wfn.org | Christians offer free goodies at night market during Christmas

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>      Taiwan Church News

>3016 Edition

>December 14~20 2009

Christians offer free goodies at night market during Christmas

>Reported by Chen Wei-jian

>Translated by Lydia Ma

As Christmas nears, don’t be surprised if you hear strains of  traditional Christmas carols in

unexpected places, such as night markets. This is what shoppers  heard on the night of

December 13 when they visited Shih-Wei Night Market, the largest  night market in Taitung

city. The sound of Christmas carols not only spread holiday cheer  but also countered the

commercialization of Christmas if only for a little while. Most  importantly, it brought the spirit of

Christmas to people outside church walls and taught non-Christians  the real meaning of

>Christmas.

On this evening, about 30 youth from Taitung Presbyterian Church  and members from Taitung

College Fellowship held a “gospel & music night”  together at the night market by setting up a

vendor’s booth. The program included saxophone and oboe  performances, choir

performances, short clips, and short presentations.

According to one youth leader, this is the first time in recent  years that Taitung Presbyterian

Church has organized an evangelistic event at the night market  though it’s conveniently

located three blocks away from the church. Church members  proclaimed the gospel and the

real meaning of Christmas on that night and were happy for such an  opportunity. Taitung

Church members hope to have more interaction with nearby residents  on a regular basis and

eventually share the gospel with them as well. The church also  planned a second concert on

>December 20.

Just before the event began, college and high school fellowship  youth began distributing flyers

and women fellowship members began handing out hand-made buns and  other small gifts.

With support and participation from all church members, this  Christmas event at the night

market was very successful and attracted a big crowd throughout  the entire two-hour program.

In an interesting twist, when the night market’s  superintendent came by to collect every booth’s

maintenance fee, he was taken aback by the presence of this joyous  bunch and asked them,

“What are you selling?” A church youth replied,  “We’re not selling anything, we’re giving away

goodies for free.” After some clarification, the  superintendent said he would be more than

happy to arrange a booth for the church to use for free. Such a  warm and positive response

>gave church youth much encouragement.

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