Monday, December 7, 2015

Selfless




A while back, I was talking to a childhood best friend and I was telling her about all of my struggles since being here in Taiwan. I was totally discouraged after a rough day and was fishing for someone to rectify my mood. Something she said to me has been stuck in my head since she said it. She told me that being in Taiwan is a selfless act. I began to look over my life and I realized I was always taking from people. All too often I let my selfish desires consume me. I’m finally getting to give back for the first time in my life. And what an incredible blessing it is to just try each day to be selfless. (EMPHASIS on the word ‘try’ because as humans you know how carnal we can be some days.) The fact is life doesn’t go how we plan. One day you might just get a crazy calling to go overseas and teach English. Which in my case, that’s exactly what happened. And knowing all too well I need to obey God’s call, I’m here in Taiwan.


Don’t get me wrong, I really love it. Quite honestly I have totally fallen in love with the people, the culture, and the country as a whole. But sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in the difficulties and struggles. I get frustrated with the language barrier and get discouraged by limitations. But I remember that the God who created the whole universe with exact precision calls me His child. So here is what I’ve concluded: If He can create an entire universe that literally nobody can even half understand, and He did it in less than six days, I doubt He can be limited by something as silly as a language barrier, especially since He Himself created language diversity. Honestly, when I break it down in my head, it seems so goofy that I even doubt Him sometimes.

We are called of Christ to reach out and love a hurting world. Every single person reading this, this is our ultimate purpose in life. It doesn’t matter where you are, your age, your gender, your conditions – nobody gets a pass. As elementary as it is, somehow we keep missing it.

Hualian Team
We in Taiwan have an especially unique opportunity to do His will. Every week we get to be surrounded by children that are so hungry to feel loved. It’s the small things we do that make them perceive us in special ways. Playing games with the children, singing familiar English songs with them, telling them just how important they are. These are just small ways we can show love to them. And you know what? It’s those small things that make a great impact. Years from now they may not remember your name, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.

Being American is also an advantage we have. When we go out in public, most people are automatically prone to watching us. That’s why it’s so important that we are so careful how we portray ourselves in the community. I always have to ask myself if I’m portraying the love of God through how I act and what I wear and say. Because no matter what I do, my ultimate desire is to please God, not man, and it’s those things that speak volumes.

For those in Taiwan, I want to share something with you that a friend sent to me, and I want you to think about it and let it convict you, because it’s so true.
“You have so much love in your heart for the Children and people there, they really need you there more than you need to be there. Be a light! You have 8 more months and when it’s over you would have done something more daring and selfless than a lot of people will do in their lives. Be a blessing friend, the world needs you.”
I love you all, I feel so blessed that I get to do this journey with you all. I think you’re all awesome and I’m so encouraged when I’m reading your posts and blogs about what God is doing. I’ll pray for you, you pray for me, we’re all a part of God’s body. Let’s be the hands of Christ by reaching out and sharing His love and compassion to Taiwan. *Jia you!





~Hannah Rountree

Hannah Rountree is a 19 year old homeschool graduate from Rountree homeschool serving with VOICE Missions on the Hualien team. This is her first time traveling to Taiwan and she loves playing with the kids and learning more about the culture every day.



*Editor Note: Jia you (加油) is a Chinese word of encouragement. Literally meaning "Add Oil" it is the equivalent of saying 'all the best' or 'good luck'.

3 comments:

  1. I love you hannah and I believe you're doin a great work over there, don't be discouraged, you have millions of thoughts and prayers sent your way every day from back here in texas!! I miss you and hope you're great!!

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  2. I love you hannah and I believe you're doin a great work over there, don't be discouraged, you have millions of thoughts and prayers sent your way every day from back here in texas!! I miss you and hope you're great!!

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  3. So much of life is about learning to be selfless (or rather discovering how selfish we can be). Thank you for being willing to learn this lesson in Taiwan!

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