"Pearl Family Garden" in WanHwa, Taiwan

Come along as we head into the world of the "working girls" in Taipei. The pictures tell the story. Probably the highlight of my trip here is sitting in a room with 20+ women, hearing them sing and watching them ask questions about a story from the Bible that was being shared, and then seeing them praying for one another.  

What makes something good?  Maybe there is a sweetness that comes to an experience because you watch and wait for it for some time.  I've been watching and waiting for this kind of thing to be reality here in WanHwa and so to sit in a room and be part of it was about as good as I think I'll find life on this side of heaven.

I can't take pictures or movies of these moments to share with you.  It just would be so inappropriate but you need to know that there are wonderful things happening with women who've been trapped in prostitution for years and years and who are now coming to know another way with a God who loves them and who chooses to walk with them so they can find strength to walk away from these hard times.

There will be more of this in the future, for sure.  Exactly how Partners in Hope can partner with the Pearl Family Garden will be a journey it will be a joy to walk and discover together.  For now, it's simply a time for that "jump" in my heart of gratitude and celebration and a long time dream beginning to come true.  I'm a happy woman today ..... I'm so thankful.

Always Time For Fun In The Sun

The weather has been perfect and similar to Vancouver, there are plenty of beautiful places nearby to visit with friends.

Songs From Abroad

You won't understand the words but you'll know the music and you'll appreciate that these songs are being sung by a group of people who are taking a risk every time they come together. You'd never know it by the joy and celebration and caring that you experience among them.

Food Choices Every Day

"If I eat anything else in the next 24 hours, I'm sure I will die by explosion." That was what I wrote in an e-mail yesterday. I'm posting pictures of everything from rabbit heads to Starbucks coffee, breakfast rice porridge, a typical lunch and dinner meal to a wonderful meal in a brand new Japanese tepanyaki restaurant. There's plenty more that we've eaten without pictures.

Elsie Visits Good Samaritan House

It was a joy to visit a new ministry centre for the homeless and recovering addicts. This centre is just a few months in operation and already lives are being changed. I've posted pictures of faces -- because all of the buildings and programs are on behalf of people and them coming into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Singing and sharing were very much a part of our visit as they are in meetings in Vancouver. The facilities are quite simple. The leaders keep the sdhedule tight throughout the day and covering all of their efforts is a real love for each other and a sense of God's presence.

Jen and Kent Morgan Wedding Video Clip

For those who couldn't get to Pender Harbour yesterday, here's some video of the wedding. The sound is distant because I was just sitting in the congregation and turned on the camera. You'll have the vows, the ring exchange, the blessing, and of course, the first kiss. More pictures in a couple of other posts below.

Kent and Jen Wedding Reception Pictures

Good people! Good food! Good laughs! Lots of stories! The parents of Kent and Jen had lots of stories to share with us at the wedding reception. There were toasts and welcomes to the family. Jen's sister had a poem she'd written for the couple. Roger and Alayne were the "MC's". The Pender Harbour church family did a lovely job presenting the food for the afternoon and no one was cuter than the young ladies who brought trays around to the guests.

Wedding Pictures - Kent and Jen Morgan

The deed is done! Kent and Jen are now husband and wife. Rev. Barclay Mayo presided at the wedding just and hour or so ago here in Madiera Park. The church was full and lots of joy was evident. The worship team led us in singing "Today I Choose To Follow You" and "We are a Moment", a clear sign that Kent and Jen see their lives and their marriage connected to and surrounded by the love of Jesus Christ. The sermon was focused on Jesus words to us in John 15 about being connected to the vine. Then Jen and Kent exchanged vows and rings. Rev. Barclay pronounced them husband and wife. Jen's father prayed a lovely prayer of blessing over the couple. Then Jen and Kent received communion and then served the rest of the congregation the bread and wine.

Gratitude Circle *VIDEO*

Every meal we gather together to eat is preceded by a time of "Gratitude". Sunday dinners with a house full of people is no exception. Typically while Elsie and others are in the kitchen finishing up the food preparation, Lorna is with the rest of the crowd leading them in gratitude.

We taped the gratitude circle this past Sunday on behalf of Lorna in the hospital but it's a fun time that I thought it would be nice to share as it is such a part of what we are and do on a regular basis.

A Bit of Fun With Lorna "Video"

We had a bit of fun with Lorna in the hospital yesterday. My mom, Rose Zaiger, was chatting with her. Lorna shares about all the wonderful "food" she's eating (fantasies while sipping a bit of broth) and the nursing staff she is enjoying.

I just got off the telephone with the hospital and Lorna is finally getting the scan that it's taken so many days to do -- the prayer of the moment is that she gets the contrast fluid down and it is able to travel far enough into her system to show what's needed on the scan.

So, enjoy Lorna at her best on the video and keep praying.