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November 14, 2000
Dear Friends,
This was written by the Reverend Chun-ming Kao, former general
secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. He wrote this
poem when he was in prison. He stood for Taiwan’s human rights
and democracy. This year Taiwan has a new government with a new
president. Truly, the cactus bloomed and the worms became beautiful
butterflies in God’s time. Now he is retired and often called
Choon to play ping-pong while Choon was in Taipei.
God’s Way
I asked the Lord for a bunch of fresh flowers
but instead he gave me an ugly cactus
with many thorns.
I asked the Lord for some beautiful butterflies
but instead he gave me many ugly
and dreadful worms.
I was threatened,
I was disappointed,
I mourned.
But after many days,
suddenly,
I saw the cactus bloomed
with many beautiful flowers,
And those worms became beautiful butterflies
flying in the spring wind.
God’s way is the best way
During our interpretation assignment we visited many churches
in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania,
New York, Minnesota, and Ohio. Every church’s welcome and
hospitality overwhelmed us. We were so surprised to see our names
in their bulletins and newsletters. We were also so happy to see
our names on their prayer lists. We felt we were church members
even when we were apart. We were very sorry that we could not
visit all churches that support us this time. We had only three
months of interpretation assignment because the new aboriginal
campus ministry in Hualien (in east Taiwan) was due to start at
the end of September 2000.
On the way back to Taiwan, we visited mainland China with Marj
Carpenter, former moderator of the PC(USA), the Reverend Jeff
Richie, assistant director of the Outreach Foundation, and Outreach
Foundation board members. We visited Shanghai, Nanjing, Harbin,
and Shinyang. It was a very educational and informative trip.
It was a good opportunity for us to know the condition of China’s
Christianity and culture. Furthermore, it was a good test for
us whether or not we could use the Mandarin we had learned in
Taiwan. We felt very grateful to the Worldwide Ministries Division
and the Outreach Foundation that gave us this unforgettable experience.
We could not inform you of all the things we learn from this trip.
As a summary, we can say that the Chinese are eager to learn about
the Bible and to worship God. All the churches we visited were
so filled with people that sometimes we had to stay outside and
listen to the service from the Bible-study class room. When we
think about the population of China—one out of four persons
in the world is Chinese—we thank God that the Holy Spirit
is working on the Chinese. Praise Christ Jesus!
After returning from the States, we opened our mission center
right away. We were so glad to see more new students come to our
center and participate in our activities this fall. We also expanded
the program to reach one more Buddhist nursing college. Now Choon
has student activity every day except Wednesday. Two weeks from
now we will go to a Taroko tribe church with Teacher’s College
students, have a special thanksgiving program for the 45 children
on Saturday night and lead a praise service on Sunday. This is
the first time we have planned such a program, so please pray
for it and the Christmas program for the Ami tribe. This year
Yen Hee has been working with the mobile clinic in the Ami and
Taroko tribes. Next year she will also work with handicapped people.
The organization asked her to help them and she answered "Yes."
Please pray for her new ministry. She will report on it in detail
next year.
Thanks for your faithful support and prayers. Because of you
we have strength to do the work God called us to do.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas
In His Service,
Yen Hee & Choon Lim
The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 174
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