No, She's Not Taiwanese

I've commented before on how as a foreigner learning Taiwanese (instead of Mandarin), the reactions I get from the Taiwanese people are varied, though also predictable. For example, a lot of people will guess right away that I am a missionary, because it is typically only the missionaries that make the extra effort to learn Taiwanese.

Another reaction that is common (if Eileen isn't present) is for the person to say, "Oh, your wife must be Taiwanese!" And, for the 153rd time I respond, "No, she's not. She's Canadian like me." They assume that the only reason a foreigner would learn Taiwanese is to be able to speak to his Taiwanese wife's relatives (especially grandparents).

I love all the special reactions I get when I speak Taiwanese. At the very least it elicits smiles and warms the heart, both mine, and hopefully that of the listener.

Taiwan Franklin Graham Festival

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a great page detailing the recent Franklin Graham Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. Check it out here. In addition to giving glory to God for His love and mercy for the people of Taiwan, there are some excellent video shorts (like the one below) that will help give you a better picture of Taiwan's current spiritual need.

All At War

This past year I've had the pleasure to discover the music of "downhere". The band has released several albums, all of which are worthy of purchase and adding to your collection of quality Christian music. downhere often write from the perspective of that age old struggle between the spirit and the flesh, the temporal and the eternal, the now and the "not yet". Their music resonates with me as I have recently been thinking more about the reality of our eternal hope of heaven. I have often felt that believers (speaking for myself and the circle of friends I have been a part of) often do not live in the present with a sufficient hope and longing for the eternal life promised to us through Christ. This is understandable, as I know how the "fog of war" in this present life can distract us from the ultimate prize.

On their most recent album (Ending Is Beginning), downhere has a song entitled "All At War". Below are the words to the second verse and chorus:

I was born depraved, but created for the divine,
With death in my bones, in my heart eternal life,
I'd love for Eden, but I'd kill for Rome,
I'm native in a land that is not my home

It's justice and mercy the old dichotomies,
All along the frontlines of my heart in both doubt and belief
The sinner and saint, the old arch enemies,
All at war, in me

The words of this song speak deeply to me in these days when the Spirit has attuned me once again to the spiritual battle we are in. That battle is very prevalent and real in Taiwan, where idol worship has given Satan a stronghold. But that battle is also just as real in my own heart, as I struggle with temptations old and new. The apostle Paul longed to be free from that "body of death", and joyfully expressed the freedom that comes through Christ and the new Spirit He has placed within us (Romans 7-8).

There will be no retirement from war this side of heaven. But in the meantime, I have the assurance that there is only one winning side, and I'm on it. And I intend to stay there.

You Gotta Dress For The Weather

Fall weather has truly arrived here in Taiwan the past few days, with a wonderful cool front moving in to lower the temperatures. Last night the mercury dipped to 18 C, and today's high was 22 C. For a Canadian who grew up in northern Manitoba, now living in Taiwan, this brings more joy than I can express!

What I always find funny this time of year, when the first "cold snap" moves in, is to see the reaction of the Taiwanese. 22 C weather means all the Taiwanese on their motorcycles and scooters suddenly don their winter parkas, mitts and scarfs. For me, it means that for the first time in about 7 months I've finally felt comfortable without the aid of fans or air conditioning. I chuckle as I pull up alongside others at a stop light. They immediately look over to see what idiot is dumb enough to drive a scooter in such frigid temps, wearing only a T-shirt and summer shorts. Then they see my beard and foreign face and say, "Oh yeah. American!"

Fourth Annual Taichung Fun Fly

Taiwan is a fairly affluent society by world standards, and people here have various ways of spending their money on leisure and recreational activities. A popular one is RC craft (airplanes, helicopters, cars). A friend tipped us off to an RC event held this past weekend at Taichung city's old abandoned airport, just a few minutes from our house.

Besides the flying demonstrations, there were other exhibits and fun things to do. Check out the video at the end of this post of the guy with mad skills on the RC helicopter.

The chopper above came back in pieces, unfortunately.

A Bike Show, Dinner at Chili's, and a Smashed in Window

Well, today's blog title pretty much explains how our day went. The kids wanted to go out and do something fun today, so we went to a large department store where they have some kind of revolving exhibit on the 10th floor. This month's exhibit was on bicycles, and we all enjoyed looking at some of the newest innovative designs in cycling. After kicking around that department store for a while, we then walked over to another department store in the area that has a Chili's restaurant. Supper was good, and we even got a free dessert.

When we got back to the car, which we had parked just on the side of the street between the two department stores, we discovered someone had smashed in the passenger window and rifled through our glove box, etc. They were probably looking for the portable GPS (as they could see the holder on the dash) but they didn't get it, as I had slipped it into my pocket before we left the car earlier that afternoon. They did, however, find my iPod in the center armrest pocket. I was only upset about this for a few seconds, as fortunately it was an old iPod that had served me well. My new iPod was safely at home.

This was not the first time our car had been broken into, although it was the first time it happened in Taiwan. Back in Canada someone vandalized our van by smashing in the back window. There was nothing of real value worth stealing that time, so I'm not sure if theft was the motive or just senseless vandalism. On another occasion a portable CD player was stolen out of the same van, but no other damage was done as we had forgotten to lock the doors that night, so it was a free invitation, so to speak.

Nevertheless, Adam and Paige were somewhat upset to see the smashed window and to have their innocent psyches confronted with the fact that there are people in this world who don't hesitate to damage and/or steal another person's property. Although I was sufficiently "irked" at the theft myself, I am hoping my somewhat calm reaction to it helped the kids to understand that our joy does not rest in our possessions. In any case, we all had a good laugh on the way home as our solemn mood was broken by Erin bursting out into a praise song at one point! At the time I thought she maybe didn't understand what had actually just happened, but later at bedtime when we talked about it some more, and prayed for the person(s) that broke into our car, it was clear that Erin understood exactly what had happened.

So, we let it roll.... It's not the first time someone has stolen something from me/us, and, unfortunately, pretty sure it won't be the last time. I might be a little choosier next time where I decide to park the car (it was in an isolated area), and I'll be sure not to leave anything in the car that would hint at hidden goodies. But beyond that, we thank God for every day He gives us of safe, family fun, like going to bike shows and having supper at Chili's.

Getting Meds in Taiwan

One of the things a western foreigner must adjust to when living in Taiwan is how the medical system works, specifically when it comes to doctor visits and getting prescription medication.

Walk-in clinics abound in Taiwan, as do both traditional Chinese and Western medicine pharmacies. In any major city one doesn't need to go too far to find either. The doctors (i.e. General/Family Practitioners) that work in these clinics usually speak a fairly good level of English (being highly educated folk), however, some doctors are not as reliable as others. Several years ago some American missionary friends of ours took their daughter to a doctor to see about getting a prescription for her allergies. The doctor prescribed a certain medication for her. Before giving it to her however, they decided to do some research on it on the internet. Turns out the medication in question was some kind of psychotropic drug. Needless to say they didn't have her take the drug.

That brings me to my first point - you can never be too sure what you are getting when a doctor prescribes medication for you in Taiwan! I know the doctors intentions are not in question, but they do not offer a whole lot of information as to what they are actually prescribing. The foreigner should always research the drug on the internet. Typically when a clinic dispenses medication, they put the pills in little packages (one package for each dose - see picture for reference). It is often difficult for the foreigner to know exactly what he/she is taking, as the package does not contain any drug information. You do get a receipt, which probably has the names of the drugs on it, but I have a hard enough time reading drug information in English, let alone Chinese.

Another interesting thing that doctors do here is that when prescribing antibiotics they only prescribe 3 days' worth. Now, everything I have learned in Canada about antibiotics is that you must take at least 7 to 10 days worth in order to be effective. This also prevents the bacteria from developing a resistance to the drug before it is completely eradicated. What the doctors here will tell you is to take 3 days' worth and then come back to see them to see if the drug is working. If it is, they will give you the remaining 5-7 days' worth. If not, they prescribe a different antibiotic for another 3 days. I guess there is some wisdom in that, but it does make for multiple trips to the clinic whereas in Canada they give you the whole 7-10 days' worth from the start.

The final thing I'll mention here is that in Taiwan you do not necessarily need (is that redundant?) a prescription to buy antibiotics in Taiwan. One can walk into a local pharmacy and ask for 250 mg. of erythromycin, for example, and walk out with it, no questions asked. You couldn't do that in Canada. This leads to the (perhaps ethical) question of whether an individual should "self medicate", but it can be convenient if you know for certain the antibiotic in question is the one that you need. Saves you one step in the process.

So, sick person beware, the medication game in Taiwan is different from what the westerner may be used to. Once you learn the system, though, you shouldn't run into too many problems.

Ah-Hong

A week ago I was still in the hospital recovering from knee surgery, but while I was there, I saw God do a greater work than just the fixing of my knee.

On the first morning after I had admitted myself into the hospital, I stood by the window enjoying the view from the 9th floor. From behind me to my left, I heard a somewhat weakened voice say "good morning" in Taiwanese. I looked over to see one of my hospital roommates. Ah-Hong, as I would soon learn his name, was laying in his bed glancing over at me. His father was sitting by his bedside, providing care for him.

Ah-Hong, 38, had already been in the hospital for 5 weeks. An injury left him with a brain hemorrhage that they were having difficulty controlling. Two surgeries had left him bed-ridden and weak, his body suffering the slow atrophy that comes with such a condition. The left side of his body was imobile, and though he was coherent, the constant pain he was experiencing him was obvious. I asked him if his head hurt at times. He said, "It always hurts".

Just before I was taken for surgery I had a chance to pray with Ah-Hong. I shared briefly with him about God, and Jesus, and that he could have peace through faith in Him. Later that afternoon a fellow missionary came by to visit me. He and a Taiwanese co-worker from a local church were able to talk with Ah-Hong and share with him more fully about Christ, and they then prayed with him as Ah-Hong said he wanted to trust in Jesus as his savior.

We rejoice in Ah-Hong's new spiritual birth, but it is difficult to see his physical suffering. Though never married, he has a 13 year old son. Ah-Hong's parents are raising him. He comes to see his dad in the hospital only on the weekends, as he is normally too busy with school during the week.

Physically, Ah-Hong does not have much hope. Before I left the hospital I talked and prayed with him again. I told him I wanted to come back and visit him soon, and asked how much longer he thought he might be here. "I'll probably be here till I die" was his answer.

We pray that Ah-Hong's faith would grow, for it is by faith that any of us receive the good things God has for us. We pray for healing as well. God may choose not to heal Ah-Hong's body, but God has given him the promise of something better. The hope of being whole again someday. And that gift is certainly worth rejoicing about.

Knee Surgery

My first post when I started this blog back in the spring was about a minor motorcycle accident I had had. That minor accident resulted in a minor knee injury, which was loath to heal, and so this past week, that minor injury required minor surgery.

I was admitted to the China Medical University Hospital last Thursday (Sept. 4). Although my expat insurance plan would cover me for a stay in a semi-private room, I decided to go with the standard ward room (4 patients). I figured it would give me a chance to get to know some people, and maybe encourage them during my stay.

Surgery was the next morning. Originally they were just going to insert a drainage tube to allow the bursa sac to heal properly, but my doctor suggested that they take out the bursa altogether. That would eliminate any recurrence of the problem. So, now I have a nice 5 inch incision running down the middle of my left knee. I go back next week to get the stitches out. I'm sure the scar will be a good one to pull out at parties in the future.

This was my first time to have surgery of any kind, although not my first hospital stay. I never realized before how recovering from surgery in a hospital room is a lot like an overseas flight. A lot of sitting in one position, having meals brought, reading books and magazines, and the occasional trip to the bathroom.

For most of my stay one of the beds in the room was empty, so I only had 2 other roommates. The fellow beside me (which I didn't see a lot of since the curtain was always drawn) was an 86 year old man that had some kind of surgery the same morning I had mine. He was quite hard of hearing so whenever his family or the nurses talked to them they had to practically yell. I learned a lot of new medical terms in Taiwanese however as a result.

The other fellow was a 38 year old man that was suffering from a persistent brain hemorrhage. He had already been in the hospital for 5 weeks, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight (I'll post more about him in a few days). His 72 year old father was there with him around the clock to help provide care. The hospital system in Taiwan is different than in the West. Nurses only do the most basic of required care (dispensing medicine, inserting IV's, etc.). Family members of the patient are expected to do the rest, such as managing bed pans, giving sponge baths, providing meals. A small cot is provided beside each hospital bed for the caretaker's use. I had good friends in the mission that helped out with visits, bringing me food, etc., but I think my roommates were a little perplexed that I didn't have someone stay with me round the clock, as is their custom.

So now I am back home. The incision is healing well. I need to change the dressing on it every day. The doc says I should wait 4 weeks before I start to exercise on it. I'm glad the procedure is done and look forward to getting back to a regular exercise routine soon.

Something In The Air

Last week saw the start of "Ghost Month" (鬼月) here in Taiwan. It reminded me of late Fall harvest time back home in the farming community where I grew up. Why? I'll get to that in a moment.

Ghost month starts on the 15th day of the 7th month on the lunar calendar. The belief is that the ghosts/spirits from the "lower realm" are released and free to wander the earth for a month. Offerings of food and incense are therefore made on the first day of the month so as to appease the ghosts and keep them from doing mischief in one's house, family, or business. Of particular concern are the "hungry ghosts", or those spirits of the deceased that have left behind no relatives to make regular offerings and care for them in the next life. The Taiwanese also tend to avoid certain activities during this month, such as weddings, travel (other than necessary), or other significant ventures.

So why does this time remind me of harvest back home? Well, part of the offerings made to the ghosts include the burning of paper "money". The money is burned in wire cages or small burners/incinerators on the side of the street The amount each family burns is not that significant, but when you get the majority of Taiwan's population of 23 million people doing this all on the same day, it can wreak havoc with the air quality.

Back home, following the harvest, many farmers would burn off the straw swaths in the field. This would leave the air thick with the burning smell for a couple days. In Taiwan, due to heavy industry and traffic, the air quality isn't that great to begin with. So adding the smoke from hundreds of thousands of families burning ghost money on the same day puts and extra pall in the air; a similar smell to the post-harvest atmosphere back home.

I read in the news last week that the government of Taiwan was encouraging people, for the benefit of the environment, to offer flowers instead of burning incense and money. Whether that idea will catch on or not remains to be seen.

By the way, although offerings to ghosts are an ancient tradition among the Taiwanese and Chinese people, this hasn't stopped the progress of technology from having an impact on the practice. My Taiwanese teacher told me the other day that there is a website where people who are too busy or otherwise unable to prepare their own literal/physical offering tables can pay to have someone to it "virtually" for them online. Leave it to the Taiwanese to capitalize on a business opportunity when they see one!

Time To Switch Gears

Last week we participated in the annual TMF (Taiwan Missionary Fellowship) conference. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with other missionaries and being fed spiritually through the ministry of the Word by a couple of great Bible teachers from the USA. Last week was about receiving and being refreshed. This coming week will be a little different....

Once again I am teaching English to grade 5 and 6 Taiwanese kids at a school in Chingsui, a town just a half hour from Taichung (see my "Light In The Darkness" blog entry for more info on the town of Chingsui). God has really opened doors in several of the schools in and around Chingsui, and this year we again have the privilege of spending time with about 75 kids at each school. I will have about 25 kids in my class, a good size, but not unmanageable with some good help. Some believers from a local Taiwanese church will be helping with the English time, as well as with the Bible lesson and craft times.

I typically enjoy this kind of ministry, but it can take it out of you. The classrooms are not air-conditioned, and this is the hottest time of the year in Taiwan. I have two 40 minute class periods, and making learning English fun is always a challenge. But the rewards are considerable. It is fun to just spend time with these kids. A significant number come from broken homes and are yearning for love and affection. Most importantly, we have the chance to share the love of Jesus Christ with them in both word and deed. Our prayer is that the words of God's truth will take root in their hearts, and that He will draw many to Himself in the coming weeks.

Grief That Comes... and Goes

Anyone who has lost anything important (which is probably 99.9% of the human race) knows the grief that comes with that loss. Even long after the initial loss and grieving process, certain events and reminders can trigger the pain all over again.

At the end of December, 1993, our first child, Erin, was born. We knew beforehand that she would be born with Down Syndrome, and so even before she arrived in our arms, we had already started to work through some of the grief that came along with that. For every parent who has a "special child", that grief comes from the loss of much of what you had hoped the child would be and could become. Erin's arrival changed our lives in many other ways, other things that we had to give up (willingly or unwillingly), that in turn compounded grief upon grief. At the same time, we wanted to remember that this life was a gift from God, and in the midst of processing the grief, we chose to celebrate, and invited others to celebrate with us the joy of being new parents. Indeed, over the past 14 years, it is the celebration of Erin's life and what she is that has eased the pain of what she is not. However, like a bad weed that can never be fully eradicated, that pain surfaces from time to time, threatening to further excoriate the wound.

This past week was just such a time for me. The international school that our younger two children attend closed off the academic year this past week. On the second last day of school, the middle school held a special event for all those who are "graduating" from Grade 8 and will be going into high school this fall. As I was leading Erin out of the grade 2 art class that she participates in, I saw all the grade 8 gals dressed in their best, make-up on, and prepared for the event. Proud parents were there taking pictures. It suddenly hit me - this would be the class Erin would be in! If she didn't have Down Syndrome, she would be dressed up and having her picture taken with the rest of her classmates. If she didn't have Down Syndrome, my wife and I would be there with the other parents of all the grade 8 students, laughing and celebrating with them in our children's accomplishments. If Erin didn't have Down Syndrome, she could be building the memories of partying with her friends at this special time. If Erin didn't have Down Syndrome......!

The grief lasted for a few days, and then subsided. Till today. I was looking at an album of a facebook friend from the school, and saw the pictures of the grade 8 class. The boys, the girls, and then the whole class together. The pictures were beautiful, but all I could see was that Erin wasn't in them. And so I go through one more cycle of grief.....

I am sincerely happy for all our friends who have children in the Morrison middle school graduating class this year. We celebrate with them in the accomplishments of their kids, and we hope and pray for the best for each of them. At the same time, I choose to once again, celebrate in Erin's life. It is a very different life, but it is also a life of joy, sometimes mixed with pain. As is every life. In the meantime, I ride out the alternating waves of grief and gratitude, knowing that in a special way, because of Erin, this will forever be a part of my life.

Remembering A Great Canadian Legend

Tomorrow (June 2) marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Stan Rogers. It is still hard to believe he was only 33 when he died.

For you non-Canucks and otherwise nescient beings of the greats of folk music, Stan Rogers was (and continues to be) one of the greatest music artists Canada has produced in the last Century. His deep, rich voice and notable talent in song-writing left a indelible mark on the music and folk culture of the country. Music in general has been called the language of the soul. If that's true, then Stan's music spoke with a fluency and artistry uncommon among those who practice the craft.

The first song I ever heard by Stan was "Northwest Passage". I heard it on CBC radio as I was painting my parents' house one summer. Before the song was even half done I knew I was hooked. That voice was so captivating, so rich, so compelling. Anyone who's acquainted with his music can insert whatever adjective they want here: ___________ .

Since then I have purchased all of Stan's albums, including the most recent "From Coffee House to Concert Hall", a collection of previously unreleased recordings. Thinking about the anniversary of his passing motivated me to put together a list of what I consider to be the 10 best Stan Rogers songs (no small task). If you're a Stan Rogers fan, I'm sure you may take exception to some of my choices. Remember, this is my list. From all of the many Stan Rogers songs I enjoy, these are the ones that move me in a particularly special way. These are the songs that have either transported me to the place and time Stan was singing about, have made me cry at one time or another, or have otherwise touched my heart in a way that most other songs don't. So, in no particular order (to order the 10 would be impossible), here are my favorite Stan Rogers songs (you can click on each song title to link to a copy of its lyrics):

1. Northwest Passage - why not start with the one I've already mentioned? This a cappella song describes the history of explorers that sought passage through the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific. Stan weaves his own calling and urge to probe new territory with that of those early adventurers.

2. Lock Keeper - A song that contrasts the viewpoints between a man who manages the locks, preferring the security of  love and relationship at home to that of the sailor who is bound to the life of wandering at sea. The locks mentioned in the song are those of the St. Lawrence Seaway, including the Welland Canal in St. Catharines, Ontario, where my wife grew up. I have seen the ships moving through those locks. An impressive sight!!

3.  The Mary Ellen Carter - In the song, the Mary Ellen Carter was a ship that ran aground in a storm and sank, then was resurrected by those who refused to give her up for lost. The song is an allegory for those who are tempted to give up in the midst of life's struggles and setbacks.

4. Tiny Fish For Japan - a song about the Canadian east coast fishing industry falling on hard times, when the local fisherman could only catch smelt for canning and shipping to markets in Japan. One really feels the sense of loss and frustration in this song.

5. Witch of the Westmorland - The only song in this list that wasn't written by Stan Rogers (that credit goes to Archie Fisher), Stan nevertheless does a great interpretation of the majesty and mystery in the lyrics of this song.

6. Harris And The Mare - for some reason this song moves me deeply each time I listen to it. One of my all-time favorite SR songs. There is tragedy in this ballad of how a young man defends the honor of his wife, and one deeply senses the emotion in this song.

7. The Field Behind The Plow - though Stan was raised on Canada's east coast, the story is told of how he spent some time with farmers on the prairies, and within only a few days was able to write a song that captured the essence of what a farmer's life was like. I've worked on farms enough in Canada's "mid-west" to attest to the fact that Stan "nailed it" on this one.

8. The House of Orange - This was the last song ever written by Stan before his death in 1983. It is his only "political" song, decrying the violence of war, in this case, as it related to the tensions between the nationalist and unionist segments in Ireland.

9. Forty Five Years - A song that celebrates faithfulness and longevity in a monogamous marriage relationship (well, Stan puts it much more poetically than I).

10. Macdonnell On The Heights - Stan recounts the Battle of Queenston Heights (War of 1812) led by Major-General Isaac Brock. Residents of (and tourists to) Queenston, Ontario, are very familiar with "Brock's Monument", but are less acquainted with the name of John Macdonnell, Brock's aide-de-camp (camp assistant), who, after seeing the General fall in battle, led a charge up the hill to break through the American lines and gain victory for the British. Macdonnell also lost his life in the skirmish and his remains are interned at the monument with the General. Stan's song attempts (and succeeds) to give Macdonnell the memory he deserves.

Well, that's my list of my 10 favorite, though I would have to give special mention to songs like White Squall, Giant, Fogarty's Cove, Barrett's Privateers, and Song of the Candle. If you are a fan of Stan's music, what are some of your favorite songs? If you have never heard of Stan Rogers before, I hope this will help to introduce you to a talented "statesman" of Canadian folk music.

McDonald's: The Same, Yet Different

Since its beginnings, the McDonald's fast food chain has built its presence (and business) around the world. The first McDonald's restaurant in Taiwan opened in 1984. When my wife and I lived here in the early '90's, there were 53 McDonald's outlets on the island. Today there are around 400.

Of course the McDonald's menu varies somewhat, depending on what country you're in. In Taiwan, for example, the only "beef" burger you can get is the Big Mac, or the plain jane hamburger. No Big Xtra, no Quarter Pounder. On the other hand, you can get a "rice burger", where, instead of a bun, the meat is contained between two "paddies" of sticky rice.

The one thing that always amazes me about the McDonald's in Taiwan, however, is that, unlike in the West, patrons are not discouraged from lingering, sometimes for hours, in the restaurant, reading a book, doing their homework, making a sales pitch for life insurance, or, as I've seen in some cases, taking a nap. This would never be allowed in a McDonald's in the West. I remember being chased out of a McDonald's in Winnipeg once. We had finished our food, and I guess were considered to be loitering, when the management asked us to leave.

The other day I was at our local McDonald's with my daughter. Within spitting distance from our table were four other patrons set up at tables with their laptops. The sign on the McDonald's door says no picture taking, but I couldn't resist surreptitiously snapping off a few shots.

Motorcycle Nostalgia Leads to Spiritual Discussions

A couple weeks ago I went to meet a missionary friend at a local McDonald's for coffee.  He and I get together every week for mutual encouragement, accountability and prayer. As I parked my scooter out front, I noticed a motorcycle that was the same model that I had when I lived here 15 years ago. It was in good shape. As I was admiring it (and reminiscing), I sensed someone standing behind me. It was obviously the owner of the motorcycle, and I explained to him why I was looking at it.

Light conversation eventually led him to ask what I was doing in Taiwan. As soon as I said I was a Christian missionary, he said, "Wonderful! I have lots of questions about God I want to ask you."

He had a friend with him as well, so the four of us sat around the table, drinking coffee and discussing God. After about 45 minutes of this, a young Taiwanese gal at the next table leaned over and said, "Pardon me for listening in, but I have some questions about God and Christianity, too. Do you mind if I joined in?"

Since that meeting, we have met with the two gentleman further, and they have come to the Taiwanese church we attend. The older fellow (whose motorcycle I was admiring), especially seems to have a lot of spiritual questions and is seeking. The young gal we met the first day lives in a town nearby where a new church is starting, and she has been in touch with one of our coworkers there.

Sometimes God will bring people into your life that are seeking, and all you need to do is encourage and help guide along what the Holy Spirit is already doing in their hearts. Our prayer is that these three people will all find the Creator God and find the joy of His purpose for their lives.

What's The Weirdest Thing You've Ever Eaten?

Missionaries love to tell stories about the strange food they come across (and sometimes are obliged to eat). I've been invited out by the Taiwanese to numerous restaurants and meals in homes. Here are just some of the more strange things I've eaten:

• Turtle
  
• Squid (okay, maybe this one's not so strange)
• Snake
  
• Pig & cow stomach (tripe)
  
• Pig's brain
• Rooster testicle (in soup)
• Stinky Tofu (fermented tofu deep-fried in rancid hot fat)

I have yet to try Bull Penis. Just watch the video, is all I can say.

If you live in Taiwan (or even if you don't), what are some of the "memorable things" you've had the pleasure to digest?

News Story Makes Me Laugh - And Cry.

An article in the China Post today caught my eye. The brief story, Too Many Unwanted Deities Discarded in Suao, describes how a local temple in a fishing port on the east coast of Taiwan, has been receiving idols from local worshippers that want to rid themselves of the ineffective gods. A line in the article made me laugh when I first read it: "Local faithful never hesitate to dump the deities who fail to make their wishes come true."

As a believer in the Creator God, and a follower of His Son, Jesus Christ, the word "faithful", to me means to continue holding a belief or persist in a course of action regardless of present circumstances. God is a faithful God, and as His child, I seek to be faithful to Him, even when He may seem distant (which I know from His Word that He never is) or when He doesn't seem to hear my prayers (which I know He always does).

At first it surprised me to see this rather oxymoronic statement in the article about the Suao land-god worshippers. But then, it shouldn't surprise me. Idol worship, in any form, is all about creating what the worshipper wants, and when he decides he doesn't like it, and it no longer serves his needs, he just as easily abandons it, exchanging it for something else, just as he originally exchanged worship of the Creator for worship of the created thing (and in so doing exchanged the truth for a lie). c.f.. Romans 1:25

In the end, these articles evoke more sadness and grief than the initial chuckle. It is yet another stark reminder that the majority of people in Taiwan (indeed, the world) are lost and hopeless without Christ. Finding a faithfulness in Him renews our spirit to in turn be truly faithful to the One who created us!!

Where Have I Seen This Before?

Recently I noticed the following logo on the side of a Presbyterian church building here in Taiwan.

I immediately recognized that I had seen that logo someplace before, long ago. Anyone who has grown up, or currently lives in rural Manitoba should be able to recognize it as well (though it is not limited to that locale). I became familiar with it as the logo for the Swan Valley Credit Union (the logo can be seen at the bottom right corner of the following SVCU site). The SVCU, by the way, is where I opened my first ever savings account, at the tender age of 10.

I did a Google search and located other versions of the logo:

As you can see, these are all related to Credit Unions in various places of the world.  At first I thought I might have discovered a case of copyright infringement, for which Taiwan is famous. However, when I went into the church and asked someone about it, they did confirm that it was indeed a Credit Union, operated by the church.

It may seem like a small thing to blog about, but the Credit Union logo left an indelible impression on my mind in my younger years, and it was a pleasant surprise to find it close to home, half a world away. 

Blood Flavored Candy? What the...??!!!!

One of the great things about living in a  foreign country is the strange things you find on a daily basis. Crazy English, unusual flavors, makeshift ingenuity, etc. Taiwan has an abundance of such things. Take for example this package of hard candy I found in a 7-Eleven the other day. Granted, the product has been imported from Japan, but it still makes one raise an eyebrow.

I can understand the "Banana Yogurt", "Mango & Apple", and the "Pink Lemonade". But "Blood Orange Soda"? C'mon!!! As the package states, "Colorful", yes. "Lovely"? Not as much. Then there's "Ume & Honey". I didn't know what this was till I learned that Ume is a Japanese apricot. And yes, I know that the "Blood Orange" is a species of orange that has "blood colored" flesh. It still looks weird written on a candy package. I'd give it a "Fail" in terms of product marketing. Most Westerners would probably not know what a blood orange is, and I'd think "blood" would be one of the last words you'd want to use to sell a pack of candy.

What "China Blue" is, I have no idea. Sounds like it could be anything, from the name of a song, to a film about blue jean sweatshops in China (which it actually is, if you do a quick Google search).

By the way, I'm sucking on the Blood Orange candy as I write this, Tastes "orangie". Not detecting any blood, though.

File this one under "Things That Make You Go 'Huh?'." 

Anniversary Ends the Way Wedding Day Began - With a Trip to the Hospital

Added together, I've lived in Taiwan for over 5 years, but till last night had never had the experience of being transported by ambulance to a hospital emergency ward. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself.....

Anyone who was at my wedding 22 years ago (May 3, 1986) will surely remember that, other than marrying the love of my life, it was not a particularly good day for me. At 2:00 a.m. that day, I began vomiting violently. "Was I allergic to marriage?", I began to wonder. At 4:00 a.m. my best friend, and best man, drove me to the hospital. After receiving Gravol from the nurses by every means possible (injection, orally, and by enema), I stabilized enough by 6:30 a.m. to call my bride to be. "Where are you?", she asked. "In the hospital", I replied. Well, I did get married that day, but not without the help of a chair, which was needed half way through the ceremony, and a bucket strategically hidden behind the piano (which, fortunately, was not called upon).

Fast forward 22 years. Last night (Saturday, May 3, 2008)) Eileen and I got a babysitter and went out to a Chili's restaurant here in Taichung with another missionary couple in SEND who are also having their 22nd anniversary in a couple weeks. The dinner went well (best ribs in Taichung I've ever tasted). After the meal however, as we were just window shopping with our friends, I felt a bit light-headed, and felt like I had just a bit of indigestion. Didn't think much of it. However, shortly after we got home, my whole body started tingling and going numb. I broke out in a cold sweat and I felt extremely weak. I laid down on the floor 'cause I thought I might be involuntarily headed in that direction soon anyway. I yelled for Eileen who was downstairs, to call for an ambulance. She called the couple we were with (Bobby speaks perfect Mandarin, and we had just dropped them off so Eileen knew he would be up and available) and he made the "119" call (no that's not a typo: to call for emergency services in Taiwan, you dial 119, not 911). Both he and the ambulance arrived in less than 5 minutes.

I was scared for those few moments, and was praying fervently (as was Eileen) that I was not having a heart attack. I took some comfort in that I didn't feel any tightness or pain in my chest, and I seemed to be able to breathe okay (for the most part). With help from the ambulance attendants I was able to walk down the stairs and out to the proverbial "meat wagon". I noticed several of our neighbors had come out to see what the commotion was about. In no time we were off to the hospital. Eileen stayed with the kids and my friend Bobby came with me.

At the hospital they did some blood tests, a chest x-ray, and an ECG. They put me on an IV drip. It took about 45 minutes for them to get the results for the blood tests. The diagnosis? HYPOKALEMIA, or low potassium levels in the blood (electrolyte imbalance). They put a second IV bag on, this time with a potassium supplement. Within 15 minutes I was feeling better. They discharged me at about 4:15 a.m.. Bobby and I took a taxi home.

The doctor couldn't say exactly why I had the attack. All of the research I've done on the internet since has given causes for the condition that don't seem to apply to me. He said I could possibly have another attack, or maybe never. He encouraged me to eat foods rich in potassium, which of course I am eager to do.

The more interesting part of this experience was spending a few hours in the emergency ward of a Taiwanese hospital. While there, I saw them bring in people with various other ailments. Bobby and I passed the time trying to diagnose each one by just observing them from across the room (not recommended if you're a medical professional). One woman seemed to be in some sort of respiratory distress, but apparently was doing alright till they tried to take blood. Much weeping and wailing ensued. Not a fan of being poked with needles, I assumed. Another fellow came in on a stretcher, in a somewhat delirious state. His wife was dressed to the nines, but dutifully wiped the vomit from his face whenever he threw up. He kept flailing his arms and legs around and at one point unintentionally kicked his wife. Apparently she lost patience and took a swipe at him with her arm. My diagnosis: excessive alcohol consumption with a side of "wife neglect".

At one point they also wheeled in a young gal that was very lethargic. Her boyfriend was by her side. They were close enough that Bobby could hear the doctor talking to them. Apparently she had taken over 40 sleeping pills in a suicide attempt. Guessing by the tattoos on her arms, Bobby figured she didn't have any parents, or had run away from home. When she came around after a bit, she started weeping bitterly, her boyfriend trying to comfort her as best he could. Bobby told me that the hospitals in Taiwan don't report suicide attempts to social services, so there would be no follow up, and she would probably just end up trying again.

My brief bout with Hypokalemia was a "momentary and light affliction" compared to what others endured that night (Bobby saw one guy come in with blood all over his chest, probably from a knife fight), but it did give me opportunity to see a part of life in Taiwan a tourist wouldn't normally see. The longer I live here the more I am witness to the crises and tragedy that visit so many Taiwanese families. I prayed for the young girl that had taken the overdose, and for all those that need the hope of a Saviour in this land.

You All Look Alike To Me.....

Last week I stopped by the pet store where we bought our hamsters. I needed some more hamster food and bedding. As I was paying, one of the gals at the cash desk noticed the family picture in my wallet. "Can I see the picture?", she asked. I pointed out my wife and 3 children. She immediately pointed to Erin and said, "Oh, I've seen her in here before." She then called one of her co-workers over and showed the picture to him. "See", she continued, "you've seen this girl in here before, haven't you?"

"I can't say", he replied. "All these foreigners look the same to me."

How often have Westerners thought (if not said) this of Asians? After living in an Asian country for several years, I can testify that such statements (from Westerners or Asians) stem only from a sense of what is unfamiliar. I believe that we tend to unconsciously generalize that which is foreign to us. Certainly there are some traits common to each unique race, but after spending time living in a particular foreign culture, you soon become aware of the many differences and distinctions. The Taiwanese, for instance, come in all shapes and sizes, just as Westerners do. One initially looks at the Chinese/Taiwanese race and sees only black hair. However strange you may find it, though, I've learned that there are many different shades of "black". There are also wide varieties of nose, eye, and face shape. It doesn't take too long before you realize that they certainly don't all look alike.

Along these same lines of thought, I have encountered a strange phenomenon whenever I've  returned to the West after spending some time in Taiwan (and I'm sure I'll experience again the next time I go back to Canada). That is, for the first several days and weeks after arriving back in the West, I find myself frequently looking into the faces of Caucasians and saying to myself. "I know that person!", or, "That guy looks identical to....", though all these people are complete strangers to me. I suppose having not seen many Caucasian faces for so long, my brain once again "generalizes" the images, blurring the fine distinctions that I would normally see in the people of my own race. I'm not sure how else to explain it.

Have you had a similar experience? How do you perceive it? How would you explain it?

It's Not The Heat. It's The Humidity!

I know there are much hotter places in the world than Taiwan (India, the Philippines, and Death Valley, CA come to mind), but anyone who's lived here can testify that it gets pretty hot in the summer. On the other hand, most people in Taiwan find the winters cold here. Being a Canadian, raised in northern Manitoba, I find them comfortable (in T-shirt and shorts). The summers however, have taken some getting used to.

As I write this (mid-April), it's technically not summer yet, but it's starting to feel like it. For instance, right now it is +30 C with 63% humidity (which is not bad, actually). In the summer months (July-August) it'll go to +35 C for daytime highs, and the humidity will hang around the 80-90% range. At night the temps will only cool by a couple degrees, so there's no relief there.

Being an island surrounded by ocean, Taiwan is perfect quarry for such weather. Here one can truly say it is the humidity. Where else could one take a shower, dry off with a towel, and still be soaking wet? One can work up a sweat by merely breathing. It's not unusual for people to have several showers a day (a necessity) and change undergarments just as frequently (highly recommended).

The humidity affects other things as well. If you own any expensive camera equipment, it's best to keep your lenses in a dry box, as it won't take long for mold to grow on the glass. Cuts and scrapes on the skin take a lot longer to heal than they do in drier environments. Forget about trying to use down pillows and comforters. And I don't know the physiological explanation for it, but the humidity somehow really does zap your strength/energy (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

They say you do eventually get used to it. Maybe so, but I've never felt comfortable walking around in wet clothes. If you do want to be comfortable in your home, expect to pay a high electricity bill for running the AC's (I often wonder what our Taiwanese neighbors think when we start running the AC's in April, when they typically won't turn them on till July! "Wimpy foreigners.").

Driving Culture - East vs. West

I've lived long enough in Taiwan to not just notice the obviously different driving habits between the East and West, but to have also pondered why we do the things we do when behind the wheel of a car (or the handle bars of a scooter, whatever the case may be). Thinking about why people in different cultures drive the way they do can reveal some interesting insights into our cultural values. Here are some of my thoughts about the differences between driving in Canada (and the U.S.) and Taiwan (although I will put forth the disclaimer that these musings are based in personal observations and reflection only, and not anything remotely resembling scientific study).

First of all, a Westerner visiting Taiwan will immediately notice that the Taiwanese don't seem to have as much "respect" for traffic rules and regulations as Westerners (apparently) do. One will frequently observe drivers in Taiwan treating red lights at controlled intersections as though they were "stop signs", coming to a stop, but then immediately proceeding through the intersection if the way is clear (or sometimes even if it is not). Or, they may not stop at all, only slowing slightly before scooting through the red light. You can also frequently see drivers making left turns from the right hand lane, and right turns from the left lane. And although most streets have clearly marked lanes, the joke in Taiwan among Westerners is that, in reality, a lane seems to be where you are at any given moment. However, before judging too quickly, one must remember that the "car culture" in Taiwan is not as old as it is in the West, and that people drive according to "necessity", often taking red lights as mere "suggestions" rather than laws to be obeyed. I believe that some of the differences observed can be attributed to the way the Chinese view authority (in this case the Ministry of Transportation and enforcing local traffic officials). Without going into the historical reasons why, suffice it to say that when it comes to things like traffic rules, en-stated by a faceless government authority, the Chinese tend not to see things as "black and white" as the Westerner, and there is no shame in actually breaking a traffic law, but only in getting caught. Consequently, many more Taiwanese are willing to take that risk.

Another interesting habit that Taiwanese drivers have, which especially frustrates my wife, is their tendency, when approaching a main road from a side street, to just, again, slow only slightly, and merge into the flow of traffic. Or, if traffic is busy, to at least "get one's nose" out far enough so as to force the flow of cars on the main road to "yield" over far enough to let them in. Westerners are accustomed to this at on-ramps onto a freeway, but not from side streets or lanes connecting onto a busier city street. I think the Westerner is trained from early on to give greater respect to the larger road. Vehicles on smaller roads have less rights than on bigger roads. For the Taiwanese, I don't think this is the case. They see all roads as more or less equal. Big or small, they are all just "pathways" to get somewhere. They approach intersections with a more "give and take" attitude, regardless of who is already on the bigger road. Westerners in this case think, "I am here on this big road, traveling at this speed, and you will have to wait for me to safely pass before you pull out. That is the order of things." The Taiwanese however, think more like, "I want to turn onto this road. You obviously see me, and I can see that you have some room to move over, so there's no reason why you shouldn't let me in."

A final example of the different driving habits here vs. the West have to do with what we have come to know as "road rage". Road rage has become an increasing problem in the West (especially in some states in the U.S.). In Taiwan, with the number of cars being what they are, all "competing" for a space of limited road real estate, one would think that the occurrence of road rage here would be quite high. In fact it is rare. I've pondered why this is. Aside from commenting on how it is important for the Chinese to "save face" in personal conflict (which probably has something to do with it), I think the main reason there are few instances of road rage has to do with how the Taiwanese view what we would call "personal space". In the West, when we take a vehicle onto a road, our sense of personal space does not only include the car itself, but an undefined area surrounding the car as well. The "defensive driving" campaign of recent decades has taught us to allow a "safe zone" on all four sides of the vehicle. For many, this includes areas of free space that may extend several meters around the vehicle. Hence, if someone is thoughtless enough to "cut in front of us" or pass us too closely, we are immediately offended, even if there was still several feet of empty space between the vehicles and the likelihood of a collision quite small. Our attitude in these cases is one of, "How dare you enter my space?!" We take it as a personal violation, and so, a common reaction, when violated, is to want to get even. Thus, the anger escalates quickly.

In Taiwan however, the sense of personal space is much smaller. So small in fact, that I would say it only extends to the outer surface of the vehicle's metal skin. Drivers here stake no claim in any "personal safety zone" or space around their own vehicle. They are accustomed to having to drive through small alleys and lanes on a daily basis, maneuvering by parked cars with only inches to spare on either side. The idea is just not to make contact (although this ideal is frequently surrendered in the interest in getting through, as an all to common sight in Taiwan is vehicles with the paint scarped on the side - even on many newer luxury cars). So, when a driver has someone sail by him with only 18 inches between the vehicles, no offense is taken. Drivers don't lay claim to that space in the first place, so that space is never violated, no matter how close someone gets (unless there is actual contact, and then it's a whole different story altogether).

These are just some of the differences in attitudes between drivers from the East and the West. Different realities, different cultures and thinking, and different habits, sometimes frustrating for the foreigner living in Taiwan, but much more tolerable when you understand why things are the way they are.

Two Branches of Christianity?

So Eileen and I were waiting at the ferry pier in Danshui the other day. Some friends had taken our kids across the river for a biking expedition, and we were waiting to join them on a sunset visit to Fisherman's Wharf. We were too late to get on the same ferry so we had to wait a few minutes for the next one.

While waiting, we got talking with the young attendant at the gate. After some small talk, he asked us what we do in Taiwan. When we told him, we were Christian (evangelical) missionaries, he asked us what "branch" of Christianity that was? We thought he was referring to whether we were Catholic or Protestant. "Actually", he said, "I was wondering if you were with those guys that ride bikes and wear white shirts". Oh, you mean the Mormons! We clarified for him that we were not with the Mormons. "What's the difference?", he asked. We told him that our faith was based on Jesus Christ, while the Mormons follow the teachings of some whacked-out, long dead, magic glasses-wearing American who thought up a bunch of stuff himself and has unfortunately led a lot of people astray. Okay, we didn't exactly word it like that, but we did make it clear that Mormonism is not based on Christ, but is basically just another religion that does no one any good.

It seems that's what it always comes down to. You can believe in Christ (who is God), or you can believe in religion, which is nothing but man's attempt to reach God. It's no good saying you are an atheist, because that's just saying that you really only believe in yourself, and follow the "religion of me". I've always had a problem with labeling the Christian faith as "Christianity" because that sort of conveys it is just another religion, among many, in the world.

A lot of people have a problem with Jesus Christ being as exclusive as he is, but he doesn't need to apologize for that. When you are God, the Creator of the universe, that does kind of put you in a category all by yourself. The question isn't why is Jesus Christ so "exclusive" of other faiths, rather it is, "how can we fathom a love so great that God offers us a free gift that we don't deserve?", that being, the promise of gaining victory over death and spending life eternal in praise and worship of Him who gave us life in the first place!

Light In The Darkness

This weekend I was invited to preach in a small church in Chingsui (pronounced "CHING sway"). Chingsui may have once been described as a small rural town 20 years ago, but is now a bustling city of about 300,000, just 30-40 minutes' drive (depending on traffic and who's driving) west of Taichung. I am familiar with this church through having visited it numerous times over the past 17 years. In the summer of 2004 we had a team from our church in London, ON do an English ministry through the church. Last summer I taught English to Taiwanese students in 2 different public elementary schools in the area. All of these summer's outreach ministries were coordinated through the church.

The city of Chingsui has been described often by both missionaries and national pastors that have worked there as a very difficult place for the gospel. Spiritually, all of Taiwan could be described as a "dark place", but in Chingsui, things seem to be a deeper shade of black. The area truly is a stronghold of the enemy. Cultural and religious habits run deep and strong in this area of Taiwan, that has developed from it's most early rural beginnings. People are not open to new ideas, ANY ideas that threaten their social and religious values that have been passed down for hundreds of years, generation after generation.

What the people of Chingsui don't realize is that, like any culture that has not been redeemed by Christ, traditions and religious practices may bring a sense of security, and perhaps even comfort, but provide little in terms of real hope for the future and the experience of what Christ called the "abundant life".

An example of this presented itself to my senses as we were leaving the restaurant where a couple people from the church had invited me for lunch. Set up in the alley near the restaurant was a temporary tent where an extended family was holding funeral rights for a recently deceased loved one. Mourners were dressed in their prescribed garb. One mourner (whether a blood relative of the family, or a professionally hired "mourner", I'm not sure) was mic'd to a PA system and was repeatedly wailing in Taiwanese, "A-Kong, A-Kong" (grandfather, grandfather), "Li chai-iu* li-khui goan?" (why have you left us?).

I had seen such displays before, but this time something really gripped my heart. "These people really do not have any hope", I thought. How can they know and experience the new life and hope found in Jesus Christ? It will not be by simply preaching the good news at them, but faith will come through hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). The work is done by the the Spirit of the living God, convicting the world of sin, righteous, and judgment (John 16:8). Missionaries are just the messengers. The real power to change a person's life (literally) is the truth of the gospel, and Christ works through that gospel to draw people to Himself.

I am here in Taiwan for people like that mourner, who might one day sing praises of thanksgiving to her Creator for giving the promise of eternal, resurrected life, instead of having her mournful, questioning cries echoed only by silence in the darkness. If Chingsui is to one day lose it's reputation as a "dark place", it will only be when God's blazing light of truth chases away that darkness and gives instead the promise of what we all long for - life with Him forever.

Pray with us that God might hasten that day's coming.

I Fell Down

So a couple days ago I took my first spill off the motorcycle. I was going through a quiet intersection (no lights) and didn't see another guy on a scooter till the last minute. I panicked, hit the brakes too hard and the back wheel slid out. I went down pretty hard on my left side, but only ended up with some surface abrasion on my forearm and a badly bruised left ankle. It was pretty swollen for the last two days so I thought I better get it x-rayed. Fortunately it was not fractured at all.

Millions of people ride motorcycles and scooters in Taiwan every day. Traffic here follows it's own rules, and it's easy for a foreigner to quickly assimilate into the "flow" of the traffic, literally and metaphorically. That can be both a good, and bad thing. Good in that the quicker one learns the accepted "rules" of the road, the better. Overly cautious riders can be just as much a hazard to other riders as anything. On the other hand, if one becomes too comfortable with the road, that cautious edge can be lost altogether, and that can be very dangerous. It's never a good idea to take ANYTHING for granted when driving in Taiwan traffic.

A lesson I learned once again this week, fortunately at minimal expense.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. Time for something new and fresh. My other website at http://web.mac.com/tairod has been up for almost 2 years. It has tracked our progress and adjustment to living in Taiwan. However, Blogger is easier to update on a regular basis, and I've been looking for a format to just write short entries about life in Taiwan, or whatever.

So thanks for checking in. Feel free to visit regularly.