🏠 Pastor Jamie Tseng | BBPN Beit Simcha| October 30, 2026
An Unexpected Warm Encounter
Yesterday, I had the privilege of hosting A, a Jewish backpacker from Israel. Having been traveling for four months already, Taiwan wasn’t originally on his itinerary. Yet the network of love had long been quietly connecting us—thanks to a glowing recommendation from a friend who had previously stayed at Beit Simcha. He reached out just the day before departing for Taiwan. In fact, after meeting me, he even expressed a touch of regret, saying he wished he had known about us sooner so he could have planned earlier and visited every single Beit Simcha along the way!
From the moment he stepped out of the elevator and our eyes met, I felt a wonderful sense of familiarity. There was no need for awkward small talk or distance between us. As he shared stories from his journey, I listened, feeling as though long-lost family members had finally sat down together to catch up.
During dinner, I shared with him that tonight’s meal was hosted on behalf of the Burning Bush Prayer Network, because we wanted to personally express two deep expressions of gratitude to him: First, thank you to the Jewish people for preserving the Bible for the whole world. Second, thank you to the Jewish people for giving us a Jewish Messiah.
Hearing the first note of gratitude, his eyes instantly glistened with tears. When I got to the second one, I playfully added, “You know, Yeshua the Messiah wasn’t Chinese, Japanese, or Vietnamese—He was 100% authentically Jewish!” Hearing this, even this quiet and composed young man couldn’t help but let out a warm smile.
A Deep, Brilliant Soul Opening His Heart in the Soft Light
A is an exceptionally bright young man with a rich artistic sensitivity. Fluent in multiple languages, he can naturally recite the Bible passages in Hebrew off the top of his head. As a skilled cartographer, when I picked up the Taiwanese flag and asked him to count the rays of light, he was the first backpacker we’ve ever hosted to answer instantly and without hesitation: “The twelve rays represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel!”
After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll back to my place. Holding our homemade, freshly bottled Kombucha tied with sweet ribbon knots, we chatted about his passion for crafting Lego models and handcrafted projects. The atmosphere was so relaxed, natural, and warm.
Yet, God’s heart for this night went far beyond just a pleasant conversation.
Softly Shedding Tears, Releasing a Whole Year of Burdens
Then came the time to share the “Voice of Burning Bush”—a prophetic word received for him through prayer beforehand. As I read the very first vision, which spoke right into the unsaid hurts and regrets of his life, tears welling up in his eyes once more. I intentionally kept my eyes fixed on my phone screen, giving him space to process and weep safely without feeling put on the spot.
Gradually, tears could no longer be held back, softly streaming down the cheeks of this tall, composed young man.
When I finished reading, I didn’t rush to fill the quietness. I waited in stillness for a few minutes, letting the gentle peace wrap around him. Once his heart settled a bit, I asked softly, “I noticed your tears—would you like to share what was happening inside just now?”
He opened up slowly. Ever since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th, he and his entire nation have been going through deep, heavy trauma. Paired with personal life transitions and the exhaustion and homesickness after four long months on the road… this past year had simply been excruciatingly tough for him.
I didn’t try to lecture or offer heavy advice. Instead, I simply stood up and gave this heartbroken, exhausted young man a warm, tight embrace, praying quietly for healing deep within his heart.
A Safe Harbour Prepared by God
I felt so deeply that hosting him alone in quiet solitude was entirely God’s sovereign design. He didn’t need a loud or crowd-filled gathering; he needed an extremely safe space—a place where he could drop all his defenses and strength, and just freely, authentically weep.
In that moment, I was reminded of what Pastor Michael from Israel shared with us back in February during the 11th Anniversary Gathering of the Burning Bush Prayer Network: Many wounded souls need far more than just a warm meal; they need a safe space where their broken hearts can be caught, embraced, and healed.
Before leaving, he wrote these heartfelt words in our guestbook:
” I truly appreciate your generosity, your deep connection to Israel and the Jewish people, and the way you made me feel right at home in a place that is so far away and in a culture that is so different from my own. That kind of hospitality is by no means something to be taken for granted… I hope there will be more people like you in the world—people filled with good intentions, with a desire to make the world a better place, and with a heart to spread love throughout the world.”
We thought we were merely preparing a dining table, but through our hands, God prepared a harbour to hold and anchor a precious life. We thought this was just a brief, passing encounter, but God used His love and comfort to soothe the long-accumulated wounds of an overseas traveller.
Thank You, Lord, for using BBPN Beit Simcha as an instrument of Your love and healing. May the fire of this love continue to open its arms wide, welcoming every weary bird flying by, that they may regain hope and soar on wings like eagles once again!
