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!