Tales from Taiwan, #2

Dear sisters,

Greetings from Taiwan!  It's hard to believe that I have been here over two months now.  So much has happened in such a short amount of time.  Through it all, God has been teaching me new lessons and although it hasn't always been fun or easy, I am learning a lot!  He has really been stretching me out of my comfort zone and into where He wants me to be.

One of the things that has been tough is the amount of attack spiritually that my team has been under.  Just last week we started a new school to teach character qualities and English to elementary aged kids.  For eight weeks prior, we traveled around the island to observe other schools, receive training and  teaching experience, as well as learn the culture.  During this time we had quite a bit of spiritual warfare.  It was tough, to put it simply.  And it still is - because we are still in the midst of it - two hospital visits, miscommunication, problems popping up that are normally not a big deal suddenly blown out of proportion...you get the point.  It is clear that the enemy does not want us here, so he is trying everything he can to destroy our team and our ministry.

There are several things that I keep going back to.  One of them is this - God has never failed me yet.  This quote from Charles Spurgeon says it well:

"As for His failing you, never dream of it - hate the thought of it.  The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end."

I look back on events in my life - both sad and happy - and I see His fingerprints over each struggle, each joy.  His faithfulness and goodness don't change - just like He doesn't change (Hebrews 13:8).  He is our rock and shield (Psalm 18:2) and has not let me down yet!

So that is one thing I cling to during trials or problems or spiritual warfare.  Another thing I hold onto are the  special promises from Scriptures that God has given to me over the years.  Like when my dear aunt died, He gave me my "water promise", as I call it, from Isaiah 43:2.  That was seven years ago and I still quote it, read it, and think about it during tough times!

But really, it is a joy to be here in Taiwan. 

It's worth it all to be able to lay a comforting hand on a shaking shoulder and look into a tear-stained face and simply be there.

It's worth it all to be able to share what God has done and is doing in my life - with friends from other religions.

It's worth it all to see a child, neglected at home, respond to love - love that flows through me and is not mine at all but really is God's love.  And to me, that makes it all worth it.

For Him in Taiwan,
Joanna