Ark Fellowship

Yes, it is the rainy season, but no, its not THAT bad. No ark needed, at least not yet!

The Ark Fellowship is the youth group founded by my friend Michael and his wife Anna. Carl first helped with their youth group back in February during a weekend retreat in Hualien, Since then, we have committed to come along aside them in their endeavor to reach the youth of Taiwan.

Actually, I don't do much. Until  my full time ministry of teaching doesn't require overtime to survive, I need to limit other responsibilities. It's hard for this "sure, I can do that" girl but mere survival  has dictated its necessity. Carl does most of the work. Besides presenting the lesson, Carl often bakes a homemade treat to share. He has also developed great relationships among several of the students.

Ben, Abbi, and Jacob have also chosen to help. Actually, I think it is their presence that often helps pull in the Chinese students. Most English learners desire a chance to practice their listening and speaking skills with a native speaker- especially if its another teen.  Abbi has also done some baking. And starting soon, Abbi and Ben will be working with the younger members ( 12 and under) of the Ark Fellowship.

Last Sunday, we deviated from our normal afternoon schedule. As a treat we decided to head off to one of the local hiking areas and spend the day. We sang, we worshiped, we played, we cooked, we ate, we hiked. And then we ate again. Yep, sounds normal for a church activity. Have food- will fellowship!

Carl teaching and Michael translating

Playing a game

Barbecue!

Taiwanese charcoal- different looking and harder to light

Yes, much harder to light!

Chopping the vegetables!

If you know Carl, you will understand this picture. It was driving
him crazy that they were undercooking all the meat.
 But it drove our Chinese friends that he wanted it burnt.
  Finally, Carl decided to"camp out" beside the grill
and guard this sausage until its completion. 

Another group barbecuing, but they had a whole chicken on
 the right and on the left, hidden by the smoke were three
 whole fish.

Yummy!

I'll take this sign over the snake crossing sign!

Oh no!  Not again!

When (or how) did she get so tall? 

The nice people at the top of the ridge who spoke zero English but yet shared their fresh fruit with us!

I was very humbled by the amount of elderly people we encountered while completing what I would considered  a challenging hike (two days later and my muscles are still sore). Carl, Abbi, and Jacob seemed unaffected! (Ben wasn't feeling well that morning so he decided it was best to stay home).

No, he didn't climb this wall but he did go
rock climbing earlier in the week.He was
the only one able to get to the top of
all four walls. His new nickname-
Spiderman! 

Although Taiwan is not a third world country, not everyone is as privileged as many of my students. I'm not sure if this was someone's home or shed, but I really like the old video game holding up the broom.