A generic post.

Welcome to our room! We reallly feel blessed to have the space we do (in a non-sarcastic kind of way). In case you are wondering (you probably aren't), this is what we look like when we check our email and write our updates:

Matt

John

Bryan - yes, I know he's not on a computer.


Some milestones (in no particular order):

1. First and second loads of laundry, ever. Good thing we have a drier. Otherwise our clothes probably would not dry until the end of summer.

2. First jog - yes, it happened. We've come to the realization that in each of our prior individual lives, we began our housemeetings with a time to "do bills" which functioned as an icebreaker for the more meaty discussions and times of accountability that followed. Since we probably won't have bills to take care of here, a jog will be our icebreaker. Bi-weekly, hopefully.

3. First and second rounds of campus evangelism. Both days we've decided to join the summer team, they've had break days, so we've more or less shared by ourselves. Some of us have realized the pride we carry when we think of how helpless are here and how supposedly "productive/useful" we were back in the states. What ridiculous thoughts - pray for humility and that our trust would be in the Lord alone.

4. Matt and I got cellphones! They cost us 3 US cents with a 2 year contract. (courtesy of Matt, Sanny and Kevin)

5. First snail we saw. How could we not see it? Huge!

Thanks for reading! Thanks for praying! Grace and peace!

A brief update

Greetings friends!

Here are some of the things that have been going on recently in the small island of Taiwan, in a little town called "Taipei," in the lives of three tiny Tentmakers. Thank you for praying for us...rest assured that God has been answering prayers in ways beyond your imagination.

Professors of English
On Monday, John and I both had the privilege of teaching a "demo class" to 7-8 year olds and 10-11 year olds, respectively. These classes were followed by interviews with Gina's current boss, Dana, from a school called "Happy Top." Our assignment was to lead our classes in activities, so John did "Simon Says" and another cool game, and I had the kids play "20 Questions" and some other moderately amusing games. My kids seemed to have a lot of fun and in the end I left the room with this funny feeling...I felt like I kinda actually liked little kids. Oh well, we'll see if a year of rowdiness, screaming, yelling, and kicking won't change that. Speaking for both of us, I think the classes and the interviews went pretty well...we won't find out from Happy Top until the end of July, so we're still going to be job hunting for about a month. Please pray that God would help us find jobs so that we'd be able to work for Him as soon as possible.

Practicing Chinese
Yesterday, Bryan and I learned the "Bopomofo" from Matt Hauck. The Bopomofo is basically a Chinese alphabet. Bryan and I have been learning that it's really valuable to know Chinese out here because most people don't speak English unless they're NTU students, and even then, it's difficult to communicate to most of them without knowing some Chinese. Bless God for the opportunity for Bryan to take Chinese class here and for me to learn Chinese on the side. Pray that God would help us to learn the language with pure motives (that we would seek to learn Chinese in order to advance His kingdom and not to fuel our pride in self-sufficiency).

Physicals
Today, John and I went to the hospital. We weren't sick, we were just getting our required physicals in order to be eligible for work here in Taiwan. Let's just say, they went well. (Thankfully, none of the things that we were afraid we might have to go through happened.)

Pictures

John, me, and Bryan standing outside of the "Green Restaurant." You can't see her but Gina's the one taking the picture. She graciously treated us out to dinner and we had an encouraging conversation together. Just a small reminder for us to praise the Lord for the present tentmaker's faithfulness and service to the body!





"Matt, it seems that Mingi likes the burgers, John likes the watermelon, which scrumptious-ness are you enjoying?" --Jane Na. Answer: Hot pot!



And finally, for old time's sake, here is yet another reason why p.c.'s > mac's. (Edit--You can't bend your screen all the way back on a macbook).

Until next time, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit :)

Pictures

Here are before (left) and after (right) pictures of all three of us. We need photos for basically everything such as ID cards and applications, and they touch up the photos to make us look softer and lighter. Interesting huh? Too bad I got a haircut the next day...










This is the legendary Mega Mac. The literal translation is "the undefeatable big mac." I had two of these yesterday (lunch and dinner, never doing that again) and James Hong ate three in ONE SITTING last night.




I got a haircut and some new glasses. Luke has pictures of me post-haircut pre-glasses. I'm still learning how to style my hair correctly...




We had a gospel party today. Jeff and Dino gave encouraging testimonies about how God saved them, and MattHauck spoke briefly on Matthew 10:37-39. Since pictures of the party might be sensitive material, I'll just show you a picture of John eating the yellow watermelons afterward.





Brief Update

All three of us got over jetlag quickly so thank you for all your prayers. God definitely blessed us with strength to fight through that first day.

I have an orientation for class on June 29, and I start class shortly after on July 2. Until then, I plan to learn the bopomofo system thingie (Sanny will be teaching MattLui and me) and get some ET material prepared. As for the three of us, we intend to go out with the summer team to evangelize this week since we have open schedules right now.

Please pray for us!

plane ticket reserved!

8/7/07 at 1:30am (:

Sad Realization

Everyone gave us so much food we ended up not being able to finish it all. This is John chugging down some dried fruit before we threw the rest of the dried and fresh fruit away. We thank you for the parting gifts! It was unfortunate we could not eat it all before landing. However, we were allowed to take in all the packaged candy and what not you all gave us so that is all with us in the apartment right now.

The sign says no animals and animal products are allowed. We were sad. :( To those who said they would gladly send some carne asada our way, thank you for your hearts.

We're here!

We had a smooth flight with a lot of food. Within an hour or so of getting on the plane, we had "dinner." It must have been our second or third time after those wonderful in n out double doubles. Anyway, the plane landed in Taipei safely and on time, Matt came to greet and pick us up, and we arrived at the apartment in time to unpack and join the rest of the summer team for some praise before heading off to have some time of our own. It looks like all three of us will be living with Matt and Sanny on the 6th floor until the rest of the team leaves. Cozy! For now, we're just settling in.

Pray for energy to get over the jet lag quickly and sweet fellowship amongst the brethren!

That's it for now! =)

See you tonight!

Hey,

My passport came this morning. Cya tonight at the airport! (I won't be able to make it to church for the 7:00 meeting)


- Matt

Tentmaking Down in NTU

Lyrics (sung to the tune of "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" by John Mayer):

We’re not extraordinary people
We’re not exceptionally strong
We’re just four born-again disciples
With hearts that God’s been working on

And now we’re going on our mission
So you can keep us in your prayers
We know wherever Jesus leads us
He’s promised to be with us there

-Chorus-
We’re flying down…
And we’ll miss you, too
We’re flying down…
But we’ll see you soon
This year we’re tentmaking down in NTU

You were the church we learned of Christ from
We are your daughters and your sons
A part of you is going with us
We’ll take it all the way to Taiwan

We’ll make the most of all our talents
We’ll be as faithful as we can
And when the devil tries to snatch us, we know that he won’t catch us
‘Cuz we’re safe in God’s hand

-Chorus-

Oh pray about us, please won’t you? (a few times)
Please pray about us; pray for us
This year we’re tentmaking down in NTU

It’s time to say “goodbye,” I know
Someday soon we’re gonna say “hello.” (a few times)
…my dear we’re tentmaking down in NTU



Quick update: My passport is scheduled to arrive tomorrow (Monday). If for some reason it doesn't, it might still arrive on Tuesday, which is okay b/c I'll be able to make it for my flight (though probably not for the 7:00 meeting at church). If it doesn't show up on Monday or Tuesday, no biggie, I can change my flight and leave a little later. I'll update this as soon as I get the passport. Hopefully, I'll see you guys on Tuesday!

Logistics

I was summoned for jury duty immediately after getting to socal at the end of May. Seeing that envelope provoked thoughts of how annoying it was to deal with this right before leaving. After some time, I realized how convenient it was to get excused for one year right before leaving.

This past weekend, I got accepted into NTNU. It turns out I will arrive in Taiwan the last day of registration to sign up for class.

I went to the Taiwan Consulate today to apply for a visa, and it will be processed and ready for me Tuesday afternoon, 10 hours before my flight.

Praise God for how He is working everything out.