wfn.org | Taiwan's Aborigines Affirm "Love People as Jesus Did"

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Movement
Taiwan Church News 2646, November 17, 2002
Reported by Li Yi-shin. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   God is present in every difficulty, giving opportunities for
witness to those who have been sent there.  The Mission
Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) has been
present in the central Taiwan earthquake reconstruction zone
since the temblor struck on September 21, 1999.
It has offered medical, resource and spiritual support to
stabilize the social structures of people who lost homes and
livelihood in the disaster.  On November 11th the foundation
received an award at the sixth annual assembly of the Progressive
Aboriginal Social Development Association.  It was given in
recognition of the church's concern for society in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
   Taiwan's president Chen Shui-bian was present at the ceremony
and said that the Aborigines have an intimate and inseparable
connection with Taiwan.  "Taiwan is the mother of all peoples
here, and the Aborigines are the most precious of them all."  He
also said that the partnership between the Aborigines and the
government would lead to walking together on the roads that lie
ahead. "In the future, because of the cooperation between the
government and the Aborigines, Taiwan will improve."
   Other recipients of the association's awards that day included
the Nantou Catholic Mountain Service and Research Society, the
Miao-li Tayal Pei-shih Village Cultural Association and many
individuals.
   In presenting the award to the PCT, it was noted that four of
the remaining 15 "Community Rebuilding Care Centres" established
by the church (there originally were as many as 18) are in
Aboriginal villages where they distribute resources, offer family
counseling, medical care and other community and village
strengthening activities.  The PCT General Assembly was cited for
having opened a window from outside by means of its mission
foundation, offering funds, personnel and investment following
the disaster.
   Representing the foundation to receive the award, operations
chief Chung Guo-yi said, "The church has always given some
concern to the aborigines, but we hope that what has been offered
of late has far and away exceeded what we could do by human
strength.  By the mercy and concern of God this model has been
affirmed.  And the stimulus to the Assembly, to local churches
and to church members has increased in us the desire to be the
light of the world and the salt of the earth, giving glory to the
name of God.

For more information:  Presbyterian Mission Foundation
Susan@mail.pct.org.tw

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