Our 20th year of holding a charity bazaar at Christmas for St. John’s University and Advent Church ~ and today was the day!

A mammoth project and really a huge achievement to organize such a major event, involving faculty, staff, students, friends, church members and local people ~ and all coordinated by the clergy and staff of St. John’s University Chaplaincy and Advent Church, in particular Yu-lin, our youngest staff member ~ she is so multi-talented, patient and calm ~ and excels at organizing events like this!

Publicity and preparations have been ongoing for weeks, selling coupons and accepting donations ~ and yesterday a group of our students, staff, friends, clergy and church members spent most of the day getting everything ready…. oh yes, and having great fun with the mannequin which we borrowed for the occasion…

And then today everyone was here bright and early for setting up, displaying all the goods, cooking, waiting for deliveries, arranging everything and then welcoming visitors – who came from the university, church and the local community for their lunch.  We welcomed back our very good friend and former colleague, Ms. Chao Wen-Yi, also the lovely family of Mrs. Grace Chien, visiting from Canada.  Oh yes, and the media came too and interviewed and took lots of photos……

And SJU President Peter Herchang Ay also came along twice to encourage us all….

Everyone worked really hard, and the counting of the money is ongoing ~ ah, but it was a fun day! Thanks be to God that the weather today was hot and sunny, unlike in previous years when it’s been cold and wet. Today was perfect!

The charity we have chosen this year is run by the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, who work in Taitung, SE Taiwan.  One of their representatives came to speak to us last week about their ministry.  More info when we’ve been to visit them ~ so do watch this space!