August 30, 2009
Reported by Lin Yi-ying
Written by Lydia Ma

"Compared to our church brothers or sisters who have been staying at Fo Guang Shan Monastery, we are very lucky!" said flood victims from South Bunun Presbytery who have been staying at Fongshan Presbyterian Church since they were evacuated.

Fongshan Church is providing temporary shelter for 120 Christians from Namasiya, Taoyuan, and Liouguei townships who are mostly Bunun and Pingpu aborigines. The church not only provides three meals a day and a place to sleep, it has also arranged for children to receive academic tutoring. Some church members have even provided free haircuts, donated televisions, stereos, and brand new clothes to help flood victims staying at Fongshan to feel loved and comfortable.

With the help and coordination of Fongshan Church pastor Rev. E Ju-tang, the entire Fongshan congregation came to the help of their guests. Other local churches, presbytery leaders, and volunteers also pitched in by replenishing supplies and government agency workers came to offer services and care for flood victims as well.

Commenting on their guests, Fongshan Church's Junior Pastor Shih Hsiao-ling said, "They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they are very courteous and organized. They sweep the floor of the church in the mornings on their own accord and take turns cooking meals every day. At night, an elder will come to pray with them. Their lives are peaceful now."

According to reports, church members have also donated two 40 inch LCD television screens, PCT General Assembly has donated two driers, and every classroom in the church is now equipped with air-conditioning. Some mothers from the church offered free haircuts, while a church deacon who owns an export business donated brand new clothes to all typhoon victims staying at the church.

The church has also helped seniors with physical disabilities to settle in classrooms on the church's ground floor for their own convenience. Meanwhile, college students from Shou-Shan Presbytery were recruited to help children with their academic studies.

Some victims living at the church have already gone out to nearby towns and gotten temporary jobs. "It's great to live at church, we are truly lucky!" said a typhoon victim because some Christians placed in Buddhist Fo Guang Shan Monastery after they lost their homes reported they haven't been feeling as peaceful. Some of them even formed small groups to pray together inconspicuously.

In contrast, Christians staying at Fongshan Church not only get to attend Sunday services but are also invited to attend small groups activities organized by the church during weekdays and have their own family gatherings on Fridays. "We are very thankful for God and Rev. E and all the brothers and sisters at Fongshan who have embraced us and accompanied us through these times!" said a typhoon victim.

Taiwan Church News