Bubble Tea, Scooters, & Prayer

Taiwan: bustling, beauty, and bubble tea. I can not believe how amazing Taiwan is. From the mountains to the dumplings, the culture to the smiles on all the faces, this is truly a wonderful place to be. It makes me so sad to think that in a few short days, I will have to wave goodbye to this lovely country. God has blessed us so much. His timing is perfect, his character unchanging, his gifts unfreakin believable! For me, Taiwan has been the place for answered prayer, much patients and Gods provisions coming to fruition. This is the place where he answered ALL, not just one or two but ALL of my prayers! But lets go back to Port 1: Kaohsiung. We sailed in around midnight. Still the nightlife of the port could be seen by the crew, as we anxiously held our flags and stood in awe of the neon lights shining in Chinese characters across the water. For some this would be a welcomed return, for others an unknown place of adventure, beauty and excitement. A group of local volunteers stood on the quayside to welcome us in. After a tremendously rough voyage, we all sighed a sigh of relief. We had finally arrived. In the distance, mountains could be seen surrounding the city. Rumors of Night Markets and bubble tea spread like wildfire on the ship. The veterans who had previously been here before spoke of dumplings, bubble tea and scooters. Those of us new to this place listen in wonder of this strange new land, excited to try such food. Upon trying bubble tea for the first time, we knew, this sweet nectar of life was a gift given by God himself to the world. That and Taiwan Dumplings. Most of Kaohsiung was spent exploring the culture, meeting local friends, and trying to figure out my place here. I came to the ship with the expectation of producing videos from around the different nations of the world, that could have an impact in peoples lives. So far I had experienced broken equipment, unmotivated people, and political barriers so high they seemed impenetrable. All of which I had not prepared myself for. So upon my arrival in Taiwan, I was feeling a bit discouraged, confused as to why God had me here, and with little to no direction from the leadership. Needless to say I was needing refreshment and direction. I decided I would focus on building relationships with those on board. I spent a lot of time in prayer petitioning to God for wisdom and discernment. Praising Him for not just what He does in my life but simply for who He is. Knowing he is a great God, Loving, and perfect. I kept coming back to the scriptures for encouragement. Finding solace in his word. Little by little God showed me pieces of the larger picture for how he would bring about and take care of all my needs. But I needed to learn to have faith in Him, to trust in His timing, and to simply enjoy Him and the ones he has placed around me. Being the inpatient American that I am, this was easier said then done. Hualien, the second port of Taiwan, was by far the most relaxing. Mostly a countryside port. No real major cities, except for the occasional small town, very peaceful place. This is also the place where we discovered how wonderful beef noodles are. Taiwan has the best food. Unfortunately this port only lasted 12 days. Most of which was spent eating beef noodles, and getting lost looking for sushi. Then came Keelung. Only a 30 minute drive from Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. The food discovery made in this port was dumplings. Wonderful fried, or steamed dumplings. Located near one of the largest Night Markets, which we throughly explored. I have to admit as wonderful as Taipei and Keelung are, Kaohsiung stole my heart. However, Keelung is the port in which God chose to full fill his faithfulness by providing the opportunity to receive our new editing station. It took 3 ports and I still don’t fully understand why, but long story short, God has provided EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything we need to start producing videos that will hopefully have an impact in peoples lives. From the Camera, to the Computer God gave us all that we need, through the faithfulness of his followers such as Village Church my sending church from back home in the states. As well as others praying and supporting faithfully. I love to see how God brings people together to accomplish his goals. It really unifies the idea that the church is one body, living and serving together. The encouragement doest stop at just the gift itself, it moves on in the form of hope throughout the ship. Countless people have stopped into my office and been shocked and amazed, and then filled with hope. God always provides for our needs, big or small. Our God is a God who cares about the details in our lives.  To those that have helped support us in prayer or financially I say Thank You and Praise God for His loving kindness to bring sinners together to complete His good works! Now we enter Sabbath week. A week full of rest, relaxation from work and the busyness of ship life. A time in which we as a ships company will grow together through our visiting speaker Dr. Philip Lyn. But most of all refocus on God, and our relationship with Him. Please pray for us as a community, that we would grow close together. In the upcoming future there will be changes in leadership which will inevitably affect the community as a whole. Pray for strength, to wether any storms we may go through. Most of pray a prayer of praise to our wonderful Father in Heaven, for all that he has done in your life, and will continue to do! For he is GOOD, and Great is His faithfulness!

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~ by adamnatrop on August 6, 2009.