Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #47  December 12, 2016

I can think of many reasons why I would not ever want to wear the red suit pictured above, and yet I did in past years in order to tell the Christmas story.

I can also think of many reasons why I should not be an international worker in Taiwan.  Excuses include:  (I will be too noticeable.  I am so much taller than everyone.  My eyes are not almond-shaped and they are green, not black.  My white skin and brown hair always draws attention to my foreign-ness.  My brain stutters more than my mouth and I won’t say the right things.  And the list goes on…..

The Christmas story answers some of those questions, or at least puts them in perspective.  Jesus, the eternal God who had created everything, came as a baby into a poor family, became a refugee, and was frequently misunderstood.  These things did not fit into the cultural expectations of that day, and seem to fit even less when looked at with 21^st  Century eyes.  Jesus used a situation that did not meet expectations of those expecting a Saviour and used it to teach us something very special.

The story is all about Jesus, and yet He made the story include mankind.   It is all about a baby being born, but He made it become the story of peace coming to humanity.  It is about a miracle, where God reveals a plan of salvation that begins with a vulnerable baby.

Jesus was full of grace (John 1:14).  That same grace allows us to overcome the unusual, the things that do not seem to fit us, and allows God to miraculously accomplish His plan.  Let’s accept that gift of grace, and in faith step forward to do what is being requested of us by the Grace-Giver.

Thank-you for praying for the following activities that are designed to help the church members and the surrounding community celebrate Christmas:

• 12/17  Christmas Carolling on the Streets of Baozhong
• 12/18  Christmas Carolling at the Nursing Home
• 12/24  Christmas Eve Outreach Event
• 12/25  Christmas Day Worship Service

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of a worldwide family of churches.  Did you know that the C&MA in Canada is supporting more than 200 workers in about 40 different countries.  Thank-you for your part in supporting workers like us!

“Together we are looking to go deeper in Jesus and further on mission.” (Credit David Hearn)

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #46  December 5, 2016

Pastor Peter Kao, President of the Taiwan Alliance Church Union (the C&MA denomination in Taiwan) is expected to be released from hospital early this week.  Please pray for his complete recovery.

Thank-you for praying for the following activities that are designed to help the church members and the surrounding community celebrate Christmas:

• 12/10  Children decorate the Christmas Tree
• 12/17  Christmas Carolling on the Streets of Baozhong
• 12/18  Christmas Carolling at the Nursing Home
• 12/24  Christmas Eve Outreach Event
• 12/25  Christmas Day Worship Service

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of a worldwide family of churches.  Did you know that in Canada there are 436 churches with about 140 thousand church members?

As President Dave Hearn says:  “Together we are looking to go deeper in Jesus and further on mission.”

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

As we approach year end, would you consider an additional tax-deductible donation to assist in efforts to obey the Great Commission?  Some suggested opportunities associated with the Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry are:

• Support of Lorne and Kathy-Lu White (or via the Global Advance Fund)
• Hidden in Plain Sight –  to assist in the Baozhong Church plant
• L&K White Car Fund – need to raise a total of CAD$10,000 for the purchase of a used car for our Taiwan ministry use
• L&K White Outfit Fund – provides funds to repair and replace household appliances and other furnishings in our home-guesthouse.

Please give through your local Alliance church or online at:  C&MA Donations

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #45  November 28, 2016

Sometimes life feels like a waiting game:

• waiting for the bank to record the deposit in the bank account so that the bookkeeping can be done
• waiting for a supervisor to approve a project
• waiting for someone to write, or to arrive, or to phone
• waiting for our turn at the cashier, or at the gas pump
• waiting for news, for an update, for that result that will set our hearts at ease
• waiting for Christmas morning, or another special day

Waiting can create anticipation or anxiety, excitement or trepidation.

Christmas is a story about waiting.  Humanity waiting for a Saviour.  Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah.  Mary waiting for the due date.  Joseph waiting for the public shaming to end.  Angels waiting for the moment when redemption of all creation would occur.  And….children waiting to open presents.

Christmas is not only about what happened a couple thousand years ago, it is also about what is happening now and what will happen.  Does the story of Eternal God entering the world as an infant fill your life with love, joy, and peace?  Does the Christmas story inspire you with hope that the same Jesus Who came to Bethlehem will one day come again?

How do you feel about waiting?

Thank-you for praying for the following activities that are designed to help the church members and the surrounding community celebrate Christmas:

• 12/10  Children decorate the Christmas Tree
• 12/17  Christmas Carolling on the Streets of Baozhong
• 12/18  Christmas Carolling at the Nursing Home
• 12/24  Christmas Eve Outreach Event
• 12/25  Christmas Day Worship Service

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of a worldwide family of churches.  Did you know that about 5 million people attend services at Alliance Churches on any given weekend in more than 80 countries?  Together we are  on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

As we approach year end, would you consider an additional tax-deductible donation to assist in efforts to obey the Great Commission?  Some suggested opportunities associated with the Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry are:

• Support of Lorne and Kathy-Lu White (or the Global Advance Fund)
• Hidden in Plain Sight –  to assist in the Baozhong Church plant
• L&K White Car Fund – need to raise a total of CAD$10,000 for the purchase of a used car for our Taiwan ministry use
• L&K White Outfit Fund – provides funds to repair and replace household appliances and other furnishings in our home-guesthouse.

Please give through your local Alliance church or online at:  C&MA Donations

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #44  November 21, 2016

When on a hike, or a road-trip, we often like to know where the half way point is.  It helps us to know that we are making progress, and sometimes it is a reminder to stop and rest along the way.

Today marks the half way point for our scheduled year in Canada.  We can think back and remember special moments when we were with family or friends like you.  It is also the point in time when we begin to think more about things we still want to do before returning to Taiwan.

If you haven’t scheduled your visit (or visits) with us yet, it might be a good time to get it on our calendar.  Connecting with family and partners like you are one of the best parts of a home assignment year.

• The sisters of two international worker friends (from the USA) have passed away recently, going to be with their Saviour in heaven.  Please pray for comfort for them and their families.
• Like many of our friends, we are battling seasonal cold symptoms.  Please pray for health so that we can fulfill ministry commitments.

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of a worldwide family of churches.  Together we are  on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #43  November 14, 2016

In the past we have mentioned Taiwan’s low birth rate.  This week we want to draw your attention to the other end of the population spectrum.  Taiwan has an aging population.  In the next year the number of people over 65 years of age will surpass the number that are 14 and under.

This has many implications for Taiwan’s society.  More care will be needed for senior citizens, including care for those whose health is declining.  The working age population is also declining as more people reach retirement age.

This trend also has implications for the churches in Taiwan.  We must find ways to effectively share the gospel with those who have not yet heard and are now in the “Indian Summer” of their earthly life.  Because this group has followed traditional religions for most of their lives, they are comforted by the familiar.  Frequently they are viewed as less responsive to the gospel message.  It is a large unreached people group within the working class of Taiwan.

We are thankful that a short-term team from San Jose has been able to partner with Albert and Elaine this past weekend.  One of the ministries that they participated in is the outreach to those in the local nursing home.  There are opportunities for other people to join in the task of giving senior citizens the opportunity to hear about Jesus and make a personal decision of whether to accept that love.

Will you join us in praying that God will provide people who have both the time and the skills to take the gospel to Taiwan’s aging population?

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of a worldwide family of churches.  Together we are  on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

As we approach year end, would you consider an additional tax-deductible donation to assist in efforts to obey the Great Commission?  Some suggested opportunities associated with the Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry are:

• Support of Lorne and Kathy-Lu White (or the Global Advance Fund)
• Hidden in Plain Sight –  to assist in the Baozhong Church plant
• L&K White Car Fund – need to raise a total of CAD$10,000 for the purchase of a used car for our Taiwan ministry use
• L&K White Outfit Fund – provides funds to repair and replace household appliances and other furnishings in our home-guesthouse

Please give through your local Alliance church or online at:  C&MA Donations

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #42  November 7, 2016

Thank you for remembering that God is sovereign over world events.  The story of Joseph, and even the story of Christ’s crucifixion, remind us that when evil deceives people and orchestrates events that seem to be devastating, God has the authority and power to make things work to bring glory to His name.  Thank you for believing, and for praying.We also believe that God responds to those who call on His name in the day of trouble.  Sometimes world happenings influence the church’s global missions initiatives.

• Financial markets cause currencies to rise and fall, affecting the cost of doing missions.
• Natural disasters, societal unrest, and armed conflicts increase the risk but sometimes help hearts to become more open to receiving new ideas
• Refugees and their plight affects both the lives of the individuals and families fleeing for their lives, but also the lives of people in the host nations.
• International relations determine visa requirements and whether a cross-cultural worker is welcomed or not.
• Uncertainty, disillusionment, illness, poverty, and many social justice problems influence communication receptiveness and the strategies that need to be employed.

Thank you for praying for those in positions of authority as things happen in the world.  And thank you for praying for God to exert His sovereignty to use such happenings to advance the building of His kingdom in the lives of people around the globe.

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of worldwide family of churches.  Together we are  on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

As we approach year end, would you consider an additional tax-deductible donation to assist in efforts to obey the Great Commission?  Some suggested opportunities associated with the Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry are:

• Support of Lorne and Kathy-Lu White (or the Global Advance Fund)
• Hidden in Plain Sight –  to assist in the Baozhong Church plant
• L&K White Car Fund – need to raise a total of CAD$10,000 for the purchase of a used car for our Taiwan ministry use

Please give through your local Alliance church or online at:  C&MA Donations

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #41  October 31, 2016

This past Sunday the three C&MA churches being planted in Yunlin County joined together for their first “Missions Sunday.”  (photo)  Baozhong Alliance Church was included.

Our desire is to plant churches that will participate in the task of taking the gospel to individuals and groups of people who have not heard.  Achieving this will help us to reach our vision of establishing “communities of disciples, transformed by Christ, transforming working class Taiwan and the world.”

The Taiwan Alliance Churches together support international workers in the Middle East and in Southeast Asia.  They also are involved in training Chinese-speaking people in locations outside of Taiwan.  Please pray that God will bless these missions efforts and allow them to send out even more workers.

We, like you, are privileged to be a part of worldwide family of churches.  Together we are  on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

The C&MA in Canada does not require individual international workers to independently raise their own support.  Travel, living allowances, housing, children’s schooling, and basic administrative expenses are paid from the Global Advance Fund (GAF).  Thank-you for your generous giving.

A special thank-you for your participation in the Jaffrey Offering at your local Church for supporting global ministry including some new initiatives.

Additional donations can also be designated to the following special projects that provide for specific ministry needs: (1) Taiwan Hidden in Plain Sight, (2) Taiwan White Work Special, (3) Taiwan White Car Special, (4) Taiwan White Outfit.   For more information on these special projects please write.  We will be glad to give you more details.

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #39  October 17, 2016

Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #37  October 3, 2016

Typhoon Megi was a strong typhoon that did a fair amount of damage to buildings and crops.  Above are a few of the photos that people sent us.  There were widespread power outages, and some friends are still waiting to have their internet service reconnected.

We are all thankful that the new typhoon that formed is tracking further north and will not make landfall in Taiwan.  We do commiserate with the Japanese who will experience this newest one.

Everyone was thankful that the typhoons did not prevent the team from Toronto from arriving and departing Taiwan as planned.  Everyone is safe.

We have heard a few stories of how the team had opportunity to witness and to pray with people at different times as they were prayer walking throughout the week.  This included a man on the street who was lamenting that he had no peace in his life.

The first Family Relationships Discussion Seminar went well.  Please pray that people will be willing to return for the next session, and even bring friends.

We plan to be with all of our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving.  We are looking forward to having everyone in one place at the same time.  Please pray for safety in travel.  Beause of this, it is unlikely that we will be able to send an update next week.

Thank-you for being on mission with God:  Everyone, Everywhere, All the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

The C&MA in Canada uses the Global Advance Fund to support international workers like Lorne and Kathy-Lu.  Donations to support the work in other ways are needed, but those cannot be used unless the living expenses are provided by the GAF.  The reality is that we need both kinds of giving.  Thank-you for your part in sharing the Gospel to all people groups before Jesus Returns.