so… i was really excited about the fact that my aunt wanted to go to church with me… until i realized she didn’t. when i asked her again three days ago to make sure that we were going, my mom immediately objected to the idea, to the apparent relief of my aunt. i’ve been really bummed about this, and even angry with God at a certain point. this is a lot harder than i thought it was going to be. i thought i was just back in taiwan for a vacation, and evangelizing “on the side.” but i realized it’s not that easy. God has provided me with lots of opportunities for conversations, but people are only willing to listen, not to accept. it’s the worldview of relativism. “you believe this. that’s great, that can be your truth, but i’m not gonna have anything to do with it.” i kept thinking i had time to change their hearts, but time flew by, and now i only have a week. and i’ve been talking to my aunt on msn since my freshman year, and at one point she even “accepted” Jesus into her life… but she was like the seed that fell on a rock– she sprouted briefly but faded away immediately. why is it easier for some people to just accept God’s salvation, and so tough and impossible for others?

‘finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places’ (ephesians 6:10-12). i will not despair. God is crazy for using me to fight His battle, but He promises that He will be my strength. i feel weary, but i will take up the shield of faith, with which i can extingish all the flaming darts from the evil one (eph. 6:16). thank God for roshni, who pulled this passage out as soon as i told her about my predicament. please pray for taiwan? i don’t know what to do next…