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Kids Ministry: Taiwanese Style

State News: Apr 2008

In Taiwan you will meet children in all kinds of places and at all times of the day. Whether it is early morning on the way to school, or 1am at the night markets, children are around.

In the suburb of Wanhua, a working class district of Taipei notorious for gang activity, kids as young as six wander the streets alone. Ministry to the children in this environment takes patience and perseverance. Many only have a single parent who works long hours and is not often home, or are cared for by relatives.

Unstable family relationships have manifested themselves in disruptive behavior in these children. During our activities it is apparent that some are not used to following instructions. Even their school teachers send them to counselors every day. The people of Wanhua have seen many of their children end up in juvenile reformatories.

Loving these children is indeed a challenge. Ultimately, they need to know that God is their heavenly Father – that He is always present and forever loving. We minister to the kids of Wanhua in the hope of giving them a glimpse of this reality. By providing a loving, stable and friendly atmosphere we pray they will experience being a part of God’s family.

I have known Michael for 3 years, since he was 9 years old. Throughout this time our team has met his grandmother, brother, sister and alcoholic father. Through building up a relationship with his family his grandmother allowed him to attend a Christian camp last summer, where he accepted Christ. However, every time Michael went to church his grandmother would beat him. He said he had to be a Buddhist again and has given up on Christianity. We are thankful, however, for the good relationship we still have with him and his family. His grandmother even allows him to spend some Saturdays with the family of a missionary.

Please join us in prayer for Michael and his family – that the Holy Spirit would strengthen Michael’s faith and protect him. Pray also for the children of Wanhua - that God will have mercy on them and lead them to know Him as their Heavenly Father. Pray that some of these kids will be the next Christian leaders amongst the working class of Taiwan.

Written by a Children’s ministry intern to Taiwan