Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 16   April 17, 2018   

We first noticed people standing by tables at the side of the road, appearing to be waiting for someone.   As we drove further, we noticed a person walking, and not far behind two more.  As we continued driving, we notice others.  Some were pulling a small cart with a box of belongings. Others were on bicycles.  Occasionally we observed someone on a motorcycle. They all carried a small flag sticking out of their backpack.  To the tip of the flag-stick were attached small rolled yellow papers.

Who are they?  What are they doing?  A quick check confirmed that it is the annual pilgrimage from DaJia to XinGang.  People will walk a minimum of 216 km (round trip) in order to show devotion and make requests of a deity that many worship.  Fishermen, farmers, and ordinary people all pray to Matsu for protection and everyday life needs.

Usually in the past we have seen photos of the crowds that accompany the carved image from the one temple to the other, with many stops along the way.  This is the first time that we have observed individuals on a personal pilgrimage.  They will accept refreshments from people along the way, and will stop at temples where that deity is worshipped for rest and group veneration.

Our hearts are saddened as we see the efforts people will make in order to find peace and security.  They do not know about Jesus.  They do not know about the God who offers grace that includes what they are seeking.

Please pray for the continued proclamation of the gospel throughout the countryside in towns such as Baozhong.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 14   April 2, 2018   

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 12   March 19, 2018   

Would you please pray for us as we have a number of important meetings this week.

Each Spring, the C&MA pastors in Taiwan are required to attend Strategy Meetings and In-service Training.  It is a time for discussion about important issues facing the church in Taiwan.  It is also a time of fellowship.

This year there will be a number of topics discussed, topics that relate to how individual churches relate to each other and the denomination.  For some this may be an uncomfortable discussion, as their viewpoints are not the predominant ones, nor do they align with those of leadership.  For others it will be an opportunity to ask questions and put forward edifying ideas. Please pray that the discussions will lead to a greater sense of unity and a greater sense of being on mission with Christ.

There will also be presentations on church planting.  The desire is to explain and cast a vision for cooperative efforts in starting new churches.  This is both exciting and also rather daunting.  To do things cooperatively will take work and compromise and even sacrifice.  But as we dream of the result and the glory Christ will receive, we believe it will be worthwhile.  Please pray for Taiwan C&MA leaders, Penny Iverson (US Team Leader) and Lorne (Canadian Team Leader) as they all have a role in the presentations.

May Christ be honored and may many more people have access to the good news about Jesus.

• Please pray that the meetings this week will bring people together and create greater partnership for sharing the gospel.
• Please pray that Lorne will experience God’s special help as he prepares to preach next Sunday.  The meetings mean that the time available for study is much less.
• Please pray that the joint Good Friday Service will promote greater reflection and greater gratitude for Christ’s redeeming work.
• Please pray for the Easter morning outreach.  Church members will be distributing colourful eggs in the market and talking to people about Christ’s resurrection.  Please pray for good weather and a good response.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 11   March 12, 2018   

Today at the Church Planting Committee Meeting, we discussed the need for more pastors.  Currently there are a few Alliance churches without a pastor, and two churches where the assistant pastor is acting as interim pastor.  We have a leadership need.  And yet we were together discussing starting new churches that will also need pastors.

The Taiwan Alliance Theological College is currently recruiting students to begin studies in the Fall.  At this moment there are not many people showing interest.  If there are no students, where will the workers come from?

At the meeting, one pastor shared that he was reading in Joshua 10 about the bold prayer that Joshua prayed.  Joshua had just finished repenting because he and the other leaders had made a rash decision without properly consulting God.  The result of not relying on God was they they were deceived by the ruse of the Gibeonites.  Now, shortly after that, Joshua is in a battle.  He looks at the situation and makes a strange, bold plea.  He requests God to make time stand still.  He asks for both the sun and moon to stop.  And God answered that prayer by doing what was asked.

The pastor shared that he felt a challenge in his heart to pray the type of prayer that he does not usually pray.  He sensed that God wanted him to ask for a specific number of students for the Bible School.  He decided to ask for three new students.  He asked his church to join him in praying for that.  After he convinced them that he was not joking, they agreed to pray with him.

What about you?  When is the last time you prayed a bold prayer, asking for something so that God will get the glory in the provision of what was asked?  Will you join in praying for more students, and for more workers for church ministries?  If you need a Scriptural reason, look at Matthew 9:38.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 10   March 5, 2018   

Sometimes change happens quickly.  At other times it happens more slowly.

For instance, it seems like summer suddenly arrived.  In just a few days we have gone from temperatures of 15-20ºC to a high of 29 ºC today.  We have gone from shivering to sweating very quickly.

In spiritual lives we sometimes see something similar.  Some people respond quickly when they hear the message.  Others have interest that quickly wanes.  Still others believe in Jesus and there is an almost instantaneous change in the way they live their lives.

For others, change comes more slowly.  A church member shared how God over time has changed the way he spends his money.  Another person is still struggling to get victory over some habits in his life.

Sometimes there is an obvious reason for change happening slowly.  Family opposition to the gospel slows down change.  Other times the reason is hidden.

Please pray that God will help those not yet ready to commit their lives to Christ because they are struggling to overcome doubts.

Pray for those that want their spouse or someone else to make the decision with them.

Pray for those struggling with confusion.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit will help them understand.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 9   February 26, 2018   

One of our goals is to tell Bible stories and let people learn about God from the stories.

One of the places we do this in in the elementary schools.  At Baozhong Primary School we will tell the story of God winning the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.  The story will be told in a different classroom each week.

The list of stories we will tell at Fuhsing Elementary School is below.

We are looking for people who will pray with us each week asking God to use the truth in that particular story to bring students and teachers to faith in Christ.    If you are willing to do that, please write and let us know.  We will be happy to send you the schedule.

Praying Together

• Please pray for the son of a church member (Mrs. Lin) as he recovers from a motorcycle accident.  His family is hoping that he will choose to get treatment for his alcohol addiction.
• Please pray for English teaching and Bible Storytelling in the elementary schools. 
• Please pray for Lorne to find a convenient time to meet with Mr. Soo.  He has many questions about what it means to be a Christian but is very busy with his work.
• Please pray as research is done on a potential location for starting a new church.  Pray for the presentation that will be made to potential church partners near the end of March.  Pray for God’s leading regarding the location and the timing of the start of this new work.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 8   February 19, 2018   

Everyone is on vacation–or almost everyone.

• The Lunar New Year is the one time of year when most people take a break from their work and spend time with family.
• Traditionally, Chinese New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are spent with the husband’s side of the family.
• The second day of the new year is spent with the wife’s side of the family.
• The third and fourth days are times when people visit with friends and go out to play.
• Gifts are exchanged and red envelopes containing money are given to the children and the elderly.
• Feasting and spending time together are the priorities for most people.  Those who follow the traditional religions will likely go to at least one temple to pray for health, wealth, harmony, and success in studies.
• Fire crackers can be set off at any hour of the day on any day to celebrate, as well as to ward off evil and bring luck.  It is for the latter reason that many will set off long strings of the noise-makers prior to reopening their businesses after the vacation.

Christian believers also participate in the activities of the season.  The traditional blessings are sometimes replaced by spiritual ones, like the ones written in the photo above.  Faith in Christ means that they do not live in fear, but rather have lives filled with joy, grace, and Christ’s strength.  They must find ways to preserve loving relationships with family members, and at the same time live out their faith.

Thank-you for remembering your Christian brothers and sisters during this time.  They need courage and wisdom as to live lives of integrity that witness about their relationship with Christ.  We need wisdom to know how to encourage and counsel people.

Mondays with the Whites 
Volume 7   February 12, 2018   

Our plans to be “off-line” for a week of vacation were interrupted by the news of a strong 6.0 earthquake on the east side of Taiwan near Hualien.  This pales in comparison to those whose lives were devastatingly interrupted by their whole world shaking at 11:50 PM on Tuesday, February 6.  Of course, our promise to set electronic communications aside was temporarily abandoned to deal with this emergency news.

The area where we live (on the west side of Taiwan) felt the earthquake at an intensity of 4.0.  It appears from the text messages that people knew it was a strong dangerous tremblor as it happened.  Immediately there were prayers for mercy,and grace.  Friends inquired about each other’s safety.  We have not heard of injuries nor damage in the area where we live.

Rescue efforts in Hualien were headline news as people were being rescued from toppled buildings in Hualien (close to the epicenter on the east coast).  Thousands of aftershocks, some as strong as 4.5 – 5.0 kept the situation on people’s minds.  Our hearts are sad as we think of the 17 people who died, 280 who were injured, and the 751 who are living in temporary shelters.  This was not how they planned to spend their Lunar New Year Vacation.

And yet, as we think of the raw power that is experienced in an earthquake, we are also thankful for the reports that Alliance church members are safe and the Hualien Alliance Church building is OK.  Further safety inspections of all buildings will be done in the area nearer the epicenter.  We will let you know if there is a need for donations toward earthquake relief.

Please pray for those traumatized by the experience.  Pray for Christ-followers who are providing care and counselling to people.  Pray that God will give us empathetic hearts as we return home and hear people’s stories.