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So today is January 14, 2021 and I'm Helen Pu and today I'll be interviewing elder Charles Yuan from Clear Lake Chinese church on behalf of Houston Asian American Archive at Rice University. So first, let's start with

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your childhood. So where were you born? I was born in Hsinchu, Taiwan, China. Okay, yeah. And around when were you born there? 1949, May 22.

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Okay, cool. And do you have any other siblings? Yes. Fortunately, I have three. Uh huh. How old are they?

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Are they older or younger? Two older sisters, one younger brother. Okay. And were they all also born in same place? Yeah, they two in mainland China.

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Okay. So one is in Chongqing, Sichuan. My second one is from Shanghai. Okay, cool. The one my younger brother is Hsinchu.

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Same as mine. 3 years apart from me. Yeah. Younger. So your parents were originally from Mainland China? Yes, we- we my original place, my father came from- my

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mother came from Hubei. Okay. Wuhan. Yeah. And what about your father? Yeah, both them - both of them.

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You know, so from Wuhan, they were high school sweethearts. And when did they go to like Chongqing? Chongqing, because we have a Japanese invasion. All the people come.

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You know, my parents, they are both working in the military. My father was an airplane pilot. Okay. So they went there, you know, so have a training, because they wanted-

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I mean, just fighting against the Japanese invasion. Very hot blood. Youth, so try to do something for the country. Okay.

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And then. And then they moved to Shanghai for the same reason? Ah, yes, yes. Because, also, in the, in the military- military association, he actually- my father went to USA

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have an airplane- airplane pilot training went back. And so after they- we won the Japanese in the Second World War, so my father was service in the Air Force- Air Force Base Station in Shanghai.

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My whole family in Shanghai. Okay. In Jiawang. Okay. Okay, cool. That's cool. And do you remember anything from your childhood in Taiwan?

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Oh, yeah. Talk about the old days. Lot of- you know, I mean, certainly, we have a sweet, sweet family. I mean, parents, also my- my grandmother came with me- with us.

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Okay, it's so seven members in the one family. I'm lucky. I'm so lucky. So we have a lot of warm, lot of love. So we have discipline as well.

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We have good manner, behave. Again, you know, as a Christian love, you know, so we really feel, feel- feel so nice. Yeah. So did you and your family go to church in Taiwan? Oh, yeah. When you were little? Yes.

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Yes. Actually, so I was the second one to be converted into Christian. I was very young. So my grandmother, you know, so really like me, I'm the oldest- oldest son, grandson.

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So he love me a lot. He-he-he started to I mean to become a Christian. Then I went with her to church. So gradually, all seven- all seven people

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we have Christian family. How did she first hear about the church? Okay, he was- he worship uh Chenghuang- Chenghuang just you know, so in Shanghai, they

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have a temple, Buddhist temple, you know, so, Daoist temple Chenghuang yeah, yeah. He was looking for you know, some spiritual thing.

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Then finally you know, so he-he met one priest, one missionary- American missionary, come and baptize them one by one, praise the lord whole family. Seven people, you know, go to

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church together. Yeah, and this was, this is all in Taiwan or also in mainland? No 1949 because we have a civil war, remember, you know, so we are a nation.

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My father was a nation-nationalist. You know, so I mean fly all our family to Taiwan escape from communism. So we whole

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family moved to Taiwan from Mainland China. I was even born Taiwan. Right, in Taiwan. Yes. Okay, cool.

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And so what were some values that your parents instilled on you? Oh, yeah, there's a lot of good memories also. Certainly, we are a Christian family. So Christianity, you

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know, stuff biblical values. So characters you know how God attribute righteousness, you know, loving kindness, those kind of things. I can also Chinese, I mean, traditional Chinese value

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because we are Confucius. All our Chinese pretty much in effect, I mean, influenced by the Confucius tradition, you know, integrity, you know, so we, you know, harmony, parallels, righteousness, you

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know, so, courtesy, wisdom, honesty, loyalty, and pictorial piety. You know, our, we have a lot about heritage come from my parents.

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So happy. Yeah, that's good. And so what did your childhood revolve around? Was it school, your friends, or the church? Yeah, actually.

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I mean, so. Yeah, I really so lucky. And so we-we still stick with- contact with a lot of friends, childhood, and even we come to states, you

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know, so we… By the way, you know, because 2002, I went back to Taiwan, you know, hey, you talk about a lot of things, you know, go to the church in the Tunghai University that I graduate, you know, so I have a lot of things.

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So I went to school, you know, so I was educator. A lot of things going around. And then so we really revolve around you know, so we make-make my life so abundant and rich.

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Yes, yeah. Yeah, definitely. And did your parents ever influence your studies? Oh, yeah, definitely. Definitely, you know, Chinese family. Chinese family, you know, so, they-they either

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don't encourage us to do anything, you know, have a lot of other activity. Basically, we're pretty much your focus on the school, you know, study, my parents, even self you know, so grow up with us.

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A lot of info we got a lot of deep influence. Yes. Yeah. That's good. And so I saw that you went to an all boys High School. What was that like? Well, that's a little bit background.

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You talk about the- right now you talk about the co-ed. Hey, back to the time, it's very conservative. So we- I mean, hey, you talk about that boys is not one thing.

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Actually I was the first boy school, a lot of severe competition. You have your night to the examination. I was top on my class.

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I'm so proud. Oh, God gave me the chance. Then, we went to- suddenly, hey, no choice. Almost everybody is need to go to boys or girls school, used to separate.

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Yeah, so there's a different- I mean, the I mean, the background you know. Yeah. Yeah. And so besides that academic competition, are there any other

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pressures at an all boys school? Oh, yeah. Competition, you're right definitely. Well, any we compete but we cooperate you know so I make good friends. Because Christianity we I'm Christian and so I really

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want to be outreach. You know, try to lay witness Jesus Christ's love then we have made- I make a lot of friends. So actually, I would say yeah, competition is one thing when we're not as I mean that

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go to the action but we make friends also I have good friends. So let us take well you know that's what it come out, yes. Yeah. So were a lot of your classmates Christian already?

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Oh, yes praise the lord, a lot of friends. Even though that time I was not proactive you know, so we different concept. I don't want to twist people's arm, but at the same time, you know, so my inference.

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I recently you know, I even know a high School, also college friends, a classmate. I mean, he or she even mentioned, hey, I still

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remember you just like a priest, a preacher or so teachers and that to this, and this is about the Bible, bible lessons. Hey, so right now we become converted. We are Christians!

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Yay haha. And so what extracurriculars did you do? Oh, we have church activities. So, there's one thing we--memory that we have.

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I was growing up in a Baptist Church. Baptist Church, they have a youth fellowship very strong. We call , you know, assist, you know, I mean, the-the truth.

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So, other than that, actually, in Taiwan, my age, my contemporary that time, we have a summer youth summer camp or winter camp. So because I pretty much join those kind of activity.

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Okay, so have a long walk, you know, so we go to the crowds session to crowds Taiwan, tiny island, but across islands, from Taichung to Hualien.

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So have fun. So also have a shooting club, you know, so, hey, so I become a good sniper in herself. Shooting, also driver driving, even one time I went to achievement is well the firm against a man in

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China because China and Taiwan they become too divided a country, right? Yeah, we're there. So yeah, yeah, . I mean, that thing, a lot of fun memories, fond

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memories. I really like it, and so does my activities. Uh huh, I see. That's cool. And so what college did you go to or university? I went to Tunghai University.

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Tunghai literally means East ocean. East is you know, so Tunghai University is a Christian liberal Art University. He is we in China, the time before communists took

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over the whole mainland China to have 13 Christian colleges, Beijing Daxue , you know, so Nanjing, Shanghai even have, you know, a lot of famous university is a Christian

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university, but when we withdraw to Taiwan, and the united the both. So beloved school called Tunghai University. I really enjoyed the life there.

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Yeah. Yeah. And did your parents want you to go there? Or did they want you to go to a different school? Actually that's my dreams college to go.

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Local, I live in Taichung. So we live in that down the hill, and we see the uphill, you know, Tunghai is on this small mountain hill. So Tatusan so anytime I even

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wrote an article mention about this, since from my elementary school, I was dreaming to go to that school. So my parents, they are open minded. You know, so that's one of the top private school, you know, so certainly

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I fortune- I was fortunately was admitted. Yeah. And I enjoy. That's good. And what did you study in college? Ah, my major was chemistry.

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Chemistry, so you know, so all four years. So then my minor is pretty much literature, you know, so I, Chinese and English, so. Okay. And what made you decide?

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Oh, sorry. What made you decide to study that? Ah, well, actually, I really enjoying science. Chemistry I have a lot of chemical reaction, you know, interactions, a lot of fun, like a magician, you know, chemistry.

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You make those way. So, yeah, that's my interest as well, you know, so I was a medic to that thing. Actually, not much choice. I was fortunately, you know,

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according to my decision, my choice. So a lot of time, you know, because we have a certain limited I mean, people go can go to college can go to major. So hey, you have pretty much assigned depends on your score.

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Okay. I see. And so what communities or also extracurriculars were you part of in college? So say that again, please.

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I don't… What-what communities or like extracurriculars were you part of in college? Oh yeah actually Tunghai University is pretty much a liberal arts, liberal arts means you learn everything, everything. So, you know, so not only your major, I mean, your

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major study chemistry only. Hey, you need to know physics, so bio- biology, so that is a requirement. Besides that, hey, political science was one them by

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choice also economy then society. Social study. Yeah. Is white also read music you know? Everything you need to

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learn everything yeah, yeah. Okay. I see. And then. So what did you do after you graduated from college? Yeah. After graduate, you know, so you people grow up in Taiwan,

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especially male, me boy. And he's a youth, you need to have an obligatory military service. Okay, who he is, you know, so I was I'm so happy I went through that one. My physical, so good.

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You know, because they usually in school, I was so sick, because I study a lot of a heavy study. But hey, in the army, in the military, hey, you open mind makes me a different walk of life.

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So suddenly, you know, so. So I was service in Taiwan for two years in a military service, yes. I see, and what did you do after you came out? Oh, yeah, actually.

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I mean, okay. So two years, after two years, you are free. I mean, so you-you got- you graduate. So, I mean, in the army I was the second

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lieutenant. Okay. We facing, I went to Jinmen. You know, talk about that winter camp. I went to Jinmen, was a sent to Jinmen and so went with the division

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was I was even the teacher. Also, political teacher also that- also the leader of the military, that's why he asked me, yeah, after military certainly, you know, get my TOEFL also,

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GRE test. So I get admission to come to immigrate to the United States of America. Yeah. Okay.

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And then. So did you- did you immigrate to America right after? Right, right after I been discharged from military for the requirement, I got everything check out check mark right, and I was good.

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Yeah. I was academic okay. So I even apply scholarship. So when, you know, University of New Orleans, you know, getting my PhD there.

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Yes. Okay. I see. And so, it's- sorry- And so we're- oh, sorry- so when was that? I mean, that's uh 1974. That's the first day yeah, I came to the United States.

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I see. And then you already knew English when you came, right? Oh, yeah. We like anyone else. But I mean, so doesn't 12 years old grammar? Well, in junior high. Junior

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High. That's a requirement. Okay. So I have a basic thing. Okay. And so how was the integration process? So after you moved to the US, was it difficult for you to

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adjust? Well, actually, since we're young, you know, so that time, you know, where our I mean, America go to America is pretty much our dream. Even have American dream.

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Not only later. That's true, though. I mean, we saw a lot of American movies. And so hey, we integrations, no problem at all. Actually, you know, so. Yeah.

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make a lot of friends. In the school community. I really enjoyed that. Yes. So what did you live on the university campus?

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Or did you live somewhere else? Yeah, we, in the beginning is a requirement that we need to live in the dorm. Okay. Yeah. I mean, so after freshman, probably they out of, I mean, capacity.

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So we I rent a house, you know, so with other overseas students. So we graduate students, we share one house in the, I mean, near campus, the

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campus. I see. And then did you attend a church when you first came to the US? Yes, Yes, for sure. Yeah, so we were when I was advice when you go to to a

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new place, change your place. First thing you're looking for is a medical hospital, to go get help. Second is a church. You need to have a spiritual

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home praise the lord. Yeah, I did. Yes. And then so when you were looking for churches, did you look for specifically a Chinese church or any

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church? Yes. Basically, yes. We suddenly is in between certain I went to I mean, American or okay, so white church,

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or Caucasian church, man, I mean, Chinese church, because I have a burden. I feel, you know, other people that they need to help, you know, as long as I myself feel more comfortable, you know, so I went to Chinese church.

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Yes. Yeah. And do you think attending a Chinese church helped you adjust to the US? Uh yes, and no. All the time you get together, you know, so speaking Chinese

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only. And, hey, I pray from the outside community you talk about the- Yeah. But anyhow, USA is pretty much immigration country. So they start from there, we need to maintain our

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identity. So yeah, but actually, you know, as a leader, I really encourage we have, you know, so communication also have the sister church with some other church.

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White church or even black church. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And so I saw on your resume that you also worked for a food and beverage company.

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Yes. When was that? Yeah. Okay. So that's the means. After I finished my career after graduate school, PhD, and I went with... Yeah. You know, there's a while the famous really known Chemical Company, top

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one at that time okay. They found also, you know has, so total is 22 years. I mean, my chemical industry career. Then the time I was because

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Taiwan that time I have a thing happening. They called us 1999, September 21- 21st we have a big earthquake, just like a Sichuan earthquake.

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Yeah. That was 2008 so Taiwan at that time, you know, I because I started have Light and Salt Association, Christian Association, helping people charity, doing charity man, that time we raise fund, you know, supporting

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relief of disaster in Taiwan. So when I went as a short term mission, then I feel, you know, I need to do something for the place I grew up with, you know, so I, there's a reason I

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went back, I went back and the fortunate I mean, my family, my brother, actually, he, the time he started to build up school, the school, bilingual and the inter, I mean the International School, Wager Academy, from K, from

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kindergarten, and then gradually build up and until 12. You know, that's, that's the thing. We pretty much- I got involved. I was assigned as chairman of the board.

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Yes. Yeah. Okay. I see. And what were your responsibilities as the chairman? Yes. There's a 2002. I went there. And the chairman, basically, speech…

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delivered a speech Hey, when, when any time every weekend we have thing to do. Why you private school have a pressure you need a student? I need a students who need to go out, outreach them, you know, to do a

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lot of explanation have a lot of I mean, I mean, that publicity, you know, to promote your school. So that's my job. So than I serve as a leader, you know,

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not only the physical leader, also the spiritual leader. So hey, that's my favorite because I'm Christian. I need a you know, my influence, not only my identity, importance also impact my influence.

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So that's my major work. Other thing is pretty much supervise. I mean, the principles. All the principles, they are graduate from normal

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University. Normal means a teacher. They got a they are very experienced. So , plus, you know, so I was in where I was in Clear Lake Chinese Church in

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Houston, so I serving as a Chinese school principal for 15 years, as long as well, you know, so that's my favorite. So when I go there, hey, certainly not only I supervise, also you know, pretty much like a spiritual leader.

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So I give them the encouragement, teacher, faculty encouragement, that's my job. Other thing is I try to boost the morale for the students. I try to, I mean, I mean, anytime I need to

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dress up, also, I mean, just like go around the campus, you know, from kindergarten, we have a different campuses, campuses. So when I went to elementary school, there's 1000 student there.

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There's 1000 students in kindergarten. We have a high school, high school is even marvelous. Awesome. It's a nice place. Beautiful, so beautiful.

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In Taiwan, if you go to Taiwan, as well, the sightseeing place, you know, hey, so that's my job is very much as try to involve with the administration as well, you know, supervising give advice, since my age, you

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know, so my experience and other things. Certainly, if we need the money, hey, you need that you need a fundraising. So that's it. Well, my job, yes.

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Okay. I see. And so were when you were a chairman, was that a full time job? Or was that while you were working with the food and beverage company? Ah, yeah.

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Well, you got to that point. Because a chairman with a boy, you know, so, yeah, it's a full time paid job. But compared with serving as a volunteer principal in Clear Lake Chinese church or Chinese school,

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hey, every teacher can get a pay. Not me. I was a deacon. I don't have pay- its volunteer. Well, one thing is affect my

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kids, my kids, so one time when after 15 years, they've said fair enough. Money. I went there, you know. So, when I go back to Taiwan, the first thing they ask,

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ask my wife, Mommy, this time Daddy got a pay. Yes, full pay extra pay very well. Pay. Where does it compare?

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You know, compared with- Just believe me. That's it. Yeah, that's a very, very, very good salary and helped me feed the whole family bring- I mean win my bread for my family I

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need to do that. And yes, for the pay, it’s a full time job. Yes. Okay, so to make sure I understand. So you were- you went to school in Taiwan. And then after you graduated, you went to serve in the Taiwan military.

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And then after the military, you went to New Orleans to get your PhD. New Orleans, and so I learned my first job was a DuPont. DuPont, I moved to Wilmington, Delaware does

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have a experimental station. Unfortunately, we don't have pictures show you here. But I sent you that picture. So please, experiment station does number one 3000 PhD

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working this tiny spot, and tow station. So they even invent and I know, invent. A lot of our face unit.

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So to become so famous. So-so academic, just like university campus. Now, when you go to the plant, there's like a hell. Also, that environment is so dirty.

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So I mean, so you've made a lot of people, they, they say bad things. But anyhow, so yeah, so I mean, after 20 years, you know, so I mean,

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DuPont, also . Then that time, I early retirement, and went back to Taiwan, or in my as a teacher, you know, Professor, assistant professor for my- I mean, so because they

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Tunghai University also serving there. So a lot of thing going on, then let me see. Yeah, so that's my career. Now you did ask I you know, I mean, after

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school when I serving as the food and beverage company, Golden Jaguar. Golden Jaguar, yeah, you're right. My brother is very ambitious businessman, entrepreneur.

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Man he start you know, go to China, you know, have some buffet business. Hey, there's a 1000 seats in Shanghai, you from Shanghai. Shanghai, we have our three branches

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that time right now we sold out. And at that time, you know, so my job is pretty much just, you know, while work is a food safety, I also other things a human resource, or to do and we have 6000 people working for Golden

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Jaguar, I mean Hongqiao. Near Hongqiao airport yes. Okay, I see. Cool. And so is there anything else you would like to add about your

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childhood or your time in school or something? If not, we can just start transitioning to Clear Lake. Yeah, actually I want to add to something you know, so actually, I want to praise the Lord,

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thank God. You know, give me the whole, the all the best thing, not-not necessarily, physical or material. And other things so abundant. So also give me a sweet home.

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My parents, they live longer my father died was- when he was 84. My mother is still alive. 99 years old.

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Hey, because you have a parents so my life is meant pretty much you have a home- have the warmth of the home also said that I still have my family. My wife also had two boys all grown up have their own family.

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Hey everything is so complete- I mean so-so-so-so perfect. I would say that's God's blessing you know, what has been happening. Certainly here is not everything is like a blue sky all the time.

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No. Sometimes we have a gloomy sky and so some stormy- stormy weather, hey, but with-with my belief you know God gave me that time goes through those trials. You know, I really enjoyed this.

00:31:38.180 - 00:31:50.660

So I am satisfied. So for my childhood, finally that I have a revolve and go back to Taiwan serving there, you know, get to reconnect with a lot of friends, lot of school friends.

00:31:50.660 - 00:32:05.450

And also teachers, everything. So I feel so satisfied in my life because I don't have any regret for anything, you know, then after my work is perfect. After 22 years, chemical industry

00:32:06.400 - 00:32:17.610

is very detrimental to our health because a lot of chemical vapor, you know, going up. My mother always said no child you cannot, you don't need to go there, there's a poison there.

00:32:19.200 - 00:32:31.690

But hey, gotta listen to her prayer. My prayer then moved me to education, business field even I teaching Tunghai University as assistant professor.

00:32:32.610 - 00:32:47.730

A lot of a students, they are now majoring chemistry, or they're political science, also, social study, also economical. So I use very practical things to teach them that and feel chemistry is

00:32:47.840 - 00:32:57.340

everyday life science. It's not only you know, so academic is not we don't we don't care. We don't know, hey, is kind of related.

00:32:57.660 - 00:33:13.970

So I let them doing some literature research paper also, you know, usually my class have uh 200 students. I, every morning I every-every other class I called their name one by one where I’m not only the

00:33:13.970 - 00:33:28.350

teacher of book, I'm the teacher of students a teacher of youth, I want you to have my inference as well, you know, I transfer- I mean show them the slide. You know, show them my heavy.

00:33:28.930 - 00:33:37.830

I mean, my heavy life. My family, also my value. Yeah, that's, and I really enjoy. Thank you. Yeah, that's great.

00:33:37.920 - 00:33:48.330

And what do you do now? Actually? You talk about in the church, you talk about- As a job. Are you full time at the church?

00:33:48.610 - 00:33:58.970

Yes, actually. I- when I was 65 I retired. Okay. So I really enjoying life. Actually, we use it as a golden age.

00:33:59.190 - 00:34:16.240

Believe if everything good you know, so God- God's so good. Yeah, hey, I don't need to worry about my food, my eat, hey, God's provide everything so I retired plus US government, give me Social Security.

00:34:17.170 - 00:34:29.330

Anything. So I have a my own income. I really enjoy my life. I'm satisfied. So I spend my all my time for the church. And the elder- elder means lay pastor.

00:34:30.030 - 00:34:42.180

Okay, we need an assistant pastor, also taking care of your FLAC your every you know, from youth to senior citizen, everybody. I see the middle age and the workhorse- workforce.

00:34:44.200 - 00:34:59.610

You know, career people, business people, man, I'm the chairman of the Chinese, Chinese Christian business- businessman, Association, the new chairman. I tried to do- I

00:34:59.610 - 00:35:14.040

make a plan. You know, try to get people to get together, have a lot of- we just have a one of our convention. So, January first, and second, we have a 600 people come from China, because we take advantage of Zoom.

00:35:14.470 - 00:35:29.930

You don't need physically there, that's virtually we go have a meeting have a conference. Invite a lot of a good speakers, you know, talk about how they enjoying that, I mean that their career, also how to preach the gospel in the career, they

00:35:30.460 - 00:35:41.960

witness to the career. Hey, they're spending my time. Does my outside of the church again to me, at only one go, outreach people, you know, share my good news from

00:35:43.760 - 00:35:51.500

Jesus Christ to the people. Yeah. So, so can be very, very busy. Yeah. In effect. Yeah. Yeah, definitely.

00:35:51.780 - 00:36:04.970

And I saw that you were also involved in a lot of other community organizations. And so were you- you were the Asian American advisor to the City of Houston mayor. At one point? Right.

00:36:04.970 - 00:36:22.150

So that's uh, interesting that's Lee Brown, Mayor Lee Brown. So that time, you know, so because his leadership, he assigned me as you know, the-the managing director try to helping him.

00:36:22.530 - 00:36:33.230

So we took the first thing we go to China that's my first time went back to China, after 60 years. Two country is pretty much divided.

00:36:33.670 - 00:36:43.460

So there's a first time I went to with the Houston delegate- delegation group. We went to China, this is my first time. Well, 50 years old.

00:36:43.920 - 00:36:57.740

So I was so touched. So moved because my-my roots came from there, China. Shanghai, even went to Shanghai. Yeah. They told me, you know, so because of my business there, you know, so I

00:36:57.740 - 00:37:12.400

went to Shanghai, where our headquarters in Shanghai, I'm very familiar with Shanghai almost like a native of Shanghainese. Next time we can talk about it. Yeah, I love Shanghai, too.

00:37:12.990 - 00:37:24.880

And so what was your role? What were your responsibilities? As the advisor? Okay. Advisor, like we say, hey, one thing we needed, I mean,

00:37:25.040 - 00:37:42.460

thank God, because the vision of this Mayor they forming this different ethnic group, I mean, advisor, Hey, that's mean so we keep every ethnic group at the race. I mean, I mean, harmony in harmony, instead of uh, you know,

00:37:42.460 - 00:37:59.440

that time. Exactly that's in Los Angeles, have a right, have a racial tension, even have a bit of a confrontation. So that time, because Houston, we do have those Asian American advisor, African American

00:38:00.030 - 00:38:12.540

advisor, you know, hey, we get along very well. We have, you know, from community to community, we have a communication, we have a diversity, cultural diversity, we appreciate

00:38:13.260 - 00:38:29.210

others cultural diversity. Even Asian in Asia, we have many so many ethnic group, right, you know that. Man even there, we need to be pretty much taking care of that community. So I myself is pretty much active, you know,

00:38:29.240 - 00:38:42.230

to be a speech- give a speech, also, you know, so try to promote, also show our good will, you know, so we help each other- one another, each other. You know, yeah. Cool.

00:38:42.310 - 00:38:57.460

Yeah. And so, when did you found the Light and Salt Association? That's uh 1997. Okay. ‘97. And at that time, the first action is we, raising fund for

00:38:58.060 - 00:39:15.140

Yangtze River. But, you know, the 1997 if you ask your parents or you check the Google in 1998, we found the 1997-1998 Yangtze

00:39:15.140 - 00:39:26.430

river, you know, so found upstream to the downstream all the flood, that was my hometown. I went back there, they even have a monument, you know, have a- some mark.

00:39:26.840 - 00:39:41.600

They say, hey, that's the flood, the water comes this high, you know? Yeah. Yeah. So we raising fund and so we give some reliable Christian relief agent.

00:39:42.110 - 00:39:58.830

They deliver the money, you know, buy blanket, buy some rice for those people. Man, 1999, Taiwan have those September 21 earthquake, it's

00:39:58.830 - 00:40:15.480

shake up. So that's the reason you know, I went back to Taiwan, spending 12 years there, my second career. Okay. Besides chemistry. So, yeah, so 1997 was the year we founded Light and

00:40:15.630 - 00:40:25.610

Salt. Because we thought church shouldn't be, I mean, just living also worship God, within four walls. We need going out.

00:40:26.030 - 00:40:37.790

We need to outreach the community, helping people have a charity purpose. You know, light means we should have just like a Jesus Christ say, “You are the light of the world.

00:40:38.160 - 00:40:51.400

You need shine to the world. So people see your good deeds, keeps the glory, your heavenly Father.” The Salt means a righteousness- means that if something is not just, unjust, we need to

00:40:51.400 - 00:40:59.540

stand up, speak out. You know, it's a good idea. I was a founding president, fortunately. Yeah. So we have many people working together.

00:41:00.500 - 00:41:15.240

Yeah. Yeah. So how many other founders were there? Or was it just you? No, with the charter member. Charter members that time we have a seven Board of Director, I was the chairman fortunate I'm elected.

00:41:15.520 - 00:41:30.240

So we have seven people working together. Man we have six advisors, all those of us advisor from different church, HCC WHCC. A that time those church already were sister

00:41:30.660 - 00:41:44.340

churches. Again we have other church, like the Methodist, also Lutheran Chinese church. Six pastors, they are honor the-they will honor our advisor, they actually give advice.

00:41:44.750 - 00:41:55.560

So yeah, I am so happy. So you talk about founder, you talk about that as 13- also pretty much 20 to 30- people as a founder. That's cool. Yeah. That's great.

00:41:56.010 - 00:42:10.980

And what was your involvement in the Chinese Herald journal? Ah, yeah, I'm, because I like to speak. I like to write. And so, you know, so I, basically, I right now, I still

00:42:11.060 - 00:42:27.530

need a, you know, so to get an assignment, Write a summary report, also some articles, you know, so, yeah, I'm, I mean, over those last 30 years, 30, almost 30 years, I pretty much keep on writing, contribute to my articles.

00:42:28.690 - 00:42:44.240

They publish in the nationwide also, they're local-wise. Again, besides that, I was editor, not one- of the editor means the co- I mean, the whole main thing, the whole nationwide to have a lot of, you know, Los Angeles, New York,

00:42:44.240 - 00:43:01.730

you know, Eastern coast, West Coast. Also the whole nation, also even Europe, you know, they use the same main thing. So I wrote education, computer, you talk about a 100,000 words I need, I need to cook, right?

00:43:02.180 - 00:43:13.740

And so a lot of fun because I know, even earthquake, also, EEOC, EEOC means the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC.

00:43:14.630 - 00:43:28.820

So hey, that's one of the special topic. Lot of Chinese folks, my kinfolks, our kinfolks they suffer because they have a discrimination problem. Hey, but American government is so nice.

00:43:28.820 - 00:43:39.390

They have an agent called EEOC. So I just tried to a special report, special just to try to correct the information. You know, so you

00:43:39.630 - 00:43:55.350

interview with all the different people like you just do it right now. Same thing reporter work, you know, so writing, I if I'm not exaggerate, that's the whole-whole, paper, you know, so just writing just a special topic.

00:43:55.800 - 00:44:09.320

I involve five to six special topics, and then the whole nationwide thing. Again, I'm a regular contributor. Even now. I still have I mean, 20, this month, 20.

00:44:09.320 - 00:44:23.720

I need to write a report article talking about ICCBA that’s a business association where our annual conference, we have six-six people register, yes. Cool. Okay.

00:44:23.720 - 00:44:35.500

And so I guess we can start moving towards the church. So how did you find out about Clear Lake Chinese Church? Yes, actually at that time, I live in Clear Lake

00:44:36.300 - 00:44:49.380

because my working place is by the- by the ship channel, you know, petrochemical Corrado? Yeah. I mean, so a lot of a ship channel around the ship channel have a lot of petrochemical companies looking

00:44:49.380 - 00:45:06.630

around my house there by the monument, that's the center monument, if you know that. Yeah, man. I live in Clear Lake. So go to work, you know, so hey, so I- I believe in Community Church, here I actually looking for

00:45:06.630 - 00:45:20.930

Community Church. HCC several times, actually I'm a very- have a good connection with HCC Houston Chinese church, but clearly the Chinese church, hey, lot of people here also have a burden.

00:45:21.450 - 00:45:33.310

You know, as a pastor, elder, they invited me also I go there, hey, so I start become a you know, so dedicated to serve in Clear Lake Chinese Church- that's 1984.

00:45:33.990 - 00:45:51.470

I see, and so when did you start going to Clear Lake Chinese church, was that 1984? Exactly, yeah. Okay. And then when did you start serving as like the deacon? Deacon because I found that actually I- well, when I was

00:45:51.470 - 00:46:02.950

in New Orleans. New Orleans, we go to New Orleans Chinese Presbyterian Church so serving us when I was a graduate student I serving as a deacon.

00:46:04.410 - 00:46:21.310

That time we start have Mandarin bible study class. So we have a lot of immigrants, we start I was a founder as well. We have a several brothers and sister we-we start that one. So that time I was elected as a deacon for that church.

00:46:21.970 - 00:46:38.840

Then come to Clear Lake Chinese Church and so they elected me as a deacon as well. So almost, let me see, so 15 years in Clear Lake as a deacon, then become elder. Elder for the church, yes.

00:46:39.470 - 00:46:51.720

And what Deacon were you? Which ministry group? Well, because the church is not that big and so I almost doing the every function. Talking about the literature

00:46:51.720 - 00:47:08.840

the scribe, you know, so writing scribe for the meeting minutes are also the other thing you talk about the worship, you know, how do the worship, also fellowship. Also visitation, you know, so care, you know, pastoral

00:47:08.840 - 00:47:19.830

care, and you organize and so everything, I did everything also even the chairman of that, I mean, Clear Lake Chinese Constable, yes.

00:47:19.880 - 00:47:33.190

Okay. Cool. And so Clear Lake was HCC's first church plant. When was it planted? What year? Uh, that's 1981, 1984? That’s three years later.

00:47:33.190 - 00:47:48.590

Yes. After they forming the church. Cool, and so are any of the first, like pastors and members still there? Yes. Founding charter member, you know, still have several, you know, so certainly, some

00:47:48.590 - 00:47:59.930

of the founders, you know, three deacons, you know, two of them, three out of- I mean two out of three passed away. They went to the- to the heavenly home.

00:48:01.010 - 00:48:17.370

And the other, they have a one elder, elder . Anyhow, so yes, still keep- keep us. That's cool. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. And so how many people attend Clear Lake?

00:48:19.000 - 00:48:29.560

Clear Lake church, you talk about then or now? Um yeah, I guess maybe now. We could- Now- now, we have almost 200 people. Okay. Members in the church.

00:48:30.030 - 00:48:42.820

Yeah. Is it just a Chinese congregation? Or is there also English? Yeah, we have a Chinese part, also English part. So English part, right now actually we are in the process of

00:48:43.500 - 00:48:57.060

calling or hiring- inviting English pastor. Okay. Oh, this weekend we should have something, I was the pastor's 13 Committee Chairman. I really, bless us,

00:48:57.060 - 00:49:08.990

we have very good candidate. We have a Chinese part- have English part. Chinese part, we have a pastor, English part, we just, you know, in the process of getting one

00:49:09.090 - 00:49:23.690

English pastor. Okay. So was there an English side since 1981? Or is it just starting? Ah, no, it's in well, because you talk about the church almost

00:49:23.690 - 00:49:32.860

40 years old. So next year we- no next year, we'll be- wait-wait-wait, this year right? Let me see. Yes this year.

00:49:33.320 - 00:49:50.470

This year so 40 years. I mean, in the beginning yes, certainly only Chinese because immigration-wise, man, certainly second generation you talking about American Born Chinese and so English. Other than that, we do have

00:49:50.740 - 00:50:03.750

other- we have the Vietnamese friends. They- they come to our church as a membership. Also Korean, also have Caucasian, it's pretty much diverse in the English sess- I mean congregation,

00:50:03.990 - 00:50:10.770

yes. Yeah. And is there a Cantonese congregation? Oh, yeah, definitely. My wife as well, the Cantonese.

00:50:12.450 - 00:50:28.340

So Cantonese, yeah, we do have 30-40 people, you know, a member there, that's very active. So yeah. And so how large is the Chinese- how large is the Chinese congregation? Chinese congregation still the majority, you're talking about

00:50:29.640 - 00:50:43.090

over 100, 120. Okay. Yeah, I mean, so right now certainly new immigration many from Mainland China, or, like me from Taiwan we have a bunch of from Taiwan.

00:50:43.720 - 00:50:57.350

So after that, you know, so mainland Chinese. I mean, Chinese from Mainland China come over. So all my I mean, almost all my coworkers from Mainland China,

00:50:57.660 - 00:51:10.300

almost every, yeah. Okay. Cool. And then what about the youth? How large is the youth? The youth? Yeah, because, uh, funny though, I mean, I'm the, I'm the

00:51:10.300 - 00:51:25.480

helper because we try to get young people. I'm the elder, I say, hey, you're going here I'm your assistant. Heritance we need a pass over, pass a baton. You know, so we have 20.

00:51:26.150 - 00:51:39.970

20 active youth, certainly we have- I wanna have children, children have a you know, almost, yeah, 20, something like 20. Yes. Okay, cool. And then how has the size of the congregations changed since you came?

00:51:42.450 - 00:51:58.540

Oh, well, in the beginning, we do have a small congregation like 80 people, you know, total of different families but right now 200. So not that great like, like, you know, jump just like WHCC,

00:51:58.540 - 00:52:09.940

HCC even right? HCC is going up very well. So we-we unfortunately, you know, so big. Yeah, we don't have- not grow up so rapidly, but

00:52:10.990 - 00:52:25.910

slowly but surely. Yeah. And which congregation grown the most? So, uh originally, at the time, you talk about back then, 10 years, young, Chinese- Chinese, many, you know,

00:52:26.020 - 00:52:44.200

so immigrated from China, China, you know, so in China. Then, right now, right now, look at the change is a little bit changed, because, you know, the immigration got a little bit of trouble, you know, so, so English, look at this a

00:52:44.200 - 00:53:03.360

future change, yes. I see. And so what are the major challenges that Clear Lake is facing right now? Well, I would say that basically challenge is ourselves, people we

00:53:03.620 - 00:53:17.590

renew or have a revive every single Christian in the church. I see. Yeah, that the physical thing. ABC means, you know, so I mean, that people attenders, also, hey,

00:53:18.120 - 00:53:34.070

let's do something else so the challenge I would say revive. So if we start from our inside, we everybody confess, also try to return back to the Lord, not superficially just to try to be really a true Christian.

00:53:34.650 - 00:53:48.600

Hey, so the church will be great, bright, right? So we need to do God's work, great commission, going out, also make disciples for all nations

00:53:49.000 - 00:54:02.500

cross-culture, I mean, mission. Hey, the church will be become bigger and bigger and in quantity, by the quality, like what I keep on saying, quality is very important.

00:54:03.790 - 00:54:20.140

Yeah. Yeah. And so are there any other Chinese churches in Clear Lake? Yes, in the beginning, we are the only one. But right now we do have two, other two. Other two is the ones

00:54:20.440 - 00:54:38.260

that you know, so they are originally they cause pretty much from Taiwan, you know. Right now, hey, not necessarily because they start figured out so they start even using English as their major language. The other one is Clear Creek, Creekside.

00:54:40.460 - 00:54:57.560

Though we do have a two, friends, I mean, I mean the friend church. Yeah. And so how has COVID changed the way that Clear Lake functions? Yeah, like everybody else and so we

00:54:58.530 - 00:55:11.680

are on the line, this Zoom, Zoom meeting. Also livestream for the worship. We have a limited people going back to church, it's not open yet, not reopen yet.

00:55:12.430 - 00:55:23.190

So- but so preach. Sometimes I also as a pastor searching committee, we have a guest speaker I have to be church. Yes. So, again,

00:55:23.710 - 00:55:36.630

like anybody else, you know, so the Zoom really is changed the name of the game, changed the game. Right? Yeah. Yeah. And so kind of speaking on the demographic

00:55:37.700 - 00:55:50.590

changes. So how have you seen the church change or the congregation change in terms of like generation, maybe there's more English speaking now.

00:55:51.180 - 00:56:04.040

Maybe more like the youth are growing up and becoming part of the English congregation. So what are some challenges with those changes? Well, challenge is always good

00:56:04.190 - 00:56:18.200

you know, because without challenge, without facing challenge immediate challenge, we you know, we won't be having any change. So we always-always remember in this world the

00:56:18.300 - 00:56:33.490

primitive thing is change. So we have to deal with change. So ethnic, yes, we open our door, open our arm to welcome everyone, we have a lot of amigo right in the

00:56:33.490 - 00:56:44.730

neighborhood. Hey, we should open, we should open enough to welcome them. So this amigos, just the Latino people come to join worship God in English with us,

00:56:45.140 - 00:57:00.350

even though sometimes it could be Spanish. Yeah. So that's ethnic-wise, democratic- democratic- demographics, you know, we don't have a big city have a lot of people there are some people

00:57:00.350 - 00:57:07.760

from Pasadena, you know, Deer Park. So we are in Clear Lake. Hey, different zoom. So we have a different section.

00:57:08.900 - 00:57:19.790

I mean, the Bible study group. So we originally have a five but right now have three major group, they have a group fellowship, you know, instead we call gospel fellowship.

00:57:19.790 - 00:57:33.230

Gospel fellowships, mainly from Mainland China, China, I mean, just people, man, but I'm the elder. I'm to everywhere. Then again, facing the challenge, we just need to, you know, have a sensitive mind,

00:57:33.670 - 00:57:50.050

knew how to meeting the need also how to approach people, gospel as well. Again, our future is our youth and the kid generation. So we need to do something we right- right- right now we elect

00:57:51.080 - 00:57:58.810

some youth deacons. Also let them have more get familiar with that. And it's okay to inheritance.

00:57:59.180 - 00:58:10.290

Again, we try to use a different way. Go to campus, actually, we go to different campus. I myself was a leader to- to find out well, the international-international

00:58:12.870 - 00:58:25.330

group founded our summer Clear Lake Christian school. Many volunteer with many Chinese people from China, you know, they don't know much English.

00:58:25.680 - 00:58:37.080

So they, they invite us going to speak in Chinese. Suddenly, we try to orientate them into English. Hey, so we need to be open. We need outreach.

00:58:37.570 - 00:58:48.640

People, more people, different generation different ethnic group, also even different area people. So not necessarily Chinese. But the Chinese church you need to be

00:58:49.170 - 00:59:02.300

all Community Church oriented. Yeah, that's God's- anyhow, that's a cost- I mean, that's a Christ oriented church, center church. Yes. Yeah. And so, so is Clear Lake

00:59:03.520 - 00:59:19.700

actively reaching out to non-Chinese people? Or are they just kind of keeping it within Chinese Americans? Yeah, we should set any limitation and, actually lot-

00:59:19.770 - 00:59:33.720

we have a lot of couple, mixed couple, and the husband is Caucasian American. They marry a lot of people from Mainland China. You know, so the bride from China.

00:59:34.280 - 00:59:47.440

So in the- those bride, they even don't speak Chi- English. I see. Oh, that that's mean our chance. We-we have a burden, try to minister those people. Those group, those family, family ministry.

00:59:48.380 - 01:00:01.910

We need to I mean, meet their needs. Spiritual need, also physical, they special need their language, their culture, you know? Hey, so yeah, that's pretty much it.

01:00:01.910 - 01:00:16.650

We tried to- that's a challenge. We try to adjust. We try to adjust and we open our mind. So we want to leading, you know, to just open our mind, open our heart, open our ear to listen to Jesus Christ told

01:00:16.860 - 01:00:30.200

us- tell us and what he want us to do. Yeah. Answer your question? Yeah, definitely. Cool. Thank you. And then so what change do you hope to see in the future,

01:00:30.580 - 01:00:47.250

either within the church or among the church members? At Clear Lake. Yeah, among the church member, we should have a more harmony relationship, more loving one another treat each other, you know, hey, that's an internal, but external certainly

01:00:47.440 - 01:01:04.030

outreach. That's actually- I mean, just tell you, I am pretty much active involve almost like what at least, almost 12, 12 organization outside my church. Why? That's outreach.

01:01:04.300 - 01:01:19.650

Hey, I'm ready. I also I get a lot of my church for folks, we need to go there, for instance, well the space city professional organization, I'm the chairman right now. So the one my major reason go there?

01:01:20.930 - 01:01:31.850

Not because I don't- I have enough time. No, but I feel this is necessary. We need to outreach to those people. So I provide my service provide leadership, provide

01:01:32.650 - 01:01:44.240

coworkership. Hey, so people come. So finally, you know, people one by one, they, you know, profess, you know, become a Christian. So that that's one of the reason I outreach

01:01:44.770 - 01:01:58.800

people. And also, I believe that's the biggest change. Also the challenge in the future. Yes. Yeah, definitely. And then so are there a lot of interactions between Clear Lake's Chinese

01:01:58.800 - 01:02:09.140

congregation and English congregation? Or are they mostly separate? Because our church is like a family is that's our advantage.

01:02:09.890 - 01:02:20.480

Because we're not a mega church, we're not a humongous church. So our church is English and the Chinese just, you talk about our kids, they go to English,

01:02:20.970 - 01:02:36.310

right? So Chinese part, actually, I- my wife, you know, God, helping us also when we have- didn't have pastor, we didn't have a pastor just pastor working 12 years, and so just left. So the other mission that's reason we need a new

01:02:36.540 - 01:02:48.940

minister. So hey, before that long time before that, so those young generation, they need a shepard. So we stand out. And so hey, we are from Chinese Part.

01:02:49.380 - 01:03:04.770

We, I mean, our kids that's our kids, we need to love them, we need to care them and you know, so we lead in there. I wanna, you know, as a speaker, also even the leader, also the youth group as well. So, no problem.

01:03:04.960 - 01:03:17.760

We don't have any. I mean, segregation, whatever. Division. Yeah. And so do you guys- does Clear Lake have any programs for the younger English side generation to

01:03:17.760 - 01:03:35.210

grow to become like leaders in the church? Yes. So discipleship, that's your thing that's a key word, that's a magic word, right? Discipleship, mentorship. So that- we study a lot of things we have trained a trainer,

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so as a pastor or elder, we are in the role of teaching just- I mean, a lot of leaders, you know, so we- yes. Do- one way to do, not only we just outreach also we ourselves need to be revived.

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We need to be renew ourselves to our God, serving us ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Yes. Yeah. Well, and so what about you personally?

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What was what was your spiritual journey kind of like? What were some struggles that you had? Or did you have any struggles? Ah, yes. Yes.

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Occasion of a 60 years. 60- yeah, 60... it's too old. I mean, certainly, I mean, so so when I first

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convert baptized at 12 years old, because I was baptist that they, they require as a 12 years old age, so you've become a baptized, man, anyhow. There, you know, especially at different school, you know, so because our

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school academic work is too busy. So I use that as an excuse. So I mean, drifted away from church. Yes, but God

01:04:54.040 - 01:05:09.740

really call me back, God really- so we one time you know, one of the song I say, I want to be a Christian in my heart. You remember, this I found that's a spiritual sound from just African American immigrants in the

01:05:09.880 - 01:05:25.880

beginning, you know, so they, the song is so touch. So sometimes I'm just thinking, I'm so miserable, I try to be- I'm a Christian and I need to do this and do that, right? Hey, we just like a Pharisees, you know not to have a

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hypocrite. So the reason, that's one of the reason we start have Light and Salt. We want to use our- I mean show our work in faith or faith in work, right?

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Faith without deeds is dead. So that-that's the thing we- awaken me, you know, so I remember that's when I was in the high school, I mean, senior of my high school.

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So that year I was convert, you know, confess myself again, recommit ourselves again to the Lord. Since then, even though you know, rise and falls I mean, like a roller coaster, but

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basically is very stable. Because I want to get in close to the Lord, even though we have a- we have a fear of the Lord at the same time we need to have close to the Lord. Right?

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You remember, dear Lord, of you three things I prayer. I don't sing the song. I'm not good. That's okay. But anyhow, so remember me, so there's a personal relationship between each individual.

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Each Christian and the God. Even though our faith sometimes, you know, drift away and so, "Oh, God, what's happening? Why is to happen on me?" Yes, that's reality.

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The life is reality. A lot of time we have a difficulty. We are sick. We are, I mean, unsuccessful things happening, we have a lot

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of hurdles. Hey, there's God use this chance to testing us. So yeah, so that's my journey. Yes. Yeah. Great.

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And so after, you know, moving from main- or I guess your family's from mainland, being born in Taiwan, moving to the US. What ethnicity do you identify as?

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Do you identify as fully American, Chinese-American, Chinese? Yeah. Well, identity is a very important lesson. I myself know, I was aware.

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You know, you remember, you know, I well activity, I joined the OCA organization of Chinese American. So that's my identity. For a race, for the race, I

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am a Chinese American. Even though I came from Taiwan, but I'm a Chinese American. Yeah. But for God's grace, I'm a Christian. Hey, see, the grace is a g-r-a-c-e.

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God in the beginning, God and the race, plus race means grace. Yeah. See, this identity is very important. And not only we know that we need to teach our next generation.

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I keep on saying the same thing to you know, even- but I mean right now I still schedule many lesson many preaching to the young- younger generation. Chinese school youth also, I wanna.

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Hey, that's why I keep on telling them also reminding me myself. There's our identity. Well, I mean actually is no mix.

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Actually that's both. We it’s not a- we know, don't get feel shame as a Christian. Same thing. I don't feel- we don't feel ashamed as a Chinese-American. Yeah. Yeah, that's true.

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And so that's all the questions we have- or I have for today. Do you have any last words of encouragement or anything else you would like to add? Uh, yes, actually.

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Yeah. I do have some Bible verse. There's some fun parts right? In the Jeremiah 29:11 12, to 12, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.

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"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and the future." So that means even though we are amid of COVID-19, God gave us, it's not harmless. This thing is well above ours, our aware.

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So he gives us hope and the future, that's the first thing. Last thing, he asking us, call to God and He will answer you and tell you great and-and-and searchable things you do not know.

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The same thing, that we need to call as a Christian or as a non-Christian, I strongly encourage people you know, so get this precious thing. So, trusting the Lord.

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Also God says, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and the prayer and seek my faith, God's faith, turn away from their wicked ways. Man, God, will hear from heaven, and the God will forgive

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our sin, and will heal our land. That's very important, that's my advice, also my encouragement. We need to do, we are sinner- and- a sinner, but the God is

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holy. God is almighty. You know, so we need solve them, so we need to meet ourselves. So listen to him. So our whole country will be healed not only the country, also the whole world.

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Yes, that's my encouragement. Great. Thank you so much.