Acts

In our adult Friday night Bible study group and also our team Bible study on Tuesday night, we're going through the book of Acts.  I must admit, it's always been a bit difficult for me to comprehend it, especially now that I am on the mission field.  I understand that God does not change, but the way in which He interacts with people throughout history changes.  We no longer have a theocracy like in ancient Israel.  God does not appear to us in a pillar of raging fire.  The way God was present in the Old Testament, He is now present in our lives in other ways:  The Word, Communion, His Spirit in our hearts.

But what about the early church in Acts?  They were also part of the New Covenant.  God displayed His sovereignty and did mighty things.  The believers at that time fasted, prayed ceaselessly, gave all their money to the poor.  It was a time of extremes.  Extreme persecution, extreme sacrifice, extreme turnover.  Peter and Paul and the other apostles walked into temples and preached the Gospel in truth and love, without reservation or shame or timidity.  People would bring their sick to them, trying just to reach the span of their shadows, that they might be healed.  Now, we probably don't have hordes of people fighting over prime spots in our personal bubbles so that they could be healed.  The Bible says everyone has different gifts-- some healing, some prophesy, others teaching, still others encouragement, etc.  Well, maybe our gifts are not that of healing.  But we do have the same authority to do amazing  things-- the name of Jesus.  Right?

       John 14:12-14:
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you  ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

As a youth, I always imagined the mission field to be like the early church.  Extreme.  Raw.  Dangerous.  Some mission fields are like this.  We hear about exorcisms and healings in India and Africa.  But I suppose I'm much more "comfortable" here than I imagined.  The school gives me a "safe" place to tell students that Jesus loves them, where it's embedded into the curriculum and it's very convenient and it's what I get paid to do.   I absolutely love teaching my students about the Bible, so hat's all fine and well.  However, I suppose I am desiring more.  I know some people write off street evangelism as ineffective.   But in a place where only 0.04% of the population is Christian and many have never even heard the truth of the Gospel before, would it really be a waste of time?

What would happen if I sit down with the people at the local temple with my Chinese English Bible?  What if I tell the girl who makes me dumplings that Jesus loves her?  I've done some of this when the time is right, inviting the girls at the tea stand to Bible study (and they came).  But for the most part, it is still something that makes me a bit nervous.  I don't want to spout words without tact, but I don't want fear or timidity to be holding me back from sharing God's love to people who desperately need it.

When should we witness in Chiayi?  How should we witness?  To whom should we witness?  How is it similar and different than witnessing in America?  How is it similar and different than the early church?  I've emailed professors and mission supervisors these questions, looking for any clues to the answers within the shifting contexts of society and individuals.  What does God have in store for me to do here?  Whatever it is, I want to go at it at full speed forward, fueled by love, and unhindered by the brakes of fear.

How about you?  Thoughts?  Similar questions?  Input?  Scripture?  Email me at anna.gruen@cuw.edu.

Garden.

It's been over a month of teaching now, though it hardly seems possible.  Although I miss the colors and smells of fall, the air has changed here and no longer drips with humidity.  It's cool enough to wear a jacket at night, and the days have been breezy and pleasant.  I've started a little garden of vegetables and herbs-- something I never had too much patience for in the States.  The plant growth is so slow you can hardly see a difference from day to day.  But after a month, I look back and think of how those ambitious, gangly, vivacious shoots came from dry seeds and it seems impossible.  I think teaching is a lot like that-- day to day, you don't see the difference you are making.  But we still till, sow, water every day.   We work, we watch, we wait.  And eventually, we will be amazed at how our students have grown.  Gardening is teaching me patience and persistence despite a lack of instant feedback.  I almost wish we grew a garden as part of our education degree, because it's a powerful picture of what I'm learning as a first year teacher!

I officially received my first salary paycheck (huge excitement for the recent college grad!), and used part of it to buy a nice guitar.  It allows me to lead worship at a local church, Friday Night Bible Study songs, On Campus Student Fellowship on Thursday nights, a student worship band at the school, as well as enjoy personal worship time.  What a blessing!  I really cherish my new "baby".  :)  My newest project-- learning Chinese worship songs!  It's a good way to connect with Chinese Christians and learn more of the language. :)

I started tutoring for a prominent family in the community.  The family is quite rich and owns many different businesses in the area, so it could be a very influential job.  The girls are 6 and 8 years old, and it's definitely a stretch out of my preferred teaching age group (junior high and high school).  I need to look into kindergarten teaching strategies!  The family is Buddhist, but I wear my cross necklace and we'll see what opportunities God gives me to share His grace in love.

Part of my vocation here is improving the Spanish program.  Concordia Chiayi prides itself in being a prestigious school for the area as well as an international school.  The principal and administration are seeking to globalize the school as much as possible to increase it's draw to families in the community and to raise the school's expectations and vision.  As the sole Spanish teacher, some of this opportunity falls to me.  The Spanish program has only been around for 3 years at the school, and there are many changes that can be done to make it more effective and the students more successful.  I had a good meeting today with my advising senior teacher in which we discussed how we can stabilize and integrate the Spanish program into the school's higher vision.

God is faithful.  Every time I become discouraged at the number of students that don't know Him, He shows me that there are always people that are faithful to Him.  It reminds me of when God told Elijah about the 700 faithful in Israel that did not bow to Baal.  Simply knowing that there are students at Concordia who love Jesus gives me indescribable hope and joy!  Today I talked with an 11th grade student in my Spanish class who is heavily involved in her church, teaching Sunday school and attending youth group during the week.  Her parents are not Christian, but God planted the seed of faith in her and her sister through her local church and made it grow strong roots in their lives.  Now, it is a part of who she is.  She is a leader, a servant, and a reflection of God to her family and classmates.  I'm in awe of the way God changes hearts!  The plan of salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit is so much bigger than us!  We have to give all the credit and glory to God.

I should be sending out an official newsletter soon.  Until then, I hope this will suffice.  If you'd like me to write about something specific, or if you have any questions or are curious about different aspects of what's going on here in Taiwan, please feel free to email me at anna.gruen@cuw.edu.  I would love to hear from you all.

If any of you know of a good devotional book, I'm in the market to find one.  Tomorrow night I'm teaching the story Caleb and the topic of "Fear" in our Friday Night Bible Study senior high group.  So glad that God calls us out of fear and into His infinite love:

"There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear."  1 John 4:18


I pray that this is true for you all in the name of Jesus.  God's blessings!

In Christ,

Anna

español

A huge part of my missionary position here in Taiwan, if not my main position, is being the best teacher I can be for my students.  This includes finding innovative and engaging ways to teach them, not once in a while, but every day.  Especially with my Spanish classes, for which I have no curriculum, this takes a lot of time and effort!  But God always gives me the grace to do my job.  I especially notice His power on days when I´m so tired I don´t know how I´m going to get through the day.  I´m DEFINITELY not a perfect teacher, but I try my best and we know that God can use even our mistakes for good.

Here is a video I made for one of my Spanish classes including Spanish vocabulary for hobbies.  The video stars some members of Team Taiwan, so I thought I would share it with you.  Humor is a huge tool that we use to connect with students and people in general, so it´s stuffed with silliness (maybe you need to know these characters to really find it hilarious! I don´t know).  Well, enjoy!


In Christ,

Anna Gruen

Galatians 6:9

The Honeymoon is Over.

... And after three weeks of well-behaved students, we're now starting to settle into the ordinary rhythm of school.  The newness has worn off-- students get bored quickly again, and they need motivation to keep working.   I've heard that the first year of teaching is a LOT of work, and I'm finding it to be true, especially as I create my own Spanish curriculum as I go (the school has no textbook, and doesn't want one).  I feel like I can never get ahead, and I look at my calendar and wonder how it's already Tuesday when yesterday was Friday.  BUT, you Americans know what I'm talking about.  Business is an integral aspect in American life.  Often times we don't know how to stop, and so I know you understand.


Teaching is rewarding, but so messy.  What is the best way to explain Jesus' parables to English learners?  Are my students comprehending everything?  Are they getting the information they need for their big exams?  Are they developing as people?  Am I showing equal concern for all students, or am I showing favoritism?  How do I engage the boys and girls in my class, when their interests and learning styles are so different?  These are the questions of a teacher, and sometimes I think these questions largely go unanswered.


If I had time to write, I'd tell you more about the house church I visited.  The place was flooded with food and families ready to welcome in new students of the local universities.  I'd tell you about the hiking trip I went on with a Taiwanese family, and all the Taiwanese things I learned and saw and ate.  I'd tell you more about Team Taiwan and how we at times drop personal plans to be there for each other and offer a hug and a listening ear.  Mostly I would tell you about my students.  They are each so precious, and I can't believe that I've been entrusted with their education and development.  God has blessed me with a handful of Christian students in each class that give me so much joy, and many more students who are willing and want to learn more about the Bible.  Please please please pray for my students.

In some ways, I feel as if I have finally passed over into adulthood.  I now no longer just take care of myself with an occasional helpful action offered to a friend, but I have children to take care of on a regular basis.  It changes the entire way I think and live.  I hope that I can be a blessing while I am here in Taiwan, but I sure am being blessed back quite a bit.  God is always teaching me and maturing me.  I guess He's good at this sort of thing:

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

I have confidence that this is true for all of you serving on the mission front back in America.  God is doing great works in you.

In Christ,

Anna

<><

Week 2

Well it looks as if I am settling into the groove of teaching.  I've decided that I absolutely love it.  I feel empowered as I connect with my students, teach them, and learn from them and colleagues too.  It's good to have a meaningful job that is accomplishing something worthwhile.  And now that most of my pre-lesson anxiety seems to be dissipating,  I hopefully won't be as exhausted as I was after my first week of teaching.

This week's lesson in Bible class was the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  I tried to make it personal and relevant to their culture of Taiwan in today's world.  We talked about how thorough and joyful is God's forgiveness (he doesn't just grudgingly welcome us back-- He runs to us!).  The students were engaged and seemed to understand.  Praise God for this opportunity for them to hear the good news!  It's easy for me to worry about my lesson and my performance as a teacher, but I can only do my best and pray that God will change hearts.  If He can speak through a donkey, I guess He can work through me, despite my mistakes and faults.  :)

In my last post I told you about the questionnaire I gave my 9th grade Bible students.  Here are some examples of my students' faith life:

"I believe on Jesus and God.  I chose my faith by myself before I went here.  I didn't any certain faith, so when I learn something about God, I think I want to believe Him, and follow the roles that Bible told people to do.  I think God is real and that's why I would have chosen believing in Jesus and God."

"I go to the temple to bai bai (worship ancestors).  I would go to the temple because my family would go to the temple to bai bai and my family affect me to go to the temple.  And I just follow with them to go to the temple to bai bai."

"I went to temple, because in Taiwan most people believe that, my parent also believe that, but I come to Concordia, I met Jesus.  Although I didn't meet him before, but I will try." 

"I belief in Jesus.  At first I didn't believe in any gods.  But until I came to Concordia and go to church. I decided to belief in Jesus.  God give me power and brave to do the things that I afraid to do.  When I sad I like to pray and talk to God."

When I first came to Taiwan, I was so overwhelmed by the people's need for the Truth that I became disheartened.  But now, I realize the importance of rejoicing in those students who do have faith in Jesus Christ.  These stories give me motivation to keep working hard, especially the stories that mention our school here as a catalyst for their faith.  Always, we have to fix our eyes on God's power and love and our promise of heaven.  When we look at the trouble around us, like Peter with the wind and the waves, we can lose hope.  But there is always hope when our eyes are fixed on Jesus!  He is our hope.

Team Taiwan has two new members-- Tracy from Chicago and Jen from New Jersey!  We will also be welcoming Zach from Arizona soon, which will complete our team for the year.  Please pray that they will adjust well to life in Taiwan and teaching, and that we can grow united as a team.

People of God, keep pressing toward the goal!  Chiayo! ("Step on the gas!")

God's blessings,

Anna

<><

One Week Marker

As I reflect on my first week of school and how much has happened, I can't believe I was so recently in America and wondering when I would come back to Taiwan.

I arrived early Sunday morning at 3:30 after a long journey (two flights, two taxis, and a bus).  On Sunday I had just enough time to catch a few hours of sleep, go to church, get the curriculum from my colleagues, and plan the first day.  School started Monday, and was a whirlwind until Friday night when I finally breathed and realized I survived the first week of my career-- praise God!

So far?  God has blessed my classes amazingly.  I have wonderful students and already have a good rapport with them.  I genuinely enjoyed the time in class.  It feels so good to be useful, to be responsible for such a precious thing (a classroom full of adolescent hearts and minds) and to be able to have  a positive impact on them.   God even gave me the ability to discipline those I needed to discipline, which doesn't come easy for me.  My first week was definitely not perfect, but it was a learning experience and very positive.  All praise and glory to God!


My class breakdown:

--   7th grade small group English classes
--   9th grade Writing & Bible   (both in the same class, with four different groups of kids)
--   9th, 10th, and 11th grade Spanish

One struggle:  I am not nervous while I'm teaching, but the time I spend waiting to teach is arduous.  I spend the time agonizing over, "did I prepare enough?  Am I ready to teach this lesson?  Will everything go smoothly?"  I'm sure once I get used to teaching, this pre-lesson stress will become minimal, but for now it's exhausting and monopolizes my free time.

My 9th grade Writing and Bible students' first assignment was to write a little about themselves so I could get to know them better.  On the handout was also a section on faith and what they believed.  Most of my students wrote "I have no faith" or "I pray to my ancestors".  A few wrote "I trust in Jesus", and of those, many mentioned the school as a main catalyst to their faith.  It gave me so much joy to see!

Whatever they wrote, whether Buddha or Jesus or ghosts or no faith, I wrote questions for them.  "Why do you believe this?"  "How can we know what is true?"  "What does this look like in your life?"  For my Buddhist students, I want them to seek truth rather than tradition.  For my Christian students, I want them to know why they believe.  I want them to make it their own, not just their parents' faith.  I want them to see how it makes them different from other faiths.   Wherever my students are in their faith, I am here to challenge it and help my students to grow.  Teachers can make such a difference.  Please pray that God would give me the wisdom, strength, and love to show my students Jesus, and that His Spirit would come to my students and create faith.

Today is Saturday and it couldn't be more relieving to have time to myself.  I'll probably spend the day organizing my desk and putting my room together.   Overall, it feels good to be back in Taiwan.  The amount of food I'm eating has been reduced to about 1/3 of what I was eating in the States (haha, it's a good thing, but what can I do when my mom is such an amazing cook?).  I wish I could send you all Taiwan tea with fresh passion fruit and pineapple because the taste is so heavenly that it's surreal.   Team Taiwan is just as goofy and loving as ever, and I already got to see some good Taiwanese friends from church.

That's it for now.  If anyone would like to email me and tell me how things are going in America, please feel free!  I would love to hear from you all.  You all have a very important mission in America and I pray that God will keep you safe, full of His Spirit, consistently in His Word, and passionate for His Name.  God's blessings to you all!  Galatians 6:9


In Christ,

Anna Gruen

My Definition of Miracle is Constantly Being Refined

Dear Friends in Christ,

When I found out I had to raise about $6,000 before I could return to Taiwan with only a couple weeks before the beginning of the school year, I freaked out a little!  I know God can provide, but how, and how quickly?  It's my first year teaching and I didn't want to miss any school.  Well friends, because of God's spirit of generosity in you, you all raised for me more than enough money for me to return to Taiwan!

Total amount needed for this year:   about   $8,000

Total amount raised:     about $13,650      (in just a matter of weeks!)


WOW!  Friends, I was blown away by YOUR GENEROSITY and by GOD'S PROVISION.  You held nothing back and gave with joyful hearts.  Thank you.

The rest of the amount raised will go towards next year, as I plan on spending a few years in Taiwan.  I am so grateful that I only missed the first three days of school, and that I am flying out tomorrow.  Praise God!  My next entry will be typed from the other side of the world. :)  Pray that God will teach me to love the people of Taiwan as He loves them.


In Christ,

Anna Gruen



"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."  1 Corinthians 13:1-3