July 4-10, 2011
Headline News
Nick Vujicic’s joyful and fulfilling life encourages Taiwanese to never give up hope
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong
Written by Lydia Ma
“Don’t put me on a pedestal because only Jesus is our role model,” said Nick Vujicic to his Taiwanese audience. ”What is hope? What is joy? It’s only by trusting in Jesus Christ that we have hope and joy in our lives.”
Nick Vujicic is an Australian-born Christian inspirational speaker born with Tetra-amelia, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. He arrived to Taiwan in early July and he is scheduled to speak in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung for his tour of Taiwan sponsored by Eden Social Welfare Foundation.
Vujicic captivated his audience’s attention in Taipei Arena on the afternoon of July 2, 2011. The theme of his Taiwan tour is “Never Give Up” and he will also meet with notable officials such as Taichung Major Jason Hu.
The day after speaking in Taichung, Vujicic travelled north to Taipei to host a gospel theme night. He opened the event by inviting everyone to pray with him for Taiwan. Afterward, using himself as example, he encouraged his audience by reminding them that physical disabilities or life’s challenges cannot stop or prevent people from having an extraordinary life.
He said he longed to see his audience come to know and accept Christ and shared with them how Jesus changed his life and gave him joy. He recounted how, as an 8-year-old, he lost all hope and interest in living and contemplated suicide. “But this doesn’t mean that all hope is gone because in that state we can’t perceive God’s plan for us. But just because we can’t see God’s plan doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a special plan for us.”
Vujicic credited his parents for planting a seed of faith in his life and for nurturing him so that he’d eventually be able to experience the wonder and joy of life. With that, he encouraged every parent to continually nurture their children. “Maybe it will take a long time before you see the fruits of your labor, but the good seeds you plant inside them will eventually sprout and grow,” he assured..
