wfn.org | Fellowship Feeding of Taipei's Street People

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Taiwan Church News 2752, 22 to 281 November 2004
Reported by Chen Yi-shiuan.  Trans. & rewritten by David Alexander

Every Saturday morning in Toa-tiu-tia* neighborhood there is an activity that
draws the area's street people together at Toa-tiu-tia* Presbyterian Church.
The Social Ministry committee of Taipei Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church
in Taiwan sponsors a fellowship and feeding programme that has seen 500
participants to date. Some who come are disabled, others poorly clad, but
their voices raised in song and hands raised in worship are a powerful
testimony. Some testify to God's healing their toothaches and skin diseases.
They speak of having come from complete ignorance of God to a place where
they
freely say, "Thank you, Lord."

The activity began in June as a gospel outreach led by Elder Huang Yuan-long
from Yungho Presbyterian church.  The local neighborhood chief offered
support, even offering use of the neighborhood's loudspeaker truck for
publicity purposes.

The service team that has grown up is ecumenical. Members of different
churches take charge of planning each week's programme content and meal menu.
Elder Huang says that about 30 street people now participate each week.  They
have even attracted the priest at a local Taoist temple to come and listen.
Currently under discussion is an idea to create an ecumenical "Street
People's
Church" or mission station.

On November 20th Si Gi-seng, who has taught at Chinese Culture University and
Taiwan Theological College, spoke to the group in a philosophical manner
using
stories and plain speech. The day's programme designer, Wang Mei-hwa, said of
the listeners, "They are very open to being taught. They not only listen
well,
they openly respond to questions from the platform."

After the meeting ended leaders distributed some gifts to participants then
the tables and chairs were rearranged and the meal began. Some who had not
attended the meeting joined the meal. Elder Huang said, "This is not of
importance to us. We want them to feel comfortable and unpressured.  If they
don't come to the meeting but come to the meal at least they have entered the
church and the fellowship.  We trust that God will gradually change their
outlooks."

For More Information: Toa-tiu-tia* Presbyterian Church
ttt.church@msa.hinet.net
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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