Return to Kaohsiung, Taiwan

We returned from Xian safely late Saturday night. It was about 10:00 before we were in our rooms and I could sit down and begin preparation for the Sunday services.

This morning I preached for the church pastored by Brother Richardson on the far northern edge of Kaohsiung. I had preached for Brother Richardson on my last visit. What a great church! The worship was anointed and lively. Chinese Apostolics don't play church. They love to worship and they love to hear preaching. It is always harder to preach with an interpreter but they are still easier to preach to than many North America churches because of their hunger and sincerity for the Word.

I'll make no assessment about my preaching. It is not about me. But I rejoice at the work that was done at the altar. The altar service lasted a long, long time and Brother Richardson told me later that one of the ladies praying had not been at the altar in years. She wept intensely as she sought God. And she prayed intensely no less than 30- 40 minutes.

It is a growing church and their prayer life has a lot to do with it. The Chinese want true experiences. They do not want rituals and dull routine. Buddhism offered them that. They do not come to soothe their conscience. They seek authentic experiences with God. That is why their altar services are powerful.

Every Sunday morning after service at this church, the Sisters of the church serve a meal. I just prayed. Brother Bracken had cautioned me about eating local food. So many that visit here want the "authentic" Asian experience and throw wisdom to the wind when they start eating food their stomach is not accustomed to and they pay a dear price later. TB had really warned me about seafood....

I prayed because there has to be a balance between wisdom and courtesy as the last thing I wanted to do was hurt their feelings. But in the end, the food was really good. Even the fish was very good. She rumbled in my tummy a little later on, but we made it. Of course, I have no clue what some of it was, but I think most of it was vegetables. If they weren't vegetables, just let me go on thinking that's what it was... I tried a chicken curry type dish but just one taste and I knew I better pass. Way, way spicy.

Brother Richardson got me back to my hotel in Kaohsiung by mid-afternoon which gave me a couple of hours to rest and prepare for the Sunday night service there.

In short, the Sunday night service was one of the most powerful services I have been in for quite some time. I read my scripture text and then the Holy Ghost just took over. I preached about 45 minutes...without notes. I had them, I just never used them.

Without question, the altar call was an outpouring from heaven. One woman in particular repented of her sins and was filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. She had come to service off and on for 6 years but never made a move toward God. But tonight was different! She went home with a glow upon her face that can only come with the joy of the Holy Ghost taking residence in her heart. And I could write much, much more about others in the service...but suffice it to say...it was greatest service I have been privileged to be in in my two trips here. Even testimony service was an overwhelming move of the Spirit.

Sister Tiffany Bracken was on cloud nine. She has invested so much into this woman and her husband and to finally see them respond to God's drawing brought a steady flow of tears of joy to her eyes. Oh that men would praise him for His goodness to the children of men!

And my heart leaped when Jing Ting walked in! Jing Ting is a 15 year old who was in his first Apostolic service ever last week when I preached in Tainan. Last Sunday we gave him his first Bible and he read it almost all the way through in one week! So much for reading it in a year!

Immediately after service, Brother Chris Bracken asked me if I would preach again Wednesday night. I accepted without reluctance. I love the Chinese people and God is affording me the chance to live one of my dreams bringing them the Word of God.

It's after midnight....obviously well past my bed time.