After 7 years living in our first home in Taiwan, we are moving to another apartment! God opened up an amazing place in the heart of the city, close to “People’s Park,” known for the annual Jazz festival, street performers, and the crowds it attracts every night. You can even spy on us via the Google Street Maps links above if you want to have some fun. In the first linked photo, you’ll see a typical Taiwanese mail carrier in a green uniform on a motorcycle.
Although we are thrilled to have more space for our growing kids to homeschool, we have mixed feelings. Sam wasn’t too sure he would like the new hip and chic neighborhood compared to the old and weathered, quieter neighborhood we’ve been living in. We all have some sadness about losing a connection to the memories we've had in this home and neighborhood. Even the 7-Eleven around the corner feels like our "second home.” We are there every other day or two for coffee, reading the newspaper, or popsicles for the kids and know all the life stories of the people working there. We've prayed for and prayed with the mail carrier, Mom & Pop café, and so many others in our neighborhood.
So, gradually we are helping the kids adjust to the idea of a new neighborhood. Today, we trained them how to take the bus independently from their school to the new home. As we celebrated with a family walk enjoying popsicles at the park, an elderly lady noticed us and asked, "Are all these YOUR kids?" I responded, "Yes, Shang-Di (Lord God) blessed me with a lot of children. Aren't they awesome?" She responded, "Are you a Christian? You must be to have the courage to raise them and love them." As I followed up on the conversation, Nathan says "Look, Mom, Dad is having a deep talk with the park security guard." And I knew that God was helping even the kids see that the opportunities to shine for him in this new place were everywhere. We all came home from visiting the apartment with a new sense of peace and excitement. Our rental lease for the new place will start November 1, so we have time for remodeling and packing up for the move just seven minutes away from our current home.
We are so grateful for the many people who have been praying for us to have a good relationship with the landlord because it was not a simple process to sign the lease. At the end of our third meetings in 2 weeks, the landlord said "I've never seen tenants more honest than you. I've learned a lot from you already and I can see that Shang-Di takes good care of you." From a man who does not yet know God personally, he did see something different in us. Please pray with us that him and the 5 other families in our building will know that difference in us, is Jesus.
With Love,
Helen for the Livingstons
Please Pray
Thank God for a weekend visiting Leah & her Dad. She got to see how I share Bible stories with her Buddhist neighbor whose Dad recently passed away.
Packing up and remodeling the new place is a big load of extra work on top of normal ministry work. Pray that we will be a light to those working with us.
We had the joy of facilitating the translation for an American family who came last month to pick up Scottie, the first Down syndrome baby to ever be adopted at this 50+ years old orphanage. Pray that more families will choose life for their unborn children.