Home at last

After much travel, work, and time I have finally arrived at my home for the next 10 months. I will post pictures of my room once I get it all set up. Right now, there is luggage and dongxi (stuff) lying everywhere. I look forward to getting it set up just right.

Today, I went to my first Chinese church service. It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the church. One of the men of the church interpreted for us. As I sat in the service, I could not help but think that God was looking down on the small congregation and beaming with pleasure. The pastor's wife said that there were only about 200 believers in all of Taiwan. And about 60 of them are on Kinmen. Pray that the Light will shine to all parts.

During the camps in Nei Hu, I was the pianist. I am so thankful to my piano teachers for making me learn to improvise. The leader would come up to me a couple hours before large group and say, "Hey, can you play "Billy-Bob"? At least I had heard of that song. "Sure!" I sat down at the piano and picked out the melody. About 10-15 minutes later, I had the song down. I had so much fun doing it. It was so nice to have a piano there to relieve the stress and provide a way to relax. I find that I will crave the piano like some crave chocolate.

Going back to the church service... After the service, the pastor's wife asked if any of us played the piano. So I and another teacher said we did. She then said that they had three college kids who played but that they were going to college in Taipei this year. So maybe I will be able to play for the church. It will be quite exciting.

I am so glad that with God there is no language barrier. He understands all!

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christ's own love!
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes;
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we are asunder part
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

Such wondrous love revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil, and pain,
And sin, we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.
:o)