Taiwan 2010

Team Taiwan final blog post:

Written by Matt Adams Tuesday, 20 July 2010 11:04

Hey everyone! We had such a blast in Taiwan! Our team was truly blessed by great people and and great ministry. So many times we heard stories of people's lives being changed by the power of God through our music and testimony. As messengers for Christ, we don't often get to see and hear directly how our ministry goes over until a while later or even not at all. That was not the case for us a lot of the time, we were blessed time and time again with people sharing with us the impact we had on the lives of people around us. God is so good

There was one specific time I remember when God showed us how He was moving through what we did, regardless of how bad we thought we did. Our very first concert in Taiwan was one I'll never forget. Being our first concert in almost a week, we performed at a level that was less than what we were capable of. I was a little bit discouraged by this because I felt like we weren't using our opportunity for ministry as well as we could have. We were supposed to be reaching out to people to help a church and I thought there was no way we were doing that.  Fast forward a few days, we played at that same place. We were informed that our previous concert there had spurred on 7 decisions either to start a relationship with Christ or to attending the church. Mind blown God. At a time when I thought I had failed God took over and made great things happen. Over our time in Taiwan, a key verse for team Taiwan was 2 Corinthians 12:9 where God says "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness". I pray that all who read this understand that God is so powerful, even when we think we have failed He is so faithful to use whatever we give to Him. Praise God!

Last update from Taiwan

Written by Lesley Denford Tuesday, 13 July 2010 09:39

Greetings from sunny Taiwan!

I can't believe that in 24 hours, we will be at the airport waiting to fly back home. The last 3 weeks have been incredible, and I know I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say that we have been so blessed to be here and be part of YWAM's ministry in Taiwan.

We've had a busy time, and today was our first day off since we got here! We've been playing concerts this past week at elementary schools, churches, and outdoor malls, and we've spent a ton of time on the MRT and on trains to get to where we need to be. (The team has gotten very good at napping while sitting up or standing!) The people we've met have been so gracious and welcoming, and it's so cool to see how God is using His people here to reach out to those who don't yet know Christ.  

We played a concert at YWAM's The Rock last Friday night, and had some pretty cool ministry stuff happen. There was a girl who had just started going to The Rock the week before, and while she wasn't quite ready to accept Jesus, she had a lot of questions that she was asking Cathy, one of the YWAM-ers. This girl was unhappy with being Buddhist, and had been checking out other religions but was still unsatisfied. She told Cathy that she didn't want to just believe what she was told to by her friends or family - she was seeking the truth. During our concert that night she sat in the front row, listening eagerly. That night, Grace shared her testimony. Grace's words really touched this girl, and she broke down in tears while Grace was speaking. After the concert Grace and Cathy sat and talked with her and shared the gospel. They both felt that this was going to be the night. During their conversation, Cathy and Grace boldly asked her if she was ready to accept Jesus, and SHE SAID YES! I heard this from across the room - Cathy and Grace cheered so loudly for her! What an awesome thing to be a part of. And what I think is so wonderful about this is that this girl got saved through many people and many ministries working together. God doesn't call us to do this alone - it is not our burden to singlehandedly change the world. He uses each and every one of us for His purposes and His glory, and uses each of our strengths and talents to be part of something much bigger than we could ever do alone. Awesomesauce!

Thanks for all your prayers from back home. We really do feel them here! Here's what the team has to say this week:

• AARON - God is good. See you soon.
• GRACE - I'm coming home!! We have lots to talk about. Be prepared.
• SARAH - Last day in Taiwan. *tear* I'm so excited to go back home. I have battle scars from fighting the mosquitoes.
• RACHEL H - I can't wait to see you! It's so sad that we are leaving Taiwan soon. I've got lots of pictures for you. God bless!
• JEFF - God has done great things since we've been here, and i know He'll continue after we're gone. I'm gonna miss Taiwan though. Be home soon!
• LINDSEY - This experience has been so eye-opening and amazing! I can't wait to see everyone at home and share stories. Love each of you so much!
• TICO - I loved the trip. I am going back home soon! Wait for some amazing stories!
• ANDY - Happy birthday Christy!
• WES - Coming home. Woot! I miss everyone! Overwhelmed with stories. Miss Facebook! Miss my bed! I'll miss you Taiwan!
• RACHEL S - God is so good! Be ready for some wonderful story time.
• BRANDON - God is good! Can't wait to tell you guys everything!
• MATT - Praise God!
• LESLEY - I can't believe we're seeing real things happen through our ministry. Not only are we here planting seeds, we're getting to see some of the harvest. How totally rad is that! God is good. Be home soon! (2 DAYS!! Eek!)

See you all soon! Much love from Taiwan.

-Lesley

Update from Taiwan

Written by Lesley Denford Wednesday, 07 July 2010 08:48

Hello friends, families, and wonderful supporters!

We've had lots of early mornings and busy days, and God has been using our team for some awesome ministry! 

This past week we've played concerts at elementary schools, churches, outdoor shopping centers, hospitals, and juvenile detention centers. We've gotten to speak and sing boldly of God's love and share that with the people of Taiwan, and it's been so cool to see what God's been doing in the lives of people here. We've been fortunate to be able to direct a lot of people we've met on the streets to The Rock, YWAM's outreach coffee bar in Danshui, and I know that the YWAM staff will continue to walk with these people as they get to know the Lord.

We've been SO busy (out the door by 7:30 every day this week, and gone until late evening) and everyone is totally exhausted, but through it all the team is so willing to be flexible and serve, and they've been so awesome to work with. We're definitely at the point where it's getting tougher, but I've really seen them hold each other accountable and remind them of what they've committed to.

Please pray for our team over the next week - we only have 5 days of concerts left! Here are some specific prayer requests:

• For health - This is the point in the trip where the early mornings and long days are starting to get to us, and some health issues have been affecting the team.  Please pray for healing and good health so we can finish strong!
• For energy - no doubt about it, we're tired. And while everyone has had really great attitudes and has been giving every day their all, we need God to be our source of strength, energy, and life so that we'll have what we need to pour out His love on the people here.
• For the people we have ministered to, and those who we will be ministering to. It's so amazing that even though most places we play aren't Christian organizations, they are so willing and open to our message. The people of Taiwan are so thirsty for God's love. Pray that they would hear about it, receive it, and know it!
• For YWAM Taipei - they are doing incredible things here. Please pray specifically for Mayi, Nash, Phoebe, Esther, and Cathy - these are the translators we've been working with, and they are so committed to ministry and have been such a blessing to us!

Thanks for all your prayers and support. We wouldn't be here doing what we're doing without you! The team has some updates for you too:

AARON - Sweaty. Sleepy. Need a slurpie. God is good.

GRACE - I can't believe we're over halfway done and that I'm coming home soon. I'm really excited to tell you guys all about what's been going on here. See you soon! PS. They were flea bites, not mosquitoes. Yeah. I got fleas in Taiwan...stop laughing.

SARAH - Doing pretty awesome! Thank you so much for prayers and support.  I love you guys!

RACHEL H - I can't believe we only have like 2 weeks left! I love you guys all so much! I'm excited to see you guys, but it is really awesome here. God has been completely faithful through it all. I love Taiwan, but I've never sweated this much before in my life.

JEFF - Hey guys! Doing well, I got my halfway done cards and they were great! Thanks! Hope 4th of July was fun, we didn't get to celebrate it or Canada day, but we're having fun. See you soon!

LINDSEY - Hey family and friends! I love and miss each of you. I can't believe it's almost time to be home with you all. I got all of my sweet notes yesterday. THANK YOU! They made me very happy. Corey, you're awesome! :) Praying for a blind man as well. God is so good! See you all soon. Love y'all so much.

TICO - Even when I was through hard times, God has been faithful. I am encouraged by the "surprise" letters. I can't wait to see how God is going to use me for the rest of the trip. Plus, pineapple juice FTW! I am doing well. Pray for me more!

ANDY - 2 Corinthians 12:9 sums up what I've seen so far. His grace is sufficient. We are made strong when we're weak. God does the unexpected. The first are last and the last are first. Praise God!

WES - Hey everyone! This is the home stretch. God has been amazing to us and will continue to be. Pray that we finish strong with as much passion and energy as we had in the beginning and even more. I'm so encouraged by the community I've experienced here at YWAM Taiwan. Continue to pray for the ministry here in Taiwan and that the lost will return and His glory will be shown here on earth. Thank you so much to the church in Zhong Li. We will miss you guys so much! Happy Canada day!

RACHEL S - God is so good! I really can't believe that the time here is almost done. I'm excited to share all that God has done this summer. Love you guys! See you soon! PS. Family - I broke the trend. I haven't gotten really sick! And Chelsea Tea - I love you, you made my day!

BRANDON - We're past the halfway mark, so crazy. Our trip is still going well. Can't wait to see you guys when I get back. Shout out to everyone back at home!

MATT - Praise God!

LESLEY - Psalm 90:14 says "Oh, satisfy us early with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!" This has been my prayer every morning. God is good, and he satisfies! (PS. Jeff, Carrie, Nicola, and Laura - thanks for your wonderful cards and letters! You guys have really brightened my days here.)

Much love on behalf of Team Taiwan. See you all in a week! :D

- Lesley.

Team Taiwan Ministry Update

Written by Paul Vasilko Thursday, 01 July 2010 08:32