An Artist's Notebook: Taiwan Times

But the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas! At Christmas we remember this good news of great joy. Jesus has been born, and like the angel said this news is for all people. It was not just for the shepherds, or the people in Bethlehem so long ago. It is good news for us today. This message is not just for people in Africa, Korea or Japan. It is for everyone, and it the news that we can share with others, whether we live in Taiwan or America. My prayer is that we will keep this great joy near our lips as we celebrate Christmas.

Friday Night Christmas Celebration

This past Friday was the Christmas celebration at Friday Night Bible Study. It was a great time by everyone, and over 100 people attended. Praise God for this! We started off the night by singing Christmas songs as a large group. We sang traditional favorites including Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, Away in a

Manger, What Child is This, Joy to the World, and Silent Night. All of them are in English, and have some pretty big words, but everyone sang pretty well. For Silent Night we do sing one verse in Chinese. I know my Chinese is improving because this was the first year I was able to sing the entire song in Chinese.

During the song time we took a break and the American teachers performed a short skit. This year’s skit was based on the Parable of the Tenants as found in Matthew 21. In the parable a farmer leaves and has tenants look after his farm. He sends servants back to check up on the farm, but the tenants beat them up. Finally he decides to send his son, who the tenants kill. We tried to make our skit a little funny, but in the end it is more of a law-oriented skit. We remember that Jesus came at Christmas, but he came to die. It is for our sin that he died, but thanks be to God that His death brought us life with God.

After the skit we split into 3 groups to go Christmas caroling. I led one of the groups, and was assisted on guitar by Stanley. Stanley is an 8^th grade student at Concordia. He has been working really hard to learn guitar, and every week before Friday Night Bible Study he comes a little early to practice. Honestly some of the songs we play might be tough for him, but he is a good sport who tries hard and just goes along with whoever is leading. Christmas caroling is always one of my favorite Christmas activities, especially here in Taiwan. This year was no exception. We stopped at several businesses, including 7-11 and a couple of tea stands. It was a beautiful night and I think everyone had a good time.

Once Christmas caroling was finished everyone came back to the church. We sang Silent Night again, this time by candlelight, and then listened as Andrew read the Christmas account from Luke 2. The evening ended with time to enjoy snacks and chat with friends. It was a wonderful evening, and a great chance for many students to hear the message of God’s love for them.

It’s Prayer Time!

As we close a calendar year, I would like to begin by sharing some praises from the past year. Thank you all for your continued prayer support.

Praise God for a third year of service in Taiwan. The work God has given me here is such a blessing. He has continued to bless my relationships with my students, co-workers, and fellow missionaries.
Praise God for my family and friends back in the U.S. This year I had the chance to meet Hannah, my niece and goddaughter, and celebrate Janelle’s wedding. Everyone is extremely supportive of me and the mission in Taiwan. I could not ask for more, and this work would not be possible without the support of everyone back in America.
Praise God for my health. It has been a really healthy year. Pray that God would continue to be with me as I take care of the body He has given me.
Praise God for my Chinese. I really feel as though I have improved a lot this past year. I have 2 wonderful ladies who teach me at school, Alice and Grace. Pray that God would continue to bless them in all things.
As I look toward the new calendar year, pray that God would bless preparations for a mission trip to Vietnam, which I will be taking in the end of January.