A Message from Crista

Merry Christmas from Taiwan!

Todd does an excellent job of sharing the amazing stories of how God is changing hearts and drawing people to Him, I want to fill you in on a little bit about everyday life for us here in Taiwan.

This is one of the hardest times of the year to be away from family and friends.  We miss all of the traditions that we have participated in with our families all of our lives.  However, God knows our loneliness and has given us friends and co-workers here in Taiwan to fill some of that void.  Who would have known that you could have a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner here in Taiwan!   For those of you who came to visit us this summer and brought us ingredients like cornmeal and fried onions for green bean casserole, thank you! We were able to enjoy the comfort foods of home and share them with our new Taiwanese friends who have never tasted some of these favorite dishes.

The kids are taking finals and anxiously awaiting their two week Christmas vacation from school.  This year I began working part time at their school, Morrison Academy, to help with tuition costs as we prepare to send Katelyn to college next year.  More on that in a minute.  I love that I have the same schedule as them and can see them around campus everyday.  When I taught in the local school, I did not have the same holidays as the kids. Thanksgiving and Christmas are normal school days here.  At Morrison, I have an office job working on the computer.  For those of you who know me well, you know this is a stretch to say the least! I have learned so much these past few months and also been humbled to have a job that I do not feel is my strength.  My co-workers are amazing and have been so encouraging and helpful.  I am blessed!

Yes, you read it right.  We will be sending Katelyn to college next year.  My eyes are filling with tears as I am typing this.  I cannot imagine having her halfway across the ocean from us.  As a mom, it is one of the scariest things I have had to do.  However, I remind myself daily that this is not a surprise to the Lord.  When He asked us to move to Taiwan, He knew this would happen. That is so comforting to me.  He has already gently paved the way for her.  She will be going to Todd’s and my alma mater, the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.  
We know many people who still live in that area and some even work at the university, like my great friend Becky Retta that Katelyn got to meet when she visited UMHB just a few weeks ago.  I am comforted knowing she will be in one of the most special places in my life. She wants to be a teacher like her mom, both Grandmas, and her Great Grandma.  She will be an amazing one.

Ashlyn is in High School this year and is doing well in her classes.  She loves to act and is planning on trying out for the school play in January.  Both her and Katelyn babysit for some of our friends weekly.  Do some of you remember how shy they used to be?  How they hated to be away from mom in the nursery?  They are now keeping kids who are a lot like they were.  They have amazing patience and such love for these children.  Many of you reading this right now were so patient and loving to my children growing up in the church nursery.  I know it was a hard job keeping the Blackhurst kids who did not seem to like church at the beginning.  We are so thankful that you poured into their lives and loved and nurtured them.  


Andrew has probably changed the most since being in Taiwan. My once shy child is now the star of the show when we host anything with university kids.  Like his father, he thrives on being with them and making them feel loved and happy.  He has shared his testimony in front of a couple of groups.  I am so glad he has a shared love for these people we have grown to love so much.  If he could only go to school to socialize, his life would be grand.  But, throw in math and science, and he is not as happy! He will tell you, however, that he really likes Middle School.  

Here's Andrew with Blaze at our ChristGiving Party this past Sunday night. 

Since living here, I have found that the thing that brings me the most joy is to be able to tell people about Jesus who have never heard about him.  To be able to tell a group of children the story of David and Goliath and not have anyone know the ending is so exciting for me.  Now, I have the privilege of going through the book of John with several young women (and a couple of young men) before our church service each week. To hear them say things like, “I’ve never known anyone like that.”  “I really like Jesus.”  “Jesus is hope.”, is music to my ears.  Some of them have lived in darkness for so long and are so excited to hear about someone who actually loves and cares for them.  They realize that the love they are so drawn to that they experience and feel from our church members is from Jesus.  

You've read about the Mainland Chinese students that we've been meeting with each week this semester. Oh, how my heart longs for these students, who go back to China the middle of January, to know Jesus.  How amazing is it that God would bring them to Taiwan where we can share freely with them without the fear of getting in trouble.  “For such a time as this”  We are doing everything we can to love these young men and women and show them as much of Jesus as we can in four months!  I am so thankful and amazed at how exciting my life is.  I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!

Our family will be back in Texas for most of the summer.  We will be seeing everyone we can while getting Katelyn ready for her freshmen year.  Andrew will be eating as much Chick Fil A and Rosas as we will let him.  Ashlyn and I will getting our fill of Joe Taco and the Olive Garden.  Katelyn will start her Taco Bell coma!  Oh my mouth is watering right now!!

If any of our stories of how exciting it is to share the Gospel with our precious Taiwanese friends have stirred your heart just a little, please consider coming over and helping us on a short term mission trip!  We would love to work alongside you and show you the beautiful place we call home.

I'd love to hear from you, there's nothing like a message from home, 

Merry Christmas from Taiwan,

Crista