3196 Edition
May 27-June 2, 2013
Headline News
PCT marks an important milestone in post-Morakot rebuilding efforts with reflection and celebration
Reported by Simon Lin
Written by Lydia Ma
Ever since Typhoon Morakot devastated southern Taiwan in 2009, the PCT General Assembly has been hard at work helping local residents rebuild their lives and their homes. The PCT established 7 rebuilding centers to provide relief, shelter and support, and to better shape evangelistic efforts according to the needs of the locals and to serve and empower marginalized groups. These rebuilding centers are now approaching and important 4 year milestone and will henceforth partner with local presbyteries and social foundations to continue their ministries.
According to a ministry report by Rev. Lyim Hong-tion, PCT General Secretary-elect and the CEO of all rebuilding centers, these centers were originally scheduled for an overhaul and transformation in August 2013. As of August, all rebuilding and outreach programs will cease to be directed by PCT General Assembly and they will be directed and carried out by local presbyteries or organizations supervised by local presbyteries. According to Lyim, a lot of transformation has taken place gradually in the past 2 years to ensure that these ministries become independent and stable ministries that local presbyteries can monitor once they take over from the General Assembly.
During the last formal staff meeting directed by the PCT General Assembly that took place on May 24 at a local church in Pingtung, many General Assembly staff and rebuilding center leaders gave a brief report on their own work progress. Lyim commented at that meeting that a quick review of the past 4 years shows that government efforts have been insufficient and government policies have fallen short of PCT main demand, which is to help locals to stay clear from dangerous areas without relocating too far from people’s original villages.
However, the good news is that a lot of experience has been amassed in the past few years as PCT and NGOs and public agencies worked together to provide care to seniors, afternoon classes to children, emergency relief, revitalization of industries, rebuilding of houses and churches, etc. Lyim added that the most important goal for the General Assembly, as it passes the baton to local organizations, is to see these ministries continued while strengthening existing evangelistic ministries.
When it was her turn to give a report, Paiwan Rebuilding Center director E’leng said that she would focus her ministry on helping resource-strapped churches in Paiwan Presbytery in the future to initiate evangelistic ministries. Tsou Rebuilding Center director Pasu’e Yasiyungu thanked the General Assembly for creating these rebuilding centers because they had helped his presbytery get some resources and Tsou Presbytery pastors now have more experience coordinating ministry efforts. Taitung Rebuilding Center director Hong Chang-jiun pointed out that his center has been striving to transform itself by focusing on assisting industries devastated by Typhoon Morakot and increasing work opportunities so that people who lost their livelihoods can regain employment.
An evening gala hosted by Paiwan Presbytery’s Rebuilding Center was held on that day. Those in attendance watched a documentary film made by churches detailing rebuilding efforts in the past few years. Paiwan Presbytery also made traditional indigenous apparels as gifts for those who have poured out their time and effort in this ministry. People put on these colorful attires and stood in a circle to dance to indigenous music.
Rebuilding Center leaders dance to indigenous tunes during the evening gala.
Photo by Simon Lin.
