I'm "used" to the temple parades going by, carrying their gods from place to place; but this week, there seemed to be no end to the religious activities.
I will never forget the day. The smell of incense hit me like a wave of salt water. Smoke from sacrifices hung in the air. Fireworks exploded inches from my feet. The constant beating of drums playing a tireless rhythm sent chills up my spine. Hundreds of people lined the street to see the parade. No, wait; not just to see the parade. Traffic stopped as the statue of Mazu with her two demon body guards arrived. The line of people waiting to pay her obeisance went down the street as far as I could see. It's an image one never forgets because it is burned indelibly on one's mind.
Was this really happening????
Of course, I had heard of this happening, but I had never seen it. And, I guess it seemed a far away problem from my comfortable country home in America. People know better than that now, right? I mean, it's the 21st century!
WRONG!
My friends, these people desperately need the gospel! To see the faces of the people- people so... LOST. Elderly faces, empty, tired, and worn with the reality of life. Faces who are searching for answers with an understanding that their parent's gods are pointless to worship. Temple children whose faces reflect despair. Faces of drug addicted, demon possessed teens. Toddlers, filled with curiosity and caught up in the festivities, turn confused eyes to their parents when everyone starts getting on the ground to bow to a statue.
This scene turned what was just a walk to the chiropractors office into a prayer walk. "Lord, send laborers into Your harvest." These people are so READY. They are ACHING to hear the truth. The song "I'll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus" took on a whole new meaning as I asked God to reveal the Truth to those who were looking today. When I stopped to get a milk tea, I learned that it was Mazu's birthday. That explains it.
Then I saw something quite amazing. The gods are often transported in miniature temples with two poles (kind of like the biblical idea of the ark) and four men. However, this was the smallest, most colorful box I had ever seen, less than 30 inches square, and four men were STRUGGLING to keep it under control. You read that right. I'm not sure who was carrying who. It didn't take me long to figure out- that thing, whatever it was, was definitely demon possessed. Yet, the temple workers didn't seem to notice. To them, that is a good thing. It means their god's spirit returned, due to the sacrifices and fireworks.
Now, I knew I was on enemy ground, and that though Satan and his workers couldn't touch me, he was all around. This is his hey-day, much like Halloween in the States. "Lord Jesus," I prayed, "show them how powerless their gods are. Show them the Truth." And just like that, the little box- I think it was some sort of dragon- instantly quieted.
The men stopped and looked at their charge in confusion. They shook the poles a little, to see if they could revive their creature, but to no avail. Two of the carriers let go, as they were not needed now, and started "praying," while the other two men kept walking.
I just stood there in awe and wonder of what I had just witnessed. Oh the power of the Name of Jesus. It's easy to forget that in the States, where Christianity has mellowed into comfortable habit. Friends, the battle out there is real!!! My God is so much more powerful than the petty gods of earth, that just mentioning His name causes the demons to flee. What an awesome god!
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I'm sure you're waiting to see the pictures. To be honest, I'm extremely disappointed to tell you, I don't have any! -Not of that day anyway. For whatever reason, I had prepped my camera with new batteries and an SD card, and managed to leave it on my desk when I went to town. It killed me! To see all of this, and feel the burden for the people, and not be able to share it with you felt worse than being a photographer caught without a camera.
However, I do have some other pictures from other days that I can share with you. Last night I went to the still highly decorated temple to get some pictures. You will have to forgive that some of them were blurry. I stayed in the courtyard, about 50 feet from the building, and used my zoom, with no tripod, trying to be inconspicuous. Even out that far, I was glad to be covered by the blood of Jesus, for I could sense the demons dancing around, trying to get at me. The temples are no joke, people! One of the priests came out to invite me inside, and I told him no thank you, I just wanted pictures. I don't know what he really wanted, but He jumped back like he was struck by lightening. (And who's to say- maybe he was? I think he saw God's angels and stayed away.)
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| This is from the New Year's festival- it's the year of the dragon. |
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Drums and cymbals are a huge part of their religion.
Also, the temple workers you see are middle school age. |
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I believe this is one of the demons that guards
Mazu. It got marched all around town on Friday. |
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| In the foreground is a giant incense altar, where people burn incense and pray (kind of like the Catholics that burn candles), the background is the very decorated shrine to Mazu, goddess guardian of Taiwan. |
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| This is another incense altar, with a counsel of Buddha. |
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| Foreground: temple tools. Background: the thing draped in pink is probably a neighboring god come for the special occaision, as that is a miniature temple for travel. |
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Chinese lantern.
These actually look creepy when they are the only light around, because it's an eery red glow. |
"...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; PRAY therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 (emphasis added)
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