Visiting Dayan Indigenous people in Taiwan

An 80 minute bus-drive from Changhua city into the mountains area situated us close to the clouds.  The local church is the MEIYUAN church, made up of Dayan people. The 23 families of this local church make up about one-third of the village population. There is also a Catholic Church and two True Jesus Churches. They share a Community Hall (more like a fixed outdoor open-air roof structure).

The local Pastor was in his first Placement post-seminary. He has been in the community for 10 years and has encouraged a 'cradle-to-grave' approach to mission and ministry. The church buildings are used on Sunday for worship, but they are also used every weekday for Seniors' Ministries (at least 2-3 hours per day) and also for After-school Programs (2 hours per day). This holds the small village community together very effectively, promoting communal responsibility towards pastoral care and discipleship.

The children in this congregation make up half the children in the local primary school. They spend two hours a day together after school at the church. This forms them into church family relationships, encouraging one another for life. This becomes particularly important for their identity as they must leave the village for highschool (daily) and for higher education (moving to the cities).

The back row members 

of the 

MEIYUAN Children's Choir...

These girls all sang lovely solos!

The elderly members participate in music and movement, games, physically and mentally stimulating activities. There is a chef, who creates nutritious meals for wellbeing. In the early afternoon, visits take place to single elderly, to check on their wellbeing and provide appropriate support.

Everyone in the Church participates in singing and dancing!

The Church was rebuilt after an earthquake and is obviously well cared for and very well used. Our group of CWM Member Church leaders and CWM staff were privileged to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of our friendly and welcoming hosts. Language was not a barrier, as we sign-languaged about grandchildren and food, the role of carers, growing food plants, cooking and how water is collected and shared. It was clear there are landcare issues, as the river water is contamiated by pesticides (from further upstream), making it undrinkable.

 

Beigang Nuomishih Bridge (北港溪糯米石橋)

This is the 'Sticky Rice Bridge', spanning the Beigang River that flows into the Dadu River. The Beigang village is closeby. It was so-named because it had to be rebuilt at a time when mortar was scarce, so a form of rice-flour paste was made to help hold the stones together. [It has since been rebuilt.]

The survival of indigenous cultures here is a great challenge for both the nation and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. Dayan Presbytery is the largest of the 23 Presbyteries here and the ministry among indigenous people is life-affirming. The commitment of the Church is actually enhanced by the support of the Taiwanese Government, who sees the great value of the Church mission work in helping indigenous language and culture to flourish.