Brushing teeth, washing face, taking shower and changing underwear regularly, washing hands before meals and after using bathroom, those were the universal standards of personal hygiene inculcated to us since childhood. I never thought of how much water I would have used each day. After back from Yunnan, I no longer consider using water can be taken for granted.Read more

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.Read more

On May 12, 2008, a magnitude-8 earthquake hit Sichuan, resulting in major disasters and staggering property losses. Over 100,000 people were killed and injured. Seeing the shocking scenes of grief and tragedy that were transmitted by TV and Internet reports, overseas Chinese flocked to donate money and offer help. The Go and Love Foundation also contributed to the disaster relief fund immediately and made close connections with Sichuan local co-workers in the post-disaster reconstruction institutions. At the same time,Read more

After a twenty-hour long flight from San Francisco, with a two-hour stopover at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan, I finally arrived in Singapore. The purpose of this trip was twofold: (1) to provide the Community Health Education training to church members who are interested in community services and (2) to introduce the works of the Go & Love Foundation.

The moment I stepped out of the Singapore Changi Airport, the smells of the warm ocean breeze and the fragrance of tropical flowers filled my nose. The smiling faces of the hospitable Mr.Jeffrey Ong and Ms. Jasmine Hui were already waiting at the exit. We left the airport in Mr. Ong’s car and went straight to the training site — the Swatow meeting Hall of Newton Life Church — to prepare for the training course. I was happy to see that the participants could receive the training in such a nice and conducive facility and environment.Read more