Nearing the end of Part I

My time in Danshui/Taipei is almost over. I really have mixed feelings. Taoyuan is where I really want to do ministry during my stay here. The past two Tuesdays I've been able to go to Taoyuan and work at the Girl's Center. It was marvelous! The ministry there is so amazing and great work was being done. I'm also excited to meet and work with the people there in Taoyuan - you all know how I love meeting new people and developing new bonds. However, Danshui is kind of my first love of Taiwan. It is the first place I've come to, holds the first people I met here, and where I first started to feel comfortable. Not to mention it is sooo close to Taipei and awesome night markets. Thus, I am in a bit of a tizzy. Should I be glad my time here is ending? Not sure yet. I'll let you know after I'm in Taoyuan for a while! ^_^

I suppose I should update on the things I've been doing. Well, I've mostly done a little bit of this, a little bit of that (a pot, a pan, a broom, a hat...^_-). I've gone to the hospital to pray with and over some of the patients. This was really great. I was able to see what hospitals were like here (old but the care is really good - i.e. I wouldn't mind being admitted here!) and, not to mention, the blessing it was to pray with some of the people. I've gone to a convelescent (elderly people's) home here where I gave back rubs to some of the women. It was really enjoyable. It was just frustrating when I wanted to talk to them but couldn't! Oh, how I wish I could have conversed with some of the elderly and listen to some stories! And of course, almost everynight I have gone to the Rock Cafe to talk to the people who come in. Basically hang out and share Christ's love! Oh, so great! >_< The past couple of weeks I have sat in on the DTS class here. Oh. My. Word. God talked to me and taught me so much during these short two weeks! It was incredible. I have decided to do a DTS when I'm done with school. Whether I should wait until after I've paid off my loans or not is still up in the air. Where I will attend is also in question. I'm thinking of a few different locations. The Taoyuan base, Danshui base, Hong Kong base, or any other base that might offer the performing arts as a DTS. So, basically I'm deciding on whether God wants me to do a DTS in Taiwan or if I should do a performing arts DTS and if so, where. I'm trying really hard to listen to God about this. But I keep getting the same answer: not yet. Grr. I hate that one. Most people who know me know that, while I am an easy-going person, I am very impatient. I hate waiting. T_T Yet, I know God is trying to teach me a thing or two during this time. One thing is that when God first gave me the call to Asia, I stopped trusting in Him. I knew the direction and everything. I was basically set. Not really depending on God for direction. Now, He is trying to teach me that I must trust in Him. The future is in His hands and I need to be patient and wait for His direction. I don't need to know everything right now. If I did, I would not longer be relying on and trusting Him. *sigh* If only lessons could be learned a little easier... Another thing I'm learning is that I am still young - no need to rush. Kind of like the song "Vienna" by Billy Joel.

Slow down, you crazy child
you're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart, tell me
Why are you still so afraid?

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do and
Only so many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told..
That you can get what you want or you get old
You're gonna kick off before you even
Get halfway through
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Tonight,...
Too bad but it's the life you lead
you're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
You can't always see when you're right. you're right

You've got your passion, you've got your pride
but don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Slow down, you crazy child
and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
it's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize,..Vienna waits for you?
And you know that when the truth is told
that you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get half through
Why don't you realize,. Vienna waits for you
When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Okay, so maybe not all of the lyrics are exactly right for my situation, but you get the picture. I'M ONLY 21!!!! I have time to think, wait for God's timing and direction, and still do God's work. I just have to be willing to go when He calls. Like Isaiah when he said, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!" Or Gladys Aylward who was willing even when those around her said "You aren't qualified." Just following, no matter the cost, even if it sounds foolish and wrong. If God says to go, I must go. In His timing. *exhale* Oh, the lessons we learn! ^_^

I think that's enough for one entry. I'll try to do one more before I leave Danshui. That only gives me three days, though, because I'm leaving on Monday afternoon/evening. *tear* T_T

Walk with the King and be a Blessing!
(^_^)/

Going on two weeks...

I am now in my second week in Danshui, Taiwan. It is currently down pouring, a beautiful site! I love the rain. It's like God is cleaning everything again, from the air to the dirt.

My apartment I'm living in is quite cool during the day. So far it has yet to get unbearably hot...yet...My roomies are a-mazing! There are two other Rebecca/Rebekah's here, too. It makes things very interesting. Quite hilarious, actually. We try to all go by different nicknames, but it sometimes ends in an epic failure. We also spend quite a lot of time together, which has been wonderful so far. I really do love living with all four of the girls here (Rebecca, Rebekah, Mayi, and Ruth). They are all passionate about their relationship with their Lord, motivating me in mine. And on top of that, they are all just plain awesome!!

The Dragon Boat Festival was last weekend. I didn't see any of the bloodiness (many pierce their faces to appease the gods), but I have heard from staff that it can get bad. What I saw was actually quite happy and beautiful. There were a lot of fireworks (I have posted a video of some of the fireworks), firecrackers, parades, etc. Yet, it was a huge realization for me about how lost the people of Taiwan are. I couldn't help but feel immense sadness when I would see people participate in the festival. They didn't have to do that! If only they knew the only One worth serving! How much more beautiful would the festival be if they directed it toward Him! No more appeasing or sacrificing. Simply worship and adoration. As I watched the parades, listened to the drums, watched the fireworks, I imagined what it would be like if these were for worshipping God. It made me want to cry.

I have joined a few different ministries here last week. The convalescent home, hospital, worship times, prayer, The Rock Cafe, etc. It has made for a very busy time. But at the same time, I feel very relaxed. Maybe it's because I don't have every single moment of the day scheduled that I feel so at ease. When classes are in session, I am so busy with everything that I often find it hard to spend time abiding. I feel like I have to cram as much as I can in the day. Almost as if I can become a better person, better christian by putting way too much stuff on my plate. If I learn nothing else from this trip, at least I learned that it really is okay to take time to abide and be quiet.

During my trip to Taiwan, I was hoping that God would talk to me about what He wanted me to do with my life and how He wanted me to do it. However, everything is fuzzy once again. What I thought I knew, I lost. The only things I feel certain about are these: God is wonderful and He wants me to stay in Taiwan (after I finish my degree, of course). But there's still most of my trip left. Perhaps He will speak to me still.

That leads to another thing: I LOVE TAIWAN!!!! I really do. It is so comfortable here, the people are inviting, and there is such a need. (No, not that I love the need, but I feel like I can/should do something here...) I went to Taipei a couple of days ago and fell in love with the city. Yes, yes, Danshui is considered part of Taipei, but I fell in love with the actual city city. It was so beautiful, I almost cried. I wanted (and kinda did) to dance down the streets. I just couldn't get over how utterly beautiful it all was. I didn't want to leave. Ever.

Well, that's about all for now, peeps! I'll try to keep up a little better with posting here...But, alas, being the procrastinator that I am, twill probably end in failure. Epic failure. ^_^

Walk with the King and be a Blessing!
\(^_^)/