By Gary and Mabel Meade in Taiwan
A few months before the summer camp in Gongguan, Taiwan, we knew we would have a team of three people from the States coming to help. With our local coworkers, we had about seven staff total. But we knew this would not be enough manpower to serve an energetic group of elementary students.
God knew our weaknesses. He amazingly provided us with eight additional young adults, from Taipei, Taichung, and Miaoli, to help with this camp. They brought excitement and good classroom management. Their youth and energy was a real encouragement to our small band of faithful co-workers.
The U.S. team members came from a megachurch and were used to running amazing vacation Bible school programs. How could we carry out a similar program? We live in a small, rural community without all the resources of a large church. Plus, three weeks before the camp, we still didn’t know what we would be doing. What would our daily camp schedule look like? What crafts would we be doing? What role was each person going to play? It seemed that there were more questions than answers.
A week before the camp we got a good picture of what was planned. The U.S. team was bringing all of the crafts and decorations needed for the camp! We only needed to purchase a few items and be responsible for a small portion of the teaching.
The day before camp started, both the local team and the U.S. team met for the first time. About an hour into our orientation, someone from the U.S. team suddenly realized an important piece of luggage was missing – all of the materials for the crafts! The big box was still at the Taipei airport!
God answered immediately as the box was recovered and picked up from the airport that very afternoon. Blessings continued throughout the week!
One of the short-term members, Esther*, came out of a life of wild living and drug abuse. Her life was a real mess until she met Jesus. During her time in Taiwan, Esther was invited to visit a drug user, Bella, whose recent injuries from a car accident have left her homebound. God had really prepared this woman’s heart. After hearing Esther’s testimony, Bella accepted Jesus as her personal Savior!
During the camp we had opportunities to teach the kids English. We also did a “tour” of four different countries to learn some interesting facts about these places. Some kids said that they did not like to learn English before, but now they think it is not as difficult. Two students will come to our Saturday English class as a result! We are looking forward to more opportunities to share Christ with them.
One afternoon, the school director came in to take pictures and observe the class. He told our camp director that he was very impressed with how much the students had learned about the countries; they learned things that he did not know himself. We have earned our right to be back in that school to do more kingdom work!
Read more stories of how God is changing lives in Taiwan
'Tell me your secret': When the Garridos arrived from the Philippines, their landlady in Taiwan started acting strangely. Turns out, she wanted to know their source of peace and joy, and they were eager to share.
Lost for 45 years: Guanfu Church in Taiwan celebrates its first baptism.
Louis' story: No one thought Louis would be the first to trust Christ and be baptized.
*Not her real name
