David's Reflections

Theological Reflections of a Seven-year Old Boy

A few weeks back, my seven-year old son, Jacob, wrote a song. It was a simple song, and yet, it captured the depth of a theological tenet--the Lordship of Christ demands everything from us, and He calls us to a change of allegiance from the core of our being to a life of submission and obedience to God. 

Here is the song: "Jesus."

Jesus is my Superhero That he can 
Be Two To Ze-ro Better Than Ma-ri-o So-nic And Me!
Then I will live with Je-sus. repeat 3times.

What blows me away is Jacob's understanding that Jesus is "better" than Mario and Sonic, both fictional characters from his most favorite video games. Mario is from Super Mario 63, and Sonic is from Sonic the Hedgehog. From his simple innocent 7-year old mind, he is learning the fact that Jesus demands our all and wants us to love Him over and above every relationship and commitment we have--even the ones that are fictional and imaginary.

Two Sundays ago, I spoke at an international church. I shared to a small group of 25-30 expatriates living here in Kaohsiung the challenges of missions work in Asia. As an introduction I shared Jacob's "Jesus" song to illustrate the simply and depth of Jesus call for cross-cultural ministry. Of course, I shared this song with a little parental pride. Everyone understood. I am one proud father. Wouldn't you?

Mother's Day!

She loves gardening. I learned to nurture life. She enjoys singing in church. I learned to worship my God. She hugs her children every morning. I learned to treasure my own children and honor my wife with a passion that comes from above. I am now because of my mother, Mrs. Corazon M. Clemente. Happy Mother's Day, Mommy. I know you are smiling there with Jesus.

Missionary Work and Family Life

"How do you manage your family time as a missionary?" Andrew asks me this question. I hold off my fork full of spaghetti and delicious seafood surprises. We are meeting at a small restaurant together with his wife, Annie. Sarah is also here giving some perspective to my answers. My hot black coffee is cooling down. I give him my short answer and sip my coffee in between Sarah's explanation and further stories of our family life as cross cultural missionaries here in Taiwan.

Last Thursday, Sarah and I met with Andrew and his wife Annie. It was supposed to be a time of "meeting your adviser." Andrew is one of the graduating students here in Holy Light Theological Seminary. He just got married last year. Both of them are looking forward to missionary work in a Creative Access Country, country MC. Our seemingly "seminary business" meeting had turned into a time of deep sharing about missions work and missionary family life. I encouraged both of them to find a mentor, someone who can advise them and help them through this upcoming plan to relocate in country MC as cross cultural missionaries. They agreed with me. I gave them the name of one of our Free Methodist pastor. And I was so glad that both Andrew and Annie like this pastor.

So, my answer to Andrew's question was: "Learn to say 'No' to the demands of missionary work, so that you can spend more time with your wife and your children." I explained to both of them that our first area of ministry is within our family. Serving God in the mission field should never be at the expense of our family. Sarah shared some good examples from our own experiences with our children. We ended our lunch time with a renewed determination to serve God better starting with our spouses and our children. God will be our Helper!

Playing Soccer With Jacob

I am back in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I am still tired from my 8-day mission trip in Cambodia. Taiwan's cool weather is helping me get back to "normal." I think today's soccer game is very important. This is the first day of the MAK (Morrison Academy of Kaohsiung) soccer camp. Carmen and Jacob are participating. I volunteered to be one of the trainers and help out the coach and organizer, Chris (the MAK librarian). I think this is important because I want to connect with my 7-year old son. He is in that age where he is discovering new things. He spends most of his time at school. So, Saturday morning soccer camp is a great excuse for me to spend time with my children and, hopefully, Jacob will later consider me as his coach. I think there is progress. Later today, after the drills and exercises, Jacob came to me and said, "Papa, are you the coach?" I smiled and nodded. "I am an assistant coach. Mr. Laytham is the coach." I am happy playing soccer with my children.

Through the Eyes of my Daughter

"Girl power rocks!" Carmen says this line very proudly. She tells me the time she played basketball at school and her team of all girls defeated another team composed of both boys and girls. She recounts this story with great joy. I could not help but smile at my 10-year-old daughter's enthusiasm.

A week ago, we were in the Philippines for a two-week vacation. We visited many places and had a great time with family, my side of the family. Although, most of my siblings are living comfortable lives, we still were able to meet poor Filipino people. At several occasions, our children, Jacob and Carmen, saw beggars on the streets, played with the children of our house helpers, interacted with random children from restaurants and other public places. When we came back to Taiwan, Carmen decided to do something about what she saw in the Philippines. She started to organize a Girls' Club at school with the objective of helping the poor children of the world. She made a brochure (by long hand) inviting her girl friends at school to join her and start different fund-raising projects so that at the end they can send the money to the poor, starting with Filipino children this year.

Of course, I am very proud of my daughter. Today, she tells me that they are starting to make origami and sell these to people at their school, Morrison Christian Academy (MAK). Sarah and I try to encourage her, and I suggested to her that they can send their money so some Filipino children I personally know. She smiles and gives her consent. Girl power does rock.

Through the Eyes of a Small Boy

I confess I failed my Lord again. He came to visit me but I failed to see his coming. He was here through the poor beggar boy at the Vigan Park, but I ignored him. I was too busy with my vacation. I wanted my family’s vacation to be relaxing. I did not want a beggar boy interrupting my comfortable walk through this beautiful city of Vigan. God came to touch my heart, but I was too busy. I failed to see my Lord.

I am here in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. We are here for a three day vacation enjoying the beaches, sights, famous old churches, and other touristy places. Two days before, we were at Vigan, about an hour away from Laoag City. We were walking in the public park when I encountered this beggar boy who was probably nine years old. I dismissed him because I assumed he was a professional beggar who loiters the streets of Vigan. Later, while we were seating in a little restaurant, another boy came in and interrupted our meal. I noticed that Jacob (my 7-year old son) shooed him away with a gesture of his hand. I did not like the look in my son’s face. He seemed so uncaring and his gesture was devoid of compassion or empathy. That was when I realized he was just repeating what I did with the beggar boy at the park. It was merely a reflection of my uncaring heart.

I ask God for his forgiveness. I pray for more compassion. May the Lord help me to be a better example to my children.

First Day of School

Today is Jacob's first day of school at Morrison Academy of Kaohsiung (MAK), an American school here in Kaohsiung, Taiwan for children of missionaries and expatriates living in this country. We all went to the bus stop and took some pictures for Grandma and Grandpa. Both Carmen (4th Grade) and Jacob (1st Grade) are excited about seeing all their friends at MAK. I could still picture Jacob standing with his toothless smile in front of the school bus sliding door. I think he forgot to wave good bye to us.

Sarah is out for her Monday swim exercise and I am staying at the house working on my lectures for this coming semester. It will be next month. Wow! Time is flying! Later today, Sarah and I will go to TLI (Taipei Language Institute, Kaohsiung) to register for our Chinese classes which will also start this September. We will definitely be busy, both of us. But, I am glad the children are back to their routine. No more hearing them say: "I am bored. What can I do?"

Prevenient Grace

Prevenient Grace: The Grace That Goes Before Us

Six years ago, when I first came to Taiwan, I visited an outreach ministry of the Feng Shan Free Methodist Church situated in Chi Gu, a few hours away north of Kaohsiung. Twice a year, the members of this local church would go to Long Shan Elementary School, in Chi Gu, and hold a week long retreat for the children of that school teaching English, moral education, and other practical lessons useful for Taiwanese children. Back then, I was surprised by the openness both of the parents and the school officials in letting their children go to these activities sponsored by a Christian church. Although, the people of Chi Gu and Long Shan are strong believers of their Chinese traditional religion, they are still willing to send their children to a Christian event. Their desire to give their children a good education is encouraging them to participate in Christian educational activities.

I have seen this same situation in the Philippines, in India, and in Cambodia. Non-Christian parents are willing to send their children to join in Christian activities because they know that their children will become better citizens of the country. They want their children to be better educated. Greg Mortenson, the author of Three Cups of Tea, writes of the response of Muslim leaders to his efforts of building schools for girls in the country of Afghanistan and the surrounding areas. One Muslim leader says: “These two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education.” He continues, “Protect and embrace these two American brothers in our midst” (2006:257). This desire for a good education for one’s children is a common sentiment, most especially among Asians. It is a desire that is godly and brings people closer to an understanding of God’s plan for everyone to have an abundant life full of joy and peace (John 10:10). It is a desire that God gives, a grace He gives to all people and every culture. Even in the most difficult situation, God’s grace is present.

Prevenient grace is grace that God gives to everyone. It is grace that goes before the coming of God’s salvation to a person. Gerald H. Anderson, in the book World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit, states prevenient grace is a distinctive feature of John Wesley’s theology (2009:43). Wesley says, “Everyone has some measure of that light. No man sins because he has not grace, but because he does not use the grace which he hath” (Wesley’s Works, vol. 3: p. 207). God’s (prevenient) grace is spread abroad (Romans 5:5). It is drawing many peoples, including Taiwan peoples, to come closer to God and understand His love for them better each day. Prevenient grace prepares people to accept God’s call to obedience and Lordship in their lives.

What I am trying to say here is that what is happening here in Taiwan is very Wesleyan in nature. Taiwan’s love for education is a form of God’s prevenient grace. It is because of this Chinese love for learning that many Taiwanese children are slowly coming closer to God’s salvation. They may not be there yet, but they are gaining a better understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

An understanding of prevenient grace is not simply a time for preparation. Prevenient grace must lead to an encounter with Jesus’ demand for Christian discipleship. For Wesley, prevenient grace has a definite Christological shape. In his thesis, “John Wesley’s Doctrine of Prevenient Grace And Its Import for Christian Mission,” Chris Payk states: “It is therefore inappropriate to speak of prevenient grace in the Wesleyan tradition in a way that does not begin and end with Jesus Christ” (2010:90). A truly Wesleyan practice of God’s grace means we give each person the opportunity to hear and see the story of God’s salvation, and to respond to the demands of the Christian gospel. Every man and woman should hear for themselves Jesus’ words, “I love you my child. Come and follow me” (Luke 9:23-27).

Taiwan is blessed. God has given Taiwan people a great love for learning and a compelling desire to educate their children for the good of the nation. Taiwan is receiving God’s prevenient grace. What other forms of prevenient grace do you see here in Taiwan? What are other examples of God going before us and preparing for the coming of His salvation? I predict that in the end, God’s manifestations of His prevenient grace here in Taiwan will bring about a better understanding of the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Special Child

Today, my daughter, who just turned eight last Wednesday, is going out with Grandma to get her hair cut. We are grateful for this short family time we have here in Avon, IL. We are getting ready for our going back to Kaohsiung, Taiwan this January 12, 2010. I still have to hear from the shipping company about the quotes for the things I am bringing back to Taiwan. Today, I am packing more boxes and sorting through all our stuff. Meanwhile, we also preparing for another round of church visits here in Illinois. This Sunday, we are going to Alton in the morning and Coffeen in the evening, both in this state. Please pray for traveling mercies.

Last Sunday, on our way to Barryton FMC for the evening service, Carmen mentioned about a scrap book she is making. She wanted a picture of a deer that she can include in this book. We were driving east towards Barryton in some central Michigan countryroads on the opening day of hunting (rifle) season. You could just imagine all the hunters around the woods and the spooked deer crisscrossing the highways. I told my daughter that if we see a deer by the road, we can stop the minivan and take a picture of these beautiful animal for her scrapbook. About a few minutes after, we saw seven, not just one, but seven white-tailed deer by the road. So we stopped and snapped away with our cameras. After that, we told Carmen that she is a very special child before God. God granted her request and sent these seven deer along our way so we can enjoy the sight.

Last Wednesday was Carmen's eighth birthday. Grandma made a cake and Carmen finished it up with the icing and candles. At lunch, Grandpa came over for dinner. Later in the evening we went out to Abingdon for a game of bowling. That was Carmen's first time to bowl. She did pretty well. I praise God for small things that fill up our day and testify to God's love and grace.

Learning About Adoption

Last night, I went out and ate pizza with Nick (13) and Jason (15). Both teenage boys are waiting for adoption here in Evart, Michigan. After the pizza, the three of us went out to a nearby football field and played a little scrimmage and some plays. Jason is from Cebu, Philippines. I try my best to reconnect him with his Filipino roots. He came to the USA when he was eleven. So, he has lost the language and feels totally disconnected with his original culture. Both boys were released by their adopted families and are currently staying with a foster home waiting for a second chance of adoption. My heart goes out for these boys. They both love Jesus and they are eagerly waiting to belong to a family. I pray that God will be gracious to them.

After a few more fun time of playing football, we headed out to their home. I chatted with their foster parents, Brett and Vicky. Beautiful couple, full of God's love and compassion for marginalized people. They house about 15 more youth and children who are in the same situation as Jason and Nick. A few of them came from foreign countries such as Russia, Colombia, and Ukraine. I felt so overwhelmed just watching all the children, and thought of how much work Brett and Vicky do for these children waiting for adoption. It was a humbling experience for me. I realized I need to support this couple and pray more for Jason and everyone else in that room. I guess, being humbled is a good start in this process of learning all about adoption and orphan children.