5 Questions with...Steve Ni

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian?  I am Brazilian from Sao Paulo. I arrived in Taiwan on November 1st, 2016. My goal was, basically, to get Taiwanese citizenship, like all of my Brazilian-Taiwanese friends. But I had a problem with my documentation, so I still did not get it. Then, one Saturday in November of 2019, I met [FPC member] Jonathan Colegrove and he invited me and my wife to FPC.  The next day, we attended the service (in the old building). Since then, I have slowly become involved in FPC and have made many friends.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday?  I don't have a job here, at the moment, so, basically, I try to create content for my YouTube channel, “Traveler Ni” (in English, Portuguese, or Chinese). I also read, watch online documentaries and news, try to workout, and attend a community group (T.G.I.F.).

3. What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?  A few things! First, that my mother-language is not Spanish, but Portuguese. I can actually communicate in seven languages (Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Taiwanese, and English). Second, I can dance social dances, like Latin and Swing styles, but not ballroom dance. Third, I have travelled to 50 countries and have written a book (Portuguese) and, recently, a blog (English), all related to my travels, in addition to my YouTube channel. Fourth, I love western chess, and I am waiting for anyone reading now to challenge me.

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?  I think being a Christian is a big challenge in anytime and anywhere because we are surrounded by darkness. If we are not physically persecuted in a brutal political regime, we still face many temptations in an easy-life environment.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible?  The Book of Job. Job is an inspirational example to me. After all the bad happenings in his life, he still did not deny God.