Missions Trip Final Report

Well we have made it home safe and sound and hopefully chnaged in some ways forever. The internet went down again shortly after we got it back up which is why we were not able to update again from Taiwan.

The students did a great job of ministering in many different ways; Taking care of orphans, giving shoulder rubs at convelescent homes, cleaning up a thrift store for a ywam ministry, performing on the street and playing basketball to invite people to the cafe and share christ, joining with an international youth group, babysitting for missionaries there, attending a couple of different Taiwanese churches.

It's always weird when we get back from an intense youth trip that that group will never be together again on this side of Heaven. One of the blessings for me is seeing God work not only in the lives of the people that we are ministering to but my students as well. On the airplane one student told me the story of how God had worked in her life during the trip. A couple of the students really came alive as they saw how their gifts could be used to further God's kingdom. I think everyone was challenged to walk more closely with Christ and be more bold in their witness.

Thanks so much for praying for us.

Blessings,

Buddy

Taiwan missions trip update

We have been without an internet connection all weekend so we haven't been able to update or post pictures. We will try to post some stories up in the morning before we take off and pack everything up.

The southern team made it back without any problems. We joined an international youth group last night and had some of our kids mix with some of their kids for the band and a couple of the students shared their storeis of what God has done in their lives on this trip and how he brought them to himself.

Cafe Ministry

Last night the cafe was packed so Allen and I left and went to another cafe that didn't have so many people. We spent about three hours together and he gave his life to Christ. This morning we spent another three hours together, watched the end of the NBA finals on his 7 inch TV screen, and went and bought a Bible together. Even though I have lived in Japan for 5 years I haven't really had a friend from another country since I live in Germany so that has been cool. It has also challenged me about how I live my life in Okinawa so focused on my American students.

Mr. Taiwan, also gave his life to Christ at the cafe last night, as a few of the students shared the gospel with him. The students have also had many conversations with people who do not want to give their lives to Christ but enjoy having American friends and learning english. There is one guy, Michael that the students have spent about 4 1/2 hours talking to the last couple of nights. It has been challenging for them because he wants to keep arguing with them but I think it has been good at the same time.

This morning the rest of the group took disabled orphans to a department store and his afternoon we will be a convelescent home and a couple of the students will be playing basketball to continue to build relationships.

Southern Team Update

We don't have any pictures from the team that went to the other cafe yet because they won't get back until tomorrow and they don't have internet access.

Amy said that they were working hard at cleaning up and organizing and working and sharing Christ at the cafe in the evenings. Amy was able to lead someone to Christ last night and one of the guys who works at the cafe will be discipling him. The first night Janie was shaking out her bed and a coke roach came out. They ended up killing 22 before they went to bed so she said they didn't sleep that well but ministry was going well.

They will come back tomorrow after lunch and join us as we meet with a Taiwanese youth group on Saturday night.

Allen-my Taiwanese Friend

Please Pray for Allen to come to know Christ. We have had fun playing basketball the last two days and I think God has been at work in his life preparing him to come to Christ.


Last night Allen gave me my chinese name: Chow Fung. So you can now call me Buddy or Chow Fung whichever you prefer.

Missionaries sending out missionaries.

We were asked to send part of our group to another ministry that has a similiar strategy of reaching students near a university with a cafe so Amy is leading a group of volunteer missionaries from our group to go to a southern base and help with the ministry down there. From today until Saturday Amy, Chaplain Warner, Janie, Colleen, Jules, Trey, Nick, Kristin and Angela in their ministry down there.

Today was long and in some ways tough day but very rewarding.

We spent the morning at a pool with a small group of 7 year old mentally and physically handicapped children. It was hard work and it was only about 2 hours for us. I spent most of my time holding one young boy to keep him from drowing himself only to realize after 45 minutes that he could hold his face under water for about 5 seconds. For some of the students it was too much and they struggled holding the kids and loving them.

This afternoon most of the students went to a convelescant home and shared our program there. One Lady accepted Christ as her savior during the time that our group was there. it was another challenging time for a couple of them as they were asked to give shoulder rubs to the residents at the end. One lady there was 103 years old.

Justin, Phillip and I went and played basketball at the University and made a new friend Allen. I also received a chinese name tonight from Gary, Nancy and Allen. I spent an hour at the Rock last night with Gary and Nancy and 2 1/2 hours tonight with them and Allen. Please pray for Allen as he is considering giving his life to Christ. I think God is at work in his life since his girlfriend is a Christian and it seems that God is making clear the gospel to him and drawing him to himself.

Thanks for praying. It has been a great week already and we are excited about what God will continue to do.

Candy comes to Christ

Bailey is the student on the left and has been doing an awesome job this trip of serving others, jumping into everything whole-heartedly and loving others. I asked her to share her story about last night with you.

Hello my name is bailey and on the 21 of June I lead a Taiwanese girl named Candy (her chosen name) to the Lord. I was down on the street trying to speak “Free drinks and free English” in Chinese to the people walking past me. Then Candy and her sister Jennifer walked by. I told them the Chinese phrase, (that I stated) they were reluctant at first, but I continued to say, “Free, yes free.” So, they went inside and we sat down together in the crowded room. I served them the drink of their choice. They couldn’t speak much English so I tried to find a translator. It took quite a while for the translator to come, so I was stuck their trying to communicate. I learned to basic stuff, like what there names were, where they go to school, and how old they were. I asked them weather they went to church or not but they didn’t understand. When the translator (Fang Hue < sounds like this, kind of) came I learned that Jennifer had gone to a youth group activity in her school, but still did not believe in Jesus. Her sister Candy had not heard the gospel before, so I shared with her that Jesus loves her, created her, that everyone is a sinner including her, that because of Gods love he sent his son to die for our sins and to create a brig to heaven. Then I asked her if she believed this. She said yes, then I confirmed her answer and expressed that if she believes this than that means she could not worship other gods. She understood and wanted to pray to God and accept him into her heart. So we all bowed our heads and prayed. It was very interesting because I would speak, then Fang Hue would translate, then Candy would repeat what Fang Hue said. After the prayer we gave her a bible and showed her a good passage on not worrying about tomorrow. Then she and her sister had to leave because on the time on night. That is the end of my story. If you would like, keep Candy in your prayers, for her growing relationship with God. That would be wonderful. Thank you for your time. Bailey Paschall

Handing out Invites

Phillip and Linda passing out invitations to the Rock.

Kelcie and Gack getting sprayed

Tuesday morning we had off so we jumped on a ferry to cross the river and then spent from 10 until 2 at a waterpark. It was a lot of fun and we came back mostly unburnt. It was definitely a good break and an awesome bonding time for our group.

The Fella's on the ferry to the waterpark

Our girls performing a drama for the DTS school.

Teaching at YWAM staff meeting

On Monday Buddy taught at the YWAM staff meeting. We also had a time of worship and prayer for some of the different ministries.

The Rock!

Today we brought people to "The Rock", a cafe where we teach Taiwanese how to speak Egnlish and share Jesus Christ with them if the opportunity arrises. Here is Jules talking to 14 year old, Lois. Lois saw us at the performance in the afternoon and then came with her family to the Rock this evening.

The markets in Taiwan sell many exotic fruits.

This is Buddy and a chaplain from the church in Taiwan that we attended today, on Sunday.

Hi, This is Dodd. He is going to be helping out with the updates this week.

The performance Location

Some of our girls talking with some of the local Taiwanese Girls after their performance.

Audio Trip Update-Click on the link to hear a quick update of our day.

View from the Outreach House where we are staying to the MRT station across the street.

Picture on the Plane

Trey and Colleen on the plane

Don't Pray for Us

Don't pray for us until you watch this video. It was a great challenge for all of us on the Taiwan team as part of our training on Thursday.
Obviously we covet your prayers, but I think this video might challenge you to pray even more.

This morning we braved what seemed like the worst non-typhoon rain we have experienced to arrive at the airport. Many of the roads were partially closed on our way to the airport because rain was covering them. After a mostly smooth flight it felt like the plane was dropped from about three feet on our landing.

Much of our schedule has been set but as I am typing this one of the staff members is working on seeing if we can send a few of our students to help out with some of the areas in southern Taiwan that have expereinced flodding etc.

This evening will be orientation and time at The Rock. Tomorrow will be spent in time with God, prayer walking, practicing some of our presentation, building relationships through basketball and another part of our team will be doing some outdoor evangelism.

Please DO pray for us whether you watch the video or not.

Friends...again we have neglected this blog...Buddy leaves tomorrow for Taiwan on our missions trip and today has been a typical "Last Day before we go Day". There is frustration with petty things and a kid just said he can't go. Buddy just called and asked me to pray that he will not get bogged down with the little stuff...would you pray that also? It always reassures us that God is moving when we sense the enemy's opposition. Stay tuned. We'll try to get updates out during the trip. Thank you Lord, for wireless internet!

Missions Trip to Taiwan Team

This is part of our team of 24 that is heading to Taiwan from the 16th until the 27th of June. We will be involved in a few different ministries with the main goal of connecting students to the Rock, which is a coffee house where English is taught, Bible studies are held, and relationships are developed.

Would you pray that:
God would draw our team to himself
We would be a blessing to all that we come in contact with
Students would be drawn to Christ through our ministry
Love,
Buddy & Jen