And So It Continues

Christmastime, 2016, I sat in my apartment in the USA and begged God to allow me to return to Taiwan.  It was the place God had put on my heart for long-term missions, but had told me to leave indefinitely.  At that time I had no idea if or when God would allow me to return. A few weeks later, on January 1st, God told me it was time to return.  That week, I bought a ticket for a month-long trip for later that month, and then later returned in May for a more permanent stay.

From June through August I focused on language studies, and once again asked God for direction.  I had thought my work with VOICE Missions was done, but God still had more work for me to do as a part of VOICE Missions.  

As I prayed about returning to VOICE Missions, and specifically to the Joy House ministry in Chiayi where I had previously served every weekend from the fall of 2013 through summer of 2016, I asked God “isn’t the work there already completed?” and He brought to mind the words of a song I had written 5 years before “The work is not done”.  That was all the confirmation I needed, and so I returned.

Being back in Chiayi did not answer all my questions, however.  I am called to Taiwan for the long-haul, and VOICE Missions is a short-term opportunity.  It's a great way to prepare to live in Taiwan for full-time missions, but it's not a permanent solution.

I began praying again, and asking for direction.  The answer came, and it wasn't what I had initially expected.  One week, the kids from the village “DaKangLang” came to camp. I already knew most of the kids very well from the Joy House (a Saturday Bible club in their village).  Many of the kids from DaKangLang have learning disabilities, and all of them are under privileged. Many come from broken homes or live with grandparents.

Those kids were the reason I returned to Taiwan, and that week, God gave me the answer I had been looking for.  To serve in the village of DaKangLang as a teacher, a mentor, and as an example of Christ.

For now, I will continue with VOICE Missions as I prepare to serve in DaKangLang, and for now I will continue to be an example of Christ to the many other kids I will meet in this Spring semester.

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Kristina Joy Dzimianski has served with VOICE Missions since the fall of 2013, and lives in Chiayi County. She enjoys spending time with kids and animals. She also likes coding computer programs in her spare time, and hopes she can teach coding skills to some of her students someday.