I was driving into a construction zone when Kathy-Lu suddenly exclaimed “Oh!” or “Ah!”  I don’t remember her exact expression, only that I came close to using my head to open the sun roof in my friend’s car.  It took a moment to determine that there was not a problem.  She was seeing a brilliant rainbow, visible only from her side of the car.  My focus was elsewhere (like it should be) so I did not see that.  A few minutes later when driving the car back toward my friend’s house, I looked for the rainbow which would have been on my side of the car, but it was no where to be seen.  Disappointment welled up in my heart.  I wanted to see it too.  And then, after driving for about another ten minutes, just before arriving at my destination, I saw a spectacular long bright rainbow in the sky. Then, as I drove my own car back toward home, there was a sun spot rainbow, brightly displayed ahead of me for most of the trip.  I cannot explain why seeing the rainbow was so important to me yesterday.  I did not stop and take a photo using my mobile phone.  The scene was only captured by my eye and stored in my heart.  It was one of those sacred moments that seemed to be God affirming that He loved and cared about me.  He even created a rainbow when my heart yearned to see one.  Reflection and talking to God made an ordinary happening, become an extraordinary moment.

Have you recently had a moment when you particularly sensed God’s love for you?  Feel free to write and tell us about it.  And, may we encourage you to take time to look this week for the special moments when God is telling you He loves you and cares about you.

This past week Lorne was able to be with the students of Fuhsing Elementary School when they saw the short 3D film “美力台灣” (“Beautiful Taiwan”)  The link is of just one of the clips that was used to make the film.  For many of the students it was the first time they had seen a film with 3D technology.  They have a specially equipped truck that is being used to take the film to rural schools.  They are hoping it will motivate some students to use their creativity to do something special with their lives.

Kathy-Lu missed the above opportunity, and many other happenings, because she has been sick with the flu this past week.  Her health is slowly improving and she is looking forward to involvement in a number of activities this week—including going on an outing with the Baozhong Primary School teaching staff on Wednesday afternoon.  We appreciate prayer for her recovery and that Lorne will not get sick.  (He historically gets a nasty cold in November.)

In addition to our regular activities, we are gearing up for Christmas.  That is a special opportunity to share with people about Jesus.  We ask that you will join in praying for the following planned events:

• Saturday, December 6 Decorating the Tree:  Elementary students come and help decorate the tree as we talk about why Christmas is celebrated and the the meaning of some of the symbols of Christmas.
• Saturday, December 13 Kids’ Weekend Happy Camp:  Elementary students will hear the story of the announcements about Jesus birth to Mary and Joseph.
• Saturday, December 13 Youth Candy Bagging: Youth will help to prepare goody bags for distribution in the schools, community, and at church Christmas events.  Each will contain a tract.  They youth will continue to see and discuss segments of the Hope Project.
• Sunday, December 14 Small Group Worship followed by Candy Bagging:  Completing the task of preparing the goody bags.
• Friday, December 19 Christmas Carolling in the Community:   We will be inviting people we know to join us in singing.  This will be an opportunity to invite people to the Sunday morning Christmas celebration.  Please pray that it does not rain and that it will not be too cold.
• Sunday, December 21 Christmas Celebration:  Singing, Cake, Sharing by Rev. Simon Zhang. (Rev. Zhang will share in Taiwanese.)  Please pray that some of those invited will come and be a part of the celebration.
• Saturday, December 27 Kids’ Weekend Happy Camp:  Elementary students will hear the story of the birth of Jesus being announced to the shepherds.  This will be the children’s Christmas party.
• Saturday, December 27 Youth Christmas Party.

We are also looking to make some facility improvements over the next couple of months.  We need wisdom and good advice from local partners about purchasing a portable PA system for use at various activities, installing a sign so that people can find us more easily, a bulletin board, etc.  Please pray that God will lead us to make wise choices that will serve the church well over the next number of years.