On our hike, we met a guy who we later named Luke. We started talking, thanks to Nicole our translator, and soon dad moved the conversation to Jesus. We had given him a copy of the book of Luke, and a flier with our story in Taiwanese on it, and he asked for another copy of the book of Luke for his friend, who’s a Christian. Dad asked if he had ever heard the story of Jesus before, and he said no. It broke my heart that he has a friend who is a Christian, but had never heard the Gospel. But how often does this happen even in the US?
The man did not put faith in Jesus, and said he did not believe in God, but he was attentive and listened as dad shared the Gospel.
We had a short break, but it was not much of a break for me. I prepared some music for the night, where we were going to a college campus to help in a class that uses the Bible to help people with their English. Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences was the name of the college.
We did some music, and then we split into groups, and each of us on the mission team were given a lesson plan for some ideas to begin conversation. We were supposed to talk in the group for an hour. What seemed like a hard thing (an hour?!) went by so fast.
After small talk, talking about friends, hobbies, stuff like that, we focused on Proverbs 18:24, which says some friends are more loyal than brothers. We talked about what this means, and each of us leading groups, in our own ways, used this to bridge the conversation to Jesus. First, I told them about my brother, Seth, and how he is my best friend. After everyone shared, I told them I had a friend that was different than my other friends because I can’t see Him, can’t shake His hand, but His presence is with me, and told them He was Jesus. I asked if they were Christians, and none of them were (but my translator, Pei, was, and she was a huge blessing!). I then pulled out my evangecube and explained I used it to tell people about Jesus here in Taiwan because sometimes, since I don’t speak the native language and people are still learning English, pictures help my conversations.
I presented the story of Jesus to them, that He came to die for our wrongs, and if we have faith in Him, He can wipe away those wrongs because of His death on the cross, and His coming back to life. I asked them what they thought, and told them to be honest.
They seemed reserved to answer, and so I told them I was ok with hearing honest responses. I told them I pastured a church of students mostly their age, and talk with people, some who don’t believe, some who have just recently believed, and some who have believed for a long time. I told them I also lived with several guys, some who don’t believe, some who are kinda new believers, and some who have believed for a while, and I have honest conversations with them. After hearing this, I think they were more comfortable being honest. Karen (English name) told me she believed Jesus came, and she believers Jesus spirit can help us in life, but she finds it hard to believe in Jesus coming back to life. I told her that was a good question, and explained how many people wrote the bible, and those that wrote it said that they saw Jesus, that He was alive again, so alive they could touch and feel Him, and they later died saying this. I told them I don’t think they would die for something they knew was a lie. And so I believe Jesus came to life. I think they understood (thank you Pei for your translating!). And so, after this, Pei wanted to share her story of how she became a Christian. She spoke and I had no idea what she was saying, but every once in a while, she’d use an English phrase (bless her!) so that I would know where she was.
After all of this, I told them that if they believed this story, they should tell some other people who believe, but if they don’t believe, that’s okay too. I told them that I think they should keep asking questions and searching for truth, and I believe they will find that in Jesus, but sometimes that takes time. It ended fun, and we all got pictures together and exchanged emails because I told them I wanted friend in Taiwan and would love to keep in touch.
But here’s the kicker to this story. Song, the guy in our group, sent me an email, and in his email he said this:
Hi Nate,
I'm Song. Wellcome to Taiwan.
Taiwan is a good place, I wish you will love it.
Thank you told me the story about Jesus today.
Now I don’t believe it, but maybe I do in the future.
You are good looking man and your guitar play very good!
Nice to meet you!”
I think part of my mission, part of what I desire to do, is to provoke people to search for more. Pray for Song. Pray that one day he has faith in Jesus to wash away his wrongs. And pray for Karen, Lisa, and Carol, the other people in my group. Pray the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to His truth. I’m thankful I serve the God who says, “light shall shine out of darkness.”
After the meeting was over, some of the people, though none from my group, went out to eat and had a good time just hanging out. And I’d like to add that Eddie, one of the guys in my dad’s group, told me I was good with chopsticks! I must admit, it went to my head, but as soon as it did, I was leaning back in my chair and fell down! Haha! I believe in a literal translation of Scripture – prideth cometh beforeth the falleth… haha…
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