Environmental Revolution

The tide is turning.

We are no longer to be oppressed by a world polluted from outdated factory emissions, exhaust pipes, and destructive cigarettes.

The future is here.

Why? Because I can see it. I see awareness spread over the internet. I see higher standards for factories and cars, and I see less tolerance for polluted streets and asthma attacks.

I see public buses running on electricity, buildings powered by the sun and wind, and electric car sharing systems.

It is the start of a new future, a clear future where we try to take back what we destroyed.

So don't tell me the need for a car anymore because I'm dreaming of something much better and they can't kill this dream: it has too much momentum behind it.

It's hope I have and hope is not easy to squash.

Think of solar powered transportation networks running 24 hours that makes cars unattractive and unusable.

Think of a skyscraper made of recycled materials with only vegetables grown hydroponically.

Think of cities as quiet as the country where each breath brings life to your soul instead of death.

It's no longer a dream in someones head anymore. It's no longer the future. It's ours, here and now. Let's stop living like we need to destroy the environment and our health to survive.

Let's take hold of what is right before us and live like we are the next generation to bring an environmental revolution to the planet.

We are fighting for the right for fresh air, safe transportation, and poison-free food.

It is our original gift given by God that we tainted and destroyed, but we still have the power to take it back!

Don't stand any longer for pollution and poison as integral parts of our life. Let's deny the world a life of poison and give them what it was meant for: the fullness of life.

The Next Line in the Chapter

I stumble over my words. I'm lost.

The classroom turns silent.

I see every child; no one is looking.

Not one is listening.

Two girls are whispering in Chinese. A boy is playing with his eraser like it's a toy car. Half the students are on the wrong page and even the girl I spent so much time with after class puts her head back; mouth wide open with a blank stare.

Sweat beads up on my neck as a lump grows in my throat. I want to run out of the classroom, go home and admit I can't do it.

What am I doing here?

But my co-teacher has been reading the entire situation. She has the next sentence in the story line of my lesson. She reads it out loud.

It's that simple, short formula from her years of teaching that brings everything together.

It's exactly what I need to get back on track

Eyes perk up.

Chairs stop rocking.

Lights start flashing and that girl I've spent so much time helping repeats the formula as if to say, 'I get it now! I understand!'

My experience teaching has been like a new story line in my life where my co-workers are constantly giving me the next sentence; the next line in the chapter.

It's when our pages are open to each other that we can fill them with the wisdom, encourage, and tough lessons from those around us: teachers and children.

As teachers, we are here as a team, completing the chapters in our own life, and sharing our stories as we go, teach, and continue to travel into the next edition: the sequel not yet written.

And it's the same for our kids. We are now a part of their story; their book, as they are ours, and none of it will go unpublished.

It is our responsibility, our legacy, and our joy.

Thank you and God Bless!

Why Do Foreigners Choose Taiwan?

Disclaimer: Foreigners in Taiwan are not accurate representatives of their native country and should not be used to assume, imply, or understand anything about that country. Thank you and enjoy the post.

The most common question a foreigner gets in Taiwan...

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TAIWAN?

Here are TEN reasons that foreigners come to your beautiful country.

1) The Food: Stinky Tofu and Pig's Feet!

2) Layovers: Does this count as visiting Taiwan?

3) We thought it was Thailand: Turns out it's not!

4) Mission Work: Way more than those white guys in suits handing out pamphlets!

5) Friends are doing it: It's for the cool experience! (And Japan was too expensive.)

6) Family is Taiwanese: Don't forget we love to marry Taiwanese girls ;)

7) Learn Chinese: Why do I have to learn those traditional characters? Ugh!

8) See the World: Taiwan... CHECK!

9) Interest in Asian culture: Asian Geeks, stay away at all costs. (just kidding)

10) Money: No jobs at home. It's that simple.

And finally... Maybe We Just Like It. Sorry if that's not enough, but it's enough for us!

Peace!

I'm Willing to Wait (What's so Good about Taiwan)

Imagine you are craving duck so you hit the streets scouring everywhere for a stand that sells it, and lucky enough, you find two, right next to each other.

You're so happy but you don't know which one is better because you never tried them before, so what should you do?

Think about it...

If you say, "I'm so hungry, I'll just choose the shorter line because they are probably about the same anyway," I'll guess that you aren't Taiwanese.

If you are Taiwanese you might say, "I want the one that tastes better so I'll choose the longer line since that must indicate the better flavor."

Taiwanese are willing to wait in really long lines. Two or three hours isn't a problem. They first buy some snacks and then eat while they wait. In two hours they can eat the most delicious duck! They will be really courteous and patient while waiting too because They are eagerly expecting that delicious duck. After one delicious bite, they'll think it's so worth it!

Next time they'll come a little earlier though, so they don't have to wait that long.


對街友的反應 (真故事) Our Response to the Homeless (True Story)

有兩個人看到一個街友躺在地上.
Two people saw a homeless friend laying on the ground.

第一個人問街友, "有需要嗎?"
The first asked him, "Do you need anything?"

第二個人在後面跟他朋友聊天.
The second was behind them talking to his friend.

街友說, "餓了" 所以第一個人買便當給街友吃.
The homeless friend said he was hungry, so the first person bought him a meal.

街友在吃飯的時候, 第二個人叫第一個人過來.
As the homeless friend was eating, the second person called the first person over to him.

因為第一個人在幫助街友打開便當, 他不要理第二個人.
Since the first person was helping the homeless friend open his meal, he just ignored the second person.

第二個人繼續叫他, 所以第一個人去問他, "怎麼了?"
The second person kept on calling though, so finally the first person went over and asked him what he wanted.

第二個人說, "那個街友是騙人, 不用給他幫助, 他是騙人."
The second person said, "That homeless guy is trying to cheat you. Don't help him, he's a cheater."

第一個人回答說, "他是不是騙人我不在乎. 他的狀況很可憐. 他值得幫助."
The first person answered and said, "Whether or not he's a cheater, I don't care. His situation is desperate. He deserves help."

第二個人不斷的說, "他就是騙人."
The second person kept repeating, "He's a cheater."

第一個人再回答, "我一前也是騙人而我的狀況也很可憐, 但是耶穌拯救我, 所以我的生命改變了. 那個街友也值得幫助因為他是個人. 我們都是神的孩子, 我們都需要水, 食物, 衣服, 跟房子, 這些都是基本的. 所以如果他騙我, 我不在乎. 我一樣要幫助他."
The first person again answered, "I was once a cheater and my situation was desperate as well, but Jesus saved me, so my whole life changed. That homeless friend deserves help simply because he's a person. We are all God's children and we all need water, food, clothes, and shelter. These are basic needs. If he is a cheater, I don't care. I will help him all the same.

第二個人問他, "你是基督徒嗎?"
The second person asked the first person, "Are you a Christian?"

"對阿, 我是基督徒."
"Yes, I am a Christian."

然後第二個人馬上改題目而走了.
Then, the second person changed the subject and walked away.

這兩個人有完全不一樣的想法.
These two people have completely different ideologies.

第一個人相信每一個人都值得恩典, 再一次機會, 跟基本的生活.
The first person believes that every person deserves grace, another chance, and our basic human needs.

第二個人相信騙人就是騙人, 他們沒辦法改變而且他們是罪人, 不值得幫助.
The second person believes that cheaters are cheaters. They don't change, they are always going to be sinners who don't deserve our help.

如果我們都看自己的心理面, 我們每一個人會承認, 我們都是騙人, 但神是愛, 祂繼續選擇幫助我們, 愛我們, 而給我們在一次的機會.
If we look at our own hearts, we will all be forced to admit that we are all cheaters, but God is love and he continues to choose to help us, love us, and give us another chance.

祝大家平安! 可以思考自己的想法. 感謝神我們每天都接受更多恩典.
Bless you all! You can think about your own ideology. Thank God that we can receive more grace each and every day.

颱風 Typhoon

Though it may wreak destruction, there is a undeniable beauty to it.

Rain that flies upward, spitting into the air in mad steam, while thick frosted hail streams down only to be blown apart by a fierce gust of wind and split into seven white flakes of snow.

Wind and water are thrown and driven across the sky. The wind is so strong you can see a white foam dancing through it and the rain so dispersed it flies in every direction, yet remains just as thick as a torrential downpour.

Trees bend under its power and buildings shake. Random objects are scattered in the skyline, flying and crashing against walls. The constant breaking brings your imagination to piece together every outcome.

It has a terrific sound, hissing and whistling in the peak of its fury. A red sky warns of danger; a restless storm refusing to slow.

It is a madness and a beauty; an unrelenting emotionless force long awaited for since its news of arrival and much too long overstayed.

Not just precipitation and wind, it is a power birthed from the sea and housed in the sky.

Typhoon.


耶穌跟翼龍 Jesus and the Pterodactyl

有一天我問神我的明天會怎麼樣.
One day I asked God a question: What will tomorrow be like?

突然我抬頭看到一些翼龍的,
     這個翼龍代表神給我的創意而提醒我聖經跟聖靈每天帶領我.
Suddenly I looked up and saw some clouds that looked like a pterodactyl. This symbolized the creativity God gave me and reminded me that the Bible and Holy Spirit lead me every day.

跟隨耶穌不一定決定我有甚麼樣的未來但祂還是我的神.
Following Jesus doesn't guarantee us a certain kind of future, but He is still my God.

耶穌為我們而死在十字架因為祂要赦免我們,釋放我們,和給我們力量,盼望,跟無條件的愛.
Jesus died for us on the cross to forgive us, set us free, and give us power, hope, and unconditional love.

祂先尋找我們,不是我們先尋找祂.
     現在你也會經驗祂的平安.這個平安不用解釋,你就需要接受而已 .
God first sought after us, it wasn't us who first sought after God. Right now, you also can experience His peace. This peace doesn't need an explanation, it just needs to be accepted.

如果你信基督你也會遇見. 不是智慧而已,這是一個甜蜜的好關系.
If you believe the Christ you will also experience him. It's not just knowing about him, it's an intimate relationship with him.

神是靈. 聖靈會遇見你. 你真的會感覺到祂的同在而你的生命會改變.
God is spirit. The Holy Spirit will meet you and you will really be able to feel his presence, and then your life will be changed.

祂已經認識你而知道你需要甚麼.
God already knows you and knows what you need.

如果你要跟神有關係就禱告說...
If you want to have a relationship with God, just pray this...

天父,我要認識你,我相信祢真的愛我.我要祢透過耶穌的寶血釋放我,赦免我,跟使用我!領導我,讓我所有的生命像你得到平安,真理,命定,醫治, 自由,無條件的愛!
Father in heaven, I want to know you. I believe that you love me. I want you, through the blood of Jesus, to set me free, forgive me, and use my life for your glory. Lead me and let my life look like you, full of peace, truth, purpose, healing, freedom, and unconditional love!

我們的生命可以像那個龍:
     很創意的,很自由的,而會飛起來.
Our life can resemble that pterodactyl: Creative, Free, and Soaring through the sky.

REFLECTions of(f) the MOON

There's a moon over my shoulders.

But what's casting the shadow over the moon?

Long skinny branches, frail and dry, leave a searing imprint on the dark glowing craters.

Three humps on a camel.
A hiss from a snake preyed on from above.
Two small valleys hold twin owls; eyes as large as eagles flying under the moon.

Long fur hides, course and fettered, drawn over the eyes to make a new creature of the night.

Flames soar up from fermented fruits. Searing heat burning hair.

The fast synchronized dancing accelerates in velocity, inflaming fire with impassioned chanting.

The owls flow between humps, extending claws, and swooping down to dancing madness.

The hiss from the fire gets louder, anticipating the fury under the moon.

The eggs are laid.
It's done.

The branch snaps in two.
The fur goes up in flame.
Each hump falls flat and the prey is caught in sharp talons.

The night is quiet.

A simple sweet kiss drops in a pond, emitting calm ripples in shining reflection from the moon underneath.