Thank-you for praying for the volunteer English teaching being done in the elementary schools.  The largest elementary school in town, Baojhong Elementary School, has asked Lorne to help with English classes on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings.  In addition to talking with the students, there is an opportunity to tell a Bible story.  The first story that is being told is about Daniel being taken captive to Babylon and not wanting to eat the king’s food.  Please pray that as more stories are told there will be opportunities to talk to the teacher and students outside of classes.

Friday afternoon at Chaurtsuo Elementary also went well!  The school has asked some parents and teachers to be present to help maintain classroom control.  This is also a great way for us to become acquainted with more people from the community.

Tuesday morning this week, we will spend time sharing and praying with the US C&MA missionaries serving in Taiwan.  We are looking forward to that.  Please pray that all who attend will be encouraged from God’s Word and from the fellowship.

We are thankful for new next door neighbours.  They moved in while we were away in Canada.  We are enjoying the friendship that has been developing.  They have been able to introduce us to some local people who are helping us with some of the house repairs.  We are looking forward to getting to know the Chang family better.

Thanks for being a part of the team that participates in the Baojhong ministry through prayer.

Thanks for praying with us as we began teaching at Chaurtsuo Elementary last Friday.  The class was half students we knew and half that we met for the first time.  We have been given the responsibility to plan the two 50-minute classes.  There was even an opportunity to play badminton between the classes.  Pray that we will have wisdom as we select stories, vocabulary, and activities—choosing appropriately for their English and interest levels.

Lorne was able to contact one elected village chief last week and talk about future activities the church could sponsor in that village.  It will be discussed with his advisors and they will be back in touch if they are interested.  Please pray that God will open the doors of opportunity that He wants us to walk through.  Lorne will try to contact the elected chief of another village in the next few days to explore similar themes with him.

A few weeks ago we asked you to pray for the health challenges faced by Rev. Jordan Yang, vice-president of the Taiwan C&MA.  He recently had a treatment, and during the 3-month recovery period is taking a study sabbatical in Hong Kong.  Initial indications are that the treatment helped.  He will find out when he has the follow-up appointment with the specialist at the end of the three months.  Please continue to pray for his complete healing.

Thank-you for praying for Philip and Bethany as they searched for a new place to live.  They have found a suitable place that is in the desired area and is within their budget.  They plan to move at the end of the month.  Once again God has provided!

Thanks for praying with us about our involvement in the schools.  We are still waiting to hear from the largest elementary school, but have already agreed to return and help at Chaurtsuo Elementary School on Friday afternoons.  Only one of the teachers we formerly worked with is still at the school.  All of the other current staff members have recently transferred in.  Please pray for us as we build new working relationships and as we help with English learning activities.

We would like to start a ministry to elementary-aged children.  It seems like it might be wise to try and work in outlying villages so that we are not perceived to be competing with Village Gospel Mission.   Please pray for us as we contact village leaders to explore this possibility.

We are working to make our house aesthetically and functionally ready for short-term teams and other guests.  This week’s projects are a couple of painting jobs.  We are also working on obtaining a couple more beds.  We are excited that the Vision Prayer Team arrives in 27 days.

The process has begun to set the 2013 budget for our missionary work.  Please pray for regional leaders as they review and evaluate our requests and suggestions prior to discussing the financial needs with C&MA Canada leaders later in the Fall.  Going through this process reminds us to be thankful for each one’s contribution to God’s work and our support.  You are a special part of what is happening, and are appreciated!

We heard that Ethan and Elyssa arrived safely at Ambrose University College and are moving into their dorm rooms.  Join us in praying God’s blessing on the two of them and others who are beginning this year of study at our denomination’s school in Calgary.

Have you been buying back to school supplies?  The kindergarten at Baojhong’s largest elementary school will begin classes on Thursday, August 30.  According to a notice we received in our mailbox, students are instructed that on that day they need to bring: dishes and chopsticks for eating lunch, items for rest/nap time, toothbrush and paste, flip flop sandals, a package of toilet tissue.  The bill for the public school registration fee will be sent home with the students.  It is TWD$9,872 (CAD$337) and that includes the September lunch fee.  It should be paid at the local Farmer’s Bank and proof of payment presented to the school.  So, parents in Taiwan are preparing for their children to attend school too!  Please pray that Jesus love will shine through to teachers, students and parents as we do volunteer work in the elementary schools.

Our son Philip is looking for different housing for his rapidly expanding family.  Please pray that he and Bethany will be able to find a suitable unit in the Abbotsford area, within their limited budget.  It would be nice to move and be settled a few months before the babies arrive.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu have planned a trip to Taipei on Monday and Tuesday (27&28) for a doctor appointment and to attend the north area C&MA pastors’ prayer meeting.  The hope is to possibly also talk to some pastors about helping in Baojhong in the future.  Please pray for God to lead us into His will.

Please pray for the Jeremy Lin youth Christian outreach via the web (internet) throughout Taiwan on September 2. Jeremy Lin is a member of the NBA Houston Rockets and has a large following in Taiwan.

Typhoon Tembin hit Taiwan this past week, causing major damage in the southern tip of the island (a favorite vacation spot).  There is concern that it may return this week and hit the same area again, causing more damage.  Please pray for those whose homes and businesses suffered from the winds and flooding.  Also pray that Christian believers travelling to the area will be able to provide practical help and share the love of Christ.

When Lorne took the car for servicing today, the shop owner’s wife mentioned that although they are Buddhists, they enjoyed attending the Christian evangelistic event just over a week ago.  This provided more opportunity to talk, including a discussion about the need for more activities for youth and children in our community.  She is very open to their children participating in events we might sponsor in the future.  Please pray that God will help us to have other significant contacts with the Su Family.

We plan to contact the local schools this week.  We are hoping for opportunities to volunteer in local schools.  This allows us to build relationships and allows us to be a contributing member in our community.  Please pray for wisdom to know which opportunities to participate in.  We need to balance competing time demands.

Ethan and Elyssa will be leaving Abbotsford on Sunday, August 26 to go to school at Ambrose University College in Calgary.  They will be visiting with extended family on the trip.  Please pray for safe travels and some good memory-building times with those they see.

On Saturday, August 25 we will be rejoicing and celebrating the two-year milestone since Kathy-Lu’s open heart surgery.  Praise the Lord for His daily mercies!

Thank-you for praying for the activities of the past week.  There were quite a few children that attended the afternoon program. The photo shows the contrast we saw on Saturday evening, with a temple on the left side of the plaza used for the VGM evangelistic outreach.  We were thankful for all who attended and heard the gospel message. This included some of our friends.  Please pray for God to keep working as there are many things that potentially hinder them from considering to believe in Christ.  Pray we will have opportunities to talk about what was shared when we are with people.

Lorne travelled to Taipei today to visit with Rev. Kao, pastor of the Songshan Alliance Church and president of the Taiwan C&MA.  It was encouraging to hear the commitment that church has to help in both the Baojhong and Sihhu church works.  Please pray that God will help us to dream His dreams of how to work together and to know how to involve other churches that might be interested.

We see the above as important, because we have heard that the only Christian church in town, the Presbyterian Church in an outlying village, officially closed last month.  This town needs an active Christian witness.  “God, please send workers and please build Your church.”

Those on FaceBook may have already noticed the exciting news that our son Philip and his wife Bethany are expecting—twins!  Please pray for them as they prepare for the births, probably early February.  There will be a number of things they will need to do over the next months in preparation, while caring for Juliet who has recently walked her first steps.  It is a busy time at their house!

Thank-you for praying for us this past week.  Although we had a “typhoon day” on Thursday when the government cancelled work and classes, we did not have flooding or problems because of the storm.  Some in other parts of Taiwan had problems and experienced losses.  Please remember them in your prayers.

We were able to make the trip to see Rev. Jordan Yang last Friday.  Because of his recent health problems, he is taking a leave of absence from his denominational responsibilities, but feels that God is calling him to continue the ministry at the church.  We prayed with him and tried to encourage him.  He was also able to give us some advice regarding with whom to talk regarding the next strategic steps in the Baojhong work.  We are thankful for this godly pastor and are trusting God with him for complete healing.

The children’s activities and evangelistic outreach sponsored by the Village Gospel Mission Dongshih Church will happen this week in Baojhong.  We have invited some families we know to participate.  Please pray that God will use this to advance His kingdom in this area.  (We hope to observe the events and maybe get some ideas that we can use at a future time.)

The typhoon last week did cause the cancellation of a few of the outreach events planned by the other area churches, but they were able to have opportunities to hold some activities.  Thank-you for praying.

We were encouraged on Sunday morning to see a number of baptisms at a nearby Baptist church.  Those being baptized included some elderly parents for whom prayers and efforts to share the gospel had occurred over many years.  We are often told that senior citizens who have relied on traditional religions for their whole life will “never” be willing to change their minds and believe in Jesus.  That baptismal service was a good reminder to keep on praying and to keep on trusting God for people to come to faith in Christ.

Please pray for all the activities that will happen at the planned Village Gospel Mission DVBS August 8-11 in Baojhong.  The plan is for:

• 2:15 – 4:15 PM:  Children’s activities
• 4:30 – 5:30 PM:  Visitation in the community
• 7 – 9 PM (Aug 11): Community Evangelistic Service

Workers are from the church in Dongshih Harbour (about one hour south).  Lorne will also have an opportunity to meet and discuss strategy with Rev. Chen during those days.

Weather and circumstances permitting, we have scheduled a Friday meeting with Rev. Jordan Yang, Vice-President of the Taiwan C&MA, to discuss the strategy for the Baojhong church work.  Rev. Yang oversees the Church Department that includes all church plants.  Please pray for good communication and for God to help us to have a clear sense of His will for partnership in the Baojhong work.

The Yunlin County church plants being led by the international workers sent by the US C&MA request that we would support them in prayer as follows:

• Tim and Penny have a short-term team here this week.  Planned events are a children’s English camp, a night market outreach, and English camp wind-up event.  They are fighting sickness as they enter the week.  There is also a typhoon threatening to disrupt (cause the cancellation of) the activities.  Please pray for God to intervene so that evangelistic activities can proceed.
• The Sihhu Alliance Church will host a short-term team from Korea August 5-9.  Please pray for God to use the prayer and the activities to bring people to faith in Christ.

Lorne was able to spend time on Saturday drinking tea at Mr. Hô’s hardware store.  It was a good opportunity to meet people and to practice using Taiwanese.  Please pray that God will give more opportunities like that.

We praise the Lord for a good conference last week.  Many ideas and methodologies were presented.  We think some of them may help us as we look to the future and desire God to enable us to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him.

Two good friends who attend a church in Taichung shared with us that an Indonesian caregiver has invited Christ into her life.  She expects to face persecution and even to be a martyr when she returns home this week.  Please pray for W to grow in her faith and for her to have wisdom to know how to share her faith with those she cares about deeply.

Village Gospel Mission is planning a DVBS type of children’s outreach August 8-10.  We plan to participate and assist.  The last evening will be an evangelistic outreach to parents and families.  Please pray for God’s will to be done and for a clear sense of His leading as decisions about future ministry are made based on the response to this event.

This week is the time for some home repairs and improvements.  The plumber is coming tomorrow to repair the toilet and to replace the bathroom sink that is cracked and dangerous. An electrical cable will be run from the third to the fourth floor allowing for air conditioning to be installed in the guest room. (That way it can be used year round.)  Lorne installed a new light and fan fixture in the laundry area so that Kathy-Lu can see to do her work.  Gradually things are getting done so that we will be ready for local ministry and for hosting short-term teams.  We are thankful for the time and resources that have been given for this work.

Summer is a busy time for those working in the other church plants initiated by the Mission.  There are a variety of short-term teams visiting and parrticipating in many different kinds of ministry.  Please pray to God’s love to transcend language and cultural differences.  Some have already put their faith in Christ earlier in the summer, and we are trusting God for more.

We praise the Lord that Lorne made it back safely to Taiwan.  He is now past the worst of the jetlag and we are pressing forward.

This week we are at the annual TMF Conference.  This year the focus is on “Church Planting Movements”.  We are looking forward to what God will say to us.  It is also a good opportunity to network with workers from other mission groups.  Opportunities to pray together, to share ideas, and even to plan future cooperation are some of the things we are hoping for.

Being in the larger city has provided us the opportunity to shop in some larger stores.  We were able to get some prices for comparison for some of the house repairs and improvements that are needed in the near future.

We praise the Lord that we now have six participants for the Fall Vision Prayer Trip.  Registration has closed and we will now focus on team-building and orientation.  Please pray for God to prepare all of us for what He wants to do as we pray together, bringing the needs of our community, our work, and of specific individuals before God’s throne.  (We anticipate having another Prayer Trip in October 2013.  Maybe you want to start thinking and praying about being a part of that one.)

On Thursday evening at night market, we met a believer named Zoe.  She also lives in our town.  Please pray that God will help her to be a strong testimony to those she has contact with.