Arrival in Taiwan

I arrived in Taiwan in June 2010. I came with a team of five people. A missionary organization called International Teacher Placement Service ( ITPS for short ) sent my team and I to Taiwan. ITPS had a strong relationship with Banner Church because it was started by Pastor Samuel's brother, Francis! I met Francis and my team during training in southern California. We had a time of prayer during one session of the training. Francis shared one request, and I remember he said to pray for healing.

I knew that request was directed toward me. Yeah, at that time I was broken, empty of love, and needed deep inner healing.

And, here is some more background about me. I was raised on a farm and in a small town of 4,000 people. This town is near Chicago. So, when people ask me where I am from, I say Chicago. I was raised in a conservative church of about 100 people, and I was baptized when I was 13. I would pray and personally read the Bible, but it wasn’t very consistent. So, belief in and a relationship God was there, yet I saw and understood God as Savior, Lord, and God. I didn’t really see Him as my Father.

When I arrived in Taiwan, I didn’t know much of the Holy Spirit. I knew a little because heard about some of the spiritual gifts from the Bible, but I didn’t know I had any of those. I did hear people speak in tongues while they were praying, but I couldn’t speak in tongues. And, I was certainly reluctant and perhaps a little afraid of it. While growing up in church, though, we would sing songs that would mention the Holy Spirit. And, one of those is called Spirit Song. Once or twice, I have heard that song here at Banner Church. I think that is really cool!! 

God’s transformation while in Taiwan

Like I said before, when I came to Taiwan, I was broken, empty of love, and in need of deep inner healing. As a result, I had low self-esteem, low confidence, and low self-worth. And basically, in these seven years, God restored and renewed me. He revealed the spiritual gifts He had given me and He revealed to me my worth and value. I’m not the same person who arrived in Taiwan. First, I felt God’s acceptance and love through my small group community and roommates. Upon arriving in Taiwan, I met Amanda, Stephanie, and many foreigners who were active in Banner at the time. They accepted me into their community with open arms.

After about three weeks in Taiwan, I was riding my scooter by myself and got very lost. I had a pre-paid cell phone and I ran out of minutes too. It was raining, I was tired, and I was in strange surroundings. Eventually I was picked up by friends and taken home. I remember later that night, Amanda wanted to pray for me. She did and I just broke down in tears. I let go of all the fear, anxiety, and stress. And she wasn’t bothered by my show of emotions.

I was accepted and loved in a way I hadn’t ever been before. This acceptance and love brought healing to my heart and liberated me to be myself. Also, God taught me truths I haven’t learned before through the nurturing system at Banner. At E1, I remember the lesson about the orphan spirit each person agrees to and takes upon themselves through sin and the desire to be independent. I also learned about Father’s Heart. That His heart is so strong in love for each and every person, including me. I hadn’t heard of that before.

At E2, I remember Pastor Lillian taught a lesson about hearing from God yourself. She instructed us to write a love letter to God and that He would respond. I was open yet a little doubtful. Through that activity, God spoke to me and told me about His deep love for me. I was smiling so big after that!! Also at E2, I remember receiving the gift of tongues and practicing prophesying for people. I felt so encouraged when I prayed for people and actually received a picture!

After Steve Chua came to speak at Banner, Amanda lent a DVD set of his teaching to me. This particular teaching was on identity. As I watched those, it was revealed by God that I was carrying a lot of hurt from my upbringing. I forgave my parents, grandparents, and siblings. I was letting go of the pain from my upbringing.

In 2012, I was anointed as a small group leader under Robert. I was so excited to serve God and help people!!God affirmed me through my mentor Robert, who taught me and encouraged me. As I served the small group and learned from Robert, my spiritual gifts were being opened, revealed, and used for the first time.

As God affirmed me, I started to see myself through His eyes. I started to see myself with value and worth from God’s perspective. This lifted my confidence.

(Side note: Kevin told me that when he first met me, he could tell I struggled with low self-esteem and confidence. During one of our lunches, I asked him if he still sees that, and he said no. God has brought confidence out of me through my experience of living abroad and thriving. God has shown me His value of me.)

As I have continued to be small group leader for five years, God has slowly transformed me to depend on Him alone. No longer do I depend on people for attention, love and value. I have come to know His love alone is the only love I need.

I have come to know God is my Lord, Savior, Father, and He loves me. His love for me is great, wonderful, sweet, and enough.

My next season

On July 30, I will leave Taiwan and start a new season of my life. I will move back to the US. In September, I will move to Harrisburg, Penn., and start studying at Global Celebration School of Supernatural Ministry. It’s not as known or popular at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, yet the two schools are very similar. I will study the Bible and read books by Bill Johnson, Danny Silk, and Chris Gore. I will go there and study part-time – classes are in the evening – and work full time.

For me, it’s a step of faith to leave Taiwan. Prophets Jeremy and Greg both said I would leave Taiwan and go to many countries. I believe, this is the first step into what they saw in their prayers.

Taiwan has become a place of security for me. It’s become my home. My community is here. God has used this time to transform me. Yet, I believe what I have learned while living here and being involved in Banner Church is foundational and I will continue to be equipped and transformed. I will continue to serve God internationally. 

English Small Group

For more than 10 years, foreigners have been involved in Banner Church. Amanda and Stephanie have been the most committed. With my departure, the ministry has come to a close. People from South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and even Spain have come to be part of this community. We would have dinner parties for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, weddings, and babies who were to be born. We made memories together. We shared our lives. We loved each other. Even though, we came from different countries, different cultures, and different ways of doing things, we came together. We came together to worship God. We came together to share testimonies of our growth. We came together in love for God and each other. It’s a special community and with a special anointing. It’s my hope at some time in the future an English ministry or international ministry continues at Banner Church.

So, I want to say thank you to Pastor Samuel and Banner Church for allowing me to be part of your church. I want to say thank you for seeing my potential and value -- through God – even though I didn’t. I want to say thank you for accepting me and loving me.