Category Archives: What’s Happening?

2016 #37

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Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #37  September 26, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry 

In Taiwan

The Taiwanese are preparing for the third typhoon in two weeks.  This one will likely batter the whole island including many areas that were hard hit by the previous storms.  The most severe storm conditions from Typhoon Megi are expected on Tuesday.  Most of the local governments have cancelled work and classes on Tuesday to help keep people safe.  Please pray for safety during the storm.

Freedom May Not Mean Free

The Taiwanese have religious freedom enshrined in the constitution.  As a result, many different religions and sects have a following in Taiwan.  But this does not mean they have unlimited freedom to choose their belief system.  Being a society that emphasizes relationship and preserving honour, individuals experience pressure from family, neighbours, and friends to continue their community’s  traditional religious practices.

Fear of dishonouring their family or community makes many reluctant to investigate the claims of Christianity.  Others who may want to believe in Jesus sometimes experience threats or expressions of offense from those for whom they care deeply.  Changing belief systems, even when their hearts believe it is the right way, can be extremely difficult.

Please pray for Taiwanese people to find true freedom in Christ.  Pray that believers through their transformed lives will bring about change in their communities.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

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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 appreciated, but cannot be used unless the living expenses are provided by the GAF.  Thank-you for your part in sharing the Gospel to all people groups before Jesus Returns.

2016 #36

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Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #36  September 19, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry 
We are enjoying being able to visit churches and visit with friends.  We praise God for the many people that are praying for and supporting the Taiwan work.  Being able to see our granddaughters enjoying life is also a special blessing.  (Juliet started kindergarten last week and seems to be enjoying it.)

Meanwhile in Taiwan

There were TWO typhoons that arrived in Taiwan in the past week.  The big one we reported on last week went across the south creating lots of damage and agricultural losses.  Later in the week, another smaller one skirted up the northeast coast causing airport disruptions and landslides in mountainous areas.  Please pray for the clean up and recovery efforts.

Because Baozhong is located in west-central Taiwan, it was spared the brunt of the storms.  It still caused some rain and windy weather though.

The Short-term Team is Helping
A team from Toronto, sponsored by the Simpson Alliance Church arrived safely in Baozhong.  In addition to praying, they are involved in outreach events:

  • Tuesday – Flower Arranging
  • Friday – Senior’s Home
  • Saturday – Children’s Club and Healthy Relationships Seminar

Please pray for good relationship building, good communication, and good attendance for these events.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

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International workers like us are able to travel to and work in places around the world because of God’s enabling and your giving to the Global Advance Fund.  Thank-you for your part in sharing the Gospel to all people groups before Jesus Returns.

2016 #35

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Vol #35  September 12, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry 
We are thankful for those who hear our sharing and respond by praying.  We were very encouraged by the prayers of the Mountainview Prayer Group last week.  It was also good to visit and see friends at North Richmond Alliance Church yesterday.

Meanwhile in Taiwan

Thursday (Sept. 15) is Mid-Autumn Festival.  This is the second most important time of the year (behind Chinese New Year) for families to gather together.  Barbecuing, looking at the full moon, and setting off fireworks are common activities for this holiday.  However, this year the Taiwanese have an unwelcome guest–a strong typhoon named Meranti.  It appears that travel and celebrations will be affected, and possibly the events mentioned below:

1) Short-term Team Visit

A team from Toronto Simpson Alliance Church is arriving in Baozhong.  Their focus will be to pray onsite for the church, its ministry, and the community.  They will also assist the church members with a Mid-Autumn Festival Community Outreach Event.  Please pray for their safety in the typhoon conditions, and for God to provide opportunities for the ministry that is on the Father’s heart.

2) Saturday, Children and Family Ministry Kick-Off

A Mid-Autumn Festival Event has been planned for Saturday, September 17 for the Fall start of the Saturday Children’s Club.  The church’s club ministry is being expanded to include a “Family Relationships Seminar” for parents and other adults in the community that will run concurrently with the Children’s Club time.  Albert and Elaine ask that we will pray for a spiritual breakthrough so that children can consistently attend.  They also desire to see adults willing to commit to attending the adult event. This effort and request for prayer are part the the strong sense our ministry team has to see people going deeper in their relationships with Christ.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #34

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Vol #34  September 6, 2016
Taiwan - Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry

Lytton BC

Today’s photo is from Lytton BC.  It is known as Canada’s hot spot because it frequently has the hottest weather in all of Canada.  Not yesterday though.  A chill was in the air with the suggestion that an early winter is coming.

The photo shows the other reason that Lytton is famous.  It is where the Thompson River joins the Fraser River.  The Thompson River is clear flowing water.  The Fraser is muddy.  After they combine it continues as the muddy flow of the Fraser River toward the Vancouver area where it flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Sometimes we attempt similar things in life.  Maybe that is why Jesus talked about the impossibility of putting new wine in old wine flasks.  The Bible also mentions that “bad company corrupts good character.”  Complaining cannot coexist with a grateful heart.  As Jesus also said, “No one can serve two masters.”  We cannot combine polar opposites and expect a good outcome.

Please pray for the people of Taiwan.  They live in a culture where the majority religion worships a great number of deities.  Some people are willing to add Jesus to the list, as that is acceptable in their religious culture.  Some find it difficult to accept the Bible statements that they can only worship the one God, the Creator-Saviour and no one else.

Please pray that the Taiwanese will hear and recognize the truth of the gospel.  Pray that they will be willing to put off the old, adopt the new, and have a transformed life.

Thanks for Praying!

Kathy-Lu’s back is much improved.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #33

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Vol #33  August 29, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry

Celebrating Six Years!

This past Thursday we celebrated the sixth anniversary of Kathy-Lu’s heart surgery.  We have so much for which to give thanks.  We invite you to rejoice with us.

Prayer needed!

Please pray for the continued healing and strengthening of Kathy-Lu’s back as she is experiencing spasms and pain.  We are thankful for the relief that physiotherapy is providing, but complete healing comes from God.  Please join us in praying about this.

Meanwhile in Taiwan….

The Taiwanese are approaching the end of Ghost Month.  It is the seventh month on the lunar calendar.  Many people live in superstitious fear of unseen spirits that are supposedly permitted to roam during that time.

Churches will sometimes sing the song “Peaceful July” sung in Taiwanese (MP4) or English (PPT) to remind people that God is our Refuge and Strength.     Please pray that people will know Jesus and be filled with the true peace that He brings.

A Task Finished

The budget request for 2017 has been submitted to leadership.  Please pray for them as they match resources with the projected needs.  This task is further complicated by lower than budgeted giving to the Global Advance Fund (GAF) through the summer months. GAF pays for international worker living allowances, housing, travel and children’s schooling.  Please pray for faith-filled wisdom as they set income goals and spending limits for next year.

Special Fund Giving Report

So far we have received $2,371 of our goal of the $10,000 needed to purchase a ministry-use car when we return to Taiwan in May 2017.  Please pray for God’s provision for this additional need.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #32

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Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #32  August 22, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry

Home Ministries Seminar

Thank-you for praying for all of those who attended the HMS with us this past week. If you are curious about what HMS is, please use this link to find out more.

  • We met with others ministering in British Columbia and together set goals to try and be in contact with each Alliance church and each pastor in the province this year.  It is an ambitious goal, so please pray that God will help us as a group to be able to serve Him in this way.
  • We were challenged from God’s Word as it was explained by David Hearn and Ian Trigg.  There were numerous other times when Scripture shaped our thinking and discussions as well.  Please pray that God will continue to work in us so that we grow in our ability to live and minister as God desires.
  • We came home with a long “To-Do List” that will shape our planning, scheduling, and actions through May 2017.  Please pray that we will hear God’s directives and sense God’s leading on how to do the things on our list and other things, so that He gets the glory and honour.

Meanwhile in Taiwan….

School has already begun for the children of international workers.  Please pray that the children would make healthy friendships.  Pray that they will not just learn the curriculum facts, but also how to more fully live for God in all they do and say.

Albert and Elaine’s two daughters are being home schooled because that is the best schooling option in our rural location.  Please pray for Albert and Elaine to be Holy Spirit-filled as they balance teaching their children with the ministry in the church and community.

Budget Planning

This week Lorne will finalize the budget request for the 2017 Taiwan church-planting team.  The budget will provide resources and set limits on what can be done next year.  Please pray for Lorne to have wisdom, faith-filled anticipation, and the ability to remember all the various elements that need to be included.  Pray that others who provide information will have faith-filled wise answers.

Speaking of Finances

While on the topic of money, we want to remind you that our basic support comes from two sources:  1) Donations designated for our support, and 2) the Global Advance Fund.  This support provides for international workers to work globally.  We appreciate your financial support in addition to your weekly praying for us.

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

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #31

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Vol #31  August 8, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry

Home Ministries Seminar

Next week we will be attending to Home Ministries Seminar.  It will provide the opportunity to:

  • Meet with national and district leaders
  • Meet other international workers on home assignment at this time
  • Have times of worship and times of recreation
  • Have a guided time of reflection on Psalms 62, 73, 100, and 139
  • Hear news about what is happening in the C&MA in Canada
  • Hear about initiatives and emphases that are happening in the Canadian C&MA
  • Receive ministry assignments
  • Receive information that will be helpful as we represent Global Ministries to church groups

Please join us in praying for our week together, asking for an outpouring of the Spirit of God to refresh and renew us.

10:02 Answer

Praise the Lord for answering Luke 10:2 prayers by sending Eric and Mary Francisco from the USA to serve with the C&MA team of international workers in Taiwan.  Please pray for God’s blessing as they settle in to their new life, including Taiwanese language study.  And please continue to pray 10:02 prayers!

Progress

Praise the Lord for a good start in the process of determining budget needs for 2017.  Please continue to pray for wisdom as we prayerfully project what exchange rates will be and what financial resources will be needed.

Thank-you for being on mission with God, everywhere, all the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #30

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Vol #30  August 1, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry

Slowing Down is not Evil

This summer our time includes lots of moments to reconnect with family (like the one pictured above) and with friends.  In some ways this feels strange.  But in another way it is good.  Today this was affirmed when I saw a recommended post by Rob Parkman.  It is a time to build capacity in our lives. Thank-you for those who are a part of our lives in this important time.  We look forward to many more visits and God’s work of building capacity in our lives.

Thinking Ahead

August has arrived, and that means that international workers are being requested to think about next year.  Some of you may think that this is rather early to do so, but this is the month when we anticipate what the Global Advance Fund financial needs will be in 2017.  Please pray that we will remember to estimate all the practical needs based on recent expenses, resource any planned ministries, and be receptive to including an element of faith through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Lorne collects the information for our Taiwan church planting team and will submit the information at the end of the month to regional leaders for their prayerful consideration and final approvals.

Please join us in praying that this would not just be a business-like process for the C&MA in Canada, but rather a unprecedented spiritual adventure of trusting God and following where He is leading.  Where He leads, He will provide the resources.

Thank-you for being on mission with God, everywhere, all the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #29

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Going Back to Where We Started

Thanks for praying as we returned to Mountainview Alliance Church.  They commissioned us to go to Taiwan 26 years ago.  We had a good time of worshipping and sharing with them.  We are blessed by God to have so many people participating in our lives through prayer, financial support, and active encouragement.

Anticipated Needs

In addition to reporting about what God is doing in Taiwan, one of the goals of our home assignment year is to share with people the financial needs.  We find this more difficult to talk about, and do not want to make money the largest issue.  But the truth is that we need some additional financial support.

Will you please pray with us that these needs which are over and above the basic support costs will be provided.

  • Taiwan – White Work Special:  Funds are needed to pay travel costs for leadership meetings in Thailand.  We are also seeking to provide a bursary for a needy Bible School student in his final year of study.  These are in addition to the ongoing costs of purchasing/maintaining computers or the purchasing of additional evangelism resources.
  • Taiwan – White Car Fund:  Living in rural Taiwan, we do not have access to dependable public transportation.  The car we have used for the past ten years was sold and we are looking to purchase a used car after our return to Baozhong in May 2017.  The amount needed is CAD$10,000.  Donations to date are covering only a small portion of what is needed.
  • Taiwan – White Outfit Fund:  This will be used for house repairs and the replacement of worn out furnishings and appliances.

Tax-deductible giving can be done through your local C&MA church or online (designating your gift from the drop-down options).

Thank-you for being on mission with God, everywhere, all the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu

2016 #28

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Mondays with the Whites 
Vol #28  July 18, 2016

Taiwan – Hidden in Plain Sight Ministry 

How do others see you?

While on an outing with our granddaughters this last week, we stopped at a park with the above sculpture.  When they were asked what it was, the response was: “It’s G’ampa!”  For that reason I just had to have my photo taken with it.

Apart from the chuckle, it does make one think.  How do others see me? How does God see me?  How do I see myself?  Which things should be chiseled off by the work of the Holy Spirit so that I become more like Jesus?

We are thankful for the opportunity to receive spiritual teaching from our Canadian pastors, and the encouragement of other people who, like us, are on the discipleship journey of becoming more like Jesus.

TMF

Please pray for Taiwan cross-cultural workers to be spiritually uplifted at the Taiwan Missionary Fellowship Conference this week (July 18-22).  This is an opportunity for people from different sending agencies to gather, be encouraged, and exchange ideas.

Special Request

Please pray for our coworkers, Thu and Hanh Nguyen, who work in Taiwan reaching out to Vietnamese wives and Vietnamese workers.  Thu’s mother passed away and they are returning to Canada on compassionate leave to be with family.  Please pray for heaven-sent comfort at this time.

Thank-you for being on mission with God, everywhere, all the time.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu