It's been another crazy busy week in Xinzhu! Today we are going to the amusement park. Sister Bain's (my trainer and Sister Training Leader) new companion, Sister Li who is Taiwanese, said it's her most favorite amusement park in Taiwan. I heard it was built in a way like Disneyland. I am scared stiff because I'm pretty much the only one that absolutely is terrified of roller coasters, and I can't be without my companion who likes roller coasters. Please pray that there will be another sister missionary who is coming that is also afraid so that we can be together for the day. I might have to ride roller coasters today, I will let you know if I survived next week.
Tomorrow will be my official halfway mark on my mission! I entered the MTC on January 6, and go home around the end of July. Man, time flies! I am on my fifth transfer which is crazy! I am still with Sister Cullen, who I broke last transfer. This will be my third transfer in Xinzhu. I am excited, we are working a lot with members.
This week I finally got a new kickstand! It's been about 6 weeks since mine broke, but a nearby bike shop owned by a members came up and said he ordered new kickstands (since me and Sister Bain, who has had a broken kickstand for almost a year) since we keep asking him and I guess other people wanted some as well. We also got lights for our bikes, so we look shnazzy as we bike to places at night.
Miracles
So you all know about the new rule here where if we teach guys we give them to the elders and vice versa? Well, because of that, we have been focusing on women, and especially, families. I've hadn't realized how many guys we teach until now. It's been a good change, because we realized how much we need to focus on families (and we don't have to worry about having female members help come to lessons because we can't teach males without a female or two other males).
A new park recently opened, and there were a ton of families! We went there and met with a dad and nine-year-old daughter, who both came to church with us! Also, since we had to help our recent convert (Filipino sister) go to Sacrament at 9:20 am, we spent that time between the other church time and our church time at 1:30 getting ready for the investigators coming, and then went to this same park. An hour before church, we also invited another dad and his seven-year-old daughter to come to church, and they came an hour later! Both girls went to church and had a great time! Even both dads at the end of church said they felt peaceful. Turns out the seven-year-old girl doesn't have a mother (either left the picture or died, probably the former), and frequently asks her dad why she doesn't have a mom. In addition, the dad is in poor health and busy with work which includes traveling to China. The dad of the nine-year-old looked sad the whole time at church. When we went to primary with the girls, the nine-year-old told us that her mom is very busy at work (which is why she didn't go to church with them), and because she is busy her parents fight at home. It was very sad to see both girls come from broken homes and families, but I was so glad we had the opportunity to bring them to church to at least bring them some happiness (by being with the other primary kids, learning about Christ and being in a safe, happy atmosphere) and peace to their dads. The seven-year-old looked quiet and scared at first, but after Sunday School class, she looked so much happier and had made new friends. Both dads are willing to meet with us.
A new park recently opened, and there were a ton of families! We went there and met with a dad and nine-year-old daughter, who both came to church with us! Also, since we had to help our recent convert (Filipino sister) go to Sacrament at 9:20 am, we spent that time between the other church time and our church time at 1:30 getting ready for the investigators coming, and then went to this same park. An hour before church, we also invited another dad and his seven-year-old daughter to come to church, and they came an hour later! Both girls went to church and had a great time! Even both dads at the end of church said they felt peaceful. Turns out the seven-year-old girl doesn't have a mother (either left the picture or died, probably the former), and frequently asks her dad why she doesn't have a mom. In addition, the dad is in poor health and busy with work which includes traveling to China. The dad of the nine-year-old looked sad the whole time at church. When we went to primary with the girls, the nine-year-old told us that her mom is very busy at work (which is why she didn't go to church with them), and because she is busy her parents fight at home. It was very sad to see both girls come from broken homes and families, but I was so glad we had the opportunity to bring them to church to at least bring them some happiness (by being with the other primary kids, learning about Christ and being in a safe, happy atmosphere) and peace to their dads. The seven-year-old looked quiet and scared at first, but after Sunday School class, she looked so much happier and had made new friends. Both dads are willing to meet with us.
Funny Story/Miracle:
So we were with the zone leaders at the bishop's house (since we are in the same ward) visiting his family (his 11-year-old son is so great, when we asked for referrals he quickly stated his best friend, Howard, from English class. He is such a great example about wanting to share the gospel). At the end of the visit, we had to leave quickly since we live far away, its dark and rainy and we had to be home on time (especially since we lately been having lessons with members with the zone leaders and they don't live as far away or have to tell the district leader what time they're home, so we have been late a few times and our district leader is not as happy about it. Before we left, the bishop and his wife gave us yellow watermelon and Star Wars cookies. And then, the zone leaders started taking pictures with bishop and his family with Star Wars cookies! While we were hurrying out the door, they were still there taking pics!
On the way home, we prayed we'd get home on time. It seemed impossible, it usually takes longer, and add the fact it was raining and dark which made it harder, BUT SOMEHOW, we made it home on time. God blessed us to be home on time and got home faster than usual. When the district leader called to see if we were home, he was like, "Where are the zone leaders?" My companion was like, "taking pictures with bishop holding Star Wars cookies."
We see a few white people here and there in Xinzhu, which is freaky. I can't tell you the number of times other missionaries in my district said, "I am so glad I'm not serving in America, I don't think I can teach white people." I agree, the Taiwanese are very nice people. I don't think I could teach white people.
At Big City (a big mall in our area), when my comp and I and the district leader and his companion were crossing the street and we would see white people and just stare at them, and be like,"White people," or as the Taiwanese say, "Waiguoren!" (foreigners) And then we realize we are waiguoren too! I guess we are just with the Taiwanese so much we think we are Taiwanese.
At Big City (a big mall in our area), when my comp and I and the district leader and his companion were crossing the street and we would see white people and just stare at them, and be like,"White people," or as the Taiwanese say, "Waiguoren!" (foreigners) And then we realize we are waiguoren too! I guess we are just with the Taiwanese so much we think we are Taiwanese.
Cultural Facts:
**Right now is the moon festival or mid-autumn festival. I see pictures of a bunny and the moon everywhere. We have been getting a lot of moon cakes lately, which are filled with red bean paste and egg. I like it except the egg part, which is too salty.
**The garbage truck sounds like an ice cream truck. Everybody just comes outside when it comes and gives them their garbage. Here's a link to a video of it: Taiwan Garbage Truck Pick up
**To avoid cockroaches, we put food trash in the fridge to keep them from getting into it.
**We can't write names in red because it is considered unlucky.
**At church, they say, Di xionng, jie mei men, zao an (or wu an) for Brothers and sisters, good morning (or good afternoon). It was started a long time ago by an Elder from Hawaii serving in Taiwan. He tried getting them to say aloha in church, but it didn't work, so he got them to say that and it stuck ever since.
**They have 7/11, Hi Lifes and Family Marts everywhere. They are a cleaner version of a gas station fast food shop. They don't sell gas, but just drinks, food and other stuff. You can also pay your bills here and buy train and bus tickets, and pay your parking fees. They are very convenient stores!
**Unless you it's a shirt from school or a club or some special event, the lettering on t-shirts is mostly in English. Also, a ton of business signs are in English. Most are both in Chinese and English, but some really fancy ones just have English and no Chinese, and the poorer, smaller businesses are Chinese only.
**English schools ARE EVERYWHERE!
**School is brutal here! They only have a month and a half of summer vacation (some still go to summer school). They go all day, then they go to cram school right after.
**People wear long-sleeved shirts when they ride scooters, even in the summer. I remember being in Ba De and wondering why they wear long-sleeved shirts in hot weather? I learned later it was to prevent suntan. They don't think dark skin is pretty. The Taiwanese are pretty healthy and pretty health conscious. For example, whenever we pray, people either want us to pray for their family, work, school or health.
**There are squat toilets at a lot of places. Nuff said.
Love you all and remember to serve the Lord and fast and pray for those who don't know God (Alma 6:6).
Sister Brinkerhoff
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