By Wilson Hung
Wilson Hung (FPC STM in Guogou and Dongshih) Feedback for VGM 8/21/08
This past summer I returned to Taiwan with a team from my home church, Formosan Presbyterian Church in Greater Houston. Our goal is to help the VGM pursue their goal in preaching the Gospel and reaching out to the children and their families in the villages of Taiwan. Although having past experiences from different missions trips to Taiwan and Mexico, this mission trip proved to be tough as well.
After leaving the Houston airport, surviving a long and cramped flight, and traveling 20 plus hours, we finally arrived in Guogou, Taiwan. It had already been an entire day since we left on July 3rd. At first when I arrived there, I remembered how the previous year I had to get used to the living conditions of Taiwan. Likewise, the living conditions such as, the humid mosquito infested heat took a while to adapt to as well as sleeping on hard floors in our new living quarters. Despite the difference of Taiwan facilities and equipment compared to America, it wasn't as bad as I remembered. It was actually better than I thought. By focusing on our work and our purpose to glorify God, it helped me be occupied in what I am supposed to do instead of worrying about needless things such as getting used to different living areas.
When I was preparing the skits and songs along with nine other FPC members at Guogou, I wondered how these new Taiwan members would be like. Later that day, as the new members arrived it was really amusing how we all started to isolate everyone out and forced them to take a picture with us. Taking pictures broke the tension between us as strangers, and since we are from FPC we brought out the Taiwan member's inner crazy selves! The first week at Guogou came to an end faster than I expected and the new week at DongShih began immediately. Just coming from a week with meeting new people I did not feel like meeting more new people; however we all eventually became crazy together as well! At first, for both first and second week, I thought there would be some difficulty getting along with new people, but amazingly everyone was very open and inviting. During the two weeks we all became closer to each other and enduring the same hardships grew stronger relationships with each other as well as God.
Compared to the second week, the first week at Guogou was more difficult for me than at DongShih. I taught first and second grade students, which I thought would be really easy; but that was not the case. At Guogou, it was difficult for me because my class had a child who constantly does things to disrupt the class. In addition to him being disruptive and causing fights with others, there were two other students who did not want to participate and another who would not pay attention causing others to not be attentive as well. At DongShih, I taught older kids which was a good change for me. My class was obedient most of the time, except for one child, Michael. He would constantly disturb the class by yelling rude comments at people or teachers and run out of the room not listening to a word teachers say. Although he may be disobedient or whatnot, he is a child who has been through a lot. It is not only Michael, but many other kids from Guogou and DongShih. These kids help me realize how much Taiwan needs help to spread God's word and light to these children. Many of these children have broken families and difficult pasts. It reminded me why I was there; it was to bring hope to these children assuring them that there is a savior to their problems and sins. Moreover, we taught these children good character and how God wants them to act. Fortunately, Michael and the other kids, had listened and absorbed at least a little of what we wanted to teach them.
I believe that the mission trip to Taiwan this year was a good reminder of why we are here on this earth. It has helped me be aware of how many people need help and how many people need God and His grace. The two weeks in Taiwan have brought me closer to God and his word and helped me realize how much more I can do. In the beginning of the two weeks, leading others in worship seemed like my duty instead of something that I wanted to do; however as the weeks went by I began to feel the desire of worshiping Him and exalting His name. It showed me that even worship is as important as helping these kids find the correct path. It showed me that although we know about God and Christ we need to take action instead of doing nothing. I hope that by teaching these kids and being a part of their life, they will grow to be good followers of Christ and bear good fruit for the Lord; that they too will take action in the future, whether by spreading His word to their families or by teaching what they learned to the kids at school. I definitely will miss all the kids and all the Taiwan members and will never forget this rewarding experience. Although pictures may break the tension between us as strangers, it can also keep memories of us as friends.
