Service Pictures

Micheal began our service leading worship and reading scripture.
Micheal reading the Word.
Pastor Dave shares about being baptised.
Jimmies baptism.
Nana reading the Word.
Kelly shares her testimony.

Sunday Service

The day began early for us, had breakfast with church setup (no table). then we got ready for service. What a time it was. Baptizing 3 people can do that to a church service. We were visited by Jack's parents from Taipei and Jimmies parents (Buddhists). Jimmie's parents truly looked uncomfortable but through the services warmed up to the songs to the point they were clapping with the worship songs. Micheal lead the service to begin with and some of the worship. Michelle continued with 1 song then Pastor Dave shared from his heart about the meaning of Baptism. Soon we went outside to baptize the 3 people. It was windy which made me think the Spirit of God is here. We then went inside to here one of the people who was baptized testimony. The three baptized then sang a song and Pastor Craig presented them with certificates as a memory to their baptism and a Bible to feed their relationship with God. The group then had a spaghetti lunch together after the service. After lunch they waked around a lake nearby to celebrate the walk around the wall they participate in every year in Vancouver. Later in the day they visited a family we were unable to visit earlier in the week.

Park Pictures

The reception area where the elders sat in high esteem. On both sides there are many chairs that face each other, but the elders were elevated above them all in the center, as a place of respect.
Bamboo plant in one of the gardens. An interesting shape to this type of plant.
Stairway made to look like a mountain climb near the moon garden.
The whole team at the mansion.
A offering shrine near the largest pool in the gardens. In the background the mountains were made to resemble mountains from his mainland China home.

The entrance to the Lieng mansion. This was the family home when they lived here during the Ching dynasty.
Pastor Craig pushing Eunice through the mansion.
Esther, John and Bill on bus to Lieng mansion.
High Speed rail terminal in New Taipei.
Theater inside one of the Gardens.

Saturday at a park

We traveled to the city of New Taipei (a suburb of Taipei). We took the bullet train which goes at speeds up to 180 mph. Upon arriving we had lunch at a Japanese restraunt then took a bus to the Lieng mansion. This place was spectcular. The Lieng family was a rich family who donated this garden estate to city and was turned into a historical site. There was many gardens (water pools and plants) and a few of the buildings that the lieng family used. The pictures posted cannot show how grand the place really is but should show you some of the beauty. Robert ministred to a very sad mother who blamed herself for not being a good mother. Paster Dave shared his love with the son and gave him his joy fellowship hat. Upon returning we began preperation for Sunday services. Please pray for our continueing ministry here.

Mackay Pictures with Micheal's place

This is how George traveled when he first came to Taiwan. (Photo in a museum on the campus of Oxford (Altetheia University).
While at the campus the team met two other disabled groups. They were able to chat and pray with some of the people they met.
Micheal welcoming us into the building he lives.
Micheal showing us his room and also some of the items he sells to support himself.
A chapel dedicated to the name of George Mackay. It used to be a girls school he started while doing his ministry here.
Micheal shows us where he works in the computer department at the university.
Micheal leads us around the university on with his bicycle with Pastor Claire.
Pastor Dave and Nick with Pastor John at the meeting center and restaurant.
Pastor John shares about the meeting center/restaurant ministry.
Dinner with Jack's parents.
Jack's FMu (Parents) with pastor Dave.
Pastor Dave meets with Micheal's friend who feeds him daily at his restaurant.

Day 4 and 5

Day 4 found the team with a dilemma. The people we were to visit were not available. So the team went into Taeipei and visited where George Leslie Mackay did most of his mission work. George came to Taiwan in 1872 to do missionary work among the people of this island. Over an 8 year period Rev. Mackay began his service at his lodgings in Tamsui. He spread the gospel, offered medical care and provided education and agricultural expertise. He later started the first university on the island which he named Oxford (after the city in Canada whose residents donated generously to the work). He is very well known to the Taiwanese people as the "bearded Barbarian". The one who began the first university in this nation and really founded the medical system as well.

Day 5 found us visiting another disabled church member, Micheal. We were able to see the witness he has in the area he lives. He lives in a building that is empty for a reduced rent (he is like a caretaker). After attending a Christian university and graduating from the computer software college. He was hired as a part time assistant after a professor (who belongs to his church) noticed the time and effort it took for him to obtain his degree. He also works with a campus ministry at the university and showed us where they had chapel and the offices for the staff of this ministry. It was started by a man who was sponsored by Rutgers University. He shared that even though it is a Christian University the majority of students are not Christian. After touring the university, Micheal took us to a restaurant he eats at free. The man who owns it is a Buddhist, yet through the years got to know Micheal. As a result of this relationship he allows Micheal to eat there free everyday. (What a witness!) In the evening we traveled to Taipei to meet with Jack's parents. There home was small so they took us to a restaurant/meeting room to talk. We met the owner who is a missionary and working through this restaurant and meeting rooms. He shared how God had blessed his establishment and how it came to be. We shared a little about camp with Jack's parents and then ate dinner. a wonderful evening was shared by all.

Please pray for our baptismal service tomorrow at Joy fellowship Siloam and Agape Christian Fellowship in Taipei as well. That God would bless both services.

Jack's homes exercise equipment.
Pastor Dave taking a nap in Jack's living room area.
Jack's room, he sleeps with 6 people. They have built a new facility to house more people and hope to decrease the number of residents sleeping in their rooms.
The group poses for a picture in front of Jack's home. Jack and his Mom are back row left.

Residents sell donated items to help support themselves and the group home. They are getting ready for a big sale this weekend.
Pastor Dave and Michelle are explaining baptism at Jimmie's house.
All of Jimmie's aunties welcomed us with open arms. Most are not Christian.
Pastor Dave and Jimmie at his house.
Michelle and Jack's center staff exchange gifts of goodwill.
Nick reading the Word. Jimmie's mom (a buddhist official) was astounded that Nick could read well. She came to him to see if he really was reading.