Reflection on Four years of Taiwan Short-term Missions (2004 - 2007)

臺灣短宣四年回顧 (2004 – 2007)

Sharon Lin  蕭淑媛

God’s Will  (神的 意 念)

Taiwan Short-term mission is planned by God.  It can not be achieved by human.

It is very unique that God opens the door of gospel to Taiwan widely.

神奇特地把臺灣福音門大大地敞開, 世界少有

It is God-given chance that Taiwan is one of the very few countries in the world that you can preach gospel and tell about Jesus and God’s greatness boldly and directly.  You can’t even do those here in US now. When is this going to last? Only God knows. Grasp the opportunities if you can!

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:9)

9 天 怎 樣 高 過 地 ， 照 樣 ， 我 的 道 路 高 過 你 們 的 道 路 ； 我 的 意 念 高 過 你 們 的 意 念 。(以 賽 亞 書 55:9)

It is about God 關乎神

I was sitting in the YZU auditorium, fully packed, and listening to a huge group of pure-hearted little kids (not knowing English firstly) singing and shouting out extremely loud from their lungs to  praise God “ – God is good! God is great!!” I was totally trembled before the Lord, motionless and speechless.  (Taiwan is an island of idol worshipers.) 

“This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:15b)

耶 和 華 是 我 的 名 ， 直 到 永 遠 ； 這 也 是 我 的 紀 念 ， 直 到 萬 代 。

Vision 異象

His heart is for all generations, all people, and all nations. God has mightily burdened through many faithful children with many years of prayers, called His workers in His time, and used U.S. young generation to minister to even younger generation in Taiwan to advance his kingdom, in a very amazing way.

Need 破切需要福音

The need of gospel of Taiwan is in great demand. The number 98% of unbelievers is just a bit better than Japan. As a brother with great passion on winning the lost human souls, once said, if you think about Taiwan, when you talk with people, 98% of them are to be saved. How exciting it is!

God is God

He does great things, new things and beautiful things among us!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
   what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9b)

 9b 神 為 愛 他 的 人 所 預 備 的 是 眼 睛 未 曾 看 見 ， 耳 朵 未 曾 聽 見 ， 人 心 也 未 曾 想 到 的 。(歌 林 多 前 書 2:9)

The verse says it all how the almighty God has opened my heart, eyes, and ears to testify His greatness in leading Taiwan Short-term missions in many aspects.  If I may, allow me to count God’s many blessings on leading Taiwan Short-term missions, and share with you.

過去四年, 神在我们身上的祝福滿滿, 帶領奇妙. 在此與親愛弟兄姐妹分享神自己希奇可畏的作為.

1. Continuity 有連續性

For four years in a row, He has been leading us to do the impossibilities to go back to the same mission field repeatedly. This is unprecedented. He has shown his faithfulness through our commitment.

2. Church initiative 教會主辦

MCCC has initiated an oversea mission project and keeps it going faithfully in the Lord.

3. Scale 神才能做的規模, 非人

The big scale of the mission works, mission team is eye-opening to most of the missionaries that came to visit us. God has a heart to massively spread gospel seeds to the young and pure-heart generations in Taiwan. (See table for reference)

4. Live Mission Field欣欣向榮成長中的宣教禾場

It is a living mission field!  This is more than amazing – Not only that the local kids are growing up; our US workers are growing unspeakably as well.

5. VBS on college campus 神帶領

God made it happen. He makes the local church unavailable and needed to turn to the neighbor, YZU to accommodate. None realized that until later to see it is God’s plan, so that more kids are able to hear the name of Jesus, and there is a place for a big group of workers to stay.

6. God’s perfect timing 神的時間表

Taiwan issues the decree to start to learn English from 3^rd grade, 2003 – A big breakthrough, in history.

7. Family mission 家人可一起短宣

The family can serve the Lord together, a mighty combination of Christian soldiers.

8. A big heart - From generation to generation 神的福音代代相傳

God is using our youth to carry out VBS task in Taiwan to minister to the elementary kids.  God is using our college kids, beyond and above to minister to the Junior and Senior high school kids.  It is such a beauty to see how they are the soul-winners to their generation after. 

9. God is expanding His territory through his workers and works 神一再擴展祂的疆界

We never, and could not plan this for the past four years. Clearly, he is leading and expanding his works, territories.  Where are you leading us, God? 

10. A new US Christian generation attracts Taiwan parents 美國回去的年輕人深受喜愛

Why these young people from US are so different and good? More local parents are paying more attention on our young people and like to know what makes them special.

11. Enlarged the hearts of our young people 

年輕人認識接受認同尊重父母的語言文化背景與神的權威

Our young people now has a bigger heart for their parents, Chinese culture, shows really good interest in speaking Chinese.  God is preparing them for something we do not yet know.  As you know New Jersey is starting to offer Chinese language from 3^rd graders in public school.

12. Jesus’ name raised, preached boldly and directly in Taiwan

在臺灣, 主名被高舉, 可放膽大傳福音

People in Taiwan are heavily worshipping idols with all sorts. God shows his unique wisdom to lead us to preach gospel to the little ones. The little ones then bring gospel back to their family.  As some parents came to us: “We heard bout his religion from my friends for many years, and they are all the same.  Yet, after my kids attended VBS, now we have to pray before meals. We really like it and thank you for teaching them to do so.”

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

在 人 這 是 不 能 的 ， 在 神 凡 事 都 能 。(馬 太 福 音 19:26)

2004 SEC team photo

2005 SEC team photo

2006 Taiwan STM team photo

2007 Taiwan STM team photo