Managing Finances

We take seriously the task of responsibly allocating the funds that are entrusted to us. This requires us to make faith-sized goals and accurate estimates of the costs that will be incurred.

Yes, it is the annual budget time. Until now we have been focussed on setting realistic goals that require an element of faith if they are to be accomplished. After weeks of dreaming, discussing, and adjusting, we are now ready to create an estimate of what it will cost to accomplish those endeavours.

Thank-you for praying for us this week as we create and submit our part of the budget request. The deadline is Friday, August 23.

Praise and Prayer

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

An Important Day

Yesterday, August 4, 2024, was an important day.

For our church, it was the celebration of Taiwanese Father’s Day. This was the Sunday prior to August 8, which is the day that Taiwanese people celebrate their fathers. The reason for using that date, 8/8, is that the repeated “number eight”  is a homonym for Papa.  It is the most logical day to choose to celebrate those important people.

For those in the broader community, it was the first day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. That month is colloquially called “Ghost Month.” A large number of the local people believe that is the time each year when the door between the world of the living and the spirit world opens for one month (30 days). Unlocking the door allows spirits of the deceased to roam freely, searching for sustenance and entertainment. People become fearful that the actions of the ghosts will impact their lives in good or bad ways. To protect themselves, believers in the traditional religions will offer food, incense, and other offerings to appease the hungry ghosts.

We believe that Christ is our Protector. He is also the Provider of Peace.

Isaiah 41:10 records God’s words:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Please pray for Christian believers to have opportunities to testify to Christ’s peace during this time of the year.

Praise and Prayer

Storms and Losses

The largest storm to hit Taiwan in eight years arrived this past week. The super typhoon Gaemi tracked across the island with strong winds and large rainfalls. Work and classes for white collar workers were cancelled for two days, with an additional day in some areas of central and southern Taiwan.

Flooding, fallen trees, and other damage was left in the wake. Agriculture crop losses are estimated to be about USD$33.5 million. Fruit, whether it had ripened or not, was blown from trees. Our mayor observed that far fields became an ocean. Probably other crops that were growing have drowned in the excess water. There is an additional estimated USD$18 million loss for livestock, fisheries damage, and farming infrastructure damage.

The government is offering financial assistance to homeowners who had flooding of 50 cm (20 in). More assistance is expected for those who must rebuild.

We thank those who prayed for us and our adopted land after seeing news reports or posts on Facebook. We had prepared prior to the storm and God kept us safe. We did not experience flooding. Lorne did need to go out on a balcony of our house to remove a leaf that had blown in and was blocking a drain. But that was minor compared to what many people faced.

Please pray that Christian believers who talk with others about the storm will have opportunity to testify to God’s peace and protection during the storm.

Praise and Prayer

Praying

It has been some time since we have specifically asked you to pray that God’s Spirit will work bringing Taiwanese people to faith in Christ. We feel it is time to remind you that this is the greatest need where we live.

• There is a major temple in our town and many smaller temples. It is evidence of the strong hold that traditional religions have over local residents. Please pray that people will hear about Jesus and be attracted to believe in Him. May they be delivered from fear and experience freedom in Christ.
• Family leaders frequently fear that no one will care for their spirit after their death if people become Christ-followers. Family pressure is one reason why people are reluctant to make the decision to believe in Christ. Please pray that those who are struggling with this will be willing to trust the Creator God to care for their spirits.
• Taiwanese culture discourages (perhaps even prohibits) children from making religious decisions. This means that many people think that individuals cannot make a decision to follow Christ until they become an adult. Please pray that children will believe and that those sharing the Gospel will have courage to trust that children can make this kind of decision.
• Taiwanese religions have become so integrated into the local culture that some people think that Christianity is a belief system for foreigners. This misunderstanding makes them think that true Taiwanese cannot believe in Christ. Please pray that this lie will lose its power to deceive people. Pray for those who do believe to be bold in their Christian witness.

Praise and Prayer

Holistic Growth Camp

Praise the Lord for a successful camp sponsored by the Alliance denomination in Taiwan.

• There were actually three camps held simultaneously–Adult, Youth, and Children.
• The invited speaker to the adult camp spoke on the them of “unity.”
  • Unity is in Christ Jesus: that means in Christ, by Christ, and through Christ.
  • Looking for Unity: Moving from preconceived Ideas to accepting each other.
  • Solving Difficulties: Identify them; Take responsibility; Create trust-building solutions.
  • Practical Steps: Believe that Christ knows what to do; Follow His leading; Do what we are able.

It was an encouraging time of teaching and fellowship.
Thank-you for praying.

Camp

Praise the Lord for a good week of camp!

• The weather was good–maybe a little bit too hot, but it did not rain during camp.
• The teachers all worked well as a team, helping each other and helping the students learn about God.
• The sixth graders who had just graduated elementary school forgot that the junior high school (middle school) would require them to attend orientation classes. So, although they had preregistered for camp, they were unable to attend. This meant that we had less students than expected.
• Those who attended had lots of enjoyment.
• The students loved the music, and participated well in the singing and doing the actions. Songs included: (1) “Lift My Eyes to the Hills“; (2) “Light of the World“; (3) “The Grape Vine Branches“.
• There were 22 visitors (students and their family members) who attended the Friday evening meal at the church after the conclusion of the camp.

Thank-you for praying!

Praise and Prayer

God Loves Baozhong!

The map graphic above says in Chinese: “God Loves Baozhong Township!”

We are thankful to George McFall (a TEAM international worker who promotes prayer for our area of Taiwan) for his work in creating this.

A few of the evidences of God’s love that we are seeing:

• Short-term workers are coming to Baozhong to help our church hold a DVBS-style day camp for elementary students (July 1-5).
• The preparation for camp English-teaching that we are responsible to oversee and participate is done. We think we are ready.
• Each month, two Christ-followers come from Taichung to Baozhong to help with visitation and stay overnight to worship with us on Sunday morning.
• The visitation team was able to visit a home and pray with an elderly member of the family.
• Our church is able to use donated food to bless some needy families in our community.
• The mother of the church member mentioned in last week’s letter had a successful procedure at the hospital and was able to return home on Wednesday. We  continue to pray for her salvation.
• Our church’s women’s fellowship enjoyed a trip to a DIY tie-dyeing tourism shop. The group included someone who is still becoming acquainted with the church and what we believe.

Join us in praising God for his work in Baozhong, and ask Him to do more!

Praise and Prayer

Field Forum Report

Field Forum created many memories:

• The church did have air conditioning–so Lorne learned that he had believed someone’s joke prior to attending the Field Forum.
• The speaker, James Chung, shared about “The Gospel Changes Everything.”
• The Taitung Alliance Church joined us for supper and worship on Wednesday evening. (photo) Young people from the church led the worship.
• Our international worker team is multi-ethnic. People shared about their families of origin and how the gospel has transformed their personal cultural views to become Christ-centered.
• We enjoyed the foods, the sights, and the experiences we had in Taitung.
• A few international workers who attended are recovering from the Covid virus that also attended. So far, Kathy-Lu and Lorne are symptom-free and hoping to stay that way.
• One couple travelled by train. They returned home safely. A later train was trapped in a tunnel by a rock slide. We praise God for protecting our coworkers. We have also pray for those who faced the trauma of being trapped in the tunnel.

Thank-you for praying for us all!

Praise and Prayer

Graduation

It was a privilege to attend the graduation of Taiwan Alliance Theological College and see Jennifer Hu graduate with her Master of Biblical Studies degree.

Jennifer is the daughter of the first pastor we worked with after language study, about 32 years ago. Jennifer trained as a nurse after high school. It is only in the last few years that she has sensed a call to be a pastor.  She will begin as an assistant pastor to her father, in the church where she grew up.

What a privilege to witness the work God is doing in the lives of some people whom we have known for a very long time.

Please pray for Jennifer and other seminary graduates who will begin serving in different roles within God’s kingdom.

Praise and Prayer