Back at it

The last few months

In August we returned back to Taiwan from our summer in America. We wanted to thank everyone for our time there. It was so great to connect with our sending churches, our family, and many friends. 5 days after we got back, Elliot and Ezra had to go back to school. We felt bad for them because they weren't completely over jet-lag but they were troopers. Currently, it is only us here. Our coworker left in September to go and do his DTS (Discipleship Training School). We were sad to see him leave, but we are also excited to see how God uses him and to see his growth after the school. For us, DTS was a key part in our lives and we grew a lot in our walk with Jesus. Since right now we are the only ones serving in our ministry, on nights that the Rock is open, we need to take our kids with us. The kids have been doing so well there and the people that come to the Rock seem to enjoy talking with them. Having the kids at the Rock does have its challenges, but overall it has gone better then we thought it would. Usually we kept the Rock open until 10pm but since the kids need to get to bed earlier, we have been closing earlier. Over the next few months, we will be hosting a few different outreach teams, and when they are here, we can operate with our normal schedule.

This year Elliot is in second grade and the Chinese reading and writing was becoming too challenging. However, we really wanted him to continue in public school. Magan was able to have a meeting with his teacher and discovered that his school is set up on an individual education program system. This means that each child can have their education track tailored to their needs. We were able to share what we want for our children's education and the school is working with us to create his education track. Basically this means that he is doing a little less Chinese, so that we can incorporate more English reading/writing into his education.

While Magan was in this meeting, Elliot's teacher shared that he is such a blessing to her. She said she recently share a video in class of the earthquake in Japan. In the video, some buildings were collapsing and the other students were saying "cool!", (because they are second graders) However, Elliot started crying and couldn't stop for a long time. He was upset because he knew that people had gotten hurt. His teacher said that she has been so touched by his compassion for others. We were able to share with her that God created him with this compassion and it's because of God's love. Elliot is being a light in his classroom and we are watching him grow in his own personal faith in Jesus.

BBQ with our church

Having fun at the Rock!

What's Next?
Over the next 3 months, we are hosting 4 outreach teams back to back. The holiday season is always a fruitful time for ministry here. We are able to share the gospel very easily through Christmas activities especially. We are looking forward to working alongside these teams as we go into the public schools and chat with people at the Rock.

Soon after we got back, there was a trash cleanup held by a bunch of the schools in our area. Elliot really wanted to be involved with this so Keith and Elliot signed up to help. 

One of our outreach teams helping another ministry "Taiwan Sunshine". They are a ministry that focuses on helping people with special needs

America Here We Come!

Hello from hot and very sunny Taiwan! We are so excited to be leaving on a plane this week to visit many of you in America! We are looking forward to two months of being with family, friends, and maybe even some foods that we've missed.

Our summer schecule:
June 18-July 15 - Lewisburg, PA
July 16-17 drive to AR
July 17- August 16 - Malvern, AR

We wanted to do a short update of what's been happening here. Recently, Magan started a Bible study at our Rock Cafe with some of the high school girls she has been discipling. They are new believers and it is such a joy to see their passion growing for the truth. The Bible study happens every Sunday afternoon.

Last week one of the girls was asked by her history teacher to speak in her class about the life of Jesus. How awesome! Her teacher, who is not a believer, wanted to have a history lesson on the life of Jesus. She asked Tina because she knew she was a believer. Tina prepared well and shared the gospel with her classmates for 50 minutes! She was nervous but very willing to be used by God in this way.

Also, last Friday, a university girl that we haven't seen in a while came back to the Rock. Magan was so glad to get to see her and catch up before we leave on our trip. The girl shared that she wants to believe in Jesus but she's been attending a church that is sharing things she believes is not in the Bible. As the conversation progressed, Magan discovered that she is attending a cult type denomination that also worships a Korean "prophet" in addition to Jesus. This "prophet" reveals things to the congregation that are definitely not supported in the Bible. More and more we are seeing these kinds of heretical teachings in the South of Taiwan. We know why we're here, why we had so much training in the Bible through the School of Biblical Studies and Titus Project. We are so thankful to be able to help people find the truth in God's Word.

America, here we come!
Blessings to you all,
The Lapps

Recent Holidays

I hope everybody enjoyed their holidays. During December and January we had an outreach team here. The team did a wonderful job. They especially loved doing evangelism in the city through basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and at our Rock Cafe.  They were a sports focus outreach and made some great contacts so we are trying to do further follow up with the people they met.  Also during this time, Magan's mom was here visiting with us.  It was nice to be able to celebrate the holidays with her.

In February the Taiwanese celebrate Chinese New Year and also a local holiday known as the "Bombing of Master Han Dan". During Chinese New Year a lot of restaurants close but also, since it is a government holiday, most people have off from work and school, so during that time, tourism increases quite a bit here in our city.  We don't really leave the house much because most of our friends are busy and everyone is on holiday. During Chinese New Year there are a lot of firecrackers, even late at night. A few weeks later is the local Taitung holiday, and during that holiday, most of the temples in Taitung are involved in it. There are parades and firecrackers all over the city for 3 days and it is hard to drive around. At night there is a big event and they actually throw firecrackers at a certain volunteer. He is standing on a stand with a small idol and they carry him around while others throw firecrackers at him.  The videos we posted here show what happens in the streets during this time.  They will block off a street and parade the idol in front of businesses to "bless" those businesses while setting off firecrackers to scare "ghosts" away from those businesses.  Magan was working at our office and heard this going on outside, so she went out to video it.  They are doing their rituals in front of a tea shop across from the Rock Cafe.

The kids are doing well in school. The boys had 3 weeks off from school during Chinese New Year. This was a welcome break, because the Taiwanese don't get off from school for Christmas.  We always use the Chinese New Year break for some much needed family time.  Over this holiday, the Taiwanese spend time with family and friends and eat lots of good food.  We were invited to a friend's home for a delicious traditional Chinese New Year meal.  Instead of exchanging gifts, they exchange red envelopes with money inside. 

After the new school semester started, Elliot joined a violin class offered at his school.  So far, he is very excited about it and we hope he will enjoy learning this beautiful instrument.  Although listening to the process may not be very beautiful.  :)

What's in the near future?

April:  hosting an outreach team from South Africa

May:  YWAM's national staff conference/ celebrating both boys' birthdays

June-August : We will be in America for furlough.  We hope to see many of you this summer and catch up!