The McNairs arrived in Taiwan in 1981 as
volunteers in mission, sent by the PCUSA. Initially they planned
to stay only a short time, but each year they decided to extend
their commitment. Tom（Thomas
麥道模）,
a retired mathematician, and Eleanor, a musician and teacher,
taught English in Tainan Theological College （台南神學院）；
but they also became “surrogate parents” to many young theology
students. They were never too busy to listen to a student with
personal problems he or she needed to discuss. The McNairs’
experiences in other cultures （They had lived previously in the
Middle East）, their love of music and art, and their “forever
young” attitude helped make them very popular, both among
Taiwanese and fellow-experts.
Eleanor is currently putting on the final
touches to a book of church music which will be published by
Taiwan Church Press （台灣教會公報社）.
