Back in August 2008 I decided to follow the will of God and move to Taiwan for 6 months. In Taiwan God led me to a bible university sort of school through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) called Discipleship Training School (DTS). In this school I not only learned how to be a missionary, but to rely on God with both the small and immense things. In this school I learned about God’s character, His love for us all, and the right way to go about gaining theology.

The first 3 months of this school was called the lecture phase. This phase was 11 weeks longs, where different teachers from all over the world came in and shared on a different topic. We also did outreach at elementary schools, retirement homes, universities, and coffee bar ministry. The topics consisted of, chronological order:

1. Hearing The Voice of God (Don Gillman; Taiwan YWAM Base Director)
2. Evangelism (Brent Wildeson; DTS Leader)
3. The Character of God (April & Michael Stevens; Taiwan SBS Leaders)
4. Spiritual Warfare (Ron & Judy Smith; Montana Base Leaders)
5. Evangelism, Meditation, Prayer, Proverbs On Money, and Sleep (Ron & Judy Smith; Kona, HI Base Leaders)
6. Relationships (Dan & Bee Myers; Taiwan SBS Leaders)
7. Biblical World View (Athena Gee & Michael Brown; Taiwan SBS Leaders)
8. Grace & Holiness (Scott Contival; Taiwan SBS Director)
9. Biblical Overview & The Holy Spirit of God (Athena Gee & Debi Yu; Taiwan SBS Leaders)
10. Mercy Ministries (Cary & Kim Gear; YWAM Leaders)
11. Missions (Garth Gustafson; Battambang, Cambodia Base Director)

The second part of DTS is the outreach phase. This year we went to Maharashtra, India. Unfortunately, at the time it seemed this way, my visa wasn’t in yet, so the rest of the team left, and I stayed in Taiwan. The whole week I was there I tried to figure out why God allowed this. On that Wednesday I sat in on SOFM (School of Frontier Missions) and was able to hear about finances, and how to go about not only gaining financial support as a full-time missionary, but how to develop friendships that will last a lifetime. I liked the speaker so much that I sat in on the class that Thursday AND Friday.

In India we did many things, from challenging house churches to grow spiritually, to helping plant churches and keep them going strong. We encouraged so many people in this country, and it was a blessing to be there, and be able to reach out to such a hurting and lost group of beautiful people.

Now I’m back in the good old USA. When I first arrived two weeks ago, February 16, I felt so lost. God wasn’t speaking, and I had no idea what He wanted me to do until my return to Taiwan as a full-time missionary began. I’m still not sure what He wants me to do, but now I have peace in knowing that I’m here simply because He has a reason.
My plans are to return to Taiwan this summer, study the Chinese language for 2 years full-time, staff DTS for 2 years, and eventually open a new YWAM base in Kenting, Taiwan.

I know that no matter what God will provide. He’s proven that time and time again in my life. My calling as a missionary is something I know will help expand God’s Kingdom. I long to reach the people of Taiwan, and possible Mainland China one day, but I can’t do it without God. If you feel like God is telling you to help me spiritually then please contact me. If you feel like God is telling you to support me financial then please contact me as well, or go to my website at ChrisNickJoy and go to the Donate page.
I look forward to hearing from everybody that’s interested in both forms of support, and I pray we never lose sight of the great commission set before us all:

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

That Time of Waiting On God

The chapter has ended, and the story has come to an end. The beginning of a missionary's life is something of old. I went, started the process, waited on God, and triumphed according to God's will. Now I'm back in my homeland, America. Waiting on God is a hard thing, especially when He isn't talking.

Reentry has been a challenge. Something I never thought would be. Thank God I have a place to reside. My best friend took me in, knowing the burden of reverse culture shock. I'm at a crossroad in my life. Get a job, reach for support to return to the world God has called me to, forfeit it all once again? I don't know...

I went to Winbourne today, trying to get back to my roots. Pastor Rizzo stated that prayer is the key, and I know he's right. My tired body is looking for the key. The key my restless soul knows where to find. God is here, looking right in my eyes. What do I do? A burdened missionary. I need His guidance. I need His strength. Christ Jesus, I wait for your Word. Tell me the direction, and I'm sure to go. As for now, life goes on. I'm hear for a reason, and surely I will find it. Thank you God for DTS, and thank you for opening that door. Continue to show mercy on me, as I walk this path...this path of a poor missionary. I love you God, show me mercy.

Purpose

So, I'm back...in Baton Rouge, and I have NO idea what to do. I have no money, no job, no sense of purpose, and God is being silent. The bad thing about this situation is that back in Taiwan I had a drive. I was surrounded by people with a similar purpose, "To Know God, And Make Him Known". We weren't worried about money, cars, a house (The American Dream). We only cared about telling people about Christ. Now that I'm back in a country that I know I'm not called to be in I feel empty. I feel lost, and unimportant, and COMPLETELY powerless (which is how I'm supposed to feel regardless). I know God has me here for a reason, and I know I'll be back in Taiwan on HIS TIME, but I don't know what to do...period.

Pray God shows me something. The fact that I'm having reverse culture shock and jet-lagging doesn't help either.