Wednesday Morning in ChongQing

I arrived on time in ChongQing late Tuesday afternoon.  Such fun to
come through the gate and find Koert and Gea on the other side.  After
a taxi ride into the city to their apartment we sat down to coffee and
cake and talking.  So many stories to catch up on.  A little later we
walked out into the garden surrounding their building and heard the
birds and crickets.  Lovely warm summer evening.

I'm staying in a lovely guest house just up the street from them.
I've had a great night's sleep with the air con and am ready for a day
of friends and family.  More stories to come.

Life Affirming Stuff In Any Language

Well, if you hang around Partners in Hope for very long you'll know that these are very familiar words. They are part of a seminar I've prepared. They are good words in any language.




I'm in Hong Kong heading for China in just a bit. Looking forward to being in new circles of friends as well as old. I'll have stories and pictures of lots of fun things along the way. I think we get to ChengDu on Thursday or Friday but I'm already dreaming of the hair washing place in the front of the building where Koert and Gea live. I'll talk those guys into extra time again!!!

Taichung Weekend

Okay, it's been both a quiet time with some hours to relax and some busy hours as well. Always food involved. I stayed with Melody, High School music teacher and that put me close to lots of folks. Friday night we spent some time at "Tiger City" one of the new hot spots in Taichung. Dinner and Chili's and Baskin Robbins for dessert .... Jose and Kitty (church pastors) have moved close to the school so it was only about 5 minutes to their place. I was back and forth between the two locations. You'll see the lunch we had on Saturday at the sushi cafeteria in the same block as Jose and Kitty's house. Although I don't have a picture, I had a great evening with Terry and Sharon McGill and their 3 boys on Saturday evening.




Church in Taichung on Sunday morning. Lots of good music, good sharing, a double birthday, great lunch, and coffee with the parents while the youth had their activity.

Travelling South

Look out my flagging friends, technology is on the way!! As I walked by a construction site in the neighbourhood I came across this robotic flagger! I have a movie. She's not just standing there. She's actually flagging. Too funny!



Well, I've actually done more profitable things than finding humourous things. Spent time with Nancy in HsinChu and her roommate Di. Good to catch up on stories. Also good to make connections with folks who are interested in "doing business" in a way that supports those in society who need a hand -- maybe a connection for the women at the Pearl Family Garden.

Then just down the road in TouFen to Gregg and Eva -- somehow I didn't have my camera operational at various points so just this one shot of the "eye-to-eye" of our 5'11" or so friends. Particularly in a society of folks who are shorter, tall women really stand out and so it's fun when they bump into each other.



I've always loved the rice paddies and took a couple of pictures from the train as we headed into Taichung.




Any of you who know Jose know that I had a good dinner last evening with the family. Also lots of time to "begin the conversations". We'll have more time in these next days as well. Mark, the dog, is never far away and entertains in his own way. Grandma (Kitty's mom)is staying with them so I met her. Teenager Joseph was in and out as teenagers are with tennis and friends etc.

Weekend in South Taipei

So I tried uploading pictures to Facebook via e-mail but I guess because my telus address is the one listed there, when I try to send using gmail (because Telus doesn't work overseas except on webmail, of course) it doesn't seem to work. Anyhow, I'm off to lunch and when I get back I might find about 10 new postings because I tried about 10 times to get these photos directly on Facebook. If I do I guess I'll just remove them and learn that I just need to wait a few minutes. Otherwise, I'll try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. It should be simpler than I'm making it.

In the meantime, look at all these lovely faces!!! What a joy.

Out of Sex Trade and Into Home Based Industry

I've been walking and asking God for ways to bless women who are coming out of difficult lifestyles and coming into something new. Three words have been in my heart as I've done that: provision, wisdom, and favor. We know that God says if we seek Him first He will give us all we need. So, I ask for that for these women. I also know that God has many ways of doing things and we need to look to Him for the way that He knows will get the job done. I believe God uses all sorts of surprising people in that process and so I ask for favor among those who are around who God might be seeking to draw together to bring about His purpose.

So, when I was with Tera at the Pearl Family Garden she was showing me some of the small things that women are beginning to make as part of "home industry." These women are often in prostitution because they don't know another way to provide for themselves. There isn't a social network here of housing and funding when they stop earning money in the sex trade. What are they to do? Some of these women are "older" -- worn out by years on the street. They don't have much education. They don't have much hope of getting work in traditional industry. What to do?



Right now some of them are producing some beading items. Some are producing some chocolates. They need to develop a market. They need some assistance as they get started to make themselves and their products known. This is one small way they can begin to earn a bit of money and begin to see some hope for life without the need for money from the sex trade.

So, I have been thinking, what can we do to help these very tiny efforts move to the next level? It's something I've prayed a lot for in Vancouver and am so excited when I see our good friend Brian Posselwaite of Mission Possible on CNN and CTV telling the story of the Misson Possible Enterprises labour business that's happening. We need so much more of this kind of effort. It's why I appreciate the Banqueting Table that was begun by folks from the Open Door ministry for single moms. They do good work and they bless so many by employing them as they are coming back into the work force.



What can we do, then, to support the efforts of these women here in a home based workshop? I thought of Hilary's idea where she's had folks buy goats for their family and friends for gifts but rather than their friends receiving them they are actually given to a family in Rwanda. I wondered what we might do here and what I think could really be a double blessing is for us to purchase these gifts and donate them to a local church here for distribution in their "friendship evangelism" efforts. I've spoken to a couple of pastors who are ready to be involved in receiving and distributing.




I don't know exactly how we'll work the details but it's not too complicated and by the time I'm back in Canada we'll have a plan in place, we'll have information on our website and I'd love to see us really make a difference in the lives of these few women who have started and many more who could be invited to join them if we can help them build a market. Somehow I believe that as we help them spread their products a bit further afield, someone/persons will come along who will be the link to help them make a solid business plan for distribution etc.

So, provision, wisdom, and favor. Pray with me that we will help many women have a real opportunity to come into the new life that God is providing for them.

I've put some initial "thinking pictures" below as ideas to pray into.

Weekend Catch-Up

It's Saturday morning ... time to do the laundry before I run away tomorrow evening for cities south of here .... the weather is warm enough to dry the clothes, I hope. We've had a few days of humidity and rain so hanging clothes outside really wasn't worth it. I think they might dry today.

Outside of that, this is also time to send along some pictures of the past few days. I forgot my camera a couple of times so there were times with folks that don't have pictures at the moment.

Thursday lunch with the women in WanHwa at the Pearl Family Garden was fun once again. I have to say i smiled a little when a couple of the women were rather loudly "discussing" something. I felt right at home!!! I wish I knew a way to record the singing without embarrassing folks. I don't so I have to just remember all that and the story about forgiveness .... one woman telling me how she was caring for someone else who had 7 children and none of them take care of her .... lots of stories, lots of pain BUT women together singing, praying, sharing, eating, thinking about each other and what they might do to support each other. That's a good start. I'll tell you about some home businesses in another blog entry -- businesses they are trying to get off the ground to get some of these women out of prostitution..

In the meantime, last evening's prayer meeting ... we were a couple of hours ahead of Immanuel's Friday morning prayer group ... I actually prayed along with Vancouver folks while I was on the train home after the meeting ... I was on my way to bed and truthfully, I'd rather have it than the half-awake way I show up at the morning prayer meeting ....





You know that I have to put these pictures in somewhere ..... the massage that followed ... it's all Doris and Fritz' fault of course .... I came to visit them and they wanted to do this !!!!!!!! You can imagine how they forced me!





And then it was climbing on transit to get close to home meeting in the home of old friends .... I told the leader he hadn't changed a bit in all the years I've known him, except .... his hair line has changed a bit!!! Haven't we all had changes in our hair?!! Some of us hide the changes and other of us just slide along. Great fun. Birthday for Fritz with yummy cake. It's lovely to buy a cake that is actually pieces of all different kinds of cake. I'm not visiting the doctor for a while after I get back!






If there's a baby I'm gonna have a moment ..... what a cutie this one is, not afraid of my foreign face .... was sound asleep on my shoulder a few minutes after this picture ....

Weary, Worn, and Waiting

Pictures from my time in WanHwa area today. So many seem so lost. So many seem to have no where to go, no plan for anything to do, no energy to find a new way -- except for the guys who are quite animated as they throw their money away gambling.

So, I ask God as I walk, "So I see these folks. I've seen them before. I'll see them again. To only see them, what is that? What is it that you want me to do in order to make this seeing fruitful?"

I was led to speak on Sunday from Luke 18 where the Pharisee and the tax collector pray in church -- one with great pride and the other with a heart open to God's great love. The tax collector received God's mercy and went home in God's eyes a righteous man. The Pharisee who did everything right? -- big problems before God.

What is it that God wants us to see of our common humanity, common need, common ability to dream because He's with us, and together find hope and healing. Lots. It doesn't matter what continent we are on -- even an island -- the truth remains the same. We are loved, we have hope. God is longing today to help us find our way.

Water, Trains, and More Food!

I'm trying hard to keep my mornings quiet and a time for listening and prayer. It rains hard in the nights here but so far the days have been dry. Having overcast skies keeps the temperature more moderate. I put on a long sleeve shirt for the air-conditioning. For the rest, it just means I turn off the fan.

Started my trek on Monday by travelling one stop to the end of the transit line. There's a river/canal and a park. Took some time to walk and appreciate the massive highway tressels, flowers, quiet water ... not so many folks there after a busy weekend.
















Then it was time to jump back on the train and head into the city to WanHwa -- the area that keeps me coming back to Taipei. I change transit trains twice and it's interesting to me to see the changes in those who ride the trains from the busy commuters to students, to the weathered faces of those whose lives has been hard. Observed 4 middle aged women (I have to be careful who's middle aged and who's old, you know) chatting. The years of hard living and tough exteriors were evident in the lines on their faces, their clothing, the way they wore their make-up and even the way they spoke with each other.
















My destination: The LongShan Temple Station. One of the most famous Buddhist temples sit directly behind this station. In between is a plaza/park where all sorts of things happen. (I can only put 5 pictures in each post so I'll put the pictures and news of what I saw there in the next post.)

I always have a sense of excitement as I come up the escalator to the area and at the same time, it's not many steps from the entrance of the transit station before I sense the same heaviness that you experience when you walk in the Main and Hastings area. There's such a collection of pain and struggle it seems. Fortunately we can bring light and hope.
















The city has tried to make some beauty in the area. Since I was last here they have installed a lovely water park feature that gathers all sorts of folks a few times a day -- I was there for the 5pm display.
















It doesn't matter where you go, meal time is interesting here. The cafeteria's weren't this "high class" years ago in the countryside but here we are decades later in the city. On my way home I met Amy, my roommate, and we went to this cafeteria just a couple of blocks from home. The choices are endless. The prices are cheap (I think I had 4 different things rice, soup etc. for $2.50) This cafeteria is more upscale than most but I tell you, the choices elsewhere are just as varied and good -- only the containers the food are in are a bit more ordinary.

Mothers' Day in North Church

Happy Mothers' Day! We celebrated mothers in the church in north Taipei. Lots singing. The kids had a presentation for moms. A couple of mothers shared from their hearts about changes in their lives and the pastor spoke. Somewhere sandwiched in there I shared a bit about what's happening in Vancouver and thanked them for their generous support through the years. Hopefully part of the words invited people to come along and see similar activities as part of their daily lives.

Weekend in Taipei

Time to catch you up on what's been happening. I spent Friday afternoon with good friends -- pastors of the north church in Taipei. Time to share about where we're at, our hopes and dreams, thoughts about what God is saying and doing in our lives .... and fun with kids.

Weekly prayer meeting at the church later on after dinner at a "cafeteria." I actually forgot to take pictures for you but I'm sure I'll be at another one so you can see what amazing choices you get from day to day -- beats the heck out of a McDonald's menu any day!
















Saturday was a day to take it easy ... woke up late .... went out walking in the neighbourhood -- our objective was to get lunch at a street stall and we accomplished that. However, on the way I just shot some pictures as we went by various shops -- not that I'm trying to "rub it in" that there's fresh fruit at hand everywhere!!






























In case you wondered what tou-fu looks like before it shows up in those little plastic packages in your neighbourhood grocery store -- here's a close up -- yummy! Fresh eggs in roadside bulk form. And just a couple of market pictures on the stalls at the street corner as we crossed the road. The weekend market is a lovely place to spend a bit of time.

















Saturday afternoon we hopped on the MRT to the grounds of the main university and walked there for a couple of hours -- listening to birds, watching turtles, checking out the flowers. Pretty relaxing day. It was overcast so the temperatures were moderate and really pleasant.

Friday Morning Mix

Don't you love the weather folks on the days they predict a bit of everything. That's the way today seems a bit. It's lovely and warm but pretty muggy. There's going to be some sun, some rain, some cloudy.

I feel that way with the news I received a bit ago as well. I have to smile when I hear that Grandma Gunzel, who is 99 years old and loves the Lord, is slipping away pretty quickly as her family gathers around. What a gift I've had for years to hear the stories of her life as a missionary decades ago in Mongolia and China. We've shared many laughs together, as recently as just before I left when Mom came with me and the four of spent some time together.

First Hours In Taipei

Immigration and customs took only a few minutes and the first faces outside the door to greet me were Amy and Doris. Great friends who make space for me.
















The first hours are all about eating, sleeping and trying not to say anything too wild when you don't know what you're saying! Directly across the road from the apartment where I stay with Amy is this little coffee shop that features Costa Rican coffee. We were there pretty quickly after lugging the suitcases up the stairs to the 3rd floor.
















Catching up with friends always happens with something on the table in front of you. I happened along to a "Birthday Club" celebration for Carla's birthday .... how many friends of 30 years do you sit down at a table with and tell stories that only those at the table need to know!! Smile!

Newfoundland Visits With Steve and Betty and Winnie

I enjoyed visiting colleagues and friends in Newfoundland. Steve and Betty send their greetings to everyone. Following Winnie's graduation I had a day to visit her "at home" in Flatrock, NL with her daughter and grandkids. It's a beautiful area.

Good stories of supportive relationships in chats with Steve and Betty as they come alongside folks in various ways inside prison, outside in community, in hospital visits.

Enjoyed seeing friends from St. Thomas Church and hearing good things happening in lives and ministry.

All in all, refreshing for me.





Yes the weather was brisk sometimes but the friendships were warm.

I certainly got my education ... do you know what an ugli stick is? Have you ever played one. I didn't know. I do know. I did play it.


That's Betty's Mom in the first picture with the ugli stick and her friend Katy in the second. Each ugli stick has a design all its own!!

The kids are always the best, arent't they? Winnie's grandson feeding the goat while we waited for the school bus to bring his sister home from school.