2024 $29 August 12

Masterpieces

Last Tuesday, on our day off, we visited a museum. The special exhibit was selected masterpieces from the British National Gallery in London, England.

There were large numbers of people wishing to view the paintings. Getting to approach them and read the explanation given for each one was initially a challenge. Some of the visitors were not accustomed to lining up, as that courtesy was not a part of Taiwanese culture until more recently.

Each piece in the collection was a completed masterpiece that was valued for specific reasons. Sometimes it was due to the fame of the artist. In other cases it was the composition of the painting or the artist’s use of colour or technique. Each was special in its own unique way.

Ephesians 2:10 describes God as creating a masterpiece in each of our lives. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” The fact that I am writing this, and you are reading it, indicates that God has not completed the creative work He is doing.

God is using the times that we meet with friends, plan for Fall ministry, or teach a class, to mould us so that we become the people He wants us to be. Please be patient. God is not finished yet!

P.S. Some of you may have heard the news that Doris Brougham passed away and is now in the presence of her Lord. God’s creative work was completed in her life. If you wish to be inspired, or you wish to have a reason to praise God today, we recommend this Christianity Today article. (Google her name and “ORTV” to find additional tributes.)

Praise and Prayer

  • We will begin another year of English teaching and Bible storytelling at FuHsing Elementary School in early September. The exact details are still being arranged, but the work of preparing teaching materials needs to begin now. Thanks for praying for God’s guidance as we select new and previously used teaching aids.
  • We have completed and submitted the first draft of our ministry goals for the next two years. Our Canadian Global Mission Team will meet on August 19 to review each other’s submissions and hear how we are trusting God to help us accomplish those things.
  • August is also budget request month. We must submit a plan along with a request to designate financial resources for the 2025 budget year. The process is somewhat straight forward, but can be time consuming. Please pray for us and the other international workers around the world as we complete this important task.