God’s wonderful creations

 

Location & Atmosphere: The Capybara Knight cafe is accessible by Taipei's MRT system , a 15 minutes walk from the Tucheng station. The ambiance is notably charming and tranquil, centered around the small pond area where the animals reside.

The Capybaras: The two resident capybaras, Caby and Bara, are the main event. They are calm and gentle, and the interaction session is a highlight, allowing you to feed and touch them. A devoted animal attendant is present during these sessions to ensure the animals' safety and comfort.

Booking & Logistics: Due to the cafe's popularity and limited space, it is highly recommended to book a time slot in advance to avoid disappointment or a long wait. The interaction with the animals is limited to a pre-set duration of 20 minutes.

The Verdict: While the overall experience is a memorable one, especially for animal lovers, there are some trade-offs. The food and drinks are a bit expensive for the quality, and the service from the staff is not particularly warm. However, if you are a tourist with extra time and are eager for a unique encounter, the chance to get up close with the capybaras is the primary reward.

This experience brought a specific Bible verse to mind:

"O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."— Psalm 104:24

It's a beautiful reminder that even in a simple cafe, we can find a glimpse of God's wonderful and diverse creation.

Dishonest Taobao sellers

I recently learned a heavy lesson about online shopping. I had purchased some items from Taobao, thinking the prices were much cheaper than those on Taiwan Shopee, but I was wrong.

In my experience, particularly in Singapore Shopee, we are fortunate to receive excellent support from their team, who will assist us in getting a full refund for incorrect items. This is a stark contrast to my recent experience with Taobao, where I dealt with dishonest sellers who intentionally sent the wrong items. This is exactly as Gemini informed me: "In some cases, sellers might intentionally send a significantly different or lower-quality item, hoping the buyer won't dispute it due to the inconvenience of international returns.”

This situation, though frustrating, is a small fraction of life's challenges. Such dishonest sellers will not get very far in the long run. They may have cheated me, but more will come. 

Like Jesus, I need to forgive them, "for they know not what they do." May God forgive me for my own mistakes as well.

plushism.redbubble.com

I've reclaimed Pro Tier Artist status on my Redbubble shop! I'm praying this isn't a fleeting dream, I'm fueled with a renewed determination to work diligently and keep this elite status. Thank God, for igniting my passion to create art and share the gospel through my work.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

— Colossians 3:23

A Jolt of Faith in Taiwan

My evening in Taiwan was suddenly and intensely shaken by an earthquake. For a few brief, surreal moments, everything around me trembled, and a chorus of alerts echoed from every mobile phone. It was 9:11 PM on August 27th, and even though I’ve experienced a few earthquakes before, the last one was the most frightening. This tremor, however, had a different impact on me.

In that brief, chaotic moment, a profound thought settled in my heart. This experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of depending on God, who can protect us in all circumstances. It was as if God was teaching me a clear and unmistakable lesson: to lay down everything and follow Jesus alone. Only Jesus saves.

This echoes what I heard on a Bible app just yesterday, about the words Moses spoke to Joshua. He taught him to be strong and trust in the Lord, for the Lord would be with him no matter where he went.

That message of courage and faith is exactly what I felt during the earthquake. It brings to mind the verse:

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged."

— Deuteronomy 31:8

In life's shaking moments, whether from an earthquake or from personal challenges, we can find peace in knowing we are never alone.

Trusting in the Creator, Not the World

My day began with a journey to XinBeitou's Thermal Valley, a place where the earth breathes a misty, ethereal beauty—a raw, wondrous creation of our Heavenly Father. This natural spectacle was a powerful reminder that our world's most breathtaking sights are not of our own making.

My faith was soon tested by a moment of worldly dependence. Withdrawing cash with my Youtrip card, I impulsively used the CTBC bank ATM I mistakingly mistook it for the Cathay United bank. 

ignoring the warnings on the screen of an extra NT100 handling fees. My reliance on a worldly institution led to a costly error—a steeper fee than Cathay United bank that was a lesson in trusting my own understanding over God's guidance.

Later, in a quiet, humbling encounter, I met a homeless man. With a cross around his neck, he revealed a deep faith that transcended our language barrier. This simple gesture of grace and silent understanding was a powerful reminder that God can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.

The journey taught me a profound truth: we cannot serve two masters. My momentary focus on worldly convenience led to a financial mistake, but the day's events reinforced my commitment to serve the Lord. My help comes from Him, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 121:2 (NIV) "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall

Watching the sunset at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a truly beautiful experience, a stunning reminder of God's creation. The hall itself isn't just about honoring Chiang Kai-shek anymore. If you're there to learn more about his life, your best bet is to go straight to the permanent exhibition hall. Interestingly, you won't find any souvenirs related to him for sale in the gift shop

Last but not least, one of my favorite verses is Matthew 28:20. It's from the Great Commission and holds this incredible promise: 'And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

Do all to the glory of God

A walk near the hot springs in Xinbeitou was a truly rewarding experience

On a personal note, the dining experience at Sushi Express opposite Xinbeitou station was a humbling reminder of the Bible's call in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It's a powerful encouragement for believers to find purpose and honor God even in everyday activities. Paired with the sight of the prominent church beside the restaurant, it served as a beautiful reminder to be a light and share the gospel.

Withdrawing cash in Taiwan with Youtrip card

The quest for cash in a foreign land is always a gamble. With my YouTrip card in hand, I braced myself at a Cathay ATM, tucked away inside a Taipei Family Mart. The machine hummed, a digital heart beating with the promise of New Taiwan Dollars. I held my breath, the screen flashing the numbers: NT$20,000 withdrawn.

A rush of relief, followed by a quick check of the rate: an impressive 1 SGD to 23.23 TWD. But the true cost was a stark reality check—a service charge of SGD13.57.

This experience brought a crucial lesson into sharp focus: the true cost of convenience is a personal calculation. While the money changer or bank might offer different rates, the ease of an ATM withdrawal is a powerful temptation. Taiwan, despite its modern facade, still largely runs on cash. While Apple Pay is a welcome convenience at major retailers, many of the country's hidden gems and local treasures demand cold, hard currency. The choice, ultimately, is yours—but choose wisely.

Youtrip app

 

[耶穌愛你] Jesus Loves You

[耶穌愛你]

Jesus Loves You

 

Prayer 🙏

 

［阿給魚丸湯］

Let me tell you about a little shop in Tamsui, Taipei, somewhere near Daiso. I tried to leave a review on Google Maps, but couldn't find a way to do it. It’s probably for the best, because my experience wasn't great.

The elderly lady at the cashier was a bit dishonest. The order slip said one plate of dumplings, but she charged me for two. The shop was so packed and the queue so long that I was too flustered to double-check the bill. Thankfully, I did get two plates, but they were pretty disappointing—stuck together and barely edible.

When I went to get some chili, the woman in charge gave me a tiny, unhappy-looking spoonful, so I had to make do with other sauces. Honestly, I'd say skip this place. There have to be better options around. The only reason it was full was because it was scorching hot and this was the only spot with air conditioning."

 

Sunsets are beautiful here

 Sunsets are some of God’s most wonderful creations.

Corn soup

The corn soups at Taiwan's McDonald's and KFC are truly a favorite of mine. It's a creamy, slightly sweet, and savory dish that feels like a classic comfort food. It always makes me wonder why these soups aren't available at McDonald's locations in other countries, not even in Japan, which has such a strong influence on Taiwanese food culture.

［阿關甜不辣］

An Unexpected Delivery

Today, I decided to order some of Taiwan’s famous Tian Bu La from a local shop. The dish is similar to Singapore’s Yong Tau Hu, and I was excited to try it. I placed my order through Uber Eats, and the delivery driver was incredibly fast—my meal arrived in a flash!

Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived. As I began to eat, I discovered a short hair in my food. Since I wasn't able to leave a Google review, I wanted to share my experience here on my blog. This isn't the first time I've encountered this, and it's a frustrating situation.

I'm praying for all food vendors to be more diligent in maintaining hygiene and cleanliness for their customers. May God watch over them and guide them to be more careful. Amen.

One month in Taiwan

I have been in Taiwan for one week now, with three more to go, and it's already been a sweet prelude to my return to Italy for nine months. This long holiday is a wonderful chance to fully immerse myself in the local culture.

So far, it has been challenging to connect with other believers. Finding Christian contacts here has felt almost impossible, but I am trusting God to guide my path.

Despite this challenge, I am constantly reminded of God's grace. I am thankful for the stunning sunsets I see each evening, a beautiful reminder of His creation. I am also grateful for the daily forgiveness and renewal He offers.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will bless the people I meet in this bustling city, opening their hearts to know Christ Jesus, our one and only Savior.

 *A beautiful living room with a big smart TV.