A letter from John McCall serving in Taiwan
Fall 2014 - A FULL CIRCLE
Dear Friends,
Hong chuan grew up in a non-Christian home, and like many first-generation Christians here, became a Christian in university. He attended the best university in Taiwan. He is a bright guy who has always excelled at his studies. Since scholars are well respected in Taiwan, his parents, while not at all excited about his newfound faith, were excited about his prospects. They expected him to go abroad and study for his Ph.D. and then return to teach at one of Taiwan’s good universities.
When Hong chuan felt called to attend Taiwan Theological Seminary, where I teach in Taipei, his parents were not at all supportive. They felt he was bringing shame to their family. They tried to convince him to not attend the seminary, but he was steadfast and knew that this was what God wanted him to do. While studying at the seminary he became especially interested in the Old Testament. He loved the stories of the Old Testament that show God’s covenant love for us. He also enjoyed getting to know one of his female classmates. Her name is Ching hsin. I had the privilege of teaching both of them and got to know them quite well.
When it came time to graduate, Hong chuan and Ching hsin were married and Hong chuan traveled to Princeton Seminary to study for his master's. He then was accepted at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, a PC(USA) seminary, where he began his Ph.D. studies in Old Testament. Ching hsin joined him in Virginia, where they lived for over six years. Hong chuan, in his dissertation, sought to integrate the Old Testament with the situation Christians face in Taiwan.
During this time my mother also moved to be near my two brothers in Richmond. When I would visit, my mom and I would share a meal with Hong chuan and Ching hsin. When I returned to Taiwan in 2011, this Taiwanese couple continued to visit my mom. Since I was in Taiwan and this couple represented this land that I have come to love, my mother always looked forward to their visits. Another Taiwanese/American friend who is a church musician in Virginia would also visit my mom and even led several hymn sings for the folks who live with my mother in Assisted Living.
This past January Hong chuan received his Ph.D. in Old Testament, and he has returned to the seminary here in Taipei to begin teaching. Since they did not have any furniture when they first got back to Taiwan, for the past seven months they lived in my faculty housing on campus while I was doing interpretation in the U.S.
This past week upon my return to Taiwan, I visited Hong chuan’s class as he taught the second-year M.Div. students Hebrew. It was a thrill to see him teach and share his passion for the Old Testament and for the language of the Old Testament. He has received God’s blessing, and now he is seeking to be a blessing to his students. It was wonderful to see the full circle he and his wife have come. Studying for an advanced degree in a language that is not your own and in a culture that is not your own is never easy. But they relied on the steadfast love of God.
Ching hsin has just begun serving a church in the nearby harbor town of Keelung. After accompanying her husband to the U.S., she is now able to begin her ministry in the church here. I hope she will be able to join one of the pastor groups I lead, so she can receive the support of fellow pastors who have been serving in the church.
Every week in the three seminaries where I teach seminary students and as I lead spiritual formation groups for pastors, I have the opportunity to accompany these servant leaders in order that they will accompany others in the future. That is why I am here. As they grow into healthy, visionary, and faithful leaders, they will bless the people of this land. As I walk along the teeming streets of Taipei and look into the faces of busy and harried people, it reminds me of the importance of our task together. The living water that Christ offers is so needed in this non-Christian land.
Thank you for your prayers, interest, and support, which allows all of us to help shape the future and current leadership of the church in Taiwan. It was wonderful to visit many of you over the past seven months. I appreciate your warm welcome. For those I was unable to see, I look forward to sharing in person during my next time of interpretation.
Gratefully,
John McCall
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 240
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