(LNF: Hooray! God answers prayer and she answered! Thanks Angie, that was very cool. Now to find Maria and get her on a trampoline….)
A couple weeks ago I was in the dining room enjoying a fun wholesome activity of coloring the Start Early coloring book with Pooch on my kid day. Maria was making a freeday breakfast not more than twelve feet from me in the kitchen and seeing as how Maria always draws things out of me with her loving care and concern, I shared with her the thing that was weighing most heavily on my heart; I didn’t know who to interview next.
After expressing just the right balance of concern for me while at the same time encouraging me to use extreme praise in my difficult situation, Maria mentioned that she has this sister named Angie in Taiwan who lives in a tiny, tiny little Home and does major outreach and stuff and I was all “hey wow, that’s cool”. I support people living in tiny, tiny little Homes doing major outreach, that’s actually kinda what I’m hoping to do soon 
.
The long, incredibly awesome arms of our very own Activated Ministries have reached over to her little corner of the world (at least I think she was involved because I’m pretty sure that’s her photo near the bottom). Read about it here while we wait for the Lord to work and help her discover this interview and speak to her heart and give her the conviction that it’s the right thing to do. Interview guidelines found here. Note that they have been modified a bit and include the request for a photo which you are under no obligation to provide — it’s just that I read somewhere that including an image in your blog postings makes them more likely to get read — and if I’m being really honest, I’m all about getting my blog postings read.
What does your work in Taiwan consist of at present? What do you spend most of your time doing?
Well, presently our (my fiance Jay and I)work consists of Chinese studies in the morning and F.U. in the afternoon. The Chinese studies is pretty self-explanatory; hard work, memorizing, reviewing, etc. The F.U. is the amazing part! I know this will sound cliche but since the Offensive things have really taken on a whole new meaning and we’re only starting to grasp what the Lord meant when He said, “Think out of the box”!
ie: A couple months back we got an invitation to join ‘The Mens Business Christian Club’ meeting. Initially we were sort of begrudging the idea as we weren’t too familiar with the church Christians here in Taiwan and what would await us at such a gathering. After praying about it though the Lord told us to go ahead. He also gave us some specific things to prepare: a tailor-made 3 page flier of what the Family is, who we are, and what we do in Taiwan, with our name cards attached. He also mentioned that we shouldn’t approach anyone but that He would lead the people He wanted us to meet to us.
To make a long story short: we arrived, were showed to our table, chatted with a few ppl there, and that’s when our friend who invited us came around and brought people he wanted us to meet to our table. From the head of the biggest Christian TV channel to owners of 5 different, top ranking, businesses!!
We were amazed at how everything worked out that night just like the Lord told us it would. We were so thankful for the fliers we made as each one we met really took the time to study it. (Certainly was worth the extra work and translating).
Every one of the people we met that night have since subscribed to the Activated mag, helped with a large donation at least once, and has decided that they want to introduce us to more of their friends! It really is the day of FAITH, trying the new, and not being afraid to step out on the limb and saw it off!
What made you pick Taiwan as your mission field?
I don’t think it’s fair to say I picked Taiwan. Taiwan picked me! I rejoined here just over four years ago and since then the Lord has been leading every step…all of which have been to help me (us) start building a lasting work. It’s hard to explain but I really haven’t thought of moving anywhere else since coming back here because the Lord really has given us so many wonderful people to take care of that it would be awful to just turn our backs on them.
What is the challenge that you most often face in your day-to-day outreach?
Language & time! Although my Chinese is passable in order to get deep with the people here you really need to be fluent, there’s no way around it. And I don’t just mean being fluent in speaking, you have to be able to read the Word with them, and write emails/sms’s if you want to be making use of every chance you have. Pray for us–that’s one of our goals this year–to be fluent in speaking, reading, & writing. What can I say, there aren’t enough hours in a day to meet the need!
Best vacation you ever took and why?
Thailand for sure takes the cake. I just (October 12th, 2008) got engaged there! Can’t beat that…though I’m hoping the honeymoon will
What’s the biggest/hardest thing you ever had to give up for the Lord?
My mind! It’s a constant struggle to keep the Heavenly vision but if I want to be a professional missionary and really bring the true understanding of who Jesus is and why He wants/needs to be a part of our lives then I myself have to believe that nothing in this world will satisfy me the way He does. I’ve fallen short many a time, luckily He’s always faithful to send a little special someone to me in my hour of need!
Are you a night owl or early bird?
I’m not entirely sure, though I think I tend toward the night owl type. Nowadays I’m able to hit the sack early and still want to sleep in, but if you keep me up past that ‘beat’ point I’ll stay up way too late…early.
Name the first one that comes to mind: What’s one memory or thought that always puts a smile on your face?
Maria, cuz she told me about this interview. What comes to mind is seeing her on a trampoline. You gotta see it someday, if you haven’t already.
Name two current favorite: Foods, songs, pieces of clothing you own, and ways to relax.
Food: Spaghetti and salad with a vinegarette dressing.
Songs: Footprints in the Sand and He’s Alive.
Clothes: Green V-neck sweater and jeans.
Relax: Reading a good novel and chatting (face to face) with a friend
