Eighty foreign missionaries yesterday received rewards from the Ministry of the Interior for their contribution to the nation through more than 30 years of service.
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
Chang, who is also a Christian, praised the missionaries' perseverance and love for the people of Taiwan and said that they have acted as important supporting pillars whenever Taiwan has suffered natural disasters or social disturbances.
PHOTO: CNA
"These religious workers never left their stations and used their strength to significantly help stabilize Taiwanese society," Chang said, "In them, we see the incarnation of Mother Teresa and also the love of Christ."
The award ceremony was the second ceremony the Ministry of the Interior held to laud these religious workers in Taiwan since 1997.
Thanks to their unselfish contribution, the ministry helped 98 ministers obtain permanent residency in Taiwan in 1994, Chang said.
In his speech, Lee said that a total of 80 missionaries have stayed in Taiwan for an average of 37 years and 13 of them have preached in Taiwan for more than half a century.
"Most of them view Taiwan as their second home. The beliefs and values that they planted in every corner of Taiwan have become precious assets for us," Lee said.
To show his respect, Lee played two songs on the trumpet and saxophone before the ceremony.
Among these devoted missionaries, Jesus Zarandona, 95, who came to a mission in Hsinchu County from Spain in 1953, was the oldest missionary to receive an award yesterday. Canadian Steven Beauregard has lived in Taiwan for 59 years, the longest of all missionaries. He has lived in Nanao (
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