wfn.org | Aboriginal Church in Taiwan Literally Sows Seeds for Growth

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

Taiwan Church News 2770, 28 March Reported by Chen Yi-shiuan . Written by
David Alexander

Tea Mountain Church, one of 9 congregations that make up the Aboriginal
Tsou District of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT), came up with an
innovative way to support its work.  All members have been encouraged to
sow millet, a common crop in the mountainous area that the Tsou call
home.  The operation took place in mid-March anticipating harvest in July
or August.  The church¡¦s pastor, Pasuya Tiaki¡¦ana, helped with all phases
of preparing the fields and getting the crop in. He said, ¡§We have two
purposes here, financial support of the church and sharing in a traditional
foundation of our tribal culture.¡¨

Like many rural Aboriginal Churches, Tea Mountain suffers precarious
financial security. In addition the typical route of asking members for
increased donations, Mr. Tiaki¡¦ana chose to approach the congregation for
labour. ¡§Aboriginal self-strengthening operates on the principle of
¡¥reaping what you sow¡¦.¡¨

He brought up the crop project in the hope that cooperation in a physical
task will strengthen the spiritual life of the church.

¡§The crop project meets a wider village need of tourism
development.  Whatever we earn from the crop will go into for physical
plant repairs and church ministries.¡¨  Next to the church building there
is empty space on which the congregation hopes to construct a classroom for
religious and cultural education work. Mr. Tiaki¡¦ana sees this as a good
way to express the gospel.

The crop project also makes possible the introduction of traditional Tsou
cultural life to people from outside the tribe.  The village plans to
announce the harvest and invite tourists to experience Tsou ingenuity while
they experience village life.

With all that said about the Tsou, Tea Mountain is really a multicultural
church. Bunun Aborigines and some Han (Chinese) people make up the
remainder of the congregation¡¦s members. Their pastor sees the mutual love
within of his flock as a long-term source of strength and an example to
churches all through this nation and around the world of the harmony that
is available through Christ.

For more information: Pasuya Tiaki¡¦ana   FAX +886 5 2513292

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.

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