5 Questions With...Marojahan ("Ojah") Tampubolon

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian? I came to Taiwan from Indonesia to pursue my Master’s degree in 2012. The main reason I came to Taiwan is that Taiwan provided a scholarship, in addition to its high-quality education, especially in electronic engineering. I was introduced to FPC by a brother I met in my grad-school department, who had also graduated from my high school. A few months later, I joined the newcomer meeting in Pastor Dennis’ house. It was the first time for me to get to know more about Pastor and some people in FPC. FPC was the first church I visited in Taipei and I have never thought to find another church. I was attracted by the fellowship time in the fellowship hall. For me, it was unique because I have never found this kind of fellowship style before. Another reason that makes me stay on is that the teaching is biblical, gospel-centered, and very profound. I joined the membership around May 2013. 

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday? In this last month, from Monday to Friday, I have been working for a company in Hsinchu. Basically, I am doing things related to electronic devices. Saturday is just like a typical day off. When I was a student, I would sometimes visit nice places in Taiwan or just hang out with friends. But now, I always go to Taipei to join the Bible study in our school on Sunday afternoon.

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you? I do not think I have something that might surprise people. But this one might be surprising for all the modern people in our congregation. When I call my parents back home, I have to use an old 2G service because the service in our home area does not cover the more advanced telecommunication service. 

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today? Well, for sure, the most challenging thing is to be like Christ. Firstly, because of the sinful nature of man. Secondly, because the freedom that the world offered has become so distorted such that we are tempted to downgrade our values and moral standards.  

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible? The book of Romans is my favorite. It is beautiful, deep, challenging, and very eloquent. 

Tanzania Update: An Unexpected Trip

by Michelle Ko

Greetings from Taiwan. I have had an unexpected trip under unexpected circumstances. I was sent from Tanzania back to Taiwan on July 26 due to an unknown illness that was not able to be diagnosed in Tanzania.

I was in Dar es Salaam on business for a few days, and then on July 12th, I traveled 12 hours back to Mtwara, ready to move into my newly renovated home...

                      (Before)                                             (After)

When I arrived, I realized I had triple (and more) vision and thought I was too tired because of the extremely long trip. I thought that once I rested well, my vision would become normal again. After two days, there was no change. I became panicked and started calling for help. The local hospital could not do much and referred me to Dar es Salaam for further check-ups.

The next day, I traveled to Dar and began to receive many check-ups. Full eye exams, blood tests, an MRI, and a spinal tap (taking a sample of fluid from the spinal cord). It took many tries before they got any fluid. Due to mistakes made by the hospital, my pain was almost unbearable, and I could not get out of bed for a week following the spinal tap. Additionally, there was still no one who had any clue regarding the cause of my vision problem. Therefore, my mission organization, SIM, decided to send me back to Taiwan immediately for more check-ups and treatment.

After 3 weeks, the spinal fluid result finally arrived, and my neurologists diagnosed me as a “Multiple Sclerosis” patient (my immune system attacked my cranial nerves). Multiple Sclerosis (MS)—a name I had never heard before because it is an extremely rare disease among ethnic Asians. While I have recovered temporarily from experiencing triple vision via a steroid injection, I am not sure if it will happen again and, if so, when.

Nevertheless, I am very grateful that God’s grace is sufficient, especially in the midst of excruciating physical pain. Special thanks to:

• SIM (Serving In Mission) worldwide family who assisted me through a very difficult time.

• The Pierce and Ogawa families who came a long way to Dar accompanied me and drove me endlessly to the hospital.

• The Dar es Salaam Chinese Christian Church, which provided me with a room and food when I was very ill.

• Churches' and friends' prayers, special financial support, and words of encouragement and comfort.

Since my diagnosis, I have been dealing with exhaustion (the most common symptom people with MS experience), and at the same time feeling shocked and saddened. I lack any energy or motivation to do anything. Will my life be energetic and chatty again? Will I be able to travel and climb mountains freely again? Will I be able to return to Tanzania to continue to serve God? There are many questions that I have no answers to at this time and, frankly, it leaves me feeling overwhelmed.

Michelle FB: MichelleKoInAfrica What’s App: +255628097198 Line ID: 61488029218

P. S. - Sorry, but I was not able to reply to any emails in a timely manner after July 12th due to my illness.

5 Questions With...Jasmine Tsao

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian? I was in another church for two years when, all of a sudden, God told me to change my church. It was hard for me to leave my church because I loved them so much. But I knew God was calling me elsewhere. My church at the time was a bilingual church, so I thought it was not possible for me to join a pure English church and receive the message every week. But I had a friend who recommended that I come to Friendship Presbyterian Church and said that I might like it here. I came on January 8th, 2017, when Pastor Dennis was preaching about marriage, and I strongly felt called to hear it. I was really touched that God answered all the questions I have ever had about marriage through Pastor Dennis. So, I stayed, and here I am. :-)

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday? Well, I wish I did not have to work from Monday to Friday! But I have to. It is also good to have a job at the moment, and I am grateful for God’s plan. For almost 4 years, I have been working in a pharmaceutical company as a clinical-operations assistant. After work, I like helping my boyfriend Garrett cook during the weekday evenings. We like watching Netflix and laugh together because that is the medicine every day after work. I will also hang out with some good friends after work over dinner and catch up with people I love so I can pray for them when I think about them. I like going to a community group on Fridays. Friday is the last day for work in a week, so it is a good time to relax with beloved brothers and sisters and worship God with them. On Saturday, I used to go on outings with people for a whole-day event. It was the most exciting day of the week. We went hiking, we went to a beach, we had a potluck party and bonded with one another. After we had dinner, we played board games. It was so fun. But I just got back from California with Garrett, and I am trying to adjust my lifestyle right now, get some rest, and meet with old friends. 

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you? I do not cook and I do not know how to do laundry, ha-ha-ha—surprise! My first time traveling abroad was when I was 25. I was taking an airplane by myself to meet my friend in Thailand. I was so scared to be lost, but I made it! And I had a great time in Phuket.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today? The most challenging part is to love your enemy, give them the love of Christ. Even though it is hard and I am struggling, I still want to love them. However, this difficulty does make it a lot easier to love lovely people and, as a result, I appreciate them much more.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible, and why? I think it is Ephesians. Every time I feel I need God, I always think about the “whole armor” of God. This world is not perfect, but we have God's guarantee that there is Heaven, where we will go after our mission in life is over on Earth.

"13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."  --Ephesians 6:13-20