Hong Kong / Taipei / Taichung / PingTung / TaiNan / TaiTung / HuanLien / KeLung / ChungLi

Therefore, since we surrounded by such a great cloud of witness, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Dear brothers and sisters around the globe:

My furlough back to Taiwan for 6 weeks has soon come to an end this week. What can I put into words for such an overwhelming experience? The ship's life had been a great blessing for me. However, no matter where I go, there will always be a mission, a special person, or a ministry opportunity for me, same here in Taiwan. Our God is a God who has lots of surprises for ordinary people like us to serve Him. Before I left DOULOS in Catania (Italy), I had set up few goals which I wanted to accomplish in the furlough time; fund-raising, finish a book, lose some weight (!), meet a many friends as I can, take a break and probably hide in the mountains for few weeks. Well, I know it sounds silly but at least I dreamed about these goals. Now it is the time to look back and share a few things with you. What I can say is He got something better for me.

One man DOULOS presentation team

Since the very first day I came home, there were dozens of appointments waiting for me. In a way I am happy to share the awesome stories around the world through my eyes. His kingdom is bigger, better, and stronger. My job (as a PR/TOUR coordinator) on board had equipped me well under all kinds of circumstances. With my parents help (Campus Evangelical Fellowship), a laptop, and OM ships year calendars, I had a tight schedule just representing DOULOS and OM. Not only in the church buildings, Christian Organizations, student fellowships, I was also invited to speak in my own University for Oral translation students, none of them are Christians. There were many of them showed great interests in ship ministries and OM itself. I just pray that will be a healthy link for OM Taiwan office to start off again.

Walk (drive) alone side with the Spiritual Giants

Phillip Yancy (the writer of Where is God when It hurts, How amazing is the Grace?) and his wife came visiting Taiwan at the weekend I arrived. I had a special privilege to host them on their last day in Taiwan. That was actually my second day home! We visited a few places and actually talked through all kinds of issues; politics, basketball, U2, Doulos, C.S. Lewis, Sudan, Asian food, fame, Denver, Chinese Home churches. It was a blessing to really witness a great thinker from a personal point of view.

Lawrence Tong, the director of MV/LOGOS2, also came visiting Taiwan for a weekend. OM Taiwan office held a special meeting at the most well-known Seminary in Taipei with him. That was a great event with so much positive response. The next day I also drove him to visit another Korean mission ship, MV HANNA2 in KeLung port. The international director of Hannah ministry is a Korean pastor Barnabas Park, also an Ex Douloid! With his wife Hannah (the ship was named after her), they had served on board this 1,800 tones ship for many years. Lawrence and both of them had been in the same line-up team in Taiwan almost 2 decades ago. Their reunion was very touching and spoke a lot to me by their loyalty for our God.

Encouragement for future Missionaries, and more

During the few weeks in Taiwan, there were more than 5 people had personal interviews with OM staffs or me. They showed great interests into missions and ships. Each one of them had great passion for serving the Lord. English teachers, university students, and even a retired mechanic engineering professor, they are our potential candidates for ships and even other ministries. Meanwhile, I spoke in many meetings, student chapels, MV Hannah2's morning devotion, and even tonight a Christmas sermon for 300 people. Everywhere I went, I always remind people to fix their eyes on God and his kingdom. Not a person, a figure, or an organization alone, because He is greater than that! Jesus is better. And his kingdom is bigger. A South African brother Leo De Jager (Ex Douloid 2000~2002) had an interesting trip in Taiwan for almost two months. He originally had a desire to serve in Taiwan. However, due to various troublesome experiences with his working permits and visa, he had to fly home few days ago. Through Jason Mandryk , he got my email and we hooked up. He was with me and other OMers in Taipei for couple of days and I also brought him to my home to stay. That was very encouraging to see someone have such passion for mission and really practice it. He has all my blessings, even he didn't make it this time.

Personal delights

Kevin Bidwell (UK), our ministry office coordinator on DOULOS, had warned me that I need to seriously pause a bit. And hey, I do try! Basically, I went to 5 movies a week, started my fitness membership again, spent a lot of time in the cafe shop, and played midnight basketball (street ball) with my buddies twice a week. That was like good old days. And do you know what? The best part is the food. Korean BBQ, Japanese Sushi, Steak Buffet, Thai, night market delights, ShaBU ShaBU hot pots, soy bean drink for breakfast, you name it. My friends! Forget about the potatoes and the bread, we got something better. These were few things which make my draining furlough pleasant. Meanwhile, I have to emphasis my appreciation for all these people I had met and shared. Your encouragement and prayer is the foundation of my mobility. The gift I had received will be under the very best stewardship. Please keep supporting me and OM Taiwan office for the Lord our King in the coming year.

Please pray for:
OM Taiwan office:

Shin Yi (Stancy) just joined OM Taiwan few months ago. And soon she will be the ONLY one operates the office in January. Amelia (Malaysia, x Douloid) who came to give her a hand last two months will be leaving in few weeks. I also pray for a group of volunteers even short termers will come and help in the office. There were a number of people had been challenged but still considering. However, the financial crisis of OM Taiwan is getting into serious trouble. (OK, it is not a crisis. It was never better than that.) For Stancy to be in this heavy burden, I think she needs a lot of prayer and practical support.

The potential candidates for OM ships and other fields:

There will be a sister join OM for North Africa. And many (I can say more than 30!) showed interests to join to ship in the coming years. I took that as an achievement and also a challenge. Where will be these supporting churches if they said "yes, Lord. Send me!" We don't have a healthy home office to equip and orientate these people for the fields. What else I can do if I am leaving in a week?

A supporting team:

My time in Taiwan had achieved my goal to raise the support for the coming year. However, a supporting team has to deal much more than just money. Please pray for the people who are willing and really dedicate their time and passion for something big. I also need an experienced person who can be a mentor for this team.

Time management:

Discipline, flexibility, and motivation to carry on
Positive attitude for serving Him alone:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.

Here is Ray Peng from Taiwan
PS: I will be back to DOULOS on 1st of Jan, 2005. www.raygogo.net

Future Ports of Call - DOULOS

Followed by other Mediterranean ports until March; Horn of Africa until mid May;
East Africa until August; thereafter South East Asia.