邱國榮撰
「馬約翰：我還是台灣人」《台灣教會公報》2969/2970期 2009年1月19日-2月1日 .p.3
Taiwan Church
News 2969-2970 Edition January 19~February 1, 2009
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong. Written by Lydia Ma. Photo by Chiou
Kuo-rong
John
McCall, an American missionary in Taiwan known for his witty
humor, will be bidding farewell to Taiwan and returning to the
United States because of his mother’s failing health. Sent by
the Presbyterian Church in USA, McCall will return to his
homeland to take care of his mother and fulfill his duties. The
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT),
West Amis presbytery, and Taiwan Theological College and
Seminary organized a farewell celebration in his honor on
January 18th at the seminary. During the celebration, McCall
thanked everyone for 13 wonderful years preaching the gospel in
Taiwan. He added that he learned and matured a lot during this
period and will sorely miss Taiwan when he goes home. Though
everyone was sad to see him return to the US, the celebration
was nevertheless filled with joy.
“Today is the much anticipated $3,600 dollars
day. I thought very few people would show up here as everyone
would be out collecting their consumer vouchers. I didn’t expect
so many people to come,” said McCall, drawing a hearty laughter
from the crowd. His love and concern for Taiwan was evident as
he continued,
“Taiwan is at a dangerous point in time. I
hope that when I come back to Taiwan next time, I will still be
a ‘Taiwanese’.” Like many others, McCall is worried about the
new government’s China-leaning policies. He hopes that Taiwanese
churches can influence and change Taiwanese society so that
those who live in Taiwan can develop a healthy dose of national
consciousness and proudly proclaim, “I am Taiwanese”. McCall
believes that national consciousness is one of the most precious
gifts Taiwanese churches can give to their countrymen. This gift
will surely be more valuable and edifying than consumer vouchers
worth $3,600 NTD each that will cost the nation $80 billion NTD
in debts.
During his time in Taiwan, McCall belonged to
West Amis presbytery. He devoted most of his time in reaching
aboriginal people for Christ. According to PCT General Assembly
Moderator Asing Aman, McCall was the one who began organizing
aboriginal student bursaries at three PCT seminaries – Taiwan
Theological College and Seminary, Tainan Theological College and
Seminary, and Yushan Theological College and Seminary. His goal
was to help aboriginal students who were struggling financially
to successfully complete their theological training so that they
would be equipped to become God’s servants in the future.
During the celebration, West Amis presbytery
presented McCall with a traditional aboriginal garment and
helped him put it on. McCall was delighted, “My name in
aboriginal language is Lafin!” he said. Taiwan Theological
College and Seminary’s Acting-President Tsai Ling-Jen presented
McCall with a “Blessings Cup”, “With this cup, we hope you will
always remember us. This cup also represents God’s love and
grace manifested in our lives.” McCall thanked everyone for
sharing God’s love with him. He asked everyone to open their
eyes.
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