All in this together
Eugene and I have been serving in our Hsinchu, Taiwan ministry since September of last year, and we had the joy of finally coming home to visit Berkeley last week for a few short but full days. It was indeed a very very refreshing time for the both of us and a much needed break to refocus and prepare for Year 2 in Taiwan. We felt like we didn't deserve it but were treated like celebrities the minute we arrived in Berkeley/Alameda as we were greeted by so many familiar faces, reminders that we are dearly loved and supported by everybody. We had many times of sharing and fun with others and were given lots and lots of delicious food to eat. Praxis and others hosted us at North Loop our first night. We also met up with staff/students from Kairos Christian Fellowship, where we served prior to moving to Taiwan, and it was great to see how each one of them have grown. Our peers housed us and also took us on a relaxing day trip with delicious food and scenery. The directors also hosted us for a scrumptious dinner. We also had the privilege of joining a BTT (Bible Teachers Training) group at Sierra Lodge. It was an incredible time of bonding and fellowship, just hanging out, eating together, kayaking, etc. as well as training by Pastor Ed on how to prepare Bible studies and learning ministry wisdom from both Pastor Ed and Kelly. We felt really encouraged as we were reminded that we are not alone and it amazed us again that our God is so actively at work that He is stretching every member of our church, be it in Taiwan, in Berkeley, in San Francisco, in Austin. We came back to Taiwan having been so refreshed and strengthened and with greater appreciation for the kind of life we have together in Christ that transcends physical proximity. Because of all that we have experienced our first year in Taiwan, with all the challenges that came with leading a church for the first time, we felt a greater sense of kinship with everyone back at home, knowing that we are serving the same awesome God together so that even though this year we were further apart physically from everybody, somehow spiritually and emotionally we feel so much closer.