In the six years that we’ve been in Taiwan, we’ve formed many relationships. Most of them are with non-Christians. Some have heard the gospel and others haven’t even heard the name of Jesus. I want to share with you about two men who we are privileged to call our friends.

Mr. Deng is the bus driver for the Chinese kindergarten that our kids attend. Initially I would talk to him in passing, using the best Hakka I could since I didn’t know much at the time. My initial impression of him was something like “I bet he’d be a fun grandpa!” He had that sweet and fun personality that I remember my Grandpa Kaare having. He became one of the people that I would pray for daily as I walked or drove through our town.

A few years after meeting him I heard from a friend at church that his wife and brother were Christians who attended our church. Wow! I couldn’t believe that it took me that long to make the connection. Here was a man who had connections to the church, but thought it was unnecessary. He wasn’t openly opposed to the gospel, he just thought all religions led to peace.

Mr. Yeh is a neighbor and good friend of ours. He helps us out all the time, takes our kids horseback riding, helps Isaak with his Chinese homework, then whisks our kids off to Kung Fu. He also supplies us with the best coffee! Mr. Yeh is not a Christian. His wife became a Christian a couple of years ago and was recently baptized. Mr. Yeh is another man who has not yet come to faith. He does not openly oppose Christianity, explaining that all roads lead to peace.

These two men are so similar in many ways. They are also like many other non-Christians here in Taiwan and all over the world. They have both heard the gospel. They both know about Jesus and what he has done for them. They are not, however, at the same point of faith.

Praise the Lord, last year Mr. Deng came to faith in Jesus. He’s become part of a small group and now we see him not only at the school, but every Sunday at church. He’s now filled with a new joy, one that comes only from Christ.

Mr. Yeh is not at that point. Please pray for him and for his family. Pray that they would believe in the one true Savior. Pray for his wife that her faith would stand firm and that she would be able to share it with her children, husband, and mother-in-law.

Pray for the many people – both here and where you are – who have similar stories. Some openly reject the Gospel and will disown their family members who believe. Others live as Mr. Deng once did and Mr. Yeh still does… opposing the gospel, not in anger, but with a smile. May they all come to believe in the one true God.

Kristina Larsen serves with her husband Andrew and their children as missionaries with LBIM in Taiwan.
Click here to visit the International Mission website for more information about Taiwan