Wouldn’t it be nice if we never struggled with all the bad stuff in life? According to a 2023 Gallop Poll, depression rates in America have hit an all time new high fueled by isolation, loneliness, fear and psychological exhaustion. That’s not God’s plan for humanity. It’s doesn’t have to be your story. Imagine if overcoming your circumstances, sorrow and confusion wasn’t just something God wants to do for you but what God wants to do through you. The Pure Flix movie Sun Moon tells the story of Kelsey, a young woman running from failure, heartbreak and humiliation. In an attempt to understand God’s purpose for her life, she goes to Taiwan to teach English. The question is asked, “Will her leap of faith pay off”? We spoke with Sydney Tooley, the Writer and Director of Sun Moon to learn about her time in Taiwan and explore how going alone to experience a different culture can bring healing and growth to you and transformational ministry to others. The question really isn’t so much ‘will it pay off’ as much as it is, will you take a leap of faith?
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR CONVERSATION WITH SYDNEY
[@ 2:20] CULTURE SHOCK: Weather you want to be a missionary, travel or go anywhere out of your comfort zone, it’s a huge jump. It’s difficult. You can off-road into the jungle somewhere. That leap of faith doesn’t always end how you think it should, but you have to go for it.
[@ 5:09] INFLUENCE AND CONNECTION: Social media and movies can be a connection point that can be used as a tool to teach and learn. It can be both good and bad to us and to those in another culture as well. So that dichotomy we all experience is shared – a place God can use.
[@ 7:07] GOD USES TRAVEL: There are fascinating and different cultures into which we can integrate. When you have a genuine interest in others you’ll discover that they want to show you how they live. That lets you ask others what they believe as compared to just saying what you believe. Learn their beliefs then share God.
[@ 9:31] BUILD TRUST: It’s important to not be fearful of others but instead listen and respect them. Work to understand how others feel about their own religion or faith. Then you can be in a position for them to want to understand about your faith and ask about God.
Go to Pure Flix and watch the movie Sun Moon. From there you can take advantage of small group discussion sessions accompanied by Bible Study episodes. All are great tools for cultural learning, spiritual growth and travel planning.
GO TO TAIWAN – GO WHERE GOD IS
Like to travel? Do your research and consider going solo or part of a small group to Taiwan.
A few basic stats: This self-governing island is home to more than 23 million people. It is located about 100 miles from the coast of Southeast China. It’s about 245×90 miles in size. A non-stop flight from Los Angeles into Taipei, the capitol may cost you around $1300 US and get you there 4 hours later into the next day (28 hours from when you departed) in just 14 hours.
Want to explore the exact school where Sydney Tooley taught – the location where the film was shot? It’s a real place called Taiwan Adventist Academy and it’s part of the Taiwan Adventist College (this site is in English). It is located near Sun Moon Lake a national scenic area, which is in the central region of the island nation.
There are all kinds of things to see and do at the lake including eating indigenous food, discovering cultural locations with temples and taking your own bicycle tour of the Sun Moon Lake Bikeway. Go there with your friends, meet new people and take time in the natural beauty of this alpine destination to worship God in music and prayer.
Let Pure Flix’ Sun Moon original movie take you to Taiwan today. Then prayerfully start considering this amazing nation as a destination where you can fuel your travel lifestyle. Organizations like Adventures In Missions have programs like world race providing you with support to not only go to Taiwan but serve there. Use the COMMENTS space below to leave a reply and share what you’ve learned from the movie Sun Moon or what questions and ideas you have for travel to Taiwan.
God’s plan for you is to not be isolated, fearful or frustrated with life. God wants you to be connected with others, learn from them, bring value and the hope of Christ to them and fulfill His great calling for your life. The reality is that you can make a difference in real life. #GOwhereGODis
