Taiwan Time

Ruthie is rehearsing with the Bible Study group.

This is some of our Bible study group. They are getting ready to sing Christmas Carols at a city event attended by hundreds of people.

Singing on stage

Our Church

Ruthie is entering from the street. There are several Christian churches in Taitung.

These are many of the church members. The ones holding flowers were baptized earlier in the day.

This is the baptism ceremony. Two large tubs were used. The pastors are all women in this church.

Our son Gabriel came to see us in January. We are on a tall hill in downtown Taitung. He stayed nine days.

Gabriel and Ruthie looking over the city.

At the bottom of the hill are several holes like this one dug into the side. The Japanese used these for bomb shelters during World War II. Japan left Taiwan after the war. They occupied the country for 50 years.

We took Gabriel to Green Island. It was windy and cool, unlike our first trip there last fall.

Gabriel and Ruthie looking over the Pacific Ocean.

This is a Buddhist temple. They are everywhere.

Gabriel at a temple.

Some are large; some are very small.

Inside a temple.

Irving is teaching in the Grade four class.

Ruthie in class. Wednesday is the “short day” for all schools. School is out at noon and teachers have meetings. Students do not wear uniforms on Wednesday.

Just before the winter break. Students do a big cleanup of the school.

Fun in PE class.

Arkansas Week

We made a presentation about our home. Students were very interested to see and hear about where we come from. We presented a Power Point program, sang songs and talked about Arkansas. They like photos of Beaver Lake.

Thanks to the Arkansas Tourism and State departments, gifts of Arkansas pens, pencils and lapel pins were given to all 660 students. They were delighted.

Ruthie’s accordion playing and singing always makes a big hit.

A grade four class on Arkansas Day.

One of our students.

Visit to Taroko Gorge. Taiwan has a beautiful gorge made of marble. Because of the plentiful marble supply, marble is inexpensive and used in many buildings.

This was a stop on the way there. This monument marks the Tropic of Capricorn. South of it you are in the tropics.

The marble Taroko gorge. It is beautiful!

Beautiful scenery.

A swinging bridge over part of the gorge.