Here are the fine folks we spent Christmas Eve with . . .

We have had several inquires about the earthquake last night that evidently was reported worldwide. I guess it was reported so much because a tsunami alert went out and the fact that it was a year ago when so much damage was done.

We felt them but we are fine. As far as I can tell there was no significant damage reported in Taipei. We are in the extreme northern part of the island while the quakes were in the far southern section. The whole story is HERE.

There have been three more since then 5.2, 5.5, & 5.9 – all in the same general area.

Today Fran prepared a very nice Christmas lunch. Some friends from Singapore, Matthew and Sherry, come over to eat with us and we had a great time. A real American ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, orange salad, and a “ugly pie” (ask Fran) were on the menu. Over here you would say “hao chi!” (how chur) or delicious!

Today was a play day. After lunch we hopped on the subway and went to a station we had never visited. We’ll tell more and post pictures later. For today we’ll post the last pics of the day.

Last night we watched one of the funniest movies we’ve seen in a while.  Christmas with the Kranks is based upon Skipping Christmas”, a John Grisham novel that we both read last Christmas and enjoyed so much.  When specific scenes came to life on screen we were rolling with laughter and tears. 

One of the men in Jackie’s bible study is performing in “Handel’s Messiah” Concert, so he gave us a couple of tickets. Wow – it was very professional – although sung in English, all the folks in the choir, the orchestra, the tenor, alto, soprano, & the bass were all Chinese. There was a screen set up with both English and Chinese on it so all could follow along. It was very touching and made me cry a couple of times. One of the greatest delights for me was to hear the very passage I taught yesterday at BSF; it was sang so beautifully and was very touching to be able to meditate upon God’s word placed in such moving music. Romans 8:31,33,34. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Since I’ve missed posting a picture a couple of times this week, you get a bonus – two for the price of one – the choir and the venue

The last week here has been cold and wet. This is a view down our alley just before getting to the building our apartment is in.

There are a couple of cafe/restaurants (with apartments above) on the left and a big Baptist church in the right.

The office folks all broke bread pizza & chicken together last week.