Wednesday, December 23, 2020

"Carpe diem" Make every moment count

I wasn't expecting to return to Taiwan so soon. But here I am again, enjoying every single moment God gives me every day. Here I am again sharing with people I meet every day, my smile, my joy, my peace; here I am sharing with Taiwan kids I teach, the unfailing love of Christ my heart treasures every day.

 Having made it back here safely despite the pandemic dramatic consequences and impacts on our daily life, having faced all uncertainty, confusion in my plans, travel restrictions, challenges related to quarantine, Covid-19 PCR tests, paperwork, and visa complications, I definitely came out of all these, stronger. Stronger in my faith in God, stronger in my trust in his faithfulness, stronger in my daily walk with Jesus. 

 Today, when I reflect on the past fifteen months I spent with my wife and daughter far from Taiwan after my service in Yunlin and Hualien, when I think about my current commitment in Chiayi enjoying sharing Christ's love and joy with kids and coworkers, when I project myself further in the future, right into the plans God has prepared for my family and I here in Taiwan, only one statement comes into my mind: "Make every moment of mine count for God".

 Yes, making every moment we spend here in Taiwan serving God count for his glory, making every smile we address to a kid in class or during break time count for life for him, making every single love sharing moment with a Taiwanese coworker or friend count for eternity, making our days on this beautiful island count for the glory of the Gospel of Christ, what an awesome and lovely journey!
 

 And I'm glad I'm not alone on here! He who calls us and appointed us to serve here is on this beautiful journey with us…every day! And besides, I strongly believe that, somehow, each one of us serving today on this island has been called for this very purpose: To make every moment count for His Gospel. Whether serving in Taipei, Hualien, Taitung, Yunlin, Nantou, Chiayi, or any other location where we represent the love of Christ through our services, our relationships and our commitment in teaching English and character, we should make sure we make every moment count for us, for others, and above all, for God. 

 May God help Voice Missions' every single day count for His glory in Taiwan! May God help all Voice Missions missionaries and partners' commitment count primarily for the Gospel and the kingdom here in Taiwan, and also in all the surrounding countries! 

 Carpe diem! Make every moment count. Treasure what the Lord has given you and bless others with the love of God that is in the store of your heart, to glorify Him forever! "These are evil times, so make every minute count." Ephesians 5:16 (CEV: Contemporary English Version) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yarmonth Drissou (Yar) is 37 and is from Togo. He is married and is a happy dad of a seventeen month old girl. In his hometown, Yar used to be French and English language teacher in both elementary and junior high school for 5 years before responding to God's call upon his life by quitting teaching and moving to Switzerland for a three year Bible college program. He is a professional graduate with a Bachelor of Theology and is hoping to pursue his postgraduate studies for a Master of Theology, Bible minister and a writer fond of poetry and philosophy. “Eurêka” and “Le procès de Tromal”, “Les leurres de Syviera” are his published books so far. After his Bachelor degree in Switzerland, Yar was waiting for the 2017 fall semester to make it to Dallas Theological Seminary when God opened VOICE Missions' door for him in Taiwan. He served here a year in 2017 and returned in February 2019 for a semester, and now is here again for a longer-term mission. 
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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Adjusting To A New Life

So I’ve been in the small township of Shuili for about 4 months now. I’m finally getting the hang of things around here. Life has been different ever since I moved from NYC. There is a noticeable change of speed lifestyle and environment, it’s really taught me to slow down and appreciate the small things. In New York everyone is always in a rush but where my school is at in Nantou, I’ve noticed that people are more relaxed, something I haven’t yet experienced in any place that I’ve ever lived. Such as when I take my afternoon bike rides into town and marvel at the amazing scenery. I am surrounded by beautiful mountains and outstanding sunsets. I’ve learned to rely on a support system rather than on myself and that opening up about my struggles to others was ok for what I needed to continue moving forward. I can go to my coworkers whenever I am in need of something and can rest assured that they will be there for me. The English teachers from the other campus’ have also been so encouraging whenever I need someone to pray or simply just to talk to. I’ve had the greatest joy teaching the young students and being able to invest in them is incredible they probably teach me more how to be a better person than anything else. It’s incredible how quickly they pick up things, they’re little geniuses. By the end of the week I’m sad that they’re leaving. These kids show much love its insane I enjoy teaching them a lot. Overall its been a difficult transition for me, i’m hanging in there though and knowing I have a great support system with my coworkers and my family I feel like I can do anything. Receiving love from the students also encourages me to keep going. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philipians 4:13 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Andres Pinilla is an eighteen year old young man who came all the way from New York City to teach English in Nantou, Taiwan. He enjoys exercising, trying new foods and playing sports. When its a teaching week he also enjoys playing soccer and basketball with the students. He grew up in a family of six kids which includes five sisters and one brother! He has enjoyed caring for animals ever since he was little and continues to do so in Shuilli ( his school town) by caring for two dogs named Jie Jie and Mei Mei. His favorite Taiwanese food has got to be dumplings, he says he eats them at least once every two weeks! He hopes to learn Chinese while being here and grow in many other areas in his life with the help of those around him. 
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Lessons Learned

Well...10 months of 2020 have passed in the world, on our island, and in our respective little worlds. Each of us has learned something new. Personally, I learned how much I needed to learn. God is gracious like that, because everyday I’m immersed in a world where I’m surrounded by 4th - 6th graders. A world where both the students and I have the freedom of creativity in communicating: facial expressions, hand motions, and random words we possess of each other’s languages. It’s comical how much time we spend “preparing” when nothing can prepare us for the unknown, except the One who knows the end from the beginning. I learn something new from my students every week and I think to myself, “Wow, this is a milestone! How’ve I just now realized this…?” That is until the next week when a whole new troop rolls in on the Monday morning bus(es), and I learn another invaluable life lesson from God’s purest form of communication. Children. They are unfiltered conduits of His voice. His tiny messengers. I wish I could tell you that every Friday a group of students leave the campus with an arsenal of English vocabulary to rival poets and philosophers of old. However, the truth is the English they leave with is simple yet God breathed. Phrases like “I can do it. You can do it. Try again.” My personal favorite is “I love you,” because those three words bear the love of the Father. Every morning and every night I drench each student in my prayers. As they go through life may they remember the English teacher who taught them, “It’s okay. Don’t give up. I love you.” As they face discouragement, life decisions, and the lies of the enemy may these simple phrases echo in their minds even after they’re adults. I pray that seeds are planted, and others will cross their paths watering those seeds. That not one is lost to the enemy, but each one finds their way to Jesus- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. A piece of my heart goes with each bus that drives away every Friday. Each window filled with tiny faces I may never see again (this side of eternity), waving hands, and shouts of “Bye, bye Teacher Alissa. I love you!” These are those shining moments you live for as a missionary teacher, and the purpose I came here to fulfill. To convey the love of Christ, and witness it translated through a simple smile, laughter shared, and games played...moments where language barriers don’t exist. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alissa Workman is a lover of Jesus, food, and travel. It’s her desire to travel the world being the hands and feet of Jesus while carrying the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. It is that desire that brought her to Taiwan. She grew up in a large family, and as the oldest has always loved helping and caring for others. She currently lives and teaches in Taitung, Taiwan, where she enjoys learning about the culture and different aboriginal tribes, trying new foods, and singing with her students. 
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27 NKJV
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Wednesday, September 9, 2020

One Big Family

 

 

As someone not yet in their twenties, moving half way across the world is challenging. It comes with so many new experiences and encounters.

 

Something that was very new for me was having to live alone, something I have never done my whole entire life. There are many moments where I have gotten super homesick and felt very scared. It was a big change for me, since I am such a family-oriented type of person. Being so far from them limits me from finding comfort in the people that have kept me safe my whole life; but……….

 

Luckily, this year I was blessed with such amazing coworkers. Meeting new people and learning how to work with them was one thing that made me so nervous but as time went by I realized that teaching with them was so fun. Though we are all different ages, in different stages of life and have different backgrounds we make one big family. 

 

Not only are they my family, but they also have opened up their own families to me. On weekends when we have time to rest we still meet up to have brunch or just go on fun trips. Usually when you have time off you’d want to spend it by yourself right? Well, my coworkers use this time to take me on adventures and show me new places in Taiwan so that I can better enjoy my stay while being here.

 

I remember one day I started crying because I felt like I wasn’t doing a good job at work, they noticed and were quick to comfort by saying words of affirmation, giving me encouragement, and bringing me my favorite snacks to help me feel better.

While teaching, they push me to not give up when I am having a bad day. They show me grace when I fail to complete a task and have patience with me in difficult situations. They give me feedback after my lessons and help me grow as a teacher by giving me advice on areas that I can improve on. They have also helped me by teaching me useful words in Chinese and quiz me to see how much I’ve improved in this new language.

 

When I am feeling homesick they take me out on trips, when I am hungry they bring me food, when I am sick they care for me, when I am having a hard day they comfort me, and when I am scared they keep me company. They are my family in Hualien and are there for me when I need them. My coworkers have shown me the same love my family in New York has shown me, and I am so grateful for that. 

 

These are the people I see every single day and spend so many hours with, I’ve used this opportunity to get close with them and have a friendship that I will cherish forever. My prayer is that one day we can all rejoice in the greatness of Jesus’ love! I am happy I get to call them my family.

 

 

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,just as you are doing."- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Juliana (also called Julie) Pinilla is nineteen years old. From New York City, she just graduated from high school and is currently taking a gap year by serving in Taiwan. Growing up in a family with six siblings and being the third oldest, she has loved taking care and teaching her younger siblings. Her dream was to one day become a teacher and now she is pursuing that dream by teaching English in Hualien, Taiwan. You can find her either journaling & reading a book inside a coffee shop or spending time with Brownie, the school dog. She hopes to show the love of Christ through her actions and words to everyone she meets.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

One Small Act of Kindness

When I first found out about the opportunity to teach in Taiwan I was surprised to say the least.... I immediately began researching the tiny island I knew little about, and the first thing that stood out to me was the culture. I’ve always loved learning about cultures, and the possibility of living immersed in one was both exhilarating and intimidating. I prayed about it for months before committing, because I always look before I leap and my top priority is being obedient to Him.

I arrived in February 2020 ready to hit the ground running, but because of the virus I was unable to teach right away. I was frustrated and prayed every day, throughout the day for the opportunity to do what I came here to do. Normally, the students would come to our facility for the week, but through the virus experience we have all learned to be flexible. So, instead of the students coming to us we went to the students. My first week teaching  was at a village school in the mountains, and the students were a bit shy but very friendly. We play games with the students during break times, and it always amazes me how each student opens up differently to each teacher. The following schools have all been very similar to that first mountain village school, but each student is unique in their own way.

At one school I noticed a girl who stood out to me from the rest. She often stood head down, and was reluctant to join when I had a table full of other students playing games. I played some with her alone, and the next break time I asked her to join the group since she was standing onlooking. I knew she wanted to join and she did…very shyly. It quickly became clear why her head was often down...one of the other students immediately sat up and loudly told something to the others, motioning them to play with the other girl. I watched them separate and the shy student almost didn’t want to play anymore. I leaned over the table, and gently rested my hand on the shoulder of the louder student while smiling at her. There is one language that always translates the same in every tongue, and that is the love of Christ. I said a phrase that I now say too many times to count, “It’s ok.” (a phrase we often use in class). I flashed a quick “ok” hand sign, and pulled the cards back into one pile and motioned the others to scoot back in so we’d all play together. “Ok?” I asked. They nodded in agreement and gave me the “ok” sign.

My heart hurt, because I am a compassionate person by nature and my eye has always been drawn to the ones that are overlooked. I’d watched the students as there was an underlying tendency to push the one girl aside, but throughout the week I began to notice a different tendency. Others in the group began to step back and motion her to join the activities. She began to smile and I even heard a couple of giggles, and the other student who was louder and sought to separate the group was now more conscious of her actions. I thought about the parable of the lost sheep, and how He left the ninety-nine for the one. He reminded me of the simplicity of His mission and why He came.

"He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’" -Mark 2:17 NKJV

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Alissa Workman is a lover of Jesus, food, and travel. It’s her desire to travel the world being the hands and feet of Jesus while carrying the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world. It is that desire that brought her to Taiwan. She grew up in a large family, and as the oldest has always loved helping and caring for others. She currently lives and teaches in Taitung, Taiwan, where she enjoys learning about the culture and different aboriginal tribes, trying new foods, and singing with her students. 
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." -James 1:27 NKJV
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Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Just One Week

The question that I’ve been asked the most while serving as an English teacher is: "Do the kids even learn any English in just one week?"

If you think about it, it’s hard enough for a child to learn a foreign language at school plus do well in their other studies now imagine how difficult it would be for them to learn something new in just five short days.

It’s not about how much English they learned, if they increased their skill, if they speak more fluently if they understand more etc. while all those things are great, and some children actually do show signs of improvement other students don’t and that’s okay. Other than teaching English we come here to show love. To give them the love that they may be lacking in their homes or the love that they have never received in their lives.

More than just a teacher we can be their friend, someone they look up to, someone they admire, someone they find love in, someone that listens to them, someone they feel safe with, someone to play games with them, someone who gives them attention or someone who cares for them.

Sometimes kids come into our school with terrible attitudes but after they see that there are people here who love them after only knowing them for a few days they leave the school with a change of heart. So even if our children forget the English they learned in these five days I know for sure that they will never forget the amazing teachers that showed them love and kindness.

As Christians, we are commanded to love others. Leviticus 19:18 (ESV) says, "love your neighbor as yourself" for this is the way they will see His love through us. My goal each time a new week comes around is to show and give these kids the love that Jesus has for us.

It makes my heart glad when Friday comes and I hear the children singing the English songs I’ve taught them or when they’re playing games and I hear them say, "Don’t give up!" a phrase from the English lesson "Determination" but it also makes me glad when I see a child that walked into the week with a grumpy attitude and ended the week with a happy heart because all he/she was missing was love. Maybe five days are too short for them to learn how to speak great English, but five days are not too short for them to receive love, kindness, and joy.

During one of the weeks of camp, we received a school that had quite a lot of disobedient kids, but one stood out the most to me. As each day came, I made it my purpose to go talk to him, ask how he was doing, and simply giving him a high-five each time he passed by. Little by little I started to notice how much his disobedient character was changing to one that enjoyed class, loved having conversations, and ultimately enjoyed that week at our camp so much that when he left he gave me a hug saying “Thank you, Teacher Julie. I will miss you.” This made me so so happy, knowing that he left our school not only new knowledge but also with a heart that received a lot of love by so many.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." – John 13:34-35 (ESV)

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Juliana (also called Julie) Pinilla is eighteen years old. From New York City, she just graduated from high school and is currently taking a gap year by serving in Taiwan. Growing up in a family with six siblings and being the third oldest, she has loved taking care and teaching her younger siblings. Her dream was to one day become a teacher and now she is pursuing that dream by teaching English in Hualien, Taiwan. You can find her either journaling by the beach or spending time with Brownie, the school dog. She hopes to show the love of Christ through her actions and words to everyone she meets.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2020

We Have Hope

The sun as it rose over Hualien City.
Time flies by. I have already been in Taiwan for over half a year and sometimes it still feels like I just got here. Living in Nantou has its struggles, but I've adjusted well. It is definitely interesting when you live in a town where Taiwanese is probably spoken more than Mandarin. I am also probably the only foreigner in town, but I've gotten used to the stares at this point.

But now even this "new normal" of living in Taiwan is no longer "normal." If you have been anywhere at all lately, you've heard of the virus. Honestly, I don't think there is a single person out there who hasn't heard of this coronavirus. COVID-19 has changed so much for a lot of people. Many people aren't allowed to leave their houses, except for necessities or the occasional walk. A lot of people can't work and those that are working are busier than ever. Many schools are closed and now online. Church has even gone online.

Taiwan's situation is better than most. People are still allowed to leave their homes. Though we have to wear masks and get our temperature taken every time we use public transportation, we can still travel. That isn't to stay that we aren't advised to keep traveling to a minimum. If anyone has a temperature over 37.5C they have to immediately self-quarantine themselves for fourteen days. The amount of masks that a person can purchase a week is limited to a certain amount. Also, which days you can buy masks depends on the last number of your ID. Overall, Taiwan is doing well. We have kept the number of cases down to a decently small amount, but they recently rose because of the Taiwanese people that came back from foreign countries.

The situation has changed my work life. In a normal scenario, a couple of classes of fourth-graders from schools all over the county would be traveling to us to stay for the week. Unfortunately, the virus has caused a lot of people to not want to travel far from home. It makes sense, but it also makes it hard for us. So, what are we doing now? We travel to one school a week and teach the kids in their classroom. It's been a refreshing experience. I love that I can meet kids from other classes and grades during the breaktimes in between classes. It is also exhausting. The drive to and from school every day means getting up earlier and getting home later on most days. I'm happy to be back at teaching though. We had a lot of office weeks as we tried to figure out what we were going to do during this pandemic. I missed my kids.

I've learned much from all of this craziness. There is a lot of fear in the world. People are stressed, worried, and anxious. They don't have hope. But we, as Christians, have hope. Why? Because we believe in the source of hope.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13 (NLT)

For sure, we are also afraid. Some of us are maybe even terrified, but we can still act in spite of the fear. We know that God is in control of the situation. He is with us, even when we can't see or feel him. Because of that, we can have peace. More so, we know that he is good. He is perfect. What better hands could the world be in? 

God poured out his love for us. In him we have new life, peace, and hope. So in this fearful time, let's show that love, that peace, and that hope. Let's direct people's eyes and hearts back to God. Let's take the time to reach out. Send that text. Make that phone call. Show people that you care and that you are thinking of them. Show kindness. Be a blessing. Such small acts of love can make all the difference.

Once this situation resolves, I hope that people don't go back to "normal." I hope that we come through this changed. That we learn to appreciate the small things. That we are thankful for the time we have with our families and friends. That we learn to truly be a light in the world.
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Gabriela (better known as Gabi) Dixon joined VOICE Missions in August 2019. Being a military brat, she has spent her whole life moving around the U.S. Her love for traveling has now grown to an international level since she went on her first missions trip to Ecuador in May 2018. It also made her realize just how passionate she is about kids and missions. Now that she lives in Nantou, she hopes to be a light to her coworkers and each and every one of the kids she meets. When she is not working or pursuing her major in history, you can find her having adventures with friends or doing some of her own creative/inspirational writing or just singing her heart out.
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Tuesday, February 18, 2020

The Book

Every Monday at 9 am I stand at the gates and wait for the children to arrive at the school. As I see the buses pulling up, I wave at the kids, I see all their smiling faces and their hands waving back at me. Mondays are always busy days since the kids are receiving lessons and getting instructed on what will be going on the rest of the week. Some days go by faster than others yet there are always moments where my relationship with each student grows, whether it's by playing a game with them, playing a sport, trying to talk to them, taking selfies with them or just holding their hand. 

When Thursday comes around the kids know that it is their second to last day here, they start giving me sad faces or bringing me their workbooks to sign. When one student sees that I am signing a book he or she quickly runs to get their book so that I can sign it as well and then a whole chain of students want me and the other teachers to sign their books.

This whole book signing process has made me feel really special. I was amazed at how many kids wanted my name to be on their book, how many kids wanted to hug me or give me high fives and how many wanted to take a selfie with me. I started to think of ways that I too can make them feel special. Then bam it hit me; I can have my own book where the kids can write their names so that I can remember them. 

Even though it will be very hard to remember each and every one of the kids that come to our school it’s still great seeing their smiles when I ask them to sign my book. Seeing them make sure that all the other kids have put their names on my book makes me so happy because I can see that these children are caring and want everyone else to join in on the fun.

Not only will I remember how many kids I’ve taught so far but I can also pray for each name that has been written in my book. Such young lives can one day leave a big impact on this world. I can only pray that one day they come to know Christ where they will really know what it’s like feel special and that they were created in their own special way for special reasons. 

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." -Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

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Juliana (also called Julie) Pinilla is eighteen years old. From New York City, she just graduated from high school and is currently taking a gap year by serving in Taiwan. Growing up in a family with six siblings and being the third oldest, she has loved taking care and teaching her younger siblings. Her dream was to one day become a teacher and now she is pursuing that dream by teaching English in Hualien, Taiwan. You can find her either journaling by the beach or spending time with Brownie, the school dog. She hopes to show the love of Christ through her actions and words to everyone she meets.
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