5 Questions With...Tim Piotrowicz

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian?  I first arrived in Taiwan as part of a Christian ministry volunteer English program. The director of the ministry branch in Taiwan had been attending the Chinese church for many years, and I first visited FPC with my boss and coworkers in that organization. Later, I became good friends with some of the regular attendees of the Presbyterian congregations but was unable to attend the church regularly as I lived in the south part of Taiwan. After working with that organization from 2010-2016, I decided to move to Taipei and get married. My fiancée had been attending the Chinese church for several years and that is where we had our marriage ceremony. After we got married, we both saw God leading us to attend the English side of things regularly. After a couple years of overcoming traumas and fears about church, I decided to become a member of Friendship Presbyterian.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday?  When I first arrived in Taiwan, I was working full time as a volunteer English teacher in Yunlin County (雲林縣). Now I work as both an English tutor for several students and an English teacher at a cram school and online. When I am not working, I am usually reading fiction, studying psychology and theology, or writing creatively. I also occasionally study Chinese. The rest of my time is spent with my wonderful wife, Alice. We enjoy visiting places together in both Taiwan and the USA, as well as cuddling up to read and watch movies at home! 

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you?  A great many things…but one is that I am the fourth and final child born to my parents, yet also the middle child, as I have four younger adopted siblings. Also, I have an especially annoying birth date.   

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?  Life has been very difficult for my family and I. One tragedy or trauma after the other has occurred in my life and the lives of my siblings. The most challenging thing about being a Christian has been facing the pains and struggles that come from living in a fallen world and consistently choosing to trust and follow God no matter what. Some of my family have fallen away from the faith and it breaks my heart, but I can only control myself, and "...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15b) I do not have all the answers for all the questions and doubts I will face, but I continue to choose to put my faith in God and His promises to his beloved children.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible?  A year ago, I would have quickly answered, the book of Ecclesiastes, simply because it is so wonderfully depressing with such a beautiful light at the end (Ecc. 12:13-14), but I think now I can safely say that as great as that book is, my absolute favorite must be the book of Luke. Why? Because I love Jesus so much and I love reading about him and his work on earth. I love how Jesus obeyed the Father perfectly and is a perfect example of how we should love everyone around us. I am on a journey of healing and growth, to become more like Christ, to know God, and to be involved in serving Him as I study the Word and attend church with my brothers and sisters at FPC. If you ever see me around church, say hello. I'll either scowl at you or return the greeting. If the former, please pray for me. If the latter chat with me and we can get to know each other more ^_^