My Christian Experiences in Taiwan (2) Church Life

Good Morning!   

   As a devoted Christian living in Taiwan for many years, I would like to share some of my experiences on this 'Beautiful Island' or Ilha Formosa as it was known since the Portuguese passed it in 1544.

   I've decided to move to Taiwan in the year 1989, the same year as the violent Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace!) Massacre in Peking and peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall, marking the reunification not only of East and West Germany but of all Europe, happened. For many both of these events may not have a lot in common but for me these two events followed me like a silver lining through the rest of my life. While as a German I try to consolidate or find reasons in everything, my Taiwan neighbors are not only divided 'under the surface' but often very unreasonable to put their own egos or own agendas above anything else.

   I personally have experienced rejections and even open violence against myself while living in Taiwan up until today. My wife's family did neither welcome nor recognize me based on the simple fact because I am a foreigner and therefore 'different'. Because of tradition I have no right for an own opinion or a personal view on things. I can speak Mandarin, the official language, very fluently, but in the south of Taiwan people communicate in Taiwanese (or Hokkien), spoken by the Taiwanese Hoklo people who descended from immigrants form the southern Fujian during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). And, of course, when the family gathers they speak Taiwanese, which I neither speak nor understand, when I am present. So, as a foreigner, I am simply invited to be excluded. But at the same time, when I talk to my daughter in my native German language, I am told that it is 'ill-mannered' to speak in a foreign language.
   Some years ago I've decided rather to be alone than to waste my time with ignorant people, if family members, friends or anyone else unreasonable. 

   Strange thing is that the same happened and happens to me in all the different churches I've attended during my nearly 30 years in Taiwan. Originally all main churches in Taiwan have been founded by western foreign missionaries in the 1950s and 1960s and were given after the 1st generation to local Taiwanese. The problems I experience is that many pastors don't see the church as the 'body of Christ' with 'Christ as the head of the church' (Ephesians 5:23) but rather as their own fiefdom with the pastor himself being the duke making his own rules. This leads to much competition and distress between brothers and sisters to gain favors from the pastors and all other leaders; something I've never expected in German churches and simply is wrong. But leaders clearly appreciate that and, as long as they are supported and benefit from it, why should they change it?

   A very bad idea was the arrival of the 'micro groups', a development from 'successful' churches in Singapore and Korea. The idea is that one church member opens his or her home and invites nearby living brothers and sisters to worship, prayers and reading of the Bible. Intended as a 'help' for the pastor it replaced the original work of the pastor, meaning the responsibilities of the church leaders were loaded onto the 'micro group leader'. In my micro group the pastor never showed up... But the group leader had not only to prepare the 1 1/2 hours but also to clean and prepare his house or an apartment, prepare snacks and, of course, has to clean up after everyone left. This might be declared as 'service' to brothers and sisters but as most group leaders have no theological background or any Christian education and are, as mentioned, only leaders because they are favored by the pastor or elders, there is not much Bible work done but rather trivial or worldly matters be discussed.

   I've experienced only proud and dominant pastors with a focus on the tithe or donations as a source of income for the church. I've only met one pastor interested in me and my family but more from a 'responsible' standpoint. My wife was very active as a Sunday school teacher and therefore much appreciated while everyone made a 'curve' around me, the 'unable' foreigner.

   I was never invited to take over a responsible work even after I attending one church for 10 1/2 years! I was never chosen to be a speaker but was allowed to sweep the floor. As my wife and I were successful with a youth group of 72 people (!) within two years the pastor became outright suspicions to a point that we've decided to return the whole group to the church and left the church. Needless to say that the pastor decided to closed the whole group and, in fact, 'kicked out' young Jesus seeking people and the future of his 'own' church.

   Later I've joined the church of a Korean pastor, a war veteran of the North-South Korean war. I never understood how a soldier who killed others can lead the church in the same violent way without any remorse concerning brothers and sisters or a hint to the 'Love of Jesus'.

   Reading about all these problems it might be difficult to understand that I still went to a Seminary in Taipei, spend my own time and money to study and finish a degree in the evening education department. One reason is that I feel a kind of responsibility to the Lord and the people out there who are without knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that the world could be heaven and I could play a part in it.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28)"

   Without a church, I had the chance to serve homeless and low-income families independently as a volunteer. From their eyes, I've seen that people can accept Jesus Christ even under most severe conditions and from faith they have get the power to change. I had some wonderful experiences and many touching moments in these 2 1/2 years. A clearly demon possessed sister became a great co-worker willing to share her bad experiences to help others to find the Lord. She told me that she did no more see the black shadows hunting her in her house but became a peaceful person! What an amazing transformation! 
   But, as readers can imagine, helping others in truth means bitterness for some who can not stand seeing themselves in the mirror. So I got fired because I remembered the 'co-workers' to the teaching of the Lord. 2 1/2 years of time and service erased by an Email! But I don't have to carry this cross... "22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead. (Matthew 8)"

   Despite all the human problems between church leaders and me, despite all the stones thrown on my path serving Christ by Christians (!) I've opened my own Bible study class on 01 Dec. 2018 in a nearby activity center with only 1 person attending. But, as Confucius said, "every journey begins with the 1st step"...

   Sometimes I don't know why I do this all - I could have a simple life by following earthly pleasures, why should I care about Taiwanese who care so less about this foreigner? Because there is something inside me knowing that God is watching and that I should give and do the best in and for Him despite all these hurdles! Even I am not important and a no-one I still can not compromise on the Truth of the Bible and, in fact, on the Truth of the Lord!

   While not sure where this might leads I believe in the power and glory of God and know that I am not alone...
   Wish everyone a successful and Happy New Year, Gerhard

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 36

Friday, Sep. 21., 2007

Beautiful Sunrise in Monterey

Monterey→?

Distance: 118:30 km, Time: 7:34:14 Std., Total: 1,154.30 km

   While some fishing boats chugged along the coast not far away were some sailboats and yachts of the rich and famous peacefully in the water.

   
   Walking along the water and the coast itself look more like a large natural reserve, nearly every rock was occupied with birds of different kinds and the previously mentioned seals.
   I continued to the in Spanish Colonial style built Old Customhouse by the Mexican government around 1827. The Customhouse was the state’s first designated California Historical Landmark, marking the site where the U.S. Commodore John Drake Sloat (1781-1867) raised the American flag and declared California part of the United States in 1846. While I took a picture from the building a homeless slept in front of this historical building. 

   My stomach started to mumble after the long and extensive walk but more from the fresh air, therefore I decided to turn back to the Hostel. In the kitchen I ran into a group of retired British elderly ladies. Talking to them they had nothing but travel in their minds, next year they want to visit Australia. As they were making pancakes they invited me to join them for the breakfast.
   Back into the room I met John who came here for the famous Monterey Jazz Festival which will happen new weekend (Sep. 21 -23). Of course he shared his excitement and talked at lengthy about the music event. Even I had no idea what he was talking about I occasionally joined the one way conversation. I think it is polite to listen to others even it is not absolutely my own taste.

   Slowly I started to pack my things, as a base I used my bed. From the window I could see two of three homeless who were arrested by police officers yesterday. Finally I had to say farewell to my room, took the sheet, blanket and pillow covers off and threw them in the prepared box beside the reception.
   Both hands full of bags I passed the homeless on the way to the bike box. One of them noted that “you have a lot to carry!” After packing my bike I rode to the main entrance, parked my bike beside the door and went in. I checked out and received yesterday’s deposit for the bike box of US$2.00 without any objections.
   Monterey was for me a clear highlight of the whole trip. To learn more about this friendly city I would like to stay longer, maybe an idea for my next trip?
   I rode the same road I walked in the morning and just followed the road beside the coast with occasionally some beaches.  On one I’ve discovered a long line of homeless which I’ve seen in my life. Volunteer gave them free breakfast and coffee. It is nice that private citizens do this but where is the government? I’ve discovered some ‘clean’ people in the line who got served the same like the homeless but paid for their food and coffee.
   I continued on the bike path direction north, the ocean on the right.  My bike rode into an industrial area; there I’ve discovered some interesting car dealerships and repair shops. In front of one of them I stopped because I discovered a baby blue Volkswagen beetle. As an ex-trainee of a Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche  dealership in Germany the ‘WE DO’ WORK ON VOLKSWAGEN AIR COOLED’ lettering should absolutely on the photo.

(to be continued) 

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 34

Thursday, Sep. 20, 2007

Back to Humans

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park → Monterey
Distance: 97.56 km, Time: 7:11:52 Std., Total: 1.036 km

  I asked an elderly lady walking her dog where I could find the Hostel. She was very kind and showed me with her forefinger the direction. At exactly 4:00 in the afternoon I rang the bell of the closed door, and a sleepy hostel warden opened the door. He explained me that I have to came back at 5:00, they are still closed. I wanted to wait this one hour.

   Through the door I stepped into an oasis of silence, it was very quiet. The lounge looked like a large living room with thick English leather club armchairs and sofas; the many books in the shelves invite the guests to linger longer than intended. The only drops of bitterness came in the form of wooden boxes in which you had to drop coins to connect to the internet. To the defense of the hostel I want to add that I listened to the owner and some employees that they planned to upgrade the equipment.
   Stepping into the room I realized that this was my first bed after my departure from Los Angeles two weeks (!) ago. The room had several bunker beds but as the first in the room I chose a single bed beside the window. It had white bed linen and a white pillow cover with a white blanket and looked very clean to me. I could control the air flow of the window from my bed in case it got to hot. I had my own plug socket where I could load my batteries of the camera.

   But the best of the whole hostel experience was a big lockable bike box behind the building with enough additional space for my bags and my camping gear. I had to put down a deposit of US$ 2.00 which was refunded to me the next morning without problems.

   After I had settled I wanted to wash my clothes. Not far away from the hostel I found a DIY laundry. As one cycle takes 20 minutes I crossed the road and went into a supermarket to buy some supplies. As I returned to the laundry I notice a strong young white man through the glass door who piled up orderly coins on one of the washing mashine. I passed him and had to wait for some minutes until the spin cycle was completes.

   After me a Mexican young man stepped into the laundry. His clothes were washed, with one hand he sorted his clothes, with the other he talked Spanish into the cell phone. Suddenly the young man bad-mouthed him with very dirty words. I immediately noticed that he was mentally disabled and decided to walk with a smile towards the young Mexican  in support. I told him that he should not take this seriously. The Mexican smiled and left the laundry.

   The young white man opened the still running (!) washing machine and took the very wet clothes out of it, changing the floor into a swimming pool. As the only other person in the laundry I had to step in and advised him with a very authoritative voice to “put the wet clothes back in the machine until it is finished!” To my surprise he followed my strong voice, actually bit himself into his forefinger (!), kicked several times (!) against the running washing machine and finally ran out of the laundry with the words “I am in a bad mood, I am in a bad mood!” I was alone now, packed my things and went back to the hostel.

   Back into my room I could observe two police officers arresting three homeless. Behind the hostel there are several empty chairs and tables for tourists but have been seized by the homeless. They have been drunk and bawled so disturbing that one of the neighbors made a report. One cop had leather gloves and asked for their identity, of course they did not have any. The other cop put disposable handcuffs on all three of them while in the police car a German Shepherd barked. Five people, two policemen, three homeless and one barking dog drove away. Tomorrow morning I would run into two of the homeless on my way to the bike box sitting on the same chairs.

   I've met two young British men who rented a car and discovered California with it. We had a lot to exchange...Before I went to sleep a 10:30 I still checked my charger. 

  I had a nice sleep and woke up to open the window in the middle of the night. Maybe I still longed for the lonely nights in Big Sur...Sweet dreams accompanied me thru the night.

http://www.montereyhostel.org/

(to be continued)