The End (Almost), the Future and a Shout Out!

Four weeks from today, we officially graduate from SBS. It feels like Senioritis in November, and you can definitely sense its presence in the classroom. Each day of lecture holds a new level of insanity than the last. The challenge we are all facing is to not miss out on our last few weeks, because there is still so much to learn.

We have truly fallen in love with Taiwan, our class, and this season of sisterhood. Last weekend we had a fun time going out with some Taiwanese friends to the night market, which was a great… cultural experience The highlight was chinese doctor medicine soup, which appeared to be broth, pork bones, and a hint of herb. Also, it is apparently election time in Taiwan, which is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in the States. One would think that by not having access to TV, radio or newspaper in one’s language, one would be able to bypass certain unpleasant and unnecessary campaign ads. Unfortunately that is not the case. Where we are spared typical American campaign tactics, we are bombarded day and night with what can best be described this way: First, imagine the most terrible radio jingle you’ve ever heard. Now, translate into Chinese. Then, blast it through a megaphone attached to a moped that if not parked directly in front of your house or place of study, circles it continuously, only to move on when the next, more annoying, longer campaign jingle-carrying-moped comes by. You’ve reached an all-time low when you find yourself sub-consciously singing the jingle you’ve been trying to escape the one time it isn’t blasting. Well, for what it’s worth, the tactic is effective. And yes, we still love Taiwan, in spite of all this.

Anyway, true to our word, we would like to give an update about what is coming next for us. Both of us are coming home for Christmas, which we are incredibly excited for!

Natalie: I am coming home to volunteer and serve with the middle school youth group at our church, Salem 1st Nazarene. I have had an amazing time working with the youth the last two years and God has really put them on my heart as a ministry target for this season. I have missed being a part of their lives this year but I feel so much more equipped and God has given me so much more to offer the youth group as a whole. The middle school group has been growing and there is a great need for discipleship and staff, which I am very excited to help fill. Along with this I will continue to pursue my ultimate goal of studying counseling and psychology. SBS has really given me a passion for education that I never had before. God has opened my eyes to the intelligence and abilities he has given me that I have doubted my whole life. Where before I was pursuing higher education out of obligation, I now have desire, motivation and confidence to go beyond what I ever thought I could do. Ph.D. what what! (We’ll cross that bridge when it comes). My prayer for this next season when I am at home is that I really find a balance between how much of myself I give to serving at the church, committing to missions, pursuing education and finding a job. I want my life to be missions no matter where I am, but I truly hope this is not my last time in YWAM.

Analia: Well, I am also coming home for Christmas, but my stay at home will be considerably shorter than Natalie’s. Over this year God has really challenged me to be willing to invest and pursue the calling that he has put on my life. Ever since my DTS in ’06, my heart was really stirred up for cross-cultural missions as well as teaching and I think people who have been around me for any extended amount of time have also seen that. With that said, I will be participating in the Titus Project here in Taiwan, which is a program designed to train and equip people to teach the Bible. It starts at the very end of December and has a three-week lecture phase followed by an outreach in a nation that is in desperate need of sound Biblical teaching. Right now the possibilities of where I may go are Indonesia, Russia, Burma, India, Mongolia and the Dominican Republic. In these nations, the gospel has continued to spread, but there is a huge need for discipleship, equipping pastors and leaders and building up the body of Christ.  I am really excited about this because it will also prepare me for the step that comes after: I will be joining the SBS staff for the 2011 school here in Taiwan. As staff, I will teach, grade work, lead a small group and one-on-ones and continue to take part in YWAM Taiwan’s vision to reach the Taiwanese with the gospel. I have had some amazing times sharing with people throughout the year and have been recently picking up Chinese in my “free time,” so I am excited to be able to stay in Taiwan and invest in relationships that have been established. This commitment will last through March 2012, so it is definitely a more long-term commitment to missions and this calling God has put on my life.

With all of that said, we would like to formally (or informally) in vite those who are in the Salem area (or feel like traveling to the Promised Land) to a dessert night at our church (Salem First Church of the Nazarene on Market St.) on December 27th. We know it’s early notice, but consider it a save-the-date, as holiday schedules seem to fill up quickly. It will be a time to share about this past year and reconnect with everyone. For Analia, this will also be a time geared towards raising support and sharing about her next step. We know the holidays are busy but we hope this will be a great time to reconnect one-on-one with as many of you as we can during the short time we will have together before Analia goes back to Taiwan (More details to follow as the date approaches).

As always, we love you and miss you.

Analia and Natalie

P.S. Shout-out to our awesome school leader, Lachlan, whose highlight of our blogs is when we mention him. Holla! Lachlan! We <3 U.

Last minute 80's birthday dance party, complete with a delicious pumpkin pie!

Remnant of Taiwanese medicine pork soup at the night market with our Taiwanese friends!