The Gift of Being Teachable: Lessons in Being Wonderfully Made in Taiwan

My third volunteer mission experience led me to St. Theresa Opportunity Center in Tainan City, Taiwan, founded by Maryknoll Rev. Brendan O’Connell in 1988.

Sister Joan McCarthy, SP, served as the first director of the center. It was first established as a daycare center for people with disabilities in the rural parts of Southern Taiwan. Today, Charity has been the director for more than 20 years to continue the legacy.

In the early stages of the center’s establishment, they responded to the needs of parents facing challenges in caring for children with developmental disabilities. It is a center that provides a supportive and inclusive environment where people with disabilities’ needs can grow, develop and reach their highest potential by sharing their wonderfully and fearfully made talents and gifts with others.

The center offers programs for preschool children, as well as residential support through group homes for adults and the elderly. This wide range of care reflects the daycare center’s commitment to serving individuals at all stages of life, upholding dignity, promoting inclusion and supporting lifelong development.

During my time there, I had the chance to work with both young children at the center and adults in group homes. This included a meaningful experience to participate as an angel alongside two preschoolers for the center’s Nativity play for a community-wide gathering.

I’m humbly grateful for their intentional inclusion. These interactions served as a powerful reminder of the importance of patience, compassionate agape love and authentic human connection.

I also spent time working with adults in their group homes, where I gained a deeper understanding of their perspectives on community living, their ways of building and nurturing relationships as a local community, and their courage and strength – both in living together and sharing their gifts and talents when they serve at the center.

This experience created space to build personal connections and witness their joy and confidence firsthand.

As Mother Theodore said, “Love the children first; and then teach them.” We, as Sisters of Providence say, “And, let them teach you.” I’m basking in the gifted opportunity for me to witness living out the gospel through building relationships and nurturing meaningful connections.

Have you ever allowed yourself to be teachable in similar experiences like mine? Did those experiences deepen your appreciation for life? Did those experiences strengthen your commitment to serving others with empathy and respect?