8/7/2012 ~Taipei
Today's update comes from Katherine Xiao, 8th grader :
Dear parents, church members, and friends,
Today was a very exciting day because it was the first day we taught VBS to Taipei children! We began the day with worship and prayer, preparing our hearts to serve the Lord. Afterwards, we headed to the church that we were doing VBS in. We first set everything up and made sure all the craft supplies and skit props were ready, and gradually, children started coming in. Jasmine Chang, Jennie Zhang, and I are leaders in the first group, who are the youngest children. They were all very cute, and their English is even better than the seventh and eighth graders in Taitung, mostly because many of them came from America or attend international school. We first taught them two worship songs, and then performed our skit. In our small groups, we made a team name and chant, and then played some icebreaker games. Little by little, the children started opening up to us. We asked the kids questions about the story, which was about Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River on dry ground. Then, we taught them how to properly dance the praise songs. By the time we finished, it was already lunchtime. Time sure flies when you’re having fun! For lunch, we had curry. We were able to bond with the children and learn more about their interests. Unlike the Taitung kids, Taipei kids had trouble learning the games after lunch. They weren’t as competitive and spirited. After struggling for a long time to get them to understand the games, we finally started playing. Crafts came afterwards. The kids in Taipei really liked doing everything in the crafts by themselves, while the Taitung kids just wanted us to do it. All of the crafts (which were fish mobiles), turned out BEAUTIFUL. The kids were really creative on their part, and each kid’s crafts had a unique style to it. There was a minor snack time, where the church served chicken nuggets and cream puffs. English lessons occurred after. As I stated previously, many of the children already knew English, so several of the leaders, especially the ones serving the older kids, had to try and make the words more challenging. However, since my group taught the youngest, the curriculum didn’t need be modified. The kids were really active when they learned, and it was a blessing to teach them. All groups then went on stage to perform the songs and dances they learned. It was cute.
My most memorable experience today was having lunch with the kids. They’re all very intelligent, and have very witty jokes, which I all laughed at. They loved the food they were eating, and espcially liked eating with us. We learned different variations of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and had lots of fun. Most of the kids finished their food, even their broccoli. It was amazing seeing how different each and every kid was. Some were shy, some loved games, others loved jokes, etc. God made each of us in our own image, and created each of us differently.
Through this trip, I learned the difference of communities and why God loves children so much. Today, when we taught kids from Taipei, I noticed a distinct difference between the Taipei kids and Taitung kids. Taipei kids were quieter and more sophisticated, while the Taitung kids were very energetic and dragged us everywhere. I believe God put each and every one of them in different cities to glorify Him differently. Also, kids are very innocent and love you very much. As long as you love them, they love you. I loved the Taitung and Taipei kids, and I will and already do miss them very much. I can only pray that what we taught/teach them will be effective in their lives and that God will be glorified. I also pray that we will be able to meet again, whether in this life or the next. I would like to praise God for bringing me on this mission trip. I have learned so many things during this trip and have experienced amazing bonds with the kids. It was and will be hard to leave the kids, but I believe God brought us here for a reason, and that we will be able to take what we learned and experienced from this trip to California and serve as missionaries everywhere we go. This trip has truly been a blessing for me.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for praying for us every day. This mission trip has been pretty successful so far, for God truly works through prayers!
Please continue praying for us:
1.Please pray for our health, that none of us will get really sick and that we will get plenty of sleep.
2.Please pray that the Holy Spirit will reside in us, and that our words would pierce their hearts and that many souls will be added to God’s kingdom. Pray that God will work in through us.
3.Please pray for the children in both Taipei and Taitung. This is so that the things we have taught/will teach them will be effective. I pray that they will love God with all their heart and believe and be saved in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4.Please pray that we will all serve God in California as well, and be willing to dedicate our whole lives go God.
This mission trip has been a success thanks to your prayers, and I am truly, truly glad that I came on this trip. Once again, thank you for your support!
A few of us are still sick and many of us are tired, please pray for the Spirit to give us strength and energy to finish this week strong. :)
Thank you for reading and journeying with us! :) All glory to our GREAT GOD! :)
In His love,
Lynn & Aaron :)
