Due to pressures exerted upon her by church leaders in her country, Ting Lin has regretfully requested this post be removed.
Assholes: 1; Justice: 0.
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What a tragic, powerful story, Fang-yi. Thank you so much for sharing This statement really pierced me to the core:
“But the most important thing was to make friends with myself, and to also learn to believe that Jesus wanted to make friends with me—that He truly loves and likes me.”
I will be glad to go to my grave and stand again with Him, saying nothing more than that. If straight Christians cannot deliver that message, we’ve failed. And if anyone can teach us better, it will be gay Christians like you. I pray your parents return to you and please write again when they do.
I could not agree more with this comment.
Hi Fang -yi
I was just browsing through for where to go for English services. Then I came across you. Another blessed and amazing story. I’ve been in Taiwan for about11years,divorced due to the fact that I’m Gay. I do not have a problem being out cause in my hometown and family everyone as well as God knows.My ex-wife and I are great friends now, and that is only what God can do. At work though I’m not out…..hahaha LOL! If they fingd out or already know it is cool………. When my eldest daughter was told[15] at the time…….she said, ” Dad, who am I to judge you, you are the best dad Ihave ever asked for.” I sometimes wish my parents were still alive to have known how they would have felt. A lot has been going on in my life……..I need to sit down and talk…….I firmly believe that one meets people on the journey of life for and with a REASON. About 3weeks ago a childhood aqaintance left me a message on FB, ” Leighton ,I dreamed , you and I were playing in your front yard while your late Mom & Dad were overlooking with big smiles………” Me very interested in dreams and the interpretation/s thereof………..did some googling ………..turns out that they very happy with the road I’m on. Recently ………my partner of 11 years gave up a lot …………[ I always said I do not want to tell you to do it] ………….He accepted the Lord in his life……..and I could see a transformation daily……..inside and out…………WE SERVE AN AMAZING GOD! This morning we watched a service b
by Joyce Meyers saying that she does not have time to waste her time on being angry, not in line with God, not loving, not doing what God wants her to do……….we are running out of time…..
Let us. Love , be kind …….be good……..be real…….Be honest as if we will never have the time again! HE MIGHT BE COMING WHILE YOU ARE READING THIS, OR LATER, OR TOMORROW, OR AFTER YOU DIE……..OR……..BUT THEN YOU WILL HEAR HIM SAY…………WELL DONE MY SON………..WELL DONE MY DAUGHTER………..
Nowadays we try to live by Jesus ‘ last words on the cross ,” IT IS FINISHED”
Nothing I did before, in between or after can Change what He has accomplished.
Gods Love and Hugs
Leighton and Danny 0917 o40273
Beautiful article. Thank-you for your courage.
You’re a brave and beautiful person, Fang-Yi. Your simple sentence—I feel happy—speaks volumes. You are an inspiration to more people than you’ll ever know.
After spending 3/4 of my life in a religious cult, and now shunned by my family after coming out to them, I’m quite turned off by organized religion. However, if I’m in Taichung I wouldn’t hesitate to visit your church to be able to meet you and your friends (I live in Taoyuan).
Bless you! 祝你萬事如意
Steve, I LOVE your blog!
Hi Stephen, I’d love to meet you and hear your story. Just email me please. These two cities is not too far, right?
Dear Fang-Yi,
I live in Taichung with my South African husband. We found your story to be very touching. We too have experienced terrible discrimination in Taiwan – especially when it comes to marriage rights. My husband cannot be placed on my work visa (like the spouses of our hetero friends) and so, our family is always under threat of being broken up. We are facing big problems at the moment, as his student visa expires soon. He has just finished his degree, and will need to leave the country soon. God knows if he will be allowed back home (yes “home” – we regard Taiwan as our home, as we have been here for nearly a decade and wish to live here permanently, as my husbands family has also rejected him, so there is nothing for us in our native country – only the two of us, together) It breaks my heart to see my fellow Christians behaving so cruelly toward the LGBT community, and towards vulnerable gay teenagers. As a teacher, I have seen the terrible damage that homophobia can do to GLBT kids.
And it is so difficult to find Christians who welcome us to their church. In ten years, I have not found one. I won’t give up though. It is hard to always pray alone, read scripture alone, and give praise alone.
With love and support,
Craig (longcraigh@hotmail.com)
Dear Craig,
I read your words with tears. Deeply I feel heart broken for you and your husband. Yes I can figure out many reasons that you two could not find a proper church since the first day you arrived. A decade, and alone– these two words made me hurt. Meanwhile I am praying– what can I do for you?
I will write email to you, dear Craig.
Craig,
Your story touched my heart. I do hope you both can stay in Taiwan and can find a Christian community that welcomes you.
Did your husband just receive his degree in Chinese Language Studies? If not, perhaps he can enroll in a Chinese language center to continue his student visa. He’d have to sign up for 15 hours/week and maintain minimum grades and attendance. I don’t know if there’s a limit to student visas, but this might be an option.
I’m crossing my fingers for you guys.
Thanks for your reply Fang-yi. When I have some time (and ambition!) I’ll sit down and share my story by email. Taoyuan is about 3 hours from Taichung.
我聽說有很多外國人住在台中, 我覺得因為那裡的天氣比台北的天氣很好. 可是今天有颱風…小心啊喔!
Hi Stephen, how are you today? we did have a stormy day here. The typhoon is leaving gradually. Hope you are doing ok in Taoyuan.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Wow, thanks John! Reading Fang-Yi’s experience (which was forwarded to me by a gay friend in Taipei) was my first visit to your site. I have to admit that I haven’t been back since, but today I was browsing through it and am looking forward to reading more.
Bless you, Fang-yi! You are an amazing person!
Thank you for your act of courage in sharing. Sending support and love. Christians and Jews alike (me) learn from what you have taught us.
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