Have you been buying back to school supplies?  The kindergarten at Baojhong’s largest elementary school will begin classes on Thursday, August 30.  According to a notice we received in our mailbox, students are instructed that on that day they need to bring: dishes and chopsticks for eating lunch, items for rest/nap time, toothbrush and paste, flip flop sandals, a package of toilet tissue.  The bill for the public school registration fee will be sent home with the students.  It is TWD$9,872 (CAD$337) and that includes the September lunch fee.  It should be paid at the local Farmer’s Bank and proof of payment presented to the school.  So, parents in Taiwan are preparing for their children to attend school too!  Please pray that Jesus love will shine through to teachers, students and parents as we do volunteer work in the elementary schools.

Our son Philip is looking for different housing for his rapidly expanding family.  Please pray that he and Bethany will be able to find a suitable unit in the Abbotsford area, within their limited budget.  It would be nice to move and be settled a few months before the babies arrive.

Lorne and Kathy-Lu have planned a trip to Taipei on Monday and Tuesday (27&28) for a doctor appointment and to attend the north area C&MA pastors’ prayer meeting.  The hope is to possibly also talk to some pastors about helping in Baojhong in the future.  Please pray for God to lead us into His will.

Please pray for the Jeremy Lin youth Christian outreach via the web (internet) throughout Taiwan on September 2. Jeremy Lin is a member of the NBA Houston Rockets and has a large following in Taiwan.

Typhoon Tembin hit Taiwan this past week, causing major damage in the southern tip of the island (a favorite vacation spot).  There is concern that it may return this week and hit the same area again, causing more damage.  Please pray for those whose homes and businesses suffered from the winds and flooding.  Also pray that Christian believers travelling to the area will be able to provide practical help and share the love of Christ.

When Lorne took the car for servicing today, the shop owner’s wife mentioned that although they are Buddhists, they enjoyed attending the Christian evangelistic event just over a week ago.  This provided more opportunity to talk, including a discussion about the need for more activities for youth and children in our community.  She is very open to their children participating in events we might sponsor in the future.  Please pray that God will help us to have other significant contacts with the Su Family.

We plan to contact the local schools this week.  We are hoping for opportunities to volunteer in local schools.  This allows us to build relationships and allows us to be a contributing member in our community.  Please pray for wisdom to know which opportunities to participate in.  We need to balance competing time demands.

Ethan and Elyssa will be leaving Abbotsford on Sunday, August 26 to go to school at Ambrose University College in Calgary.  They will be visiting with extended family on the trip.  Please pray for safe travels and some good memory-building times with those they see.

On Saturday, August 25 we will be rejoicing and celebrating the two-year milestone since Kathy-Lu’s open heart surgery.  Praise the Lord for His daily mercies!

Thank-you for praying for the activities of the past week.  There were quite a few children that attended the afternoon program. The photo shows the contrast we saw on Saturday evening, with a temple on the left side of the plaza used for the VGM evangelistic outreach.  We were thankful for all who attended and heard the gospel message. This included some of our friends.  Please pray for God to keep working as there are many things that potentially hinder them from considering to believe in Christ.  Pray we will have opportunities to talk about what was shared when we are with people.

Lorne travelled to Taipei today to visit with Rev. Kao, pastor of the Songshan Alliance Church and president of the Taiwan C&MA.  It was encouraging to hear the commitment that church has to help in both the Baojhong and Sihhu church works.  Please pray that God will help us to dream His dreams of how to work together and to know how to involve other churches that might be interested.

We see the above as important, because we have heard that the only Christian church in town, the Presbyterian Church in an outlying village, officially closed last month.  This town needs an active Christian witness.  “God, please send workers and please build Your church.”

Those on FaceBook may have already noticed the exciting news that our son Philip and his wife Bethany are expecting—twins!  Please pray for them as they prepare for the births, probably early February.  There will be a number of things they will need to do over the next months in preparation, while caring for Juliet who has recently walked her first steps.  It is a busy time at their house!

Thank-you for praying for us this past week.  Although we had a “typhoon day” on Thursday when the government cancelled work and classes, we did not have flooding or problems because of the storm.  Some in other parts of Taiwan had problems and experienced losses.  Please remember them in your prayers.

We were able to make the trip to see Rev. Jordan Yang last Friday.  Because of his recent health problems, he is taking a leave of absence from his denominational responsibilities, but feels that God is calling him to continue the ministry at the church.  We prayed with him and tried to encourage him.  He was also able to give us some advice regarding with whom to talk regarding the next strategic steps in the Baojhong work.  We are thankful for this godly pastor and are trusting God with him for complete healing.

The children’s activities and evangelistic outreach sponsored by the Village Gospel Mission Dongshih Church will happen this week in Baojhong.  We have invited some families we know to participate.  Please pray that God will use this to advance His kingdom in this area.  (We hope to observe the events and maybe get some ideas that we can use at a future time.)

The typhoon last week did cause the cancellation of a few of the outreach events planned by the other area churches, but they were able to have opportunities to hold some activities.  Thank-you for praying.

We were encouraged on Sunday morning to see a number of baptisms at a nearby Baptist church.  Those being baptized included some elderly parents for whom prayers and efforts to share the gospel had occurred over many years.  We are often told that senior citizens who have relied on traditional religions for their whole life will “never” be willing to change their minds and believe in Jesus.  That baptismal service was a good reminder to keep on praying and to keep on trusting God for people to come to faith in Christ.

Please pray for all the activities that will happen at the planned Village Gospel Mission DVBS August 8-11 in Baojhong.  The plan is for:

• 2:15 – 4:15 PM:  Children’s activities
• 4:30 – 5:30 PM:  Visitation in the community
• 7 – 9 PM (Aug 11): Community Evangelistic Service

Workers are from the church in Dongshih Harbour (about one hour south).  Lorne will also have an opportunity to meet and discuss strategy with Rev. Chen during those days.

Weather and circumstances permitting, we have scheduled a Friday meeting with Rev. Jordan Yang, Vice-President of the Taiwan C&MA, to discuss the strategy for the Baojhong church work.  Rev. Yang oversees the Church Department that includes all church plants.  Please pray for good communication and for God to help us to have a clear sense of His will for partnership in the Baojhong work.

The Yunlin County church plants being led by the international workers sent by the US C&MA request that we would support them in prayer as follows:

• Tim and Penny have a short-term team here this week.  Planned events are a children’s English camp, a night market outreach, and English camp wind-up event.  They are fighting sickness as they enter the week.  There is also a typhoon threatening to disrupt (cause the cancellation of) the activities.  Please pray for God to intervene so that evangelistic activities can proceed.
• The Sihhu Alliance Church will host a short-term team from Korea August 5-9.  Please pray for God to use the prayer and the activities to bring people to faith in Christ.

Lorne was able to spend time on Saturday drinking tea at Mr. Hô’s hardware store.  It was a good opportunity to meet people and to practice using Taiwanese.  Please pray that God will give more opportunities like that.

We praise the Lord for a good conference last week.  Many ideas and methodologies were presented.  We think some of them may help us as we look to the future and desire God to enable us to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him.

Two good friends who attend a church in Taichung shared with us that an Indonesian caregiver has invited Christ into her life.  She expects to face persecution and even to be a martyr when she returns home this week.  Please pray for W to grow in her faith and for her to have wisdom to know how to share her faith with those she cares about deeply.

Village Gospel Mission is planning a DVBS type of children’s outreach August 8-10.  We plan to participate and assist.  The last evening will be an evangelistic outreach to parents and families.  Please pray for God’s will to be done and for a clear sense of His leading as decisions about future ministry are made based on the response to this event.

This week is the time for some home repairs and improvements.  The plumber is coming tomorrow to repair the toilet and to replace the bathroom sink that is cracked and dangerous. An electrical cable will be run from the third to the fourth floor allowing for air conditioning to be installed in the guest room. (That way it can be used year round.)  Lorne installed a new light and fan fixture in the laundry area so that Kathy-Lu can see to do her work.  Gradually things are getting done so that we will be ready for local ministry and for hosting short-term teams.  We are thankful for the time and resources that have been given for this work.

Summer is a busy time for those working in the other church plants initiated by the Mission.  There are a variety of short-term teams visiting and parrticipating in many different kinds of ministry.  Please pray to God’s love to transcend language and cultural differences.  Some have already put their faith in Christ earlier in the summer, and we are trusting God for more.

We praise the Lord that Lorne made it back safely to Taiwan.  He is now past the worst of the jetlag and we are pressing forward.

This week we are at the annual TMF Conference.  This year the focus is on “Church Planting Movements”.  We are looking forward to what God will say to us.  It is also a good opportunity to network with workers from other mission groups.  Opportunities to pray together, to share ideas, and even to plan future cooperation are some of the things we are hoping for.

Being in the larger city has provided us the opportunity to shop in some larger stores.  We were able to get some prices for comparison for some of the house repairs and improvements that are needed in the near future.

We praise the Lord that we now have six participants for the Fall Vision Prayer Trip.  Registration has closed and we will now focus on team-building and orientation.  Please pray for God to prepare all of us for what He wants to do as we pray together, bringing the needs of our community, our work, and of specific individuals before God’s throne.  (We anticipate having another Prayer Trip in October 2013.  Maybe you want to start thinking and praying about being a part of that one.)

On Thursday evening at night market, we met a believer named Zoe.  She also lives in our town.  Please pray that God will help her to be a strong testimony to those she has contact with.

Greetings from Winnipeg!  I (Lorne) am at the airport, waiting to begin the trip back to Taiwan.  It was a good week at General Assembly.  I was able to see and greet some of you, hearing your story and sharing some of mine.  We also saw some “God moments” when we heard what God is doing and as He directed in the decisions made.  Thank-you for praying.

The Committee on Nominations work is now completed.  Elections were held on Friday afternoon.  Rev. David Hearn was elected as the next President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.  Someone described him as the “Little President with the Big Heart.”  We know him to be a man of God who is God’s choice of leader to lead and guide our family of churches.  Please join us in praying for his family as they make adjustments over the next few months, learning what this change of role will mean to them.  We also pray God’s blessing and anointing on Dave as he steps into his new responsibilities and forms his leadership team.

Meanwhile, back in Taiwan, Kathy-Lu has had opportunity to visit some of our friends.  She also met with representatives from Village Gospel Mission.  They are planning an evangelistic event for children and families for the first week of August.  We will write more as we confirm God’s will for reaching out to our community in cooperation with them and other ministry partners.

Kathy-Lu also continued the task of cleaning some of the dirt out of the house and evicting any temporary insect residents.  Step by step our house is becoming our home again.

High-speed internet was installed at our house this past week.  We have some troubleshooting to do with our desktop computer, but we should be able to be in touch with you much more conveniently.  Thank-you to all who have prayed for us as we went through the process of getting these items arranged.

We are praying for our Seamless Link Covenant Church—Nanaimo Alliance Church—as they continue the pastoral search process.  Over this next week we are praying for wisdom and clarity of God’s will as a pastoral candidate explores potential ministry with you.  We invite our other prayer partners to also pray regarding this matter.

Praise the Lord that we received our resident certificates on Tuesday!  That allowed us to renew our driver licenses and to obtain our mobile phones again.  Phone numbers are the same as last term.  We have applied for high speed internet, but must wait our turn in the queue until they come and install the modem.

By the time you see this, Lorne will have already begun his travel to Winnipeg for General Assembly.  He is looking forward to seeing many friends.  Please pray as he adjusts again to the time change, copes with jet lag, and participates in meetings.  Kathy-Lu will remain in Baojhong for the nine days Lorne is away.

We are thankful for air conditioners.  That has made it possible to continue to work cleaning the house, rearranging some furniture, and getting things ready for another season of ministry.  It is quite a contrast from the weather in Greater Vancouver right now.  As much as we would like, we have not found a way to send some heat your way.

Lorne was able to contact the Village Gospel Mission office by phone.  Further discussions about ministry will need to wait until after Lorne returns from his trip to Canada.

Tim and Penny Iverson are hosting a short-term team in Yuanchang.  Please pray for God to work in a special way this week.  They will be leading an English Camp/VBS at a local elementary school from July 2-6.

Thank you for praying for J’s mother in law who had been hospitalized.   We do not have details yet, but Kathy-Lu saw her and was able to briefly  greet her at the betel nut stand.  Please continue to pray for this family.

We have noticed a few changes that have happened in the 11 months that we were away.  We have new neighbours.  The Roman Catholic Church building has been refurbished and is being used on special occasions.  There is a newly established Association of Volunteer Care-Givers.  Our former students have grown taller.  The elementary school where we volunteer has been able to attract many new students with the shift to using the Waldorf Teaching System.  The community library is being remodelled.  Etc.  But many things remain similar, including the pervading spiritual darkness and the bondage of the people. Please pray that God will help us be shining lights for His glory.

Mr. Liao, the principal at the Chaurtsuo Elementary School, has applied for a transfer to a school closer to where he lives.  He would like us to find a way to continue our friendship.  Although he would like us to help teach at his new posting, it is unlikely that will work as it will be too far from our community.

Our friend J, the widow who works at her mother-in-law’s betel nut stand, told us that her mother-in-law is in hospital with what sounds like a ruptured (brain) aneurism.  She is improving and is out of the intensive care ward.  Please pray for her health and for our contacts with the family.

Lorne leaves Sunday morning, July 1 to fly to Winnipeg to attend General Assembly.  Representatives from our Canadian family of C&MA churches will elect a new president and will make decisions on some important matters.  Please pray that Christ will be honoured as reports are given and business is accomplished.

Thanks for praying about the car for our children, Ethan and Elyssa.  A car was given to them, and they began using it last Thursday.  We are thankful for God’s wonderful provision that went beyond what we were imagining.  We are continuing to ask God to provide our daughter Elyssa with additional employment as she is only getting part-time hours at her current position.

We are also praying our son Philip’s hand will heal quickly after being burned on Saturday with scalding water.