Taiwan (:

We deposit little pieces of ourselves, of Christ and of our community everywhere we go.

Taiwan, specifically, has a huge chunk of my own heart. Lately, it’s been coming up in that sorta nostalgic way; not the kind that makes you sad because of your current circumstances but a growing appreciation for the things that happened in that space of time and location.

There’s a sweet story I want to share with you all that happened with my first team so let’s backtrack a little:

The first week of our time in Taipei, Taiwan was our first debrief. This is something my entire squad (20 of us at the time) participates in. It is a time to regroup and vision cast for the coming month or so and dive into heavier topics about God and what it means to live a life of missions.

This turned into a seminar on spiritual roots, deliverance, the spiritual side of Christianity. It opened up a gate to a part of the Kingdom of God that I didn’t even know was accesible.

While in Taipei, God was so sweet to give me little things to build my faith in the things unseen and ideas I deemed questionable. It was growing, stretching and a whole new world of adventure.

My first team, Wabisabi, split off to Khaosiung in southern Taiwan.

For a night of fun towards the end of our time, we went to a lantern festival near a river with some of our new friends in Khaosiung. We walked around taking pictures, eating new foods and praying. Our squad has a knack for worship and our team specifically had a good group of musicians so, naturally, we always had a guitar on hand, just in case. This night was no exception.

We crossed over the riverside the lantern festival was seated next to, found a heavily trafficked area near a pathway with benches and found one large enough for the nine of us to perch. And perch we did.

My faith had grown, but my understanding that God would use me in moments that felt so HUGE was still small. So He let me do what I love to do – sing worship with my teammates.

Something we had been taught was that worship can change atmospheres, and it can simply be singing in your spirit. But this time we were out to change them and let people know that’s what we were doing.

One-by-one I see each of our members slipping into the nighttime to talk to passerby’s. Eventually all that was left was Eric, our team lead, with his guitar, Kristin, our new friend and loving contact, and Me. Singing. Probably “King of My Heart.” 

I felt no crazy pull to talk to people that night and I was getting worried about it. Why hadn’t I seen anyone that stood out? Was I just being shy? What was happening? Lol

Not long after these thoughts emerged, I look over at Emily who had been speaking to a man I hadn’t even noticed near the river. I can just make out that we have a new brother in Christ and that He had just accepted Jesus into his heart in that moment. 

…..Oh. Wow. This is kingdom living. This is really how people do things. This stuff is legit. God, what?! 

I wasn’t naive or new to any of this but it was definitely something that I was taken aback by playing a small role in.

I felt the joyous cries from the heaven welling up inside of my spirit and could do nothing but worship loud, freely and pray for our new brother.

He was visiting from a small island off of the coast of South Taiwan and had only come for that one night for a job. I was in disbelief when Emily told us all of the details later.

But I can tell you that I learned the importance of the body of Christ and how, in ministry, we all function to give God space to move and partner with us. My role that night was to intercede for the spirits of those walking near us, to sing worship that would change the atmosphere around us and praise God for creation and His goodness while a divine appointment was taking place. 

I’ve never felt a burst of joy quite like that, but I imagine it was a little faucet turn from God to give me a snippet of the celebration happening in Heaven in that moment.

Our weapon is a melody, so we will keep raising our Hallelujahs in hopes of giving God room to move.

Only a few months late (: Thanks for reading!

Love everyone!

My team is currently in Azerbaijan working with a local church and doing village outreach. Be praying for the family we are staying with and for the people we get to visit every evening!