Republic of China (Often referred to as Taiwan.)
Map of Taiwan
On August 2, 1970, Nannette and I arrived in Taiwan’s Keelung harbor aboard the President Cleveland with our two children Phillip and Emily, and a load of freight. it had been a long trip of 21 days, sailing from San Francisco with stops in Los Angeles, Honolulu, Yokohama, and Kobe Japan. Our arrival occurred on our 8th anniversary. We were met at the dock by a host of Taiwan Baptist missionaries with a huge banner welcoming us to Taiwan.
You may wonder why the Foreign Mission Board sponsored a 3 week cruise aboard a luxury liner in order for missionaries to reach their field of service.The reason was that the ship allowed us to load our shipment of household goods on board, saving the Board a good sum of money, and insuring that we and our shipment arrived at the same time. Another benefit for us was the gradual change in time, allowing us to forgo the usual jet lag experienced by changing 10 or more time zones over a 12-14 hour period. We were accompanied on our journey by a number of other missionaries, some stopping off in Japan, one couple headed for Korea, others bound for Hong Kong and two couples who joined us in Taiwan.
Since our apartment was not ready for us to move in, and since language school was several weeks away, we were encouraged to take the mission’s orientation tour of the island. So we boarded Taiwan’s passenger plane for Kaoshiung, in the southern part of the island. Taiwan had two airlines, FAT (Far Eastern Air Transport) and CAT (China Air Transport.) During the flight, condensed air began streaming out of the air ducts, causing us some concern until we were assured it was not smoke.
During our trip back to Taipei, we enjoyed fellowship with missionaries in Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taichung before returning home, feeling a bit more at home after seeing some of the island and meeting some of the missionaries. It was not long before we began our study of the Mandarin dialect–four hours per day Monday through Friday. The first few days were spent mostly reviewing the four tones used in Mandarin. It was our privilege to employ a maid who prepared our meals and did the housework so we could concentrate on learning the language. Our son Phi enrolled in Bethany Christian school in the second grade. Emily, our daughter began attending the Chinese kindergarten at Grace Baptist Church.
While we were in orientation at Callaway Gardens, near Columbus, Georgia, our area director Dr. James Belote, paid us a visit. He indicated that my work in Taiwan might involve three dimensions–music promotion among the churches, assisting our Mass Communication Center, and perhaps teaching at the Baptist Seminary. What he did not say was that missionaries associated with each of these three ministries all assumed that I would be working in that area. My understanding of my role was as a church music promoter, and that meant working with the churches and helping them to develop their music programs. As the years went by, I found myself fulfilling Dr. Belotes’ “prophecy” by serving in each of these areas, at time simultaneously.
The first gathering of our missionaries in the fall was at the annual Prayer Retreat. It was so inspirational to us because some of the older missionaries had served on the mainland of China, several had even been born there. Their testimonies were very meaningful to us and fellowship with them was very special. I was given opportunity to sing and to lead the group in worship, which was refreshing after months of inactivity.
Below are several photos of the mission at prayer retreat.
After some serious discussion, I was allowed to use my “free time” from language study to work at the Communications Center, directing the choir and recording music for broadcast. Once a month the Center produced a television program called “Wan Fu Li Men” (Ten thousand blessings at the door.) Occasionally, a special program featured the music of the Center. On one of these occasions, I performed several solos in English. I recall one of the songs was “I wonder as I Wonder.” Here is a photo showing the set.
Another shot of me singing on the broadcast.
So for the next four years, it appeared I would be studying the language while assisting the Center with their music needs. Little did I know what lay ahead.
