“I would have to say that the children at EVERY school latched on to each of us very quickly. Although each of us would see an average of 500 children each week, we fell in love with each one of them. Opportunities for ministry were abundant. Whether it was just playing basketball at recess or inviting them to go shopping with us in the evenings, we became very good friends with our students.

“Just about every teacher became good friends with each of us. It was very hard for them and for us as we left. There were many tearful goodbyes between our students, Chinese English teachers, and us. One of the exciting things for me was an opportunity that the Chinese English teachers gave me to challenge the 6th graders. I was able to share with just about each of them the difficulties that they will face in these tough years of their lives. I also gave examples of my life when I was at the 12-13-14-year-old age. It was pretty encouraging for both sides, I think. The gifts they gave us could have filled the bed of a truck. I was blown away by the cards, gifts, and tokens of gratefulness. It really sent a message that God had used us to impact these children in ways that we did not know.

“God really knit our hearts together as a team, and for me to see how well we worked together for such a long time is only a testimony of the power and grace of our King. The team showed great flexibility while being in a totally different culture, and they demonstrated genuine love as they poured themselves out to the Taiwanese people. I would have no hesitation to share a foxhole on the battlefield with any one of my 9 team members.”

—Wes Dudley, Nantou Team Leader, 2003

“The relationships we were able to develop with the people were really the highlight of the trip. There were so many special people that we were able to minister to and be ministered to by them. Everything from giving us rides, to serving us very strange Taiwanese dishes, our friends made us feel at home and welcome. It was so amazing how open they were to the Gospel.

“The trip as a whole was extremely stretching—a time of amazing spiritual growth and strengthening. I know that I speak for my whole team when I say that God was faithful to each one of us, to give us the strength and wisdom that we needed so many different times. We are indeed very grateful to Him for all that He did through us and in us during the course of our trip.”

—Andrew Fear, Chaiyi Team Leader, 2003