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.

The most asked (and biggest) question I've been asked the last couple of weeks is "What's next?". DTS graduation was just 2 days ago, and by the grace of God I'm able to continue my stay here in Taiwan until February 15. Tomorrow is Chinese New Year, and tonight I'm celebrating it the Chinese way with the Huang family, along with Ryan, Kim, Marcus, Isabelle, and Corni. The rest of the time I'm here Corni, Isabelle, Ann, Marcus, Kim, and I are traveling all over Taiwan to visit friends and places.

I have a meeting with my church's, Healing Place Church, missions pastor, Pastor Mark, right after I get back to the States. After that I'm going to rest, and start pursuing full-time support to return to Taiwan, where I'm going to start my language studies, and then staff DTS. I'm not sure how I'm going to go about doing all this in the States, since my car was stolen since I've been here in Taiwan, but I do know I can trust God with everything.

The question "What's next?" is quite simple. Keep pursuing God, keep my head up, keep being teachable, and continue to trust in Him.

Newly Uploaded India Photos

I know it took way too long, but I've FINALLY uploaded some new photos on my Website. So, check out the site, which STILL needs a lot of updating, and let me know what you think. Sorry, about the lack of updating. I just got back from being in India for 2 months, and ministry in that country is draining to the spirit, mind, and body. Blessings from Taiwan!!!

Life Changes

These last 2 months in India have been a major influence on my faith in God. I've been so many people begging to know God, kids memorizing scripture verses in their second language, and adults falling to the ground as the presence of the Spirit of God has come into them. I lived in a country (USA) primarily controlled by secularism. Where even Christians still think logically/scientific about their faith. Personally, I've been challenged by the beautiful people here in India to look past my scientific mindset and just let the Spirit come in with no questions asked.

While preparing for my preaching in a few days, and reading my daily bible devotion, I came across Psalm 27. David writes this Psalm to God right after he had an opportunity to kill his enemy, King Saul, in a cave David, and his army of 600 were hiding in. David's men tell him to kill Saul, but David knows God has anointed Saul to be king of Israel, no matter how corrupt and evil he had become. David cuts a piece of Saul's robe in secret, and while Saul and his army are marching away from the cave David emerges and yells out to Saul. David explains that he had the opportunity to kill Saul, but he didn't. Saul in return blesses David, and stops pursuing David for a while.

Psalm 27 challenged me, because David is praising God for His protection. 1 Samuel 13:14 states that 'he is a man after God's own heart'. This is not because David is sinless. Actually, David is quite the opposite. David lies, cheats, steals, commits adultery, and even murders to cover up his adultery. David is a called 'a man after God's own heart' because David's number priority is to dwell in the presence of God for all eternity.

My ultimate prayer in life is to get to that point of longing to being with God above all else. God has used my presence in India to challenge me to change my character. I'm not the man I once was. I need God, and I acknowledge this now. My faith is in Him, and I pray that nothing else will matter in my life as long as I'm in His presence.

All Over India

It's been a while since I had internet access, and the time I have is very limited. To cut this as short as possible, I'm only going to talk about the areas we went to, and the basics of what we did.

After our ministry ended in Yavatmal (see previous blog), we heading to Aurangabad from December 15-19. December 15 we went to the Christ Church Girl's Hostile, where there were 111 girls, and one boy. We played with the kids, witnessed, etc. December 16 we took a break and went to the Taj Mahal!!! It's a great place. December 17 we went to CNI church, which is a brand new church. It's located in the Rala village. December 18 we went to the village of Dakephal and spent time with the children. December 19 I had the honor of sharing my testimony and preaching at Amba Morhar village.

After our ministry ended in Aurangabad, we headed back to Pune, our base city here in India from December 20-29. We took rest from December 20-21. December 22-23 we were at an orphanage. I had a great birthday on December 24. December 25 we visited the King of Kings church, and we went back to the orphanage on the 26th. On the 27th we spent the morning at the orphanage again, and then went back to the Kings of Kings church and had fellowship with the youth. December 28-29 was our time of rest.

The last city we just got back from, Navapur, was great. We were there from December 30-January 2, and stayed busy every day (the way it should be). December 30 we went to the Nandavan tribe village, which was the first tribe we visited. The best part was that 100% of the villagers are Christians. Honor and glory to our Father in heaven. We also visited the Mouchi tribe village. All the tribes we visited have traditional mud housing. December 31 we celebrated New Years eve in the Raingal village. Possibly the best New Years party I've ever been to. The people loved our teaching so much that we were told EVERYBODY in the area was talking about us and tell people about Christ Jesus. God is so good!

January 1 we went to the Raingal village church. The whole building cost $200. Makes you wonder why we spend millions of dollars back in the States to build one church. That night we went to the Chivati church, where I did a little preaching. I did an exhortation on Judges 7, challenging the people, both Christians/Nonchristians, if they are part of God's '300' army of fully dedicated believers. I received some positive feedback from the people. When we had prayer at the end, we encountered our first demon influenced man. He was screaming and punching and lashing out. The second we said 'be released in the name of JESUS' he was. The Spirit of God was fully alive there. We were told that the largest crowd to ever come to this church was that night. Praise God.

January 2 we were in the Bhovre area. We visited 3 families in the area and prayed for them. One family just lost a son on December 7 to blood cancer. Jesus brought some major healing to them during prayer. The wife of another family just had a miscarriage and the husband recently lost his job. We were able to do some hiking this day in the area. One of the most beautiful mountain/valley scenes I've been to. Vince, Corni, Isabelle, and me hiked one of the smaller mountain and just absorbed God's beautiful creation.

That's our ministry in a nutshell. Wish i could go into great detail, but I've already overstayed my time in the internet cafe. Blessings from India! To God all the glory and honor!