Ian and I arrived in Taiwan on Friday morning (having left Georgia on Wednesday night). It’s a long trip.  At 6:00 AM I was met at the door of the plane by the smiling Chairman of the Chou Ta0Kuan Foundation named Mr. Chou. Mr. Chou (pronounced Mr. CHO by some and Mr. CHOW by others) is the father of the 10 year old boy Ta Kuan who died of cancer at the age of 10 in 1997.

Ta Kuan was a remarkable young man, a poet and and a peace maker.  His story reminds me much of Mattie Stepanek (for you Oprah fans). His was a message of love that transcends all pain, religion, angry or fear.  When he had his right leg removed he started writing poetry and his four books have sold more than 2,000,000 copies in many Asian languages.

It is in his honor that we have been invited to Taiwan on this trip.  I am humbled (in a really big way) to be receiving the Fervent Global Love of LIfe Award from the Chou, Ta-Kuan Foundation this week.  Yesterday I met another winner of this award ceremony and we were given one hour each to speak at a press conference held at the Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall (a hero of the Taiwanese people).  The woman’s name is Mrs. Lui and I wish you could all meet her.  She is a fire-cracker, business entrepreneur (tycoon type) and has been diagnosed with 4 types of terminal cancer, including advanced bone cancer. In January she fell down some stairs and broke many ribs and both arms.  Her 19 yr old son travels with her and cares for her every need.  Her torso is supported with a body brace to keep her vertical and yet she seems to stand 7 feet tall as she sits in her wheelchair.

Yesterday she gave a message of hope, of love, of joy and truly one of CHOICE in your circumstances.  In spite of her constant pain and little time left on this earth, she is still fighting hard for rights for the disabled and is committed to encouraging people to choose joy rather than anger, hope rather than fear.

Mrs. Lui is a true inspiration and I was thankful that I was asked to speak first.  Her determination and testimony is one that you don’t want to follow on stage

Today we join another large press conference at the Grand Hotel where we are staying.  Tomorrow we head off to Changhua Senior High School for the official ceremony.  More then.