Time Zones

A group call this past week made us think of time zones and their influence on our lives.

Due to miscalculation, we have received calls or made calls at times that were less than convenient. The use of daylight saving time, or not, further complicates matters. But, advances in technology have made connections across multiple time zones much easier and more economical.

As international workers, we have had to ponder the fact that God exists outside of time but works so that we see evidence of Him acting within our own time zone. Sometimes because of time differences, an event will occur on a different day than in your time zone. We are thankful that God can sort it all out the tie differences, permitting your participation in prayer. Even if a prayer is offered a few minutes after the event, the intent is in God’s wisdom fused together to bring glory to His name.

Thank-you for taking time to pray! We have a God who invites us to pray and answers those prayers.

Praise and Prayer

Turning the Page

We changed the page on the calendar yesterday.
The action marks  the passage of time.
The action brings with it expectations:

• Taiwanese people expect hot weather after the Dragonboat festival (May 31). So in many people’s thinking it is the start of summer. (We expect to use the air conditioners more.)
• The school year was completed for our missionary children, so they have started their summer holidays. (They expect to read books, play games and go on vacations.)
• We will finish this school year’s teaching English and telling Bible stories at FuHsing Elementary School on June 12. Only two classes remaining! (We expect that the time used in preparation and teaching classes will be used in other ways.)
• Graduation ceremonies are scheduled. (We expect to attend the Taiwan Alliance Theological College Graduation on June 15 and the FuHsing Elementary School Graduation on June 17.)

The rhythm of life shifts during the month of June. Some activities will stop and others will begin. It is a time to experience changes.

Here are some truths that will be helpful as we face those transitions:

• Times change, but  our God does not. He is always present.
• Circumstances change, but God’s love, grace, and mercy do not. They are always sufficient.
• Political powers rise and fall, but we have a hope that is an anchor during perilous times.
• Wars and conflicts escalate, but our God is a fortress Who protects us.
• Emotions ebb and flow, but our faith in Christ remains steadfast.

Do you have any to add to our list? Feel free to share them with us.

Praise and Prayer

Partners

The Apostle Paul frequently refers to his partners in the gospel. They were people who worked with him in the work of sharing the gospel. They were his coworkers.

Let us introduce two of our coworkers:

We have known Rev. Felix Wang since 2002. He was the “new pastor” at Tienmou Alliance when we attended there. Now his responsibilities include being the President of the Taiwan Alliance Theological College. He spoke on May 25 at Baozhong Alliance Church on Theological Education Sunday.

Beside him, is Rev. Joshua Lee. He graduated from the Taiwan Alliance Theological College. He is the lead pastor at the Baozhong Alliance Church.

Frequently when we are with valued coworkers, we forget to take a photo to memorialize the moment. The focus of our time together is on sharing God stories, mutual encouragement, and the work of the gospel in Taiwan.

Please pray for our Taiwanese coworkers. A denominational leader shared that many of the Alliance pastors are facing challenges. Those include health issues, financial restrictions, and a slow response to their efforts to share the gospel. Please pray for God to encourage them to be persistent in doing the work, to have creativity and courage to try new ideas, and that God would establish the work of their hands.

Praise and Prayer

School Selection

Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18,  Taiwanese junior high school students wrote this year’s senior high school entrance exam.

Although the law says that students study through 12th grade, they must spend months preparing to write this important placement exam. The results will be posted in a couple of weeks. The ranking on this exam will be used to determine which senior high school options are available. The most prestigious schools take only the highest ranked students.

We were praying for Josh as he wrote the exam. He hopes to score high enough to be able to study at one of the top high schools in Taichung City.

Because of the pressure on students to achieve high scores on such exams, they find it difficult to attend youth group meetings and church services.

Please pray that God will help our pastor’s wife, Ilaine, as she intentionally contacts students and seeks to disciple them into a personal faith in Christ.

Praise and Prayer

Mother’s Day

We wish all the Moms a very Blessed Mother’s Day!

We are thankful to report that people from the community as well as church members joined us for activities on Mother’s Day weekend.

A highlight was the Sunday School students singing that when Jesus is with us we do not need to be afraid.

We were blessed to participate.

Building Toward the Future

We continue to pray and ask God to build His kingdom in Baozhong Township and in individual’s lives. Please join us in continuing to pray about the following:

1. Baptisms: Join Lorne in praying that God will lead people to a deeper commitment to Him. We are praying for four more baptisms at our church prior to the end of the year.
2. Building Fund: We are thankful for those who are donating to the Baozhong Alliance Church Facility Fund. We want to help the church pay the down payment on their own facility. Our goal is by June 30, 2029 to raise $115,000 to help the Baozhong Alliance Church. Please join us in praying for God to provide.

Praise and Prayer

Happy Mother’s Day

We wish all the Moms a very Blessed Mother’s Day! (We are glad to begin celebrating early and express our appreciation to them.)

This year, in Baozhong, the church will offer an aromatherapy workshop on the Saturday prior to Mother’s Day. The presenter was with us last year and was well received.  She will also share in the morning worship service on Mother’s Day.

Please pray that those who attend will have open hearts to receive the spiritual sharing that accompanies the event.

Praise and Prayer

Busy?

There are many things that occupy people’s time and thoughts. Having a To-Do-List or at least a good calendar app might help.

We are all also busy with multiple appointments on the same day, taxes, an election, reacting to news from the other White House, stretching money to cover expenses, etc.  In addition to all that, unexpected things happen–like someone else having a crisis that creates more demands on us.

Yes, that can describe all of our lives at times. And, those kinds of things made for a very full schedule last week. We were glad to drop into bed some nights.

But in the midst of the scramble to accomplish things, we saw evidence that God is working:

• opportunity to serve someone in the community that include a worthwhile conversation.
• opportunity to share the gospel with three people.
• opportunity to express care by making a jar of applesauce for someone.
• opportunity to sit and talk with neighbours and discover ways we can encourage them.
• opportunity to pray for a number of people and the situations they are facing.

May God help us to prioritize the things He chooses.
May God help us to seize the moment to encourage or teach someone a Bible truth.
May God help us to rely on Him and not only our own strength.

Praise and Prayer

HAPPY EASTER!

Our Easter Sunday morning began with distributing about 260 decorated eggs in the community. Because it was 28^o C at 9 AM, the short walk along the main street in town was not difficult. We praise God for the good weather for the event. Along with a brightly colored hard-boiled egg was a small paper with an explanation of Easter.

Many people were surprised to discover that it was Easter Sunday. As we explained that we were inviting them to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, many were glad to receive the gift of a decorated egg.

Please pray that God will use the roadside interactions to permit more conversations about spiritual matters.

While participating in the event, it was discovered that one of the local shopkeepers that we know has recently had surgery. Please pray for God to lead as we use friendship to follow-up with a care visit.

Praise and Prayer

Garlic

At the moment, mesh bags of garlic drying in the sun outside of doorways is a common sight. (We confess that the amount that is drying in front of our house is much less than what is pictured.)

Garlic is a common ingredient in the local cuisine. Our area is known for producing a significant amount of the garlic used in Taiwan. After harvesting, the heads of garlic are dried in the sun. This intensifies the flavor making it better for cooking.

When visiting someone, it is polite to take a small gift. Frequently we use fruit, produce, or something hand-made. However, at the moment everyone has an abundance of garlic, so that is not a recommended gift.

Praise and Prayer

A Tree

While walking in the Kenting National Park we saw many beautiful trees, including the one picture above. Each was unique and fit into its environment. Some had aerial root systems. Others had broad canopies.

Other than people, trees are the most mentioned living organism in the Bible. Scripture frequently uses trees to illustrate believers’ relationship with Christ.

• The leaf of an olive tree was a symbol of hope for Noah. (Gen 8:11)
• A flourishing tree is used to describe the person who is living according to God’s plan. (Ps 1:1-3)
• Those living in Zion, even though experiencing tough times, are called “Trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, that He might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)
• Under the broom tree was a place of protection, a place of repentance, a place of renewed commitment. (1 Kg 19:1-9)
• Jesus found Nathanael under a fig tree and called him to become a disciple. (Jn 1:48-50)

Would you take one of the above examples, or another that you find in Scripture, and pray that Christ-followers in Taiwan would meet God in a similar way to the Bible person?

Feel free to write us and share other Bible examples where trees are used to describe relationship with God.

Praise and Prayer