This was my second time going to Taiwan for a short term mission trip, and I saw God’s blessings and grace amidst new challenges. After the ten team members have just met and talked for a couple of hours, we had to join the Taiwanese churches for camp counselor training.

The Bonfire Night our mission team had to host on the second evening of camp was probably our most thrilling experience. We finished preparing the programs that same day, with no complete run-through. What made our hearts pounded faster was that we checked out the location for the bonfire too late: there was little grass; the rest was sand. It was hot. There was not enough light. We could barely read our notes and music.

But God prepared for us everything we needed. Some of the group leaders used the team signs to fan the students, and the students felt grateful. A church gave everyone a pen with light on the end, which we used as makeshift flashlight/spotlight. This made it clear that we do not go on mission trips to glorify ourselves but to shine the spotlight on Jesus.

And it wasn’t just this evening that I experienced God’s presence and Him answering our prayers. One morning, when the mission team gathered for devotion, we were reminded that our team had not just ten people– God had always been a part of us! I understood deeply now that no matter how incompetent, or timid, or powerless we may feel, as long as we put our trust in God, He will complete what He set out to do and bless us abundantly.

The blessings I have received during these fourteen days have far outweighed what I had put in. I enjoyed every minute building relationships with my small groups: playing games, chatting, sharing, praying…

This year we also had the chance to visit Pastor Lu’s church in Tainan, to get to know the pastor and his wife and the ministry they are doing, to host a two-day English Gospel camp, and to connect with the middle schoolers in the community.

Because of the typhoon and the small number of students who signed up, we thought less than ten people would come. It was a surprise to see more than 20 kids show up! God is truly working nonstop, and it is an extremely beautiful thing to be serving Him. Thanks for supporting the mission trip. Your prayer is a beautiful offering! May God bless you.