🏠 Irene │ BBPN Beit Simcha│ October 15, 2025
On National Day evening, I arrived at Pastor Jamie’s home to find her hosting a joyful and relaxed kombucha party with the Israeli guests. Jane came downstairs to greet me and shared that everyone was open and engaged. As I joined, the Israeli guests welcomed me with radiant smiles and warm enthusiasm.
The evening’s flow was thoughtfully arranged by Pastor Jamie. The guests had plans to head to the Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall by 10 p.m. to watch the fireworks. After the kombucha tasting, we entered a time of testimony sharing. Pastor Jamie invited me to share the story of the woman with the issue of blood in English, and everyone listened with deep attention. She then shared prophetic words received for each guest from the Burning Bush Prayer Network’s intercession team in Australia. Many responded with amazement: “How is this so accurate?”
Pastor Jamie also invited her father to pray blessings over the guests, and the interaction with the elder was warm and lively. She then shared her testimony of battling serious illness, receiving healing from the Lord, being inspired to write songs, and even having Yeshua visit her in the recording studio. She quoted several Scriptures, which we read aloud in English. TL even recognized one passage, so we invited her to read it in Hebrew. Finally, Pastor Jamie asked me to pray a blessing over everyone once more.
Before and after the sharing and prayer, Z repeatedly said, “I’m deeply inspired by Pastor Jamie’s perseverance and faith during her cancer journey.” He also expressed, “Thank you so much, my heart is full.” I could truly feel the softness of their hearts. Z added that he was glad to meet truly “good” people and promised to introduce others to Beit Simcha in the future.
TL laughed and said to us, “You are so beautiful 😆,” and I replied instantly, “YOU are beautiful 😍.” It was a joyful moment of connection!
As we left Pastor Jamie’s home, TL and N (possibly L as well) walked with Jane and me, asking if I had grown up in a Christian family. I briefly shared that before my mother passed away, I had led her to Buddhism and chanted scriptures, but I never found eternal peace or assurance—until I met Yeshua in college, and received undeniable certainty.
They also asked why I went to Australia and how I returned to Taiwan. After I shared how God called me back, TL responded, “It’s not easy to walk in faith, but it’s beautiful.” I agreed and added that God often speaks words of encouragement and faith to me through believers like Pastor Jamie—just as they had received that evening—strengthening me to walk the path He has prepared. To share my testimony so freely and deeply again is part of the culture Beit Simcha has cultivated over time, and it moved me deeply.
On the MRT, I continued chatting with TL and N. TL said Taiwan and Israel share many similarities: both face threats, both rely on foreign caregivers for the elderly (though Taiwan is more orderly 😆). It felt as if the Israeli guests saw a reflection of home in Taiwan—perhaps we stirred their longing for their homeland.
TL also said Taiwanese people are brave and resilient. I replied that unlike Israelis, not everyone here has served in the military, so our combat strength may be limited. She responded that her own military service was involuntary—not everyone is suited for it (she was injured during service and only recovered gradually afterward). She added that it’s a blessing for Taiwanese people to live normal lives.
We arrived at the fireworks site just in time for the countdown. Though we didn’t reach the best viewing spot, we clearly saw drones forming the image of a “Formosan Black Bear” in the sky! Pastor Jamie and the Australian intercession team had once seen a vision of a victorious “V” on the bear’s chest while praying for L. I believe this was a gift and confirmation from God for L.
After the fireworks, the Israeli guests sat quietly by the reflecting pool, gazing at Taipei 101 and soaking in the breeze and celebratory atmosphere. We watched them from behind, hearts full of joy. Before parting, we shared one last group hug and exchanged heartfelt thanks. On the way home, my heart overflowed with gratitude. I believe every coworker who poured out love that night also received abundant blessings in return.
The Beit Simcha team in Taiwan warmly invites you to join us in welcoming more Israeli guests—so they may encounter the fullness of the Lord’s love!
