09.18.07

Taiwan September 2007

Posted in Asia, General, Tentmaking at 12:40 pm by lanaj

We really want to be able to use this site as a tool to get out to you all what we are up to and what God is showing us in our lives. Our goal is to do a better job this round. Thank you so much for your patience and support!!

Ephesians 3:19

Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God

We are back in Taiwan and the stark difference between the U.S. and here is always very bright when we first arrive. Not only do the smells, architecture, and temperature remind us where we are, but the reality of the depth in religious belief.

   

                                                                                                                Although we know that in the U.S., people need the Truth as much as here, the absence of God in Taiwan is at the very core of daily life, culture, and tradition. The culture here is so deeply rooted in Buddhism, Taoism, and the thoughts/ideas of Confucianism that it’s often a long process for those new to the faith to come to an understanding of the freedom that Christ gives.

I’ll give some examples as to what I mean. For one, many who don’t even believe in the traditional religions here, still practice it for good luck (and will say so) or to please their family.

This picture shows that even in the architecture of buildings, slopped up turned edges of roofs are to keep evil spirits away.

Another example is that those who have turned to Christ are not sure how to act out their faith because it’s not based on religious practices. Their is a big question as how to trust God and believe that He’s really there for us.

One thing that has struck me probably the most is seeing the burning or  worship money and offering sacrifices of fruit (the offering of fruit always reminds me of the sacrifice of Cain) and drinks to the gods and ancestors in front of a large international bank or even McDonald’s. This practice is done to keep evil spirits away as well as to please their dead.

This picture is an offering table in front of a bank.

Many of these things are done because of fear, pressure, tradition, or culture. If they knew the truth that we read in Ephesians 3:19 wouldn’t they press into Christ?

I see the wealth of education, literature, finances, and cultural support that the churches in the U.S. have in contrast to Taiwan.  This contrast makes me realize that what I took for granted in the U.S. is actually a great blessing that can (and does) enable people to minister truth in our home culture.

Pray for us all as we try to use what we have been given to be a light. Pray for those who are considering going. Pray for those who still need to know that they “can be filled with the fullness of God”.

This picture is of a Baptist church that integrates aspects of Chinese architecture to introduce and represent Christ. I love this because whoever had the idea to build this removed the traditional western look in order to reach the people here.  Also, notice how it does not have the slopped up roof edge yet captures a beautiful Chinese look to it.

 

Some Taiwan facts:

Population: about 23 million

Size: 13,823 square miles (about 250 miles long and 90 miles wide)

Religion:

1. Buddhism 35.1%
2. Taoism 33.0%
3. Yi Guan Dao 3.5%
4. Protestantism: 2.6%

The rest include Confucianism, Baha’i, Scientology, non-religious and a few others that each represent less then 1%

In contrast to the U.S. with a population of 301,139,947 and about 77% claiming Jesus as Lord.

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