Spinella Family Website

Since you asked...

Steve and Laura on the far side:
Hi, I'm Steve Spinella. I am director of the Center for Counseling and Growth in Taichung, Taiwan. Laura and I are missionaries in Taiwan with TEAM. Before this I have been a trainer of missionaries with Mission Training International, a pastoral and professional counselor, a computer consultant, a pastor, a church planter, and a high school teacher. Laura has been a homemaker and computer programmer. Our children are Sarah, 4th grade, and Joey and Robby, twins in 2nd grade at Morrison Academy . We like to hike, read, and play games. Our favorite vacation in Taiwan is to go to the beach. Write us or get more information at email: spinella@alumni.rice.edu

I do this stuff:

Just because people become Christians or even missionaries doesn't mean their problems go away. As a counselor, I help people face problems like sexual abuse and compulsive behaviors, drugs and alcohol, overwork, bad marriage, and unhappy and disobedient children. Of course, we see lots of depression and anxiety, and some psychosis and disassociative thinking. As you can imagine from your own circumstances, missionaries, ministers, and those they care for need to face these situations and symptoms, and address the problems to which they relate through God's power. We seek to offer consultation, encouragement, guidance, and care, and pray for God's blessing and intervention in these matters.

People we love:

The primary target of my personal ministry is missionaries and other internationals. Most of these will never make it in an "unreached people group" listing, because they aren't "where they belong." All other staff at the counseling center work more with Chinese. Laura is studying Chinese and caring for our family, and just beginning to build a network of Chinese friends.

In many ways, Taiwan as a whole is a land of immigrants. It is an island whose population has grown in waves of successive migration, mostly from mainland China, over the last few centuries. The native people, like native Americans in the US, represent about 1% of the current population.

A special example of this pattern of migration are the Hakka Chinese . About 10% of the people in Taiwan belong to this ethnic group, who have remained culturally distinct both in mainland China and in Taiwan. While Taiwan as a whole has about 2% people calling themselves Christians, the Hakka have about 0.1% Christians.

Come join:
The reason we Christians in Taiwan want your help is not because of your uniqueness--Taiwan, after all, has 21 million people already. We want you because of your faith and your commitment to work together with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a difficult place.

For more about ministry niches here, write or call. In the meantime, what makes a good minister here? Someone with...

time to minister. Most Taiwanese devote their whole energy to work, status, and financial security. Usually not much is left over. If you have time, people will find you.

a willingness to learn. The language and culture are among the world's most difficult and complex. People who stay can expect to keep on investing in this for a long time. But you don't have to be smart--smart people sometimes want quick results Taiwan is not likely to offer.

a willingness to give up the good life for the love of God and people. Are you willing to lose your world to save a soul? This might bring you to Taiwan, just as the reverse priority sends so many Taiwan people to the US--which offers security, space, and opportunity Taiwan does not.

status in your own country. Tawan people respect status, like earned degrees, financial security, or professional success. Whatever you have to offer will help you win a hearing, as you humble yourself and become as a child.

outside financial support. It is possible to work in Taiwan, but it will generally take all your time. The competition will also be fierce. The better the outside financial support, from self or ministry partners, the more thoroughly you will be able to devote yourself to ministry rather than finances.

Pray:

Did we mention...

complete health? Especially Laura's back, which has bothered her for two years.
language and culture?
pollution and crowdedness?
busy-ness? Both ours and that of those around us.
the spiritual oppression? In spite of Taiwan's prosperity, there are idols in most homes and temples every few blocks. Sexual acting out and abuse are also everywhere. The city reportedly plans to put altars at every major intersection next year.

Celebrate:
Steve: born 8/5/56, married 7/19/80
Laura: born 5/12/58, married 7/19/80
Sarah: born 2/5/88, entering 6th grade
Joey: born 6/22/90, entering 4th grade
Robby: born 6/23/90, entering 4th grade

Hobbies:
Steve: reading, hiking, soccer, guitar, email
Laura: needlecrafts, sewing, reading, piano, recorder
Sarah: the neighbor's baby, reading, piano, crafts, jump rope
Joey: drawing, legos, reading, basketball, soccer, camping

Robby: reading, computer, soccer, stuffed animals, table games

There's always room for one more:

You may think your own city is crowded, we do, too! But Taichung has a million people in the space most US cities have 50,000. The good thing is that makes places close together. The bad thing is that it's very crowded, noisy, and polluted. All of Taiwan could fit along I-45 between Houston and Dallas, but the mountains are very steep and Taiwan has 20% more people than all of Texas. Come and visit for chinese culture and some of the world's best food!

Pray tell:

We write email prayer updates. So, for that or any other question or comment, email: spinella@alumni.rice.edu.

Ta Yi Street, Lane 29, 18, 2f-1 / Taichung 404 / Taiwan R.O.C. / 886 04 236-6145 / office 236-1901 / fax 236-2109 / spinella@alumni.rice.edu
9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, USA, 719 528-1702, fx 594-4682, Maaatha@attglobal.net
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60189, 800 343-3144, fx 653-1826, info@teamworld.org / http://www.teamworld.org