Today as I am writing the update there is the noise of firecrackers and the smell of smoke all around us.  Today is when the largest temple in our area celebrates the “birthday” of the 12 gods that are worshipped.  People have come from all over Taiwan to attend the processions and eat some of the specialty rice that hundreds of residents have helped to cook.  This event has been happening for over 100 years.  The eating together is viewed as a “peace meal.”

It is hard to watch the elderly people parading by recognizing that they have done this their whole lives.  They have known nothing else.  They have not accepted the good news of the gospel. It was also hard to see some of our elementary students happily enjoying the festivities.  Our prayer is that the Bible stories and sharing we are doing with them will give them an opportunity to believe in Jesus.

It is a spiritual battle.  No one can come to belief unless God draws them in.  No one can be saved unless they allow God to do a miracle in their hearts.  Please pray that many more will respond to the gospel message in the coming year.

Earthquake Update

Flags are flying at half-mast today as government offices open for the first day of work after the Lunar New Year Vacation.  The country is mourning the 116 people who died in the February 6 earthquake.  Governments have shifted their focus to helping those who have financial hardship because of the quake, repairing damage to water mains, and dealing with buildings that are not safe.  Please pray for wisdom as officials seek to determine blame for some building collapses, and seek to improve building construction standards.

The C&MA does not have churches in Tainan City, the area most affected.  We are hearing that there are churches responding and trying to provide ongoing help to those whose lives have been impacted by the trauma and loss caused by the earthquake.  Please pray that they will find wise ways to help.

Back to School

The students returned to classes today (Feb. 15).  Lorne and Kathy-Lu will begin teaching English and telling Bible stories on Thursday this week.  Please pray that we will be able to use the limited number of opportunities available to us this semester to help the children learn more about Jesus.  This Spring, all of the Bible stories we will tell will be from the gospels.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Living in Asia we have the privilege of wishing you New Year’s Blessings twice!  The new year is the the Year of the Monkey (in the 12 year cycle commonly used in Chinese cultures).  Idioms associated with monkeys include:
1.山中無老虎，猴子稱大王 (When there is no tiger in the mountains, the monkey is called the King)
2.猩猩相惜(識英雄重英雄）(Orangutans cherish each other, like one hero respects another)

Monkeys are also known for living in groups.  We are trusting God in this coming year to increase the sense of “belonging-ness” in our church and increase the size of that community.  May that also be true of the Body of Believers of which you are a member.

Prayer Needed!  Major Earthquake

A strong 6.4 earthquake occurred Saturday, February 6 at 3:57 AM, followed by many strong aftershocks.  The epicentre was about 150 km south of where we live.  Major damage including collapsed buildings is in an area about 100 km south of us.  We were awakened by the sounds and the rocking of our bed when it happened.  We are safe and unharmed. Buildings and roads in our area are not affected.  Some items shifted on shelves and fell over.  As we have watched the damage reports from other areas we are aware that small breakage is nothing in comparison to what others have experienced.

As we write this update, more than 300 people have been rescued in the continuous efforts to save people trapped in damaged buildings in Tainan City.  That area reports that more than 500 have been injured, 36 are dead, and more than 100 are still missing.  Please pray for Taiwan and the response to this natural disaster.

We do not have C&MA churches in Tainan City.  Reports so far are that friends and families that we have connection to are all shaken but safe.  This morning we heard that they do not need more clothes, water, and other relief supplies.  People wanting to help are being encouraged to give money.  We have already heard that the Canadian and USA C&MA relief agencies are prepared to partner with churches or groups who will be providing ongoing help to those affected.

As this has happened at the start of the Lunar New Year vacation, people are processing this aspect of life even while they celebrate with their families.  There may be some extra tight hugs this year.  The strength of these tremors has brought to memory people’s experiences in the 1999 major earthquake.  Please pray for us and other Christian believers to have wise words of comfort during this unsettling time.

A Successful Strategic Planning Retreat

Thank-you for praying as we spent two days praying, listening to God, and discussing strategic plans for the Baozhong work.  We came away with a sense that there had been good communication and with a greater sense of unity regarding the major strategies that God is leading us to use.  In faith we say that we will not only be able to report what we plan to do but also the resulting fruit that God gives as we partner in His efforts to love the Taiwanese people.