Tales from Taiwan # 6

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Dear sisters,

I just spent my first Christmas away from my family and friends.  In another country.  I wasn't sure how it would be...I definitely missed my dear family and friends and the traditions we always had fun doing.  I knew this year would be very different.  And yet, as my aunt reminded me, "You're being showered with gifts one could never purchase anywhere!"  So true.  I treasure these moments.

My kids in small group decorated little paper ornaments Christmas Eve. We went over Christmas vocabulary. When I got to the nativity scene, I asked who was the baby in the manger. Yoyo, a bright 10-year-old with a deep voice, excitedly piped up:

"It's God!"

So simple.

And yet so profound.

Then little Kevin came running up to me after 8 AM class and gave me a big hug. He's one of three boys from an orphanage. My heart hurts for him. He's without parents and he's broken and sad inside. He needs Christ to come take those pieces and make him new, whole. I pray that our week together will be a seed planted in him that will bear fruit for eternity.

I thank God for this opportunity to see Yoyo's face break into a huge smile as he proclaimed that Jesus is God. I thank God for the opportunity to hug little orphan Kevin and ruffle his hair. I thank God for hearing Mickey, our taxi driver friend, ask why we celebrate Christmas and if it's all about Jesus.

That's a bit of what my Christmas was like.

And I begin to see anew that what my aunt said is true.  When Christmas is all about Christ, rejoicing in Him, and sharing Him with others, you are showered with precious gifts that you could never ever buy.

So when I miss my parents and siblings, when I wish I could teach Sunday school at my church in the States, when I wish I could go on adventures with dear friends, I remind myself that He's worth it.

He's always worth it!

For Him in Taiwan, 
Joanna

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2014 at 6:13 PM

    I absolutely love reading about your time in Taiwan! I especially love it when you tell about your friends and the kids around you along with their stories! It would be great if you could tell us if you have anyone you need prayer for, we are here for that very reason!
    -Abi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoannaJanuary 19, 2014 at 9:07 PM

      Abi,

      Thanks so much for your sweet note! What an encouragement to me. I really appreciate it. Thank you also for asking about how you can pray for me and for Taiwan. I will be sure to add those to future posts. And here are a few for now:

      - pray for the aboriginal village I visit weekly. Pray for Light to break the evil and darkness there. Pray for the kids who run wild - that we can speak His truth and love into their lives and hearts each week.

      - pray for our health. Living here on the island can be tough and wearing on our bodies.

      Thank you, precious sister! May our Lord bless you abundantly!
      ~ Joanna

      Delete

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