How Adventist Volunteers Made a Difference in Flood-Ravaged Taiwan

On September 23 heavy rain from the outer circulation of Typhoon Ragasa caused the upper reaches of the Mataian River in Hualien County, Taiwan, to overflow. The massive flow destroyed the Mataian River Bridge and carried a large amount of mud and sand downstream into Guangfu, causing severe damage. A few days later Taiwan volunteers with Adventist Community Services quickly entered the disaster area to provide relief. They began phased work, praying that affected families would soon be able to restore their homes and daily lives.

Deploying Machinery to Expedite Cleanup

From Hualien City to the Guangfu train station, the scenery outside the window shifted from lush greenery to ash-covered land and drifting dust. Upon arrival, enthusiastic people from across the country disembarked, donned rain boots, picked up shovels, and rushed to the scene to help. Seventh-day Adventist volunteers did likewise, heading to the site as soon as Sabbath ended.

Noah Li-Chun Lai, director of Adventist Community Services for Taiwan Conference; associate director Jason Feng, and more than 100 Adventist volunteers joined the disaster relief efforts over several days. Adventist volunteers also deployed excavators. “We brought Bobcats and other machinery to increase efforts to clear the area,” leaders reported. “Volunteers did not stop there; they continued searching for victims in need of assistance, and allocated manpower and equipment wherever it was needed.”

“Our Homes Are Gone, but God Spared Our Lives”

Lai expressed deep gratitude and pledged to continue assisting with recovery efforts. He also thanked volunteers who were not connected to the Adventist Church and joined the work, ensuring the safe completion of the first phase. Clark Ke, president of the Taiwan Conference, joined the cleanup in person. He said that church members effected by the disaster have relocated to various places. Although they lost their homes, they continue to thank God for sparing their lives, he reported.

“The Taiwan Conference will continue to support reconstruction efforts,” regional Adventist leaders said. Supplies from across Taiwan have already arrived at Futian church near Guangfu, they reported. “After the cleanup phase concludes, the team will continue monitoring conditions and report to Adventist Community Services,” said Daniel Feng, pastor of the Futian and Guangfu churches. “The church will distribute supplies once members’ homes are cleaned.”

Pastor Rushes to Assist Trapped Members

Recalling the day the Mataian River overflowed, Feng wiped away tears. As the rain intensified, he drove from Futian to Guangfu to check on the church and visit members. Suddenly floodwaters from the breached levee rushed toward him. Within minutes water rose to half the height of a car tire. He ran for his life, worrying about his wife and children at home. The surging water continued to rise, trapping him overnight. When he returned safely the next day, he embraced his wife and broke into tears.

He had to process his own emotions, ensure the safety of incoming volunteers, and listen to the grief of affected church members. Yet the memory of massive mudslides and life-threatening floods kept him awake at night. “I will continue to pray and entrust everything to God, knowing that rebuilding the village and healing the victims’ trauma will take a long time,” Feng said.

According to regional church leaders, the Taiwan Conference has fully mobilized workers and equipment and has launched a targeted fundraising campaign. “We call on all to unite and contribute so that affected households can restore their homes as soon as possible,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division news site.