Ilha Formosa

It's amazing that I'm typing this, seeing as how my computer has switched to Chinese characters and I can't read any links:

I arrived late last night to a warm welcome by all the LCMS GEOs that I'll be living with for the next three months in the "practice hotel", a hotel that was donated to the school which was used to teach hospitality and now converted to dorms for the foreign teachers. I have my own room and the living room is complete with a Yamaha piano-- with my name written all over it!

It was good to finally meet the people that I've been praying for for some time now, both the missionaries and the people of Taiwan. The students are so funny, and I was hit with a ballistic piece of chalk in the first class that I observed (they are well-behaved, but maybe not as docile as I anticipated!). I'm still working out exactly which classes I will be teaching, but it will be a mix of high school English and Spanish courses. Finally! I get to use my Spanish!

I can't say that I love being here. Does a person love breathing? It just feels right, it fits-- not Taiwan itself (although it's not for no reason it was called Ilha Formosa, Beautiful Island), but the lifestyle of being a missionary. It's simple living, people-based and 100% leaning on God. I already have a self-proclaimed Taiwanese mother named Janice who likes to feed me (though no replacement of my own dear mother). All the missionaries are super welcoming and I think I will get along with them supremely. Mostly, I am so anxious to share the Word of God and I find myself waiting on the edge of my seat for an effective opportunity to witness. I have to remind myself that it will come and to let it come naturally. I can just be still and know that God is God; He brought me here and He will provide the right opportunities.

Well, we're off to dinner. I feel like all I've done since I arrived is eating. It's a hard life, but someone's got to live it!

Anna

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P.S. Rode my first motor scooter today!  I think I have a new favorite hobby.  Don't worry mom, I wore a helmet, and we only rode on the wrong side of the road for a little ways (it's legal here, apparently)!  Also, I learned to count to 100 in Chinese and will be able to take some free (yes!) Chinese classes at Concordia Middle School (where I'll eventually be teaching).  Can't live in Taiwan and not learn the language!  I would forever be ordering the wrong things.