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Taiwan makes an impression

This year was the first time the GMO managed to put a team together to participate in the “I Love Taiwan Mission – Training in Mission” Youth Conference organised by the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan. Atitala and Emily were joined by Sina Fatialofa and Hannah Norton on this journey into the “great unknown”.

Held from 28 June-14 July, the programme started with a three-day orientation. This included ice-breaking activities, worship, the history of Presbyterian missions in Taiwan, and a sending service where the core staff washed our feet. We also lit candles and placed them onto a map of Taiwan before we separated into local villages. Atitala says that “watching the staff wash our feet was an act of Jesus Christ and for me it was an emotional, lasting moment”.

Joshua 1:9 summed it up for us as we were going into the unexpected: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. Atitala went to Chun Rih village in Pintung County, south of Taiwan.

“The hot and sticky humidity felt like a blanket on fire smothering me! To top this off, everyone was half my size. One of my most memorable experiences was when the young people each shared their feelings of us being in their lives. I didn’t realise what an impact I was to them.”

Emily went to Wu-tan village, also in the Pintung County. “The kids were captivated by my skin colour and my blue eyes, constantly staring at me and touching me. One day when we walked to the waterhole they would try and pull me into the shade to keep me from the sun because to them white is beautiful. But to their confusion I wanted to stay in the sun! Why? So I could get a tan! Obviously!”

“Many of the kids don’t have parents living with them because they are away in the cities working for long periods at a time. So often the kids would wait for us at 6 o’clock in the morning, hang around us all day and not go home till almost 12 o’clock at night. This was exhausting! They just didn’t have parents to go home to, maybe grandparents but it was us and extended family that looked after them. There was a real sense of community especially among the church people where these gorgeous children felt safe and secure.”

We were both lucky to be in an aboriginal village and experiencing their unique culture. We learnt a lot about ourselves and were presented with many challenges that stretched us beyond our perceived limits. The weather was scorching, we felt sticky and stinky from the humidity, the limited communication was frustrating, the food was oily and bland, and the toilets were unbearable.

However, we learnt to be joyful and appreciative because our effects were nothing compared to what Jesus went through. It was really tough, but engaging with the kids and seeing their faces light up was priceless.

Atitala Ah Yek & Emily Broughton