Revisiting a Taiwan Hokkien ministry

“LK” is a rural area in Southern Taiwan with a long history of more than 350 years of idol worship and filled with Buddhist/Taoist temples.  We shared earlier that many years ago a medical doctor began a new church there, but more than 20 years ago following his death, the church was closed because there was no leadership team to continue the work. However, not long ago, the nephew of this medical doctor came out of missionary retirement to restart this ministry.

Little by little he has worked to restore this old building while reaching out to the people around them.

So in this short period of time, how has the ministry changed?  It’s an amazing story of love, hard work and sacrifice!  As the T family have ministered in this community, they have also discovered large numbers of people who are on the edge of society and crying out for help.  Many people who are emotionally, physically or socially challenged are found throughout this area.  Some are homeless.  For some time now a group in a government facility for adults with special needs has met together for worship. Many have accepted Christ and a few attend this new church “restart.”  God has deeply touched Pastor and Mrs. T, and with funds from their retirement money they have purchased an additional building down the street from the church building to assist and train adults who are challenged in so many different ways. Pastor and Mrs. T are people with a vision to reach this community. The building is now being renovated.  This is definitely a call by God to people in need.  They’re planting their lives among these people —- what heart!  Pray for Pastor and Mrs. T and the church leaders as they continue to take the love of God to the streets of LK, Taiwan.

A heart ablaze for God

Several years ago Hokkien Harvest Taiwan was privileged to host a ministry team from Southeast Asia.  There were about 70 people who sacrificed to make that trip to Taiwan.  What a blessing.  To say the least, there are so many stories we could share about changed lives and journeys.  One of those stories is about GS and his amazing call.  At the time we met GS he was a financial advisor, and very active in his church. He was excited to join with us.  Not only did he make that trip, but he also joined us in ministry in the earthquake area following the September 21, 1999 quake in central Taiwan. GS grew up in a challenging neighborhood where he was daily exposed to gangsters, drunkenness, house temples and idol worship.  With both his grandparents and parents being Taoists, he naturally followed suit.  However, as he observed the broken lives around him he often wondered why his religion didn’t teach differently.  Why did people follow this lifestyle?   While serving in the military he met a corporal who was a Christian and reflected a very different picture.  He “marched to the beat of a different drum.”  The corporal shared with him, but he didn’t accept Christ.  Later, in his work place a co-worker shared with him and GS did believe and became very active in a local English speaking church.  However, over time as people saw the need, the decision was made to begin Hokkien ministry.  Many brought their Hokkien speaking parents, and it soon grew to 50 people.  GS felt led to lead this ministry and a worship service began.  The ministry grew and soon gangsters, gamblers and loan sharks started streaming in to join them.  A Caucasian missionary began to teach Hokkien Romanization and that helped GS in ministry as he returned to his Hokkien roots.  God eventually led GS to resign from his lucrative job as a financial advisor and work full time in Hokkien ministry in the east part of Singapore.  Three months later he was asked by a church to lead their Hokkien work.  GS is passionate about serving in his country and beyond.  He says, “I love seeing people coming to know God, loving God, and having their lives transformed by God.”  From this precious ministry, GS and his wife have seen all of their parents come to Christ!  Hallelujah . . .

The Ghost Festival

                               

The fact that multitudes of  people in Asia observe Ghost Festival would be difficult for many people to accept, but it is a big event for the people here.  Here is some detailed information about the Ghost Festival.

According to Wikipedia, this festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional Chinese festival and holiday celebrated by Chinese in many countries. In the Chinese calendar, the Ghost Festival is on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month.  In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day and the seventh month in general is regarded as Ghost Month (鬼月), when ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living. Many traditions are observed throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia during this festival including feasts where pigs are sacrificed and many religious ceremonies are attended.  Tables in front of mainline stores are filled with worship offerings to appease these “hungry ghosts.”  For many people it is a time filled with fear and superstition.  During Ghost Month, wherever we go, we are surrounded by these events.

On the fifteenth day the realms of Heaven and Hell and the realm of the living are open and both Taoists and Buddhists would perform rituals to absolve the sufferings of the deceased. A key part of Ghost Month is ancestor worship, where traditionally the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities during the month would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper, a papier-mâché form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors. Elaborate meals (often vegetarian meals) would be served with empty seats for each of the deceased in the family treating the deceased as if they are still living. Other festivities may include, buying and releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies giving directions to the lost ghosts and spirits of the ancestors and other deities. During the month, people avoid surgery, buying cars or houses, swimming, and going out after dark. It is also important that addresses are not revealed to the ghosts.  Highly educated people as well as those who have not been educated all take part in these festivities.  Today, in our own community, we saw people in long lines waiting to buy food items for the festivities.

So how does this impact lives among the Hokkien people?  They are immersed in it.  They live with this fear and seek peace and blessing in their lives.  Pray for the Hokkien people to have the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ and the freedom, peace and harmony that He brings through His salvation and grace.

We’ve been praying for 15 years . . .

We just returned from a trip to Southeast Asia and were so overwhelmed to see the many ways God is working among the Hokkien there. We were asked to speak and worship with a congregation in one of the cities in Southeast Asia. The city’s name is actually means “cat”, and as the photo depicts, it also has a lot of Buddhist/Taoist temples. The waves of Hokkien people from China immigrating to this city and other areas of Southeast Asia over the centuries reveal many heart wrenching stories… stories of risk, hard work and sacrifice. It is our heart’s desire for these precious people to have the opportunity in this generation to know the abundant love of Jesus.  The E Baptist Church has six different worship services and has three different language congregations.

We were privileged to meet a couple that has been leading the Hokkien congregation. The worship is held on Sunday afternoon, so we met together on Saturday morning to get acquainted. Their faces looked familiar, and for a brief moment they just smiled and stared at us. Then the husband, V, handed us a card with our names on it. They had attended a retreat / training in which we were involved 15 years ago, and since that time have prayed that God would send us to their city to assist them in ministry there. They also showed us a photo of us taken with them at that training. AMAZING beyond words. Talking about God getting a hold of your heart!!! We had never been to this city and through some special circumstances, God led us to go there this year. Pray for V and S as they direct this ministry and reach out to Hokkien in their community. As so many other Hokkien leaders expressed, they too desperately need more workers in their ministry. Pray too for the elderly members whom they assist, and also pray for inroads into the Hokkien working class in their neighborhoods. It’s absolutely true — God doesn’t waste anything and 15 years of praying is a precious offering in God’s sight! Thanks too for your prayers.