Hugs and Kisses . . .

So . . . I'm a little rusty at the blog-thing! Sorry, everyone! I'm alive and well . . . just a little sad that I've let so many weeks and months go by without a word. I want to begin with this passage of scripture:

To bring you up to date, Tychicus[Shanny] will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He [She] is a beloved brother [sister] and faithful helper in the Lord's work. I have sent her to you for this very purpose--to let you know how we are [I am] doing and to encourage you. Ephesians 6:21-22 NLT

I guess all missionaries need a little help to keep people informed. Thanks, Shanny!

Let's see . . . what to talk about . . . Well, so much has happened in the past, but I think I'll give you an update on TODAY, and we'll work backward as time permits during the next few days. I've missed you all, and I'm getting a bit teary as I write this (which is quite a big deal, really!). I feel like I've shut you out of my life a bit, and I'm not exactly sure why. In any case, I'm back . . . and I have so much to tell you!

MORRISON ACADEMY--BETHANY CAMPUS
As of Monday, we will only have 10 weeks left in our school year. I am amazed, but not entirely surprised, at how quickly the time has gone by. Each year, teaching becomes just a bit more familiar--but it is NEVER the same experience! I have loved my 23 students. My 15 boys have taught me to laugh--a lot--and to always be sure I have a whistle handy:) I think that God is perhaps preparing me to have a house-full of boys someday. It's either that or He's teaching me to love beetles, spiders, and grimy hands and faces. My 8 girls are delightful! They are such sweeties, and they show such courage in a roomful of silly boys:) They are teaching me how to be kind and fair to others--even if the others make all sorts of bodily noises on a regular basis . . . ahh! Life in 3rd grade is a JOY!

Things will be changing next year. I was asked to step out of the classroom and into a more supportive faculty role. I will be wearing a stack of hats: site curriculum coordinator, learning specialist, K-5 team leader, and in-house substitute teacher. After many years of graduate school and training, I'm very excited for an opportunity to stretch my wings and fly into a new area of education (how's that for a word picture!). I'm still a little fuzzy on all my duties/responsibilities for next year, but I'm really liking the direction things are going. This summer will be spent meeting up with some very intelligent former colleagues for a little "brain picking" session, as well as some major reading and studying. Yes! Now I'll have an excuse for laying on the hammock for hours on a glorious MN summer day . . . .

Speaking of summer . . . .

SUMMER PLANS
I'll be home in MN on June 9th. After visiting Taco Bell, Panera, Walmart, and Target, my plan is to see some friends/family down in the Twin Cities area. I also plan to check out the new and improved South Campus of Minnehaha Academy, and visit Evergreen. I'll probably head Up North to Pine River on June 20th (or sometime during that week). My plans are to do some fishing, chatting, painting, garage sale selling, reading, writing, shopping, and lounging . . . sounds pretty good right now! A camping trip or two would fit the bill nicely, and maybe a road trip will be a possibility . . . I can already tell that the summer will be too short! I will head back to Taiwan on August 9th.

TAIWAN LIFE
I couldn't end this blog entry without a little tidbit of my life in Taiwan. I've had the privilege of having many special visitors this year. I am so thankful! Some of the teachers working at Morrison have never had anyone visit while they have been living in Taiwan (for some it has been 3 years!). I thought I give a little tribute to the brave souls who have had the courage to fly in a small tube hurtling through space five miles above the earth for over 8,000 miles and over 22 hours. For this precious gift of bravery, I am thankful! (I have also appreciated the special treats from home:)




My first visitor was my BFF (aka Shanny). She arrived on December 27th. My second and third visitors were my parents (a day late due to a snow storm, of course) on December 29th. We had an absolutely wonderful time experiencing Taiwan together. My parents were very adventurous, and my mom tried all sorts of exotic foods! Shannon didn't especially like the "fish eyes," but she did seem to enjoy the No Bake cookies:)

My fourth visitor was Mike Fix, a former small group comrade and friend from Evergreen. I was the first stop on his whirlwind Asia tour! I didn't ever hear if he made it back to Hawaii, but I'm assuming he's probably just fine...after all, anyone who braves Taroko Gorge on a scooter in the rain with NO language help can probably find his way home. (Hey, Mike! You left your new shoes on my balcony. Do you want me to bring them to MN?)

My fifth and sixth visitors were my sisters, Monica and Melissa. They arrived at the end of March for a Taiwan adventure. Aside from the usual Taipei stuff, we went on a short trip by high speed rail to Kenting. We had a nice time, and the weather was great while they were here.


SHOUT-OUTS!
Shannon S.W.--a faithful blog watcher! This blog entry is dedicated to YOU!
Pamela G.--ever-faithful and ever-patient! Thanks for the good "talking tos" regarding getting this thing updated.
Joy W.--I'm still here! Thanks for your prayers!
Mary Jo S.--I've been horrible at communicating, but thanks for seeking me out!
Diane T.--I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciated your letter and gift:)
Shanny O.--I hope this is all you dreamed it would be . . .


Talk to you again, soon!
Love,
Marcy

Hello?!

Yep, I know it's been awhile . . . much has happened during the past month, and I kind of got out of the habit of blogging. I'm not sure if it is the onset of the "Holiday Season" or what . . . My communication has definitely been sporadic. I'm sorry for the month of silence . . . (at least it wasn't 400 years!)

Anyway, things on my side of the world are pretty much the same. We had some weeks of rain, another teeny-weeny earthquake (no, I didn't feel it), and a close call with two typhoons. My kids are as energetic as usual, and we are cruising right along in third grade. I'm feeling behind with everything, but can one ever really feel "ahead" as a teacher?! God has given me some great colleagues at Bethany, and I have enjoyed their company.

Let's see . . . what else? Oh, yes . . . I had my first Taiwan haircut, and I have partaken of two Taiwanese hair washings. It is pure heaven! REALLY! Perhaps I'll blog about the experience one of these days, because I hope it becomes a regular outing!

We had an amazing Thanksgiving feast at school with turkey and all the trimmings (stuffing, pumpkin pie, etc.) with a bit of Korean kimchi and Indian curried rice thrown in for good measure:) My third graders made woven placemats for the big dinner. As a side note, a turkey in Taiwan costs about $60 US, and since the produce has been pretty minimal because of typhoons this fall, the potatoes and corn cost just about as much . . . amazing.

During Thanksgiving break (a 4 day weekend), Rebecca and I went by high speed rail (another future blog entry) to Chiayi to visit the two Morrison teachers working at the satellite school. It was a delightful weekend, and yes, you guessed it, something to blog about!

Oh, yeah . . . as I am thinking back through the month, I know why I had a sudden blog shutdown . . . I visited the hospital/outpatient clinic for the first time.
Now that was an experience, and I will definitely devote an entire blog entry to that "fun" adventure. All is well, and I'm feeling great now:)

Well, right now, I'm sitting in my living room with a newly extended ethernet cable listening to Christmas tunes and watching the lights twinkle on my Christmas tree . . . yes, another blog entry to come . . . This is my absolutely, without a doubt, FAVORITE time of the year. Christmas in Taiwan is definitely different, and I'm only feeling okay about not being home (I've never missed a Christmas with the family) because I know that God has me here, and because I've got some VERY SPECIAL guests coming for a visit beginning December 27th . . . .YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Anyway, more to come I'm sure . . .

So, that's the month in a nutshell. I've missed you all, and I'll try to turn over a new "bloggy" leaf . . .

Love,
Marcy

We three kings

Christmas Memories . . . Part One
When my sisters and I were younger, we always would put together a "Program" for my parents and anyone else who was joining us for Christmas. There was singing, readings, and instrument playing. Every year, the three of us did some sort of ridiculous song together with choreography and costumes, and one year we attempted to mimic this rendition of "We Three Kings." I haven't seen this for years, and it makes me giggle . . . . Thanks for finding it, Moni! Love you bunches . . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!

I love you bunches and bunches:)

Bringing Bibles to the Mainland

Did you know that at the current rate of Bible production by authorized printers in China, it would take something like 100 years to meet the current demand of Chinese Christians?

Read on for an article from Brother Andrew's Open Doors Ministry:

Do they really print Bibles in China?

Yes, the Chinese government allows Amity Press to print Bibles, but they cannot produce nearly enough to meet the demand. It is estimated that 15,000–25,000 people come to know Christ in China every day!

Amity Press in Nanjing now has permission from the government to print an unlimited number of Bibles per year, and those Bibles are sold through two avenues: the official "Three-Self Church" which is a government-controlled institution, and government sponsored bookstores in some of the large cities.

Many of the pastors of the Three-Self churches are men of God and have a real love for our Lord. However, the government regulates what they can preach about and sets strict guidelines for them to follow.

For example, they must abstain from preaching on certain important Biblical topics, and they are not allowed to operate freely outside the perimeter of the Church grounds.

Many Chinese Christians do not attend the Three-Self Church for these reasons.

Additionally, the majority of Chinese Christians do not live in large cities where Bibles are available, and they do not have the money to purchase their own copy of God's Word. The expense of traveling to the nearest city and purchasing a Bible is far beyond the ability of a Chinese peasant family, which must live on 1000 yuan (£85 or about $170) or less, per year.


Bringing Bibles to China is risky business for the carriers and receivers. So, some organizations are thinking outside of the box and trying something a bit more unconventional.

During the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday (Feb. 1-10), I will be traveling with several members of my church to Pattaya, Thailand for a short term missions project. I have been asked not to name the organization online, but I will be sending specific information in a letter to many of you soon! Pattaya is a bustling and premiere tourist destination for mainland Chinese tourists who have been allowed more opportunities for travel in recent years. It is a city known for a rather "seedy" nightlife, but it is rapidly "cleaning up" in order to draw more families. Located on the "Gold Coast," Pattaya is 2 hours from Bangkok.
Our team (consisting of singles, couples, and families) will be meeting up with teams from the USA and elsewhere to distribute literature packets (containing a Chinese Bible, evangelistic tracts, and the JESUS film) to tourists. We will be targeting major hotels and other venues where thousands of people will be passing through. Since Chinese customs officials seem to "look the other way" for one Bible per person, literally thousand of Bibles will make their way into mainland China and into the hands of brothers and sisters in Christ desperate for the Word.

We believe that each package of “seeds” will be distributed further in country. In 2004 just over 150,000 packets, and 70,000 Bibles were given out using volunteer teams. It is estimated that each Jesus film will be viewed by between 7 and 10 persons once it gets back inside China. So, that means between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 lives have been impacted by what God has done through this ministry in that year.

I am just amazed at the stories I have been reading regarding this ministry. Prayer is a huge part of the mission, and God has truly been glorified through these efforts.

In addition to continued prayer support, I am also in need of some financial support for this opportunity. The entire mission trip will cost $1,000. Right now, I do not have any bit of surplus in my budget, but this is God's plan, so I know He's got something in mind! I'll keep you updated, but if you would like to help support this mission, please let me know. My parents have offered to organize financial gifts, so perhaps you could contact them as well. (Tom and Cheryl Miller, 2319 19th St. SW, Pine River, MN 56474, 218-587-4064, ctprb@yahoo.com)

Again, thanks for your continued prayers and support. I am blessed beyond measure . . .

"Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it." Habakkuk 1:5

Religions in Taiwan continued . . .

This is a picture of the Mormon temple that is right in my neighborhood. If you look carefully at the top/right you will see a large blue building with white lattice architecture . . . this blue building is right in front of my lane on Li Shui.



Many Mormon missionaries come to Taiwan. According to one of my new acquaintances in the neighborhood who is a nurse for the LDS church, there are well over 150 missionaries in northern Taiwan right now. They come for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years to talk with people and learn Mandarin while sharing their faith. I met Sister G. while taking out the trash:) Last Saturday, we got to talking about Chinese New Year, and I shared with her about my short term missions trip opportunity (which I'll let you in on right now . . . I'm going with a team to Thailand to pass out Bibles, tracts, and the JESUS film to mainland Chinese tourists. . . . more to come!). She mentioned that I should bring some copies of the Book of Mormon with to hand out. We smiled and chatted for a short time about the Bible . . . All the while, I was praying that the Lord would give me wisdom to lead in the conversation. We didn't have any big discussion out on the street corner Saturday night, but I know that God has big plans for garbage time. I came home and brushed up on Mormon beliefs and how they differ with Christianity--I love Google! Please pray for future "dump truck" conversations with Sister G. Confrontation evangelism isn't quite my thing, but I hope to just build a relationship and sow some seeds! God can do the rest . . .

11 Days Later . . .

Well, it's not too catchy of a title, but I find it very apropos. After all, it has been eleven days since my last posting . . . (and no, I'm not freaking out or really sad, Shanny:) . . . things have just been busy!

So, get ready for a torrent of postings during the next day or so!

First, I wanted to start with a Korea trip update. Aside from a diet of bananas and toast going into the adventure due to frequent trips to the "loo," things were good! The flight was smooth, and I was allowed out of Taiwan . . . and into Korea. Seoul is significantly north of Taiwan--enough to allow for changing seasons and even snow! I was met with crisp Fall weather as I meandered out to the bus station. Ummmm . . . it was lovely to actually feel COLD!

Anyway, we had been told what bus to take, and wouldn't you know it . . . we had missed it by about 5 minutes and would have to wait about an hour for the next one . . . After some good people watching, we jumped on the bus and began our hour trek out of the city. Our stop was to be the third, and Seoul Foreign School was going to be mentioned . . . supposedly. Well, an hour and four stops later, we began to get nervous. It wasn't looking good! After a bit of sign language with the driver, it was obvious that this was definitely the WRONG bus, so we did what any self-respecting tourist would do . . . we got off the bus! Luckily, Annie (one of the other Morrison teachers at the conference) had directions written in Korean, so once we finally hailed a taxi, we were hopeful that the driver would find the right place. I was feeling VERY ignorant! You see, usually I have a travel book and perhaps a phrase dictionary along for even the shortest of trips--just so that I can be prepared and know a little bit. I didn't even have a map of the city along!! It was crazy.

Well, we made it to the school and took the next steps toward finding the guest house where we would be staying. We got the keys and a map from the gate guard, and headed up the hill in the direction he told us . . . and we walked . . . and walked . . . and walked . . . in the dark . . . with our luggage . . . I think we took every possible route before we decided to ask for help, but the people we could find didn't speak English or fractured Mandarin. Finally, we walked up and up and up and up and up a hill and discovered our guest house. Upon opening the door, we were greeted with a BLAST of hot air. The furnace was ROARING!! It was late, and we had no idea where the thermostat was, so we began to open windows. Although screens were intact, I woke up with tons of mosquito bites (those little buggers!!). Oh well!

Anyway, the house was lovely and there was some breakfast food left for us --which we ate for dinner:) The next morning, we headed to the conference and met up with Kris (the other Morrison teacher). The conference was AWESOME, and it was great to meet so many other international school teachers from all over SE Asia.

The three Morrison folks and an Australian teacher from a school in Cambodia ended up hanging out and going for dinner on Saturday night. We checked out downtown Seoul (which is quite clean if you overlook the thick smog!) and we went through Insadong (which is a famous market street in Seoul). We even tried some authentic Korean BBQ. It was definitely tasty and the experience was surreal. None of us really knew any Korean, but language-specialist Kris has purchased a phrase book and was inspiring us all by his quick study. He ordered for us by saying "beef" in Korean, and we were amazed by what came out . . . meat, veggies, and the legendary and VERY spicy Korean dish--kimchi (think cabbage with tons of red pepper spice and hot sauce)! Later, the manager/owner/big cheese talked with us in Spanish. He was Korean but had lived in Argentina for quite awhile. It was kind of funny to be hearing a conversation in Spanish on the streets of Korea with an American, Canadian, Aussie, and Korean-Argentinian(?). Ah, travel!

Sunday night proved to be mighty wet and not good for sightseeing, but we ventured out and did our best. We stumbled upon a little restaurant and had what was basically chicken noodle soup and another course of kimchi. I headed back to SFS (Seoul Foreign School) with a few trinkets and the shivers! I found myself looking forward to going back home, but I was a bit conflicted as to where "home" was at that point . . . Arriving back in Taiwan did feel good, and it was nice to hear a language that was somewhat familiar (which really gave me a boost in confidence!).

What was the most fun was returning to school on Tuesday and hearing that my kids had missed me . . . I love being a teacher!