On May 14th, ten people representing TeamActs traveled to Taiwan to work with a local missionaries Mark & Laura Heffner who have been based there for over 20 years. Mark & Laura have established a Taiwan based team that reaches into churches, schools, prisons and the community in general.
Mark has a vision to start several themed approaches to reach the predominantly Buddhist country with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One such theme is a Sports Ministry and that’s how we fit in. Our group is called TeamActs and patterned after Acts 20:24 which says, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me; the task of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace.” Most of this group have been training athletically and racing for God’s glory for several years now.
God brought these two groups together to join Him at His work in Taiwan. We had the privilege and opportunity to see and participate in many events throughout our 10 day stay. The highlights are below:
Upon arrival we split into 2 groups staying with the Taiwan mission team leader and Josh, an American professional triathlete. While a Christian, this successful young man needed encouragement and to be challenged to seek God’s higher aim in his endeavors. God provided an opportunity for us to mentor him while we were there and perhaps ongoing in the future.
Day one, Saturday, took us to a small community church in Shin She where we met a lively group of young people whose ages ranged from 6 to 18. We mounted up on bikes and rode with the kids through the community and spent time in intercessory prayer. It was a festive day and with tremendous opportunity to minister to these children. Sunday we worshipped with this church and reconnected with the kids and some of their parents. We shared our testimonies and performed a skit. Pastor Lee appreciates prayer for the parents, especially the fathers to come to church and get plugged in.
Monday morning we went for an intercessory prayer ride through parts of Tai Chung, a major city southwest of Taipei. Mid-day saw us riding our bikes through 10,000 feet of elevation up Snow Mountain as we enjoyed the tremendous beauty of God’s creation. Along the way, we took numerous opportunities to share the Gospel with those we encountered along the way.
Monday evening we played basketball at a high school where a Christian outreach brings local men to play basketball and hear the Gospel presentation. There was also a time of sharing testimonies and our reason to visit Taiwan. Unfortunately, it was this night that our Taiwan team leader took a bad fall on the court and tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus. He was out the rest of the week and will have major surgery in the next few weeks. Please pray that all goes well during surgery and for rapid recovery!
On Tuesday we went to Zhong-Tai University and conducted a health fair for students that focused on a balanced life and total fitness. We emphasized that spiritual fitness and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the primary building block for total fitness. That afternoon we visited 3 English classes at Wen Hwa High School and shared our testimonies and gave the students a chance to practice their English.
That evening, we traveled to the east coast town of Hualien, a beautiful city with steep mountains dropping right into the ocean and met up with Frank & Annie, a couple who started a drug rehab center, The Agape House. They have several halfway houses and drug rehabs that get male and female persons back into life by teaching them skills and walking with Christ.
On Thursday we joined a drug prevention team, a high school cheerleading team and other participants for a bike ride through town to the government health office promoting a new drug free program and hotline. Over 100 people participated and the event culminated with a speech from government officials and the Agape House team leader.
During our 4 days in Hualien, we visited made 3 separate prison visits with time to share and worship with male prisoners, female prisoners and youth detainees. God gave us a captive audience with which to share our testimony and the truth of God’s word. Although many of their hearts seemed hard, many also were visibly acceptive and were encouraged by the experience. Please continue to pray for Frank & Annie’s ministry here.
From there we traveled through the Taroko Gorge National Park which is the equivalent to our Grand Canyon and ended up in a large city called Puli. We visited a church there with a vibrant youth ministry and shared with the students and worshipped with them Sunday morning. Pastor Bear leads this group.
We traveled back to our base in Tai Chung and provided a trip report to Mark & Laura Heffner, the Taiwan mission team leader. Monday we departed for our long journey home. We all reflected on what incredible things God accomplished during this mission trip and we praise Him for the seeds that were planted that will bear fruit for His Kingdom.
Thank you so much for your prayers during this time. Please continue to pray for Mark & Laura Heffner, his Tai Chung based team, Pastor Lee, Pastor Bear and the Agape House team as they continue to reach the lost for Christ in Taiwan.
May God bless you for your prayers and heart for this mission project.
In Christ,
TeamActs