🏠 Ray & Jane ｜BBPN Beit Simcha｜May 12, 2026
This recent hosting once again deeply reminded us: what truly moves the human heart is not elaborate arrangements, but genuine love.
On the evening of May 3, we received two young Israeli men—E and I. E, aside from not having the lightning-shaped scar, looked strikingly similar to Harry Potter. He was warm, expressive, and emotionally rich. I, on the other hand, was quiet and reserved, observing everything silently throughout the evening. For both of them, this was their very first encounter with a Beit Simcha, and everything felt new and fresh.
At the beginning, we simply shared a relaxed meal and conversation, hoping they would gradually feel at ease. Unexpectedly, not long after sitting down, E initiated a conversation about a car accident that had occurred in Israel that very day. The one who had passed away was a soldier he had once cared for while serving as a medic in the military. As he spoke, he tried to hold back his emotions, yet the sorrow in his eyes was still evident. Later, he even wrote a message in Hebrew in the guestbook to commemorate this friend, and reminded future backpackers coming to Taiwan to be careful and stay safe.
E shared that over the years, he had experienced the loss of many friends. Some died in his presence, taking their last breath before his eyes; others passed away far from him. Such loss leaves a deep, unfillable void within the human heart. Yet he also shared a saying in Israel: “As long as a person is remembered and spoken of, they are still alive.” For the departed continue to live within those who remember them. Therefore, he chose to tell us these stories of his friends, so their lives could continue to be remembered by the world.
As I (Ray) listened, I was reminded of the biblical theme of legacy. Many of God’s works are also preserved and carried forward through the testimonies of generation after generation.
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere gradually shifted into warmth and joy. Surprisingly, the fried silver threads rolls became everyone’s favourite food—they even joked that they were better than Israeli doughnuts. During photo time, we all shouted together, “Am Yisrael Chai!” (“The people of Israel live!”). When Pastor Jamie then said, “Ani ohevet et-Yisrael” (“I love Israel”), E immediately stepped forward and embraced her tightly. In that moment, we sensed that it was far more than a polite gesture—it felt like a heart that had long been wandering and weary finally experiencing understanding and acceptance again.
They later told us that over the past four to five months of traveling, they had often encountered hostility, indifference, and even a lack of welcome in many places. Yet this night became the most surprising and warmest evening of their entire journey.
Because they had visited the Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall earlier that day and asked historical questions, we naturally shared about Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s faith and how he once received help through prayer. We then spoke about how, although Taiwan does not have an Iron Dome, we do have a “Prayer Dome”—the covering of prayer. Unexpectedly, this concept became a recurring theme throughout the evening.
When we mentioned the Israeli friend involved in a car accident in Kaohsiung and shared how we had prayed for him, they were visibly shocked. They had never imagined that, in distant Taiwan, there would be a group of believers who, though strangers to them, were quietly weeping and praying for the safety of Israelis.
On the way back to Pastor Jamie’s home, since it was their first day in Taiwan and they had never tried bubble tea, we as a couple specially bought some for them to taste. After returning, we also gave them handmade cards. Pastor Jamie also blessed them with “Ning’s Aroma” essential oil perfume and massage roll-ons as a gift of blessing.
Yet what truly touched us deeply came during the final moment of prayer.
As the “Voice of Burning Bush” began releasing prophetic words, E’s eyes filled with tears once again and he stood up to embrace us. Even I, who had been mostly silent, also stepped forward and embraced everyone.
What moved us most was the final message E wrote in the guestbook:
“In this long journey, I have met many people, but today I met the kindest and purest people in my life. I hope that one day, I can become someone like you.”
When we read these words, we deeply sensed in our hearts: perhaps we cannot stop wars, nor erase the scars within a person’s life—but a table filled with love, a group willing to truly listen and pray, can indeed cause a weary heart to shine again.
May God continue to use every Beit Simcha. For sometimes, a meal, an embrace, and a prayer are enough to become a turning point in a person’s life.
