Your Circle Matters

Your Circle Matters

Devo: Matthew 9:1-8

The paralytic was brought to Jesus by his friends. His friends took the roof apart and lowered him down through it because of the crowd.

“When Jesus saw their faith…” v. 2

It was the faith of the paralytic’s friends, not his, that caused Jesus to forgive and heal him. They had faith that Jesus could heal their friend.

This shows us that our circle matters. Do our friends lift us up in prayer when we need it? Do our friends bring us to Jesus? Or do they talk about us behind our back? Do they wish the worst for us?

His friends cared about him so much that they brought him to Jesus. His friends knew that only Jesus could heal him.

“He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.'” v. 2

The paralytic could’ve been depressed because Jesus told him to cheer up.

“Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. And he arose and departed to his house.” v. 6-7

It’s because of his friends that he was forgiven and healed.

Also, we can see in these verses that Jesus forgave the man first before He healed him. It is because spiritual healing (forgiveness for our sins) is more important than physical healing.

Sometimes God allows diseases and physical disabilities to bring us to Himself. Until we realize that God is all we need, we will never come to Him.

God doesn’t promise that when we come to Him, we will be healed. God is sovereign and He knows what’s best for us.

As a friend, our job is to pray for our friends, to ask God to cover them with His blood because they could be suffering from things that they don’t talk to us about.

In the previous story in chapter 9, we learned that we have to choose our friends carefully because they will help us in our physical snd spiritual journey. However, in this story, God shows us that we also have to befriend sinners.

Here’s a caveat. We have to befriend sinners not to be influenced by them but to influence them for the Lord.

We were sinners before we came to know the Lord, and sometimes even as believers, we are tempted to sin.

When Jesus called Matthew, he was a tax collector. I read from the commentary, enduringword.com, that the Jewish people considered tax collectors before as traitors because they worked for the Roman government. They didn’t have a good reputation.

However, Jesus told him to follow Him. Jesus knew that he was a sinner but Jesus called him to be one of His disciples. We can also see the heart of Matthew here. It says in verse 9 that “he arose and followed Him.” Matthew obeyed God right away. Then, because he obeyed, his friends came to Jesus, too.

“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.” v. 10

Eventually, Matthew wrote the gospel of Matthew. ❤️ This is a good reminder because sometimes, us believers tend to hang out only with believers because it’s easy and comfortable. However, we forget to reach out to unbelievers who need our influence so they can also know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” vv. 12-13

Devo: Matthew 7:21-23

Devo: Matthew 7:21-23

These are only three verses but they’re very powerful.

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'” v. 22

They obviously have done many amazing, spiritual things. However, spiritual accomplishments mean nothing if we are not personally connected to God. God said,

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” v. 21

We should call on the name of the Lord to be saved. It says in Romans 10:13, “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'” Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

However, just because someone calls on the name of the Lord doesn’t mean that he is truly saved. Anyone can call on the Lord but not really mean it. Anyone can prophesy, cast out demons, and do wonders in thre name of Jesus.

It can be done for the Lord without really knowing the Lord. It can also be for personal gain.

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” v. 23

“I never knew you…”

It’s not enough that we know the Lord. We should also be known by Him. A relationship is not a relationship if it is one-sided. There should be a mutual understanding between the two people.

When I heard a similar message before, I cried out to God and asked Him to show me that He knows me. I prayed to Him with that request for three nights in a row and the day after, I received my confirmation. I was laughing and crying at the same time in front of my friend who is also a believer of Jesus Christ. I was elated.

There is a day of judgment. In verse 22, God said, “Many will say to Me in that day…” “…in that day…” refers to Judgment Day. There will be a day where we will stand before God and face His judgment.

On that day, the only thing that will matter is our relationship with God. I remembered the story of Mary and Martha when Jesus visited them. Martha was preoccupied with many things, with serving God, but Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha complained to Jesus about her sister, Mary, who was not helping her. Jesus, however, told Martha that Mary chose the good part. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to focus on Him, to communicate with Him, to have fellowship with Him.

And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” – Luke 10:41-42 NKJV

What then is the basis of salvation? It doesn’t mean we should not call on the Lord because we should. It doesn’t mean bot doing anything for God. The basis of salvation is connection to God. We have to check our heart if we are truly connected to Him.

“In the end, there is one basis of salvation; it isn’t mere verbal confession, not “spiritual works,” but knowing Jesus and being known by Him. It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. Connected to Jesus we are secure; without connection to Him all the miracles and great works prove nothing.” enduringword.com

Devo: Matthew 6:1-4

Devo: Matthew 6:1-4

Matthew 6:1-4

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

I think people are sometimes tempted to give to appear generous and therefore, to be applauded by men–because we all want to appear righteous. We don’t want others to think we are bad.

Recently, my husband asked me about my trip in Vietnam and I willingly shared stories. Then I told him about the alms I tried to give to the man I saw on the street. I just wanted to tell him that the man refused to take the money no matter how I insisted. He pointed to the CCTV camera and said that he wouldn’t be allowed to go back to that spot if he took it. So my mother and I left. My purpose was just to share the story and not for him to think that I am a generous person. In my mind it was okay because he’s my husband and we are one. However, I felt convicted.

God tells us in these verses in Matthew that we should give out of our love for the Lord and care for men and not for people’s applause. When people applaud us, we already receive our reward and we won’t be rewarded by God anymore in heaven. I prefer God’s reward over people’s applause.

If we do it for human recognition, we might as well enjoy their congratulatory remarks because that is all the reward we will get. I always ask God to help me forget the charitable things I do because I don’t want to feel proud about it. I don’t want to even remember it. It’s okay if the people I gave to don’t remember me. The purpose is not for them to remember me but for them to know that God sees them and knows their needs. Everything that we do should be for God’s glory, not ours.

I just memorized 1st Corinthians 10:31 last Wednesday:

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Whatever we do should be done for God’s glory. I won’t have anything to give if God doesn’t provide foe me. I wouldn’t give if God doesn’t prompt me to give. It’s all God.

What if other people learn about our giving? It doesn’t mean that we lose our reward in heaven when other people find out about our charitable deeds. What’s important is our motive. Do we do it for the glory of God or for our own selfish desires? God sees beyond our actions. He sees our motives.

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Christians are the light of the world and we should let our light shine so that they will glorify God. God wants us to give, especially to those who are in need.

Devo: Matthew 5:27-30

Devo: Matthew 5:27-30

I thought this passage won’t speak to me anymore because I’ve read this countless times before. However, I am surprised to glean from it anew. I am also grateful because I asked God to help me learn something new and He did answer it.

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” v. 28

God is telling us that to lust for a person in his mind is already a sin. However, that does not give us the license to do it. Just because we know that the thought of it is sin doesn’t mean that actually committing the sin won’t be any worse. God hates both.

I like what the enduringword.com commentary said:

“We may not be able to control passing thoughts or feelings, but we certainly do decide where our heart and mind will rest.” enduringword.com

Sometimes temptations or negative thoughts flood our minds but we have to choose not to entertain them. I learned that we can choose not to let it affect us. We have control over our thoughts. It says in 2nd Corinthians chapter 10 verse 5 that we should take our thoughts captive.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

And when it’s hard to do, we have to ask God to give us good and godly thoughts, to remind us of His promises for us, to give us strong minds, to fill us with the Holy Spirit.

This passage does not only refer to sexual sin but anything that we lust upon. It can be riches, fame, etc.

“If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” v. 29-30

We should not take these verses literally. It’s not asking us to maim our bodies so we would sin no more, because even without eyes or hands, we can still sin in the mind. We may not sin physically but we may still commit sin in the mind.

“Mutilation will not serve the purpose; it may prevent the outward act, but it will not extinguish desire.” – Bruce, enduringword.com

Imagine being married to someone who constantly daydreams about someone else. He/She is with you physically but his/her mind is with someone else. He may not necessarily be acting upon the thought but just thinking about another person when you’re married is already adultery. Having an unfaithful spouse is heartbreaking.

I would rather be alone than be with someone who isn’t loyal to me. I won’t force myself to someone who is into someone else. I don’t like that stress in my life.

“The salvation of our souls is to be preferred before all things, be they ever so dear and precious to us; and that if men’s ordinary discretion teacheth them for the preservation of their bodies to cut off a particular member, which would necessarily endanger the whole body, it much more teacheth them to part with any thing which will prejudice the salvation of their souls.” – Poole, enduringword.com

Vietnam Thoughts

Vietnam Thoughts

We left the hotel at around 1 pm and went to Tonkin Garden Cafe & Eatery. My class is at 6:45 pm (Philippine time) so we have more time to spare. Anyway, I read from reviews online that it has the best egg cream coffee in Ho Chi Minh and I don’t want to leave Vietnam without trying it. (I’m writing this at the Tan Son Nhat airport).

The review I read is true. Their egg cream coffee was soooooo good! I was not disappointed. They used robusta coffee and fresh egg. I’m not a coffee person (I prefer tea over coffee) but I was curious of the taste. I thought that it would taste gross because it has fresh egg, but it was surprisingly good! Yum!

Mama had matcha with coconut milk and papa had black coffee. The bahn mi was also good. Their food and drink items are also affordable. For three different drinks and two bahn mis, we paid 290,000 VND. In some restaurants here, you can get one dish for that price. It was worth it.

When we first got here at midnight last Friday, I was frustrated because the Grab driver charged us sooo much for the ride. He took 570,000 VND from us when it only cost us 122,000 VND plus the 10,000 VND airport surcharge to get here from our hotel. (We used the 389 Php to 1 VND conversion rate.)

Then when we got to the hotel, it looked so different from the pictures. Although at the back of my mind, it was reasonable for the price. (I am all for budget travel. Just because someone can travel, it doesn’t mean he should splurge.) I wasn’t expecting much but it was way beyond my expectation. 😅

Our neighbors would smoke cigarette every day and we were suffocated by the smoke that seeped through the cracked wooden door frame. The bathroom ceiling leaks and the shower stopped working after 2 days. (We just used the faucet and our make-shift tabo. Maparaan ang Pinoy!) Babawi ako sa parents ko next time.

I didn’t make plans for last Friday because I wanted it to be just a day for rest because I knew we would be able to sleep late. (We slept at around 4 a.m.)

When we went out to get something to eat for brunch, it was raining and we didn’t know where to go and it was hard to communicate with the people because most of them don’t speak English. Admittedly, it’s also my fault because I didn’t buy a sim card with internet connection.

We also learned how difficult it is to cross the street. It’s like the motorists don’t care about pedestrians because they don’t slow down for you even when you’re on the pedestrian crossing. Thank God we didn’t get into any accident.

We used Grab most of the time because we didn’t know where tbe bus stations are and which bus station to go to. They also don’t have trains. I think we would be able to save more if they have trains. We also don’t trust taxi drivers much because of our first experience so the best way to get around is by Grab. We took the bus three times, I think, in our entire stay. However, using Grab is helpful for my parents who have back and feet problems. Also, Grab rides here are cheaper than Grab rides in the Philippines. Ang saya!

Also, the weather got better and we were able to explore much of the city. We also met people who speak English and they were very helpful with giving directions. Most of them pulled out their phones and checked on the internet to show us how we could go to the places we needed to go. There was one lady yesterday who helped us book Grab. Her name is Susie and she said she has Filipino colleagues. She was really nice.

Also, I must say that we were all able to sleep well in our hotel room. We didn’t have bad dreams. I would hear papa snoring most of the time. It means that he was able to rest well. (I believe that praying over our room and the entire hotel helped a lot.) The cigarette smoke is really a no no but if there’s any consolation, it is that we all had good sleep there. I was decided to cancel our booking the next day and I actually did inform the receptionist about my concern (using Google Translate) but our stay there had been good. (I remembered later that on the website where I booked the hotel that there is no cancellation.)

I made our itinerary before coming to Vietnam and we were able to do almost all of them. I didn’t get a package tour because I wanted us to feel relaxed especially with our time. The time we would be able to spend in the places that we wanted to visit would be limited and we wouldn’t enjoy much if we got a package tour.

I think it’s easy to judge a country after a couple of days of staying there, but we will really only get to know the people and the place when we stay a bit longer. Not that we stayed that long but we get to meet more locals and see more of the place. My perspective changed and I started to like it. It has a lot of similarities with the Philippines.

I haven’t been to a lot of countries yet but so far, if there’s one country I’ll visit again, especially for the food, it’ll definitely be Vietnam. Everything we tried was superb. Their food is also healthy. Almost every dish has herbs. They are very creative with recipes. It’s just amazing.

Yesterday, I told God that I am grateful for everything–for the good and the bad. I’m not referring to Vietnam but life in general. I think people tend to grumble when we don’t see God’s hand in our situation. When we see the bigger picture, we will understand why God allowed some things that we didn’t like to happen. However, we will not always understand so we should learn to trust God in everything. We should trust that God’s plan for us is good no matter what (if we believe in Him and obey Him) because He is good. Recently, I have been asking God to help me trust Him in everything at all times.

I am beyond grateful for this experience. I had always wanted to go to Vietnam because I am really curious of the floating market (Babaw ba? 😅) We didn’t get to there though, because of the time constraints but I’m content with everything that we experienced in this city.

I am grateful that God has perks like this for us. He didn’t have to give it to us but He did. He doesn’t provide only for our needs but also for our wants. I know He will not always give us what we want but I am grateful He allowed this.

Oh, I can’t help but sing. The song I’m singing in my head right now is Every Praise by Hezekiah Walker. Truly, every praise is to our God. I am grateful for His blessings, but He will always, always, be my greatest blessing. I enjoy the good things He allows in my life, but my utmost satisfaction is in Christ alone.❤️

Joseph

Joseph

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him. When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt…” Matthew 2:13-14

“Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead. Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.” Matthew 2:19-21

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth…” Matthew 2:22-23

We can see Joseph’s character in this story. He was obedient to God. Wherever and whenever God told him to go, he went without questioning. In chapter 1, we see how he honored Mary despite what he learned about her.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.” vv. 18-19

Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant but he didn’t know that Mary was pregnant because of the Holy Spirit. The word “betrothed” means engaged to be married. They were engaged. It must have hurt him deeply to know that Mary, his fiancée, got pregnant while they were planning (or preparing?) for the wedding. It says in verse 19 that he wanted to put her away.

Despite the pain, however, he showed how much of a gentleman he was. He did not want to destroy Mary’s reputation. Yes, he wanted to put her away, but he wanted to put her away “secretly”. He still protected Mary.

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.'” Matthew 1:20-21

“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.” Matthew 1:24-25

What a beautiful soul Joseph was. He was obedient to God. He obeyed God’s command to take Mary. He obeyed to go to Egypt from Bethlehem, then to Israel. Because of his obedience, the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene was fulfilled (v. 23).

Three Wise Men

Three Wise Men

My devotion today helped me see the three wise men from a different perspective. I used to see them as just the three kings who followed the star and brought gifts to Jesus. When I was young, we called them the three magi or the three kings. Today I learned that they were actually astrologers/astronomers/philosophers.

“In later centuries down to New Testament times, the term [magoi] loosely covered a wide variety of men interested in dreams, astrology, magic, books thought to contain mysterious references to the future, and the like.” (Carson) enduringword.com

“Whatever it was, it is significant that God met them in their own medium: He guided the astronomers by a star. This was also in fulfillment of Numbers 24:17: A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel. This was widely regarded by ancient Jewish scholars as a Messianic prediction.” enduringword.com

They saw the star and followed it. The star led them to Jesus. It must have stopped appearing because they went to Herod the king in Jerusalem. However, even that reroute, I believe, is part of God’s plan. They were able to get more information from Herod the king and we see the latter’s wickedness.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

“His star” — The star was the star of Jesus Christ. What they saw was the star of Jesus Himself and it guided them. Then the star re-appeared after meeting Herod.

“When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” Matthew 2:9

It’s amazing how the Lord guided them to where Jesus was exactly.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11

“…and behold, the star which they had seen in the Easy went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” v. 9

“The words came to rest mean literally ‘came and stood’, and can mean only that the star itself moved to guide the Magi.” (France) enduringword.com

The wise men also gave presents to Jesus. They did not come unprepared. Of course their worship is the most important but because they knew they were going to see the King, they did not come empty-handed.

“When they worshipped, it was to give something – not empty-handed adoration.” enduringword.com

They traveled far not only to see Jesus but to worship Him. They even brought gifts for Him. Though they knew that they were going to see a Child, they persevered to see Him. They followed the star no matter what the cost.

They were expecting a Savior and they recognized young Jesus as the King of the Jews and they were joyful. They even “fell down and worshiped Him”.

Unlike the chief priests and scribes who knew where Jesus Christ was to be born, they didn’t bother coming to Him.

“And when he (Herod the king) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea…” Matthew 2:4-5

Herod, who was jealous of the King of the Jews, wanted Jesus dead. Be ordered the wise men to look for Jesus and report back to him so he could “come and worship Him also”. It was a lie. Jesus was a threat to him because he didn’t want to surrender his kingship, his position and power.

“Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” v. 12

They obeyed the warning they received through their dream. They returned to their home country and did not report back to Herod.

We see a wonderful pattern: “Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.” Spurgeon

Thoughtful Gifts From My Husband

Thoughtful Gifts From My Husband

My husband already left for the U.S. this evening. Before we parted at the airport, he said that he has a letter for me and he put it in (yes, inside) the fridge. He said he also wrote in my Bible (the Bible he gave me for our first wedding anniversary).

He first gave me the Morning and Evening devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon. He reads from four different devotionals and I told him that I like Morning and Evening. I didn’t know that he took note of that comment of mine.

Also, last month, I asked him if the journaling Bible (single column journaling Bible with a leather cover) that I showed him is available in the U.S. and he said that most of them are in ESV. I didn’t ask him to buy one for me but he remembered it. I was ecstatic when he gave me a journaling Bible in the New King James version. I could not contain my happiness. I was like a kid with her favorite toy when I received it. He said, “Look at you getting so excited over a gift.”

I really want to buy a journaling Bible but the ones available here in the Philippines are in ESV. I like writing and drawing in my Bible. I like highlighting, too. I write commentaries, prayers, notes, etc. I still love my old NKJV Bible but there’s no more space to write and draw. Haha. Anyway, now I don’t have to buy anymore. ❤️ I can already start my 3rd round of Bible reading. I know some people read the entire Bible once a year but I like to savor the Word.

Lelan is sweet. He remembers things that are important to me. I feel like my gifts for him are blah compared to his gifts for me. He doesn’t mind the cost of and the exhaustion from traveling from the U.S. to the Philippines and vice versa several times a year just for us to be together.

When I was still single, I asked God for someone who would cross the oceans for me and Lelan is exactly that person. He doesn’t mind the distance and the stress that comes with our temporary long-distance relationship. I asked that from God because for me, if a guy will travel far for me, it means that his intention is pure. It means that he believes I’m worth the distance and effort.

He is a gift from the Lord. He is an answered prayer. He is not perfect but he is trying his best to be pleasing to the Lord. (I’m not perfect either.) Lelan loves the Lord and he likes to obey His Word (the Holy Bible) and I respect him for that.

God gave him to me not because I deserve a good and godly man but because God is good. We serve a wonderful, awesome God! I miss my husband already… Airport goodbyes are the hardest.

The Morning and Evening devotional by Charles Spurgeon

I don’t mind sharing my husband’s first official letter for me.

He was referring to the praise and worship songs I left playing on my phone overnight in this letter.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark

Same map we used last time (in January)

We asked the lady at the bakeshop for directions (to go to Yehliu) and she showed us these:

Nakakatuwa may Tagalog!

We asked the ticketing officer for directions and this is what he initially gave us.

However, Lelan and I decided to ask more people and they gave us a different route. So we went back to the ticketing officer for confirmation. This is what he gave us:

Yeyyy!!! Finally!

Keelung (We were told to take the bus to go to Yehliu Geopark.)

We made it! Whew!

There was a long covered street that offers a variety of snacks and of course, pasalubong!

The Queen’s Head

Some people threw coins there.

We packed our bags before heading out this morning so we’d be ready to go to the airport. We had a bit of an adventure going there. Since we went there on our own, we had to ask people for directions. We took the MRT and then the TRA and then the local train and then, finally, the bus. We did it local style and it was nice.

We enjoyed our time in Yehliu. It’s amazing how the rocks were formed by the weathering, marine erosion, and crustal movement. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived but I’m glad God still allowed us to see the beauty there.

We took the taxi to go to the bus station from Yehliu. The bus ride to Taipei only took one and a half hours. It’s half the time of our travel to Yehliu from Taipei. We went to the Main Station (MRT) to distribute the food items and gospel tracts.

Sunday

Sunday

We were picked up by Mr. Micah Lu at 9:10 am at our AirBnB and drove us to church.

The service was in Chinese but one of the members, Josh Chu, helped us understand the message by translating it to us in English.

We joined their lunch fellowship. Since Josh Chu leads the youth group, we were joined by the young people in church. They are all fun to be around. They welcomed us warmly along with their other visitors.

Then Micah Lu drove us back to our AirBnB. My husband learned about Mr. Micah Lu from one of the elders in the church we visited in Malaysia. It’s nice to be connected to people from Christian churches in different parts of the world. God always leads us to the right church. God is so sweet.

We stayed in the AirBnB to rest until 7, then we went to Carrefour to get food items for distribution, and then we went back to our AirBnB to drop the stuff. We headed to Ximending after. I got some fridge magnets and strawberry cake for pasalubong.

I know some people who don’t like the stinky tofu but I like it! It tastes just like the regular fried tofu. It smells awful but it tastes good.

Prepared for tomorrow’s activity… It was not easy to get gospel tracts in Chinese. Thank God kuya Jerry Uy knows someone who could give us–for free!