Dear Taiwan...

Dear Taiwan,

Your air sucks.

And I would like to note that, like any good student of letters, I chose my language very carefully. I chose the word “sucks” over others that may seem at the surface equal because I do, quite literally, feel as if I am now “sucking” the air in with each breath.

Introduction

Hello! Thank you for checking this out. As you might know, I am going to Taiwan quite soon (June 25) for a mission trip with the Christian organization The Navigators. It will last a little less than a month, which will be filled with many different forms of and opportunities for service. I’ve been told that we should have pretty good/frequent internet access, so right now I am planning to record a few notes, experiences, reflections, prayer requests, et cetera here. This is for my friends and family—anyone willing to read it. If you would like to make a comment and/or ask a question I would appreciate it and love to provide you with an answer. While the writing and recording is partially for me, this would be pointless if it were not also for others (what’s not meant to be shared belongs in a paper journal), as long as they are willing to read and want to know what I am up to, especially when I am literally half a world away.