After thirteen hours of red-eye flight from San Francisco, I arrived Taoyuan International Airport. Transit through the fast and comfortable high speed train, I reached Chiayi Speed Train Station in the afternoon on June 25. Before exiting the gate, the smiling face of Minister Hui-Ching Lin of Chiayi Christian Hospitals (hereafter: CYCH) holding a welcoming sign at the gate was waiting for me. My trip to Chiayi this time is to deliver the Community Health Education (CHE) Program to the staff of CYCH and members of local communities plus to share the projects of the Go and Love Foundation with them.

Betty Chou and I jointly taught the class. There were thirty-three participants registered to attend. The content of the program included the origin of the Community Health Education concept, the supporting verses in the Bible, the methodology, and the application in poverty stricken areas such as remote farm villages or slumps in big cities. The pedagogy included lecture, reading, short video, group discussion, game, role play, case study and walking in a local community. We were very impressed that during the two and half day program, the participants were willing to sacrifice their weekends, and participate totally and enthusiastically in the learning and discussions. There were genuine in-depth discussions in the application of the CHE model in community projects.

I felt that the quality of the participants in the CYCH CHE class was superb. They were passionate about the concept of community development. We encouraged them to implement one or two Seed Projects in their local communities in order to learn from the experience. Once they have done that, when they implement CHE programs in faraway places, they would have already acquired the skills and confidence. They promised that they will try it. Seed Project is a mini community service project. It does not need a lot of planning and resources to implement. Usually the planning can be done by a church or a fellowship group. The project typically can be completed in one day.

The Mission Center of CYCH planned to organize three short term service teams to Myanmar, North-East Thailand, and Manila and Sorsogon of the Philippines by providing medical services and promoting Community Health Education Programs in this July, August and September. The participants from CYCH thought that as they were getting ready for their trips, the delivery of CHE class at this time was very timely. Mr. Siling Lin, the principle of the Concordia Middle School, and his wife, were going to lead a team to Myanmar shortly. Because of the short lead time, the team members were very active and engaged in the classroom discussions.

Dr. Joseph Chang, the Director of the Mission Center of CYCH, took this CHE class very seriously. His expectations for the participants were high. In addition to attending the classes every day, if the participants want to receive the CHE training certificate, they need to fulfill one of the following three conditions.

Firstly is to complete a Seed Project. Secondly is to participate in a short term service team. Thirdly is to submit an individual plan to complete a Seed Project or short term service trip in the coming months. Dr. Chang is also considering holding a follow-up class in the next spring to discuss how to make the Community Health Education Program a reality in Myanmar, North-East Thailand, Manila and Sorsogon of the Philippines. His approach reflected once again the unique culture of dedication and down-to-earth spirit of CYCH.

One evening, we were invited to a delicious dinner at the Mustard Seed Arts Restaurant at the Renewal Garden. The Renewal Garden was established by the Chaiyi Municipal Government to take care of local physically and psychologically disabled people. The City Government selected CYCH to manage the Garden since 2003. The owner of the Mustard Seed Arts Restaurant, Ms. Cuifeng Lu, is a devoted Christian. She hired well trained mentally disabled youth as staff. Although they were a little bit slow in dealing with customers, but they were very dedicated to their jobs and careful in serving the customers. While waiting for the dishes, Pastor Yu took me to the back of the restaurant called Love Shop Streets. There I saw Hope Shop, Shelter Mart, Jade Dragonfly Workshop, Bakery, and Siloam Massage Parlor. The Renewal Garden provides a good environment for the disabled people to learn skills to be independent, to have opportunities to accomplish something in life and to enjoy the warmth of the society. CYCH is indeed a lamp and hope of the Chiayi area.

Fifty years ago, Dr. Marcy Leroy Ditmanson brought his family to Chiayi, Taiwan and started a clinic. He came to serve the communities with the love of Jesus and a serving heart. Today, CYCH has one thousand beds and close to three thousand employees. It is a regional teaching hospital. Not only the people in the Chiayi area are enjoying the benefits of the hospital, but also the hospital sends out medical service teams regularly to Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines providing health care to the locals. From the example of Dr. Ditmanson, we have learned that as long as you are willing to follow the love of Jesus to serve people, the Lord will use you as a vessel to make it happen. The seed planted fifty years ago is a tall, strong and prosperous tree bearing many fruits today.

After reading this article, if you would like to know more about the Community Health Education training and the projects of the Go and Love Foundation, or want to introduce the training to other people, please contact us at serve@golovefoundation.org. Peace be with you.