Taiwan was wonderful. I think one of my favorite memories was the bubble tea - red, black, green, and white, with milk or without, and filled with jellies and tapioca and bubbles... Mmm! Yum. Not to mention the bakery right down the street (and Josh's daily insatiable cravings for such (non)nutritios nourishment). Then there was the adventure Kate and I had our very first day: playing adult charades in an effort to act out to the deli lady what we wanted to order for lunch.
We stayed an hour north of Taipei in a little college town called Danshuei. Our ministry there was facilitated through the YWAM base, who were incredibly hospitable and welcoming. There were some wonderful evangelism nights at The Rock (the YWAM's cafe ministry), a visit to a senior home, and outreach on the campus. It was a difficult spiritual atmosphere to work in - most people either believe in ancestor worship or nothing. The mix of modern pessimism and ancient beliefs and fears without any presence of God is saddening.
However, the YWAM base is doing an incredible job and the Taiwanese Christians are incredibly encouraging. I'll never forget worshipping in a Taiwanese church for Easter and singing familiar songs in a very unfamiliar language!
I loved this country and the culture. The food is scrumptious, the culture is so different and flavorful, and the land is just beautiful! And the internet cafes are a definite bonus - huge armchairs for each computer and all the tea you can drink! I would come back here in a heartbeat!
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