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[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Taiwan Church News 2633, August 18, 2002
Reported By Hsu Wen-long. Translated and Rewritten by David
Alexander

    Basketball is popular in Taiwan, so Chung-tai Presbyterian
Church in Kaohsiung sponsored a basketball camp from August 5
through 9 at a local junior high school. On the final day of the
camp an attempt was made to set a world record, recognized by the
Guinness Book, in a water bucket event.
    The "World Water Bucket Championship" involved teams passing
water from hand to hand in order to fill a water bucket at the
end of a relay line.  It is a race against time.  Coach Chen
Ching-ping said that the event was a training exercise, to
prepare for a serious attempt on the record at a later date.
    The week was not just about water and round ball.  The
church's pastor Peng Jung-tao spoke to participants about the
fleeting nature of the satisfaction that comes from a good
contest, contrasting that with the peace and happiness that he
finds in relationship to Jesus Christ.  He encouraged the young
people to grow into a close relationship with God, and to allow
God to lead their steps.
    Only a few of those who attended the camp were already
Christians.  They often divided into small groups for discussions
of Bible stories and special topics.  They looked at the story of
Joseph from the Old Testament, visiting his challenges and the
ways that God was with him.  The church hopes that through the
interest generated in the activity seeds of truth can be sown in
the hearts of those who came.
    Coach Chen said that the activity was designed to make friends
for the Lord through basketball.  If all goes according to a long
term plan, by the year 2004 there will be basketball teams from
many churches cooperating with local schools in sports training
and evangelism.

For More Information:  Chung-tai Presbyterian Church:
jedo@cm1.hinet.net