Taiwan Church News
3706 Edition
6 ~ 12 March, 2023
Headline News
Report by Lin Wan-ting from Pingtung
Translated by Peter Wolfe
Annually the first Friday in March is designated as the World Day of Prayer. This year, 2023, the ecumenical churches pray together for our country – “Taiwan”.
In order to pursue God’s peace and blessings to Taiwan, our ethnic groups, and the churches across the island, the Women Ministry Committee of Ngudradrekai (Rukai) Presbytery held a thanksgiving service, inviting brothers and staffs of youth ministry total over 500 people, to sing hymns, give witnesses, and say prayers at the Jia-Mu Community Center of Lily Tribe in Chang-Chi Township of Pingtung County in the morning on March 4th.
During the interview, Ms Muakai Abaliusu, Minister of Women Ministry Committee of Rukai Presbytery, expressed in tears that she thanked God for being a member of the writing committee for World Day of Prayer Handbook, and especially she appreciated to having such an amazing opportunity to serve her tribal people as a church leader in this event.
In her red eyes with tears, she said frankly that she never thought she could come across “World Day of Prayer for Taiwan” in her life. This was because Taiwan had always been suppressed by international communities for such a long time, like running in an endless dark tunnel without any light ahead. But now our island became suddenly known worldwide, in the name of “Taiwan”, and was prayed and given intercession by dozens of countries, she said.
“Doesn’t this show that our Lord God who is above all?” She pointed out that this as a moment of testimony and inheritance, and she expected many countries and churches to carry on proclaim our Lord’s good news via prayers, just like this service of World Day of Prayer did for Taiwan. Not just for women are invited, but also brothers and youth are also urged to come, she wished.
Rev Lrwane Davelengan, moderator of general assembly of Rukai Presbytery, introduced the history of the World Day of Prayer in his speech, and especially thanked the Women Ministry Committee that although the Rukai Presbytery was young and small in scale, women had always actively participated in the general assembly. She also thanked the brothers and the youth ministry committee for their dedication and participation.
Rev Palri Aruladenge, general secretary of Rukai Presbytery, mentioned that the mission of the Rukai people had actually begun from women, and everyone should remember and follow this precious light of faith.
He also reminded the audience about the consensus of Women Forum held in the general assembly last year, in which women are encouraged to be more active in prayer, family care, education, and commitment to church ministry.
Finally, he stressed the importance of treasuring multi-ethnic cultures and ethnic languages, and invited everyone to think about what kind of ministry Rukai people should promote in “Year of Youth Mission” to be held in 2023.
The World Day of Prayer Handbook mentions that Taiwan has a special geographical location, rich natural resources, but also suffers from earthquakes and typhoon disasters. The island also breeds versatile biological species among its diverse geological sites. Its population is highly dense with multi-ethnic societies and various aboriginal peoples.
The island had been colonized by many regimes, it suffered the 228 Massacre, and was expelled from the United Nations in the name of the ROC. Though Taiwan had since been isolated, but now it has changed and committed to democracy and development.
Taiwan still faces human rights issues, such as women’s heavy household jobs and workplace abuse and harassment. The theme of the 2023 World Day of Prayer, “I have heard your faith”(Ephesians 1:15), reminding all the Christians to respond to God’s love and live for God in faith, hope and love.
During the service, the participants wore traditional tribal costumes and read letters representing the situations and concerns of women in Taiwan with different Rukai tribal languages from the villages, such as Maolin, Wanshan, Dona and Wutai. As the letters read from a heart-felt mother tongue to reveal the difficulties and sufferings of the Rukai women, some women couldn’t help but break into tears after listening these compelling messages.
