FFM Online Newsletter - April 2010
How could we describe the mighty ways that God blessed us during the month of April?! We had a cancellation the first week and that gave us time to prepare for our trip to Taiwan! We have prayed for years that God would provide a way for us to visit Rebekah there where she has ministered for six years. In January someone offered to send us two free tickets!! What an answer to prayer! So on Easter Sunday morning we rose at 3:30 am so that we could make it to the Huntsville Airport for our 6 am flight! After almost 48 hours of travel we finally arrived in Kinmen, Taiwan. It seems impossible to describe our two weeks there in one update, so I will attempt to describe the high points in three paragraphs! These are the things that impressed me most.
First of all is the beauty of the island!! Kinmen is a small island just off the coast of China. As we left the Kinmen airport, we were struck by the lush foliage and the beautiful Taiwanese architecture. The island is small, so the beach is usually in sight from most locations! The main roads are well kept and the greenery immaculately manicured. As we drove to Jeng Cheng, the township where Rebekah lives, the sights were transformed from wide, modern streets to narrow roads crowded with all kinds of shops and food stands side by side! There must be a million mopeds (well, slight exaggeration!) ridden by one, two, three or even four people at once! School students dressed in their blue athletic suits are everywhere, walking to and from class, walking to their dorm or to eat or visit with friends. Their faces are so beautiful and their smiles so warm. We pulled up to the dorm where Rebekah lives at a middle school of 3,000 students and were awed by the size and beauty of the building. The best part was being greeted by students and fellow teachers!
That brings me to the second high point...the friendliness of the people!! The Taiwanese are fiercely loyal to their country and even more loyal to their island of Kinmen!! Everyone we met was warm and friendly. The shopkeepers were welcoming and many of Rebekah's shopkeeper friends showered us with gifts! We were overwhelmed by the cordial welcome we received at each of Rebekah's schools, by students, teachers and principals alike. Often we were honored at delicious meals at a local seafood restaurant where we were toasted, welcomed and well fed! We enjoyed fresh seafood such as squid, sunfish, shrimp, mussels, fish stomach, and of course, lots of rice and noodles! All the island education officials were so grateful that Rebekah has sacrificed to leave her home and make her home in Kinmen helping their children.
As we walked the streets of Kinmen and interacted with the local folks, were were burdened by the great spiritual needs of the people. Almost every corner and street is crowded with shrines and temples used to sacrifice money and other items in the worship of their false gods. Ancestor worship is prevalent and it is actually believed that their ancestors need money and other items in the afterlife. This sheds light on the reason why the Buddhist and Daoist people are so opposed to their relatives accepting Christ as their Savior. Who will provide for them after they die? The people live in constant fear of evil spirits and trust in a stone Wind Lion god to protect them. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...No man cometh unto the father but by me." This is the reason why Rebekah and her fellow missionaries are there in Taiwan: to share the reason for the hope that lies within them!
We spent two wonderful weeks with Rebekah, attending all her classes, touring the island, and singing and preaching at her church. We fell in love with the island AND its people! All too soon it was time to board the plane for our trip home to join the rest of the family. We left a part of our hearts there in Kinmen, Taiwan, and we thank God for calling Rebekah there to be a "light to Taiwan".
We arrived home with a major case of jet lag! After a week of rest, we headed out for a wonderful Family Revival at Tennessee Ridge Baptist Church in Erin, TN with Pastor Charles Potter. The Lord blessed mightily in the services as well as at the Women's Seminar where Nancy had the privilege to speak each day. We were especially thankful for the God given strength to minister in spite of the jet lag!
April was an unusual month, but one of tremendous blessings and opportunities to trust our Heavenly Father. Dreams came true and prayers were answered! Praise His name!