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.