Good day to you all. It was a busy month of September here in Taiwan and time again to share another update. Logistically speaking, very little has changed. I am still in the thick of studying the Chinese language, teaching English twice a week, and helping out with evangelism at the second largest hospital in Taiwan. Yet there is much to be shared.
Where I left at was about a week before Rachel came to visit. I know her coming has little to do with ministry directly, but she is a significant piece of my life and seeing how I can't keep everyone updated in person as I would if I was home, this seems the best platform to give you that glimpse into my life.
Rachel arrived in Taipei the evening of August 23rd. We had two weeks to connect and really just see where this relationship was at in person. We had been apart for almost four months and a relationship looks a lot different together than it does apart. I won't fill you in on every detail (that would take far too long), but the time went better than either of us had anticipated. Knowing I have a significant future here in Taiwan, it was a time for us to connect and see if this is a place Rachel could plant herself for the next few years if God continued to grow the relationship. It was a huge relief to both of us when she found out she not only enjoyed the YWAM base and ministry here in Taiwan, but the country itself. The two weeks went by incredibly fast, but we both left the experience with peace in our hearts as we sought God's continual leading.It took a week or two to really transition back to normal life and it's been a joy to see God work ever since. I would like to share one experience that is specifically noteworthy. A week or two after Rachel left, one of my Taiwanese friends who is not a believer invited me to his house in Central Taiwan for a Taiwanese holiday. Mid-Autumn festival began to be celebrated nationally rather recently and is just a time where Taiwanese connect with family and throw huge barbecues. I knew almost as soon as I had been invited the opportunity I had been granted and that I needed to say yes, but there was a part of me that wanted just to stay home. I am getting more comfortable with my living situation and this was out of my comfort zone. But I realized, this is missions. Sure, I was probably going to have to sleep in an uncomfortable bed and deal with lots of language barriers, but isn't this what I've been called to do. To be Christ's mouthpiece and example among the nations.
My time in Changhua turned out to be a blast. Sure I didn't get as much rest as I would have liked over the weekend, but it was worth it. Because of the language barrier, I couldn't communicate much. But I was able to be immersed in Taiwanese culture in a very real way. I got to go to Sun Moon Lake, the largest and most famous lake in Taiwan. And I was able to connect with a couple of guys over the language of food. We sat in front of a grill for a couple hours and just cooked and ate together. And although I exchanged few words with anyone but my friend over the course of my time there. Jesus was present. I was protected from so many of my fears and worries about the weekend.
And this is not the only opportunity God has given to me. It's not always easy being away from, home, family, a girlfriend I love dearly, and so many other things. But even as I reflect on this past month right now, I know why I am here and have no doubt that this is what God has asked of me. And he has been faithful every day to show up.
As I leave you off, I just want to share a few prayer requests.
1. As always, I need God's provision to walk with me and help me learn this language. Language learning is not a strong gifting and I really need God's presence and provision as I move forward in this calling.
2. Pray that I would invest well in Taiwan and the Taiwanese people. That I wouldn't become distracted by other things and miss out on the calling God has on me while I live here.
3. Pray for the base as a whole. We are in the midst of a large move of God and the goals we have set out will only come to fruition if God's hand is on this.
I love you all and pray this finds you well. I hope you are blessed in the reading.
You're brother,
Travis
