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.