

The team from BCF and NCUE.

2010 NCUE Graduate Farewell

Eric — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:01:10 +0000

Graduation Day again! It is clock-work each year in the spring… and never without the strange sense that part of your group of friends is unnaturally displaced as you look forward to the next year. It is a necessary step for each one of the graduates, but all of our hearts burn with joy and sadness as we see them move on to God’s next step for their lives. The 2010 NCUE Navigator graduates have left behind a legacy of laughter and fun while setting a pace to follow Christ that each undergraduate can eagerly strive for. Please pray for this 2010 Changhua Navigator class as they take big steps following God’s leading into work and service for Him throughout life!

Sitou Forest in Nantou, Taiwan

Eric — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:00:18 +0000

NCUE day trip to Sitou Forest. Actually, it was a Plan B trip to Sitou Forest. Originally, we wanted to go on over-night hiking trip to Hehwan Mountain, but because of all the rain from the Plum Rain Season we ended up doing a day hike. Sitou is only about an hour drive south on the Number 3 highway from Taichung City. So a day break start wasn’t necessary to still have enough time in the park, which is always a huge plus with college students.

While in the park, we hiked around the endless trails and wound our way up to the ancient tree. It is know as a god tree because it is estimated to be around 3000 years old. Unlike other ancient trees in Taiwan, this tree did not have a nearby temple or shrine to worship in. Probably, mostly because it was located with the park. Other ancient trees or living objects hold a special place of worship in many Taiwanese religious beliefs and will have daily tending and offerings placed around the tree.

A short distance away from the ancient tree is a small shelter offering souvenirs, ice cream snacks, and lunch. Our group hid there for about an hour eating lunch and chatting while waiting for the heavy rain to subside.

From the ancient tree down, there are many small paths that weave through the mixtures of forests of soft-wood, evergreens, and bamboo. It is truly a unique region in sub-tropical Taiwan partly due to the mountain evaluation and fluctuation in temperatures allowing such a great variety of vegetation.

I believe the best part of the trip was being able to be out in God’s creation with other friends and be able to marvel together about how wonderful a Creator God we know. It brings to life verses like Romans 1:20… “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” and gives us all new insights into the characteristics of the God we worship! I am also appreciative he is still creating new life everyday in each one of my friends who went with me.

In the end, Sitou Forest turned out to be great. It rained hard and we all got wet, but the rain drove away many of the visitors who would normally be roaming the forest trails on a Saturday. But it was a special close to the end of the semester, and what a day to enjoy God’s beautiful creation in Nantou, Taiwan together!

Here is the link to the Taiwan website (English) describing the Sitou Nature Education Area.

Village Gospel Mission

Eric — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:28:49 +0000

The students are about finished with the 2010 Spring Semester at NCUE and instead of being just the end of another term in school, it is a spring board for many of the them to practice what they have learned throughout the year. This year we spent much of our fellowship time learning about the Gospel and its work in our lives, as well as spending time with God in prayer. So once the final bell rings announcing the end of finals, the summer will open with a bang as the students are planning to partner with the the Village Gospel Mission to reach out to children in the rural areas around Taiwan. Our group will focus in Chaiyi County and will meet the other half of the team coming from the US there. Once in Chaiyi, the combined team will host a summer camp at a local grassroots church in the area. The church also has the responsibility of following up with children and parents who respond to the Gospel. The Village Gospel Mission is well known around Taiwan for bringing the Gospel into some of the most rural areas throughout the island by living amongst the peoples in the local community. They also bring the Gospel to life as they serve and help those communities by attending to the needs of school children and families. Many times in Taiwan, the children that grow up in rural or mountain areas do not have an equal opportunity to succeed through their circumstances.

Changhua to Chaiyi is less than an hour on the train.

There are so many things to prepare and plan before the US group comes or even arriving at the camp. Please pray for our NCUE student leaders and group as they finish off the semester well and seek God’s leading for sharing Jesus’ Good News this summer.