Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Well, I had my first major holiday without family this week. It was good, even without a few days off. Michael told me that he gets sentimental when eating food and I laughed it off as a crazy notion, but once I had my first taste of turkey and my pumpkin pie I realized what he meant. We had a big thanksgiving feast at the Practice Hotel. About 100 Taiwanese came and celebrated with us. I was amazed to see how many came to give thanks and join in on the food eating. I even had apple pie, which I was very thankful for even if it wasn't like Grandma's. Eating that pie, that's what made me miss home the most. Not being able to hear Grandma complain that no one eats her apple pie and threaten not to make it next year, when in fact it's the pie I look forward to the most. I was even able to watch football to round out my thanksgiving week. Technology is amazing. Being able to watch the Packers play football made it feel more like the holidays even if it isn't cold and snowy outside. So as I end this blog, I realize that I have much to be thankful for: good friends, good food, and a roof over my head.

I Think I'm Turning Taiwanese. I Really Think So

I have a funny story about something that happened to me after Wednesday Night Bible study. We had finished and we were having our delicious snack of oranges and I was talking with some of the students when a little girl and her mom showed up to talk with Monica. The girl was amazed that there where Americans there and said 3 Americans in Chinese. All the Americans then noticed that the little girl did not know how to count since there were actually 4 of us. So we said 4 in Chinese. The girl looked confused and counted again, but she didn't point to me when she was counting. That's when someone told me to take off the hat I was wearing. I did. When the girl saw that I did not have black hair like a normal Taiwanese person, she recognized me as American.

And the Lord lifts up my soul

This weekend almost the whole group of missionaries went down to Tiachung for our fall retreat. It was a great weekend of praising God. We had wonderful weather; you just couldn't ask for better weather. I loved all the songs we sang. Even if I don't have the best voice singing just lifts up my spirit. Being able to sing in English with English filling up the room was amazing to hear. We also stayed in the same hotel as the USA baseball team that was in Tiachung for the World Series of baseball. This time was also a great time to get to know some of the other missionaries that I don't see on a regular basis on a more personal level. While I may see them for bible studies, I don't always have time to get to know them personally. This weekend I was able to just let it drop and renew my spirit.

 

The East meets West

I went to a Chinese concert with all the traditional Chinese Instruments. I was told it was one of the best concert groups in Taiwan. While I heard this, I didn't know what to expect since Heidi, the music guru on Team Taiwan, said the the sound was very shrill. All I have to say is the sound was amazing. They played many songs that I did not recognize, but when they played Western songs that I did recognize the Chinese instruments with the cellos, drums and harp gave it a sound that was simply beautiful to hear. The flute duo that I heard was also great. I wish that I would have taped some of it, but they requested no videotaping so I respected that wish.

Back in the Swing of Things

So after a long Hiatus I am finally back with my computer. Today has been busy baking cookies for the Halloween Party at CELA on Monday. Tonight we have a Halloween Party at the Hanson Manor. It should be a good time to just kick back and relax. I am finally feeling more comfortable teaching the 1st grade class. They are starting to listen to me as well! It's is great to have some relationships forming. One in particular is with a student named Stalin. He will come into the CELA office everyday and talk for a little bit. I am usually busy with things so I cannot talk long, but he constantly asks me if I will come to Thrusday night to talk more.
I have also decided to post a picture of some of my E6 students. They are a wild bunch at times, but usually are pretty good.

I'll try to keep you updated more now that I have my computer once again.

If you want to check out YouTube I now have some videos on there as well

In Christ,
Matthew Fick

1st week of School

I just finished my first two days of teaching. While i didn't feel quite at home with the E1 kids (1st grade) I got through it and that's all that matters. My E6 kids (6th Grade) are amazing. I ran into one of them at a book store on Saturday, but she was too shy and didn't want to talk. That is how most of the students are; they are very good in speaking English, but they are too shy to actually speak. I am learning a bit more Chinese not as much as I wish I knew, but enough to order things from restaurants.
I visited a temple yesterday on our bike tour and was amazed at the architecture. It was so ornate and very beautiful. and then I realized everyone worshiping there did not know Christ. It weighed really heavy on my heart and the hearts on the other missionaries as well. We had a prayer after visiting the temple for the people of Taiwan. I ask that you too pray for the people of Taiwan that this tiny island may experience the growth of the Christian church as the disciples at Pentecost experienced. Just thinking that 3,000 could be added to the number of the church in one day is amazing. If that happened during the time of the disciples, I pray that it could happen now.

'til next time. tzi chien.