The issue of ancestor worship is complex. It would be impossible to express exactly what it is and what it means to the Taiwanese. Each year I’m here I understand a little more. And, now that I’ve married into a Taiwanese family–as a daughter-in-law to the first born son–I understand even more.
And, still words fail to truly express all that is embodied in ancestor worship. It is more than simply worship.
Worship of the ancestors and showing filial piety is of utmost importance to the Taiwanese.
The worship of ancestors is probably the most difficult aspect of conversion to Christianity for new Taiwanese Christ-followers. Giving up idol worship and temple worship is much easier than giving up ancestor worship.
Why?
Here are my thoughts on the matter:
(1) When a young believer (18-35 yrs old) tells his parents he is Christian, his parents hear “I don’t love you, and I am ungrateful for the fact that you have given me life and provided for me all these years. I don’t care what happens to you after you die–rot in hell for all I care!”
(2) Ancestor worship is corporate worship. It is almost never done alone. The family gathers, two or three pass out incense and the worship commences. If you refuse to participate, it appears that you are ungrateful, disrespectful and have no manners. It’s almost as if you are spitting in the face of those who gave you life. So, the pressure–not peer, but rather familial–is STRONG, VERY STRONG.
(3) The social function of ancestor worship is more than just “worship.” The coming together to clean a family tomb and pay respects is a form of family reunion. To be expelled from participating in qing ming jie is perhaps the most severe punishment that could be given in traditional society–it means that you are no longer seen as part of this family.
Dr. George MacKay, the first presbyratian missionary to Taiwan, had this to say:
This venerable cultus, the worship of ancestors, in indeed the most stubborn obstacle Christianity has to face. It is so ingrained in the nature, and appeals touchingly to the heart, that it requires the strongest conviction and the finest moral courage to beak its thralldom and brave the scorn of friends and relatives, to whom neglect of one’s ancestors in the spirit world is the most inhuman and cruelest of crimes. (Far from Formosa, emphasis mine)
In 1925, the author of an article entitled “Chinese Ancestor Worship: A Study of Its Meaning and Its Relations with Christianity” concluded that “the problem [of ancestor worship] will ultimately be solved by the Chinese themselves. Only those who have grown up within a system in which ancestor worship is central can wisely make provision for its future evolution and sublimation. Ancestor worship still awaits treatment at the hands of those who are both truly Chinese and truly Christian. In their hands we may safely leave its destiny.”
One Christian family I know, uses a scroll to maintain the family tree instead of using ancestral tablets. The names are still kept, family history still proudly displayed and the deceased still remembered. We know lineage and family history is important to God–why else would there be so many lists of who begot who in Scripture if it were not?
Another family held a graveside worship service the year after their mother/grandmother had passed away on qing ming jie. They read Scripture, prayed to the Most High God, sang praises to him, and told stories of remembrance.
I think these are great alternatives . . . the advantage these two families have is that they are not alone. They are families of believers. The first one was a first generation believer, but he is the oldest son and now the head of the household, and his wife and children are also believers. The second one is a several generation Christian family (what a blessing!).
So, for those that are first generation believers, the only one in their family, the challenge to show respect to those who have gone before them and yet also want to make a stand for their faith is huge. One alternative for first generation believers who are also the first believers in their families is to attend the ceremonies, but not participate.
This is what Lawrance and I did. We did not hold incense, we didn’t join the group in their prayers and bows, and we burned no paper money. After they had finished their corporate worship and had gone to line up to place incense before the gods who protected the tombs, Lawrance placed flowers inside the structure at the tomb area.
Lawrance has been a believer for 11 years now, so his parents have had time to grieve and accept the fact that he will not worship them after they’ve passed on. Even so, Lawrance still has to stand up to the pressure from aunts and uncles to join in the worship.
My point in this very long winded post is actually quite simple. Your Taiwanese brothers and sisters in Christ need your prayers. Would you please intercede on their behalf? Would you pray for them to have “the strongest conviction and the finest moral courage to beak its thralldom and brave the scorn of friends and relatives”? Ask the Most High God to give them wisdom and courage to say and do the things that are pleasing to Him.
Seventeen years ago in late February or early March, I confided in my mother. I finally told her about something I had been secretly praying about for quite awhile.
We were standing at the kitchen sink peeling potatoes when I told her. Her response to my secret prayer? She threw the potato and peeler in the sink, turned to look me in the eyes, pointed her finger at me and very sternly said “Don’t you EVER pray things for other people without talking to them first! Because you KNOW God answers prayer!”
Then she left me standing at the kitchen sink while she disappeared for awhile.
Up until that point, I hadn’t really considered that my prayer for something I felt God had laid on my heart to ask Him for and that I had begun to desire would affect her life. But, in reality, it would affect her life in a HUGE way.
You see, I had been praying for a brother.
On March 30, 1993, Mom and Dad sat my sister and I down to tell us that they were expecting. At first we totally thought Dad was trying to pull an early April Fool’s joke on us. But Mom’s tears and persistence that it was true finally convinced us.
So, we told all our friends and announced to our church on the eve of April Fool’s day that there was going to be a Baby Parmley soon. No one believed us. Many didn’t realize it wasn’t an April fool’s joke till after my mom was clearly showing her pregnancy.
I remember Dad once used Sam as an illustration in a sermon on how God answers prayer. See, Mom and Dad had prayed for a son soon after Sarah was born–that would have been around 14 years before Sam was conceived. To my parents, it seemed like God’s answer was no, but really it was just wait.
So, Sam is the answer to many, many prayers from different people and across time.
A lady at our church was praying for Baby Parmley. As she was praying, God laid the name “Samuel” on her heart. She told us all this story, and soon everyone was calling the baby “Baby Sammy.”
Do you know what the name Samuel means? It is Hebrew for “God heard” or “requested of God.” What a perfect name!
God’s timing is perfect. I can’t imagine life without this kiddo. He’s been and still is a huge blessing!
Talking about the topic of “marriage” with students here in Taiwan always makes me just a little bit sad.
Most of of my students–male and female–do not want to get married. They claim they have absolutely no desire to get married. I find this SO hard to believe.
As college students in America, I and my classmates/roommates were all about getting married and there was even the “ring by spring or your money back” saying going around, and we were teased and teased others about getting an “MRS. degree.” (By the way, if that was true, I want my money back.) But, maybe even things in America have changed too . . . I don’t know . . . that was 10 or so years ago after all.
Here are some of the things Taiwanese college students (mostly female) are saying about marriage in my classes:
I don’t believe in love. It’s too good to be true kinda like fairies.
Marriage just ruins dreams.
I don’t want to get married because it just “ma fan” (trouble).
Marriage is the graveyard of love.
I don’t want to get married because of the “shu foo” (shackles) it places on you.
Every time I talk to students about love and marriage, I leave perplexed and saddened. I at least now grasp their arguments, even if I don’t agree. At first I couldn’t even understand their arguments at all.
It’s sad. And even though I’ve heard all different kinds of explanations for why my students don’t want to get married . . . the root of them all is sin. The truth is we live in a fallen world. Scripture tells us that God is love. And, I firmly believe that those who don’t know Him are unable to love others. No wonder my students are so hard-hearted and willing to deny the existence of love altogether.
Marriage and family life in Taiwan weigh heavy on Lawrance and my hearts. We aren’t sure exactly when or in what manner, but we desire to allow God to use us to minister to the broken and hurting families and loveless singles in Taiwan.
We invite you to join us in praying for us as we seek the Lord’s direction in our lives, as we ask Him for guidance and wisdom in the decisions we are facing right now. Thanks in advance!!
And to those of you who are happily married, I encourage you to be an advocate for marriage. There are four ways off the top of my head I can think of that would be a great way to be an advocate for marriage.
1. We hear so many people griping and complaining about marriage–the very gift extended singles are longing for. We need to also hear validation from those who’ve already been given the gift of marriage that it is indeed a good gift. Of course, this must be done with care and sensitivity–but I don’t think in all the years I longed to be married that seeing couples in love and enjoying their married life ever hurt, not once. It might have increased the desire, but it always served to push me closer to the cross.
2. In addition, you can explicitly encourage those who aren’t longing for marriage, to consider marriage and maintain hope. I had a very sweet friend who was also an extended single that emailed a year into her new marriage and asked me how I was doing in regards to desire for marriage. At that time my desires for marriage were just beginning to surface, her questions and encouragement had perfect timing. Her love story, her love for her marriage, and hearing her say “you know it’s ok to admit you want to get married” were SUCH a blessing.
3. You can also explicitly encourage those who think they are unsuitable to be married for whatever lame lie(s) they are believing, to consider marriage. Just like Corrina did for Lawrance–he thought marriage was a slight possibility for him but a LONG way down the road. He had no idea what God had in store for him. Even if you don’t have someone in mind for that person, I still think challenging that kind of person to reconsider and encouraging them to consider marriage is a good thing. Lawrance would totally agree. ;)
4. Ask for permission to prayerfully “be on the look out” for your single friends, and then don’t be afraid to prayerfully and wisely offer suggestions for matches. Because we are so thankful for what Corrina did for us, we often ask our single Christian friends if it would be ok if we helped them be on the look out. We’ve even tried to set up double date–with permission from both sides, with all parties knowing what’s going on. We’ve not “made a match” yet, but not once has ANY of our single friends said “no, please don’t help me look.”
We found out this week that Lawrance's mom has stage 3 liver cancer. We've been told to expect her time left on earth to not be very long.
My husband and his siblings are in the midst of making lots of decisions, trying how to provide the best care for their mother and father right now.
We would very much appreciate prayers for the Wu family right now.
The one praise this week has been that Wu MaMa accepted Christ as her savior on Wednesday. After Lawrance shared his testimony, a dear Christian friend invited Wu MaMa to believe and she did. Father is merciful to the end. I am so thankful for his patience and mercy!! Praise Him!
So, in the midst of a heartbreaking situation there is hope.
Right now, I will just leave it at this . . . we thank you for going to the Father on our behalf.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Today, September 22, 2009, at approximately 9AM Taiwan time, Peter Bennett, sustained a head injury when struck by a car
as he was crossing the street in Yonghe, Taiwan, a suburb of the capital city of Taipei.
I do not know Peter, but it seems like according to the blog set up for him that he worked with Team Expansion. I found out via Scott's facebook who blogs at SQJ Taipei, and set up the site to help others pray for Peter.
I invite you to join others in prayer for this young man who is serving the Lord in Taiwan and is now in critical condition in the hospital.
We typically sent in the front, so when we sat in the back (yes, there are only five pews and three rows) I noticed something unusual for Taiwan–lots of men. More men than women in fact on this particular Sunday.
Lord, bring more Taiwanese MEN unto Yourself!!! Raise them up as leaders of their families and of this nation. Lord, please let what was true for the jailer Acts 16:33-34 be true for men throughout Taiwan "he was baptized at once, he and all his family. . . . And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God."
Many (if not most) Taiwanese believe that it is best to die at home. If someone does not die at home it is believed that their souls may roam the earth restlessly, haunting people.
It is also believed that each person has three spirits and seven souls. Every seven days a soul leaves. Thus, traditionally the mourning period used to be 49 days. This gives each soul a chance to escape from the earthly body. At the burial, when the body is cremated, loved ones will cry and scream and plead for the spirits and souls to please, please leave the body before it is burned.
Spirit money and clothing will be burned as a gift for the
deceased and food given as an offering so that the loved one will not starve or go without in the
after life.
But, if there is no body and/or the body is not at home, when the souls leave the body the souls will wander, becoming ghosts.
This weekend was the "first 7th day" since the big typhoon washed away homes and lives. Therefour, it is believed that souls are beginning to roam, and people who've lost loved ones are pleading with them to go home.
Here is a CNN video that explains:
This is only more troublesome because Ghost Month is upon us. Ghost month is the seventh lunar calender month when it is believed that the gates of hell open and all the lost souls have one month to roam the earth and be fed (since they did not die at home and were not able to be given a proper burial, there is no one to worship them, so it is believed that they go hungry in the afterlife).
All I can say is please pray.
Pray for the Lord's mercy on the Taiwanese. Oh, how they need to be set free by Truth Himself. Pray that as believers we never forget the reality of lostness and never lose a sense of urgency to proclaim truth every chance we have. Oh, Father, let us not become lazy and complacent.
If time allows me, I plan to discuss further Taiwanese funeral traditions and Ghost Month in the coming week or two. Anything specific you want to know?
PS: I feel for the child in the video who is being lied to by the others about the whereabouts of his parents. I know they believe they are doing what is best for him, but in my mind it can only be making matters worse for him.
I learned something very important about the Chinese language within the last two weeks.
It actually shocked me to learn something so important this late in the game. How I missed it all these years, I do not know.
Here is what I learned: In Chinese, when you want to show respect, you use the third person and avoid personal pronouns such as "you" and "me."
Now, I already knew that in Chinese cultures you don't call people by their given name. For example, I would address my sister as "younger sister" not Sarah. And, my husband as "hubby" (literally "old man") not Lawrance. And, teacher's get called "teacher" not Mrs. Wu; bosses get called "boss" and so on.
This concept is covered in Intro to Chinese 101. Nothing surprising there.
But, it wasn't until I've overheard my husband on the phone many times recently talking to his boss–a manager. Unlike other conversations, I heard no "you." I only heard her title "manager." So, for example instead of "I got your message," he'd say "I got the manager's message" and instead of "thank you, manager" it is "thanks, manager."
Bells were ringing all over in my head . . . connections being made left and right. I was totally "getting" many aspects of culture (that I thought I knew) at a whole new deeper level. It was a great feeling.
Addressing someone by their title ALL the time and avoiding using even the polite "ning" form of you, is how you show respect. GOT IT!!
After making this connection last week, I asked my husband about it . . .and then I asked him about his prayers.
When he prays in Chinese he NEVER uses the first person. So, instead of "I want to thank you for my wife" the prayer is "Child thanks God for the wife given to Child." And instead of "Please help me to . . . ," it is "please help Child to . . . "
When I asked him about this he said something along the lines of "it just seems so haughty and selfish to go in front of God and say 'I,' 'I,' 'I,' 'I,' 'I.' Using the third person is not just showing respect, but is also is a reminder of my place before him. That I come to him not because of who I am but because of who he is. It is a reminder of my position as fully dependent upon him for everything."
So, my exciting linguistic cultural breakthrough led to something even more exciting and meaningful . . . a special reminder about prayer. I couldn't stop thinking about the implications of calling myself "child" in prayer.
Amazing how something that native English speakers use to be proud and arrogant–speaking of themselves in the third person–is used to show humility and respect by native Chinese speakers.
So, I now know that avoiding "you" in Chinese and replacing it with the person's title is a great sign of respect, but avoiding "me" and replacing it with a word that describes my relationship with the person is an even greater sign of respect.
We got some amazingly creative wedding gifts that I will share details of with you a bit later. Today, I just wanna celebrate our biggest gift of all. . . . a new fridge!! :)
Many friends and family (on both sides of the ocean) graciously gave us cash as a wedding gift. It is the traditional wedding gift in Taiwan, but not so in America. However, we are very thankful for all our American friends and family understanding that many traditional wedding gifts from a registry in America would have been quite impractical. (Nevertheless we did register for a few items for our home, and I know my mom and sister would love to see what they look like in place, so I'll do that a bit later too.)
Boy, I am gabby today!! :) Guess I must be excited. ;)
So . . . now . . . . for the grand revealing . . . .our beautiful new fridge that arrived yesterday: Although it fits perfectly in the "fridge spot," from this photo it seems to dwarf our entire kitchen! :)
The fridge part is on top (which I LOVE). I love being able to stare directly into the fridge part. Before we had a freezer top fridge, so I had to lean over and down to look into it.
Then below the two door fridge, there are two sections that pull out. The middle section is for fresh fruit and veggies (a huge crisper, I guess). And the bottom is the freezer.
So, instead of shelves, it is kinda like a top loading deep freeze–just pile and stack. I really like it.
Here are some shots I took last night of the inside of our new fridge–this might be the only time I ever show you the inside . . . so make sure you take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. ;) (Clicking the photos will take you to their flickr page.)
____ And, here are a few photos taken before new fridge's arrival:
___ And, here is how the little black fridge became black . . .
This fridge was nearly 20 years old. It was given to me when I first moved to Taiwan. Some missionaries on the island were leaving to go back to the States and were giving it away.
Some other missionaries that knew I was coming took it and kept it for a few months, then when I arrived they gave it to me.
I love the way the missionaries I've met here take care of one another and bless each other by sharing not only material stuff but of their time and care too. God is good.
We loved little black, but he was not working quite as hard as he once
was. Sometimes he would forget to work at all, and at other times he
would work so hard EVERYthing–even the eggs in the fridge door–would
be frozen!
He did quit working all together back in 2006, but then he came back on. I know it sounds weird or insanely selfish to some that God would care about insignificant me and my stupid old fridge, but I honestly believe that God caused it to work again. He cared for the widow and her son by causing her oil to run over; he cared for me by allowing a broken machine to keep running for three more years. He is a God who cares about us and meets our physical needs. What a great God we serve!!
Our wedding was at 6:30 pm in another town about 45 minutes away from my parents' home.
Since we didn't have a rehearsal the night before, we did a walk though around noon with the family members in the wedding and then met for a lite lunch. Then the girls left to go get hair and make up done.
But . . . before I get ahead of myself . . .let's talk about the morning of.
Lawrance decided to include a tradition from Taiwanese weddings into our wedding day in America. In Taiwan the bride and groom give a gift of appreciation to their parents. Since we were not going to do this at the wedding, he decided to invite my parents over to our neighbors' home (where he was staying; they are more than neighbors since we've worshiped together for over ten years).
Lawrance desired not only to thank my parents for how they raised me and for allowing him to become a part of the family, but he also desired to start off the day focused and centered on Christ. He wanted to calm his own nerves by worshiping the Lord, reading Scripture, and spending time in prayer. He wanted to remember the whole purpose of this day was to glorify God.
We met at the neighbors' home at about 9:30 for a great southern breakfast and then a time of worship and prayer. During this time, Lawrance presented my parents with a gift of appreciation. And, I also presented the neighbor couple a gift of appreciation.
Lawrance led this very special time . . . which left all the girls in tears. :)
It was a WONDERFUL way to start off one the most special days in our lives!
Feb. 3, 2008 “Since Lawrance came back from the conference, we’ve gone out twice. On Friday, we went to eat hotpot and then to look at sunflowers, pink flowers, and his mom’s work place. It was so much fun!!
” . . .
“He is so kind and patient. He is also very tenderhearted. And . . . he protects me–making sure he walks on the outside . . . ahhh a man! :) It’s great!”
~*~*~*~
Feb. 7, 2008 Our other date was the very next day. We went to Corrina’s house. I made spaghetti and we played games with Corrina’s girls while Corrina and Kevin went out on a date. I was tired actually, but we still had fun.
“Father, please guide him and direct him and allow me to follow his lead. . . . I want to please you and bring you glory. I want to honor you and him.
“Please give us both discernment and wisdom. Help him to be a man and me a woman. Give us self-control and patience. Help us to do things right in the matters of the heart. Teach us how to serve each other, support each other, and love each other too. Teach us hot to be self-sacrificing and delight in pleasing the other.
“I thank you so much for giving him to me. You are such a good, kind, God. You’ve given me more than I could ever have asked for or imagined! . . . Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Praise your holy name!”
These three books were so helpful to helping us lay a good foundation for the beginning of our relationship. I highly recommend Boy Meets Girl and Let Me Be a Woman to others who are in the beginning stages a love relationship. Doing Things Right in the Matters of the Heart is also highly recommend, but it is a book that can and should be read by singles everywhere.
Jan. 25, 2008 “I feel like I am living a dream. Walking in the land of ‘I don’t deserve this.’ You, my loving Heavenly Father, surely do know how to give GOOD gifts. You are most kind and very generous.
“Please forgive my lack of faith and distrust. I am sorry I ever doubted you.
“I place my life in your hands and eagerly await the future.”
~*~*~*~
Jan 26, 2008 “. . . I think I am in love. And, I know I WANT him to be ‘the one.’
“Oh yeah, and today when he called on the phone, he spoke only in Chinese and I spoke only in English. So fun!! I loved it! Yea!!!!!”
Jan. 20, 2008 “In just a few moments I will be leaving to go on my first date with Lawrance. I am excited, nervous, happy.
“Father, you be in control. Help me to reign in my emotions. Please be glorified in our relationship where it leads. Be Lord of it all.
“Help me to trust you as the author of my love life. Help me to handle his heart with care. Give me wisdom and discernment–and him too. Give him the guts to lead and give him the wisdom and strength to do what is right and good and pure.
“Thank you so much for this chance. Thank you for how you’ve changed in the past year. I look forward to growing closer to you than ever before. Be glorified!!”
~*~*~*~*~
Jan. 22, 2008 “Well, our first date went well. I really like Lawrance. I want
the whole process of dating him to go well–smoothly. I want him to be
‘the one.’ He was so nervous, but that just made it all the more
sweet, cute.
. . .
“Father, I relinquish this
relationship to you. I want it to honor you and bring you glory. Even
though waiting will be hard for me . . . I trust completely your
timing. You truly are a good God . . . a kind God. I ask that you
give Lawrance wisdom and discernment. I pray you speak right to his
heart. . . . let him have ears that hear you. . . . Grow us closer to
both each other and you. And most of all . . . please be glorified in
our lives and in our relationship.
“Thank you for placing us together in a way only you could. You are so good!!”
I’ve decided to let you inside my journal writings from the past few months. Of course you are only getting the glimpses and snippets–full text viewing is strictly forbidden. :)
And, just a small warning . . . I was utterly head over heels in love–you will see that in my writing. It was a very, very fun and exciting time. This first journal entry was just some of my “new year thoughts” that are fun to read now that we know there is going to be a wedding on the last day of August of this year. :)
~*~*~*~
Jan 1, 2008 “. . . There is so much I long to do, want to do, would love to see happen this year. Desire. Longing. Hope. It would be amazing to end 2008 as a wife. That seems too good to be true to actually happen. Could it? Can it?
. . .
Father, I entrust you with all that I am. I have no clue what the future might hold . . . but because you are in charge, I am hopeful and excited. You fulfill me and satisfy. You surprise me with your generosity and kindness. I don’t deserve any of it and yet still you give and give and give. What a wonderful God you are! . . .”
One of my sister's bridesmaids and dear friends from college is in need of prayer for her and her growing family.
Kasey and Adam's 11 week old son, Ethan, has been diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. Ethan has started chemotherapy treatments in hopes of helping his spleen return to a normal size and get his little body ready for a bone marrow transplant.
Kasey and Adam are placing their faith in Christ alone. I invite you to pray for baby Ethan, as well as for his mommy and daddy.
"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Your will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to You to be Yours forever. Fill me and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. Use me as You want, send me where You want, work out Your whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever."
Written by Betty Scott Stam (raised as an MK in China, she later was a missionary to China herself who watched as Communists killed her husband before they killed her too; whole amazing story here).
Elisabeth Elliot copied this prayer into her Bible and signed it when she was ten or eleven. After finding it in one of Elisabeth Elliot’s books, I copied it into my journal and signed it when I was in high school (I did change the Thees and Thous to Yous and Yours).
Both Betty and Elisabeth sacrificed much to serve their Lord. I, of course, have given so little compared to them. However, the Lord has completely changed my original desires and hopes, altered my own plans and purposes. For this I am glad. Betty’s prayer remains my heart’s cry to this day.
"When we consecrate ourselves to God, we think we are making a great sacrifice, and doing lots for Him, when really we are only letting go some little, bitsie trinkets we have been grabbing, and when our hands are empty, He fills them full of His treasures." (Betty Scott Stam)
They are still pregnant! They are still standing firm in the Lord. Mei said she knows God has a plan!
This is wonderful news!!! But please please, please keep praying! This battle is not over yet!
As our friend wrote, “Please keep lifting her up. I know the enemy
will use any opening to pry her away from the truth and kill that
baby. PTL – she is standing right now. Thank you for joining us in
this battle!”
May God be glorified in this family’s life!!! Praise Him!!
I received this from my missionary friends this morning:
Just updating you, we have heard nothing yet about Ming and Mei and the outcome of their doctor visit. They are in a different country and sometimes communication is not easy. We will keep you posted when we hear. Thanks for continuing to pray. (Sunday morning in Taiwan)
As soon as I hear from my missionary friends, I will continue to let you update you as well. And, like my friends, I also thank you for continuing to pray . . ."ask and keep on asking; knock and keep on knocking."
I am passing on a request from
some dear missionary friends of mine in northern Taiwan, Teri and Norm:
Mei and Ming are new Taiwanese Christians, and their faith is really being tested. Mei is about 6 months pregnant. The doctors say the
baby is deformed and will have many health problems. The doctors,
therefore, are telling Mei and Ming to abort their baby. This is common.
Family and friends are all chiming in with the same
sickening chorus. The parents are angry at them saying that the
reason this has happened is because Mei and Ming turned from idol and ancestor worship.
Thursday, Mei and Ming go to the doctor to check on the baby. They will need to make a difficult decision.
Please storm the gates of Heaven with your prayers for this
little child and the parents.Pray this battle does not go to the
enemy! Pray for God to be glorified through all of this. Pray for
strength for this new Christian couple as they seek to do what is
right. Pray
for wisdom for the decision they must make. Pray for more faith
to lean on the Lord and not their own understanding.
Thanks in advance for joining with us as we boldly go before the throne of the Most High God.
(I have given this couple pseudonyms–the Lord still knows exactly who.)
When Martin Luther’s puppy happened to be at the table, he looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes.
Luther said, "Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope."
No. Not me–my former college roommate and her husband, Carrie and John.
They leave on July 6th for Bacau, Romania for a week long mission trip.
Would you please join me in praying for them?
Please pray for them in these next few days as they prepare to go that their hearts and minds will rest in Him.
Pray for safe travel and that jet lag won’t be an issue. Pray for safety and health once in Romania as well.
Pray that as God directs their steps He will change lives . . . change families . . . change a city . . . change a nation . . . change the world.
This is Carrie’s 5th time back on a short term trip and John’s 3rd time! Praise the Lord for people willing to use their time, talents, and money to share His Good News with others!!!
They are also about to apply for a Bible training program through their church. The program
systematically teaches the Bible, study methods, and how to teach
other people in various cultures the same things.
I love Carrie’s attitude she says: "We are excited about
how God might use us, possibly even overseas in the future. We are not
certain about what direction He may be sending us in, but we know that
it starts with being equipped. :)"
A Maranatha Music song from the late 1970’s has been running through my head all weekend:
We must wait, wait, wait on the Lord
We must wait, wait, wait on the Lord . . . In His timing He will tell us What to do, where to go, what to say
You know there are times when the path might be unknown, but there is only one way to go–forward–so that is what you do.
But, what about when the path has a "y" or comes to a "t"? Ahh, that is when life gets exciting. That is when faith is tested.
So, here I stand at a "y" in this unknown path waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
It is, oh, so tempting to do things the Amanda-way. It is, oh, so tempting to apply Amanda-logic. It is, oh, so tempting to not be patient!
"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long" (Psalm 25:5).
I found this sermon by James Smith (1869) to be of great comfort, encouragement, and exhortation. If you find yourself in a place of waiting–please do click over and at least skim if not soak in what he is saying.
Here is a not-so-brief clip:
Believer, you may be independent of all creation by realizing your dependence upon your God, and waiting upon him continually.
You must believe:
the love he has to you, his watchful care over you,
his delight in you,
the promises he has given you,
the provision he has made for you,
the glory he will get by you, and
the honor to which he intends to raise you.
In so doing,
the fear of man will die, joy in God will spring up, the peace of God will fill your heart and mind, your dependence on creatures will cease, and you will be happy in looking only to the Lord.
"My soul, wait only upon God; for my expectation is from him." "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land– when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it."
. . .
Before us are difficulties, seemingly as great as the Red Sea before Israel; behind us are obstacles, as fearful as the Egyptians behind them. Besides which, we have no Moses with the rod of God to make a way for us.
What can we do? Do as the prophet of old did, who said–-"I will wait upon the Lord, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look
for him." Yes, wait on the Lord, who has given you this precious promise–-"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go; I will guide you with my eye." He will point out the way, he will teach you in the way, he will guide as a loving Father or a faithful friend.
There are no difficulties with him. He sees the end from the beginning. He has directed thousands, millions, who have been in as great or greater difficulties than you are. What he has done for others, he will do for you. Hear his own word–-"I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."
Wait, therefore, on the Lord, and say–-"Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us." (emphasis mine; the sermon is public domain)
The entire sermon is good. Smith
covers in what circumstances we must wait, what we should wait for,
what we should do while we wait, and even why we should wait.
I wanna keep cutting and pasting more, but I will refain from doing so and just once again say: go read it if you find yourself, like me, in a place a waiting.
Oh, and when I am done waiting . . . I’ll tell you which part of the "y" I was instructed to take. Father, please help me to be patient as I wait upon you as I follow this unknown path. There are times, like right now, when I wish the path wasn’t quite so unknown. But, I am ever so grateful that you are the one who is guiding my every step. It is upon you that I depend. And, so, I wait on you, trusting you, depending on you alone.
We live in Taiwan--a little tea leaf shaped island in Asia.
Amanda is from Texas and Lawrance from Tainan. We met, fell in love and married in 2008.
We both teach English and both love to tell others about Jesus. We also both really enjoy laughing, and we both just happen to enjoy "ching cha," a type of fabulous green tea.
The issue of ancestor worship is complex. It would be impossible to express exactly what it is and what it means to the Taiwanese. Each year I’m here I understand a little more. And, now that I’ve married into a Taiwanese family–as a daughter-in-law to the first born son–I understand even more.
In 1925, the author of an article entitled “Chinese Ancestor Worship: A Study of Its Meaning and Its Relations with Christianity” concluded that “the problem [of ancestor worship] will ultimately be solved by the Chinese themselves. Only those who have grown up within a system in which ancestor worship is central can wisely make provision for its future evolution and sublimation. Ancestor worship still awaits treatment at the hands of those who are both truly Chinese and truly Christian. In their hands we may safely leave its destiny.”
Talking about the topic of “marriage” with students here in Taiwan always makes me just a little bit sad.
And to those of you who are happily married, I encourage you to be an advocate for marriage. There are four ways off the top of my head I can think of that would be a great way to be an advocate for marriage.
