Vol 1: November/December 2007

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God’s Vision for a Taiwan Harvest

In 2004, I had a dream. I was in my grandparents backyard in Taiwan, as it was when I was little – a large garden full of fruit trees. My family was with me and we were looking for fruit. Because it was not the right season, I was surprised to find that we found a harvest of oversized fruit, including a significant number of grapefruit. Little did I know the significance this dream would have for times ahead.

Two years later, I met some Christian workers during a family visit to Taiwan. While praying with them, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You may have forgotten about your people, but I never did.” I was flooded by an overwhelming sense of His love. Tears of conviction fell as I recalled the early years after my conversion. Then, I had earnestly prayed for the gospel to reach Taiwan, but over time, those prayers had petered out. This launched me on a journey of discernment and I remembered my dream. Was God calling me to be a worker in Taiwan’s harvest fields?

I soon found OMF International’s work in an inner-city area of Taipei, the capital city. In that broken neighborhood, among the prostitutes, drug addicts, and at-risk kids, I saw God’s desire to heal and set the people free to worship Him. I also saw the critical need for new workers in Taiwan.

By March of 2007, I took my first steps towards long-term work in inner-city Taipei. Praying for confirmation, I began applying for membership with OMF by scheduling an interview with them. The next day, I received an email from my aunt, who knew nothing of all this. She had been staying with my grandparents in Taiwan and wrote to tell us that there was a grapefruit tree in the backyard. The tree was acting strangely, she wrote. The tree normally only bears fruit once a year—in late summer. Oddly, this tree had bloomed again that winter. The tree was now laden with grapefruit that would be ready for harvest in about 2 weeks. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was clearly the Lord’s confirmation of my dream.

Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, give sight to the blind and release the oppressed (Luke 4:18, Is 61). This is still His mission among the Taiwanese now. Would you ask Him if He has a part in this for you too?

Join the Journey

As I prepare for long-term work in Taiwan, I hope for your company! There are many ways you can join me.

Let me highlight one. I believe the top need in this work is for strong, committed intercessors. Spiritual warfare is particularly intense in Taiwan. Despite its modern exterior, fear of the “gods”, ghosts and ancestors is pervasive.

Did you know…

· Taiwan has more temples per capita than any other country in the world.

· The use of spirit mediums, amulets, spells, divination, and other occult activities are common practices.

· Taiwan is a major center for the promotion of Buddhism throughout the world.

· Taiwan is the only major Han Chinese population in the world where spiritual breakthrough has yet to come.

Want In?

Please respond bv visiting www.omf.org/us/partner