Colour of the Day

The map above was from Sunday, but today will be a similar coloured day.  This is the heat warning system in Taiwan.

• Red: Three consecutive days where daily maximum is 38 degrees Celsius or higher
• Orange: A one-day temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, OR three consecutive days where daily maximum is 36 degrees Celsius or higher
• Yellow: A one-day temperature of 36 degrees Celsius or higher
• White: Daily maximum less than 36 degrees Celsius.

Yun-Lin is where we live.  So we are having a yellow day.  What colour is your day?

Ghost Month

The annual Ghost Month (seventh month on the lunar calendar) began July 29 and ends August 26.  The Hungry Ghost Festival will be on August 12 (halfway through the month).

Many who follow the traditional religions will offer food, incense, and joss money sacrifices  to appease the spirits that are believed to wander during this month.  Many will limit activities so that the spirits do not cause trouble.

• Please pray that those living in the light of God’s Word will be able to testify to the hope that is in them during this month.
• Pray for wisdom as Christ-followers navigate family times, workplace events, and interactions with neighbours.  May all those conversations be full of truth and grace.

Praise and Prayer

• We are waiting to hear news about Wes and Nancy’s visa application.  Will it be successful or will more documents be requested. We are hopeful that they can arrive soon as the schoolyear for their daughter begins on August 10.
• Pastor Joshua would like to start a “homework club” at the church.  It will be a place for elementary students to come and safely do their homework until parents are off work.  Please pray that university students can be found to help the students who attend.

Prepared

Taiwan is holding air raid drills this week.  It is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) for our area.  The sirens will sound at 1:30 PM.  Traffic will be stopped and people must go indoors.  Police and military police will be dispatched to insure that people follow the rules until the siren sounds the second time at 2 PM.

Scripture tells us to be prepared:

• To work: Followers of Christ work with God to experience the fullness of salvation (Philippians 2:12-13)
• To pray: Followers of Christ pray at all times for all situations (Ephesians 6:18)
• To defend: Followers of Christ will face spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:10-13)
• To welcome: Followers of Christ are waiting for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3)
• To witness: Followers of Christ have opportunities to share with those who have not yet heard (1 Peter 3:15-16)

God does not give “air raid drills” to increase our readiness.  He tells us to be alert and watchful at all times.

Please pray for us to be ready for life and service in the above ways.

Prayer Items

• Visits to people who need encouragement and friendship are on our to-do list this week.  Please pray for us to be filled with God’s grace and love in each conversation.
• Praise the Lord that a 2-year lease has been signed enabling us to continue living in our current home.
• Shopping, repairing household items, and everyday life takes time and energy.  Pray that even in these things we will be aware of Christ’s presence and power that is with us.

Who Cares?

We arrived in Taiwan, and within two minutes a text message was sent to our phones telling us that the Taiwan Center for Epidemic Control cares about us. Of course, it was also instructions about on-arrival testing and quarantine. But the message was that it was sent because they care about us.

During each of the three days of quarantine, a text message like photo or an automated phone call was received asking us to update our health status. Once again is was sent because the CECC cares about us.

In our devotions we have been reminded of God’s care for us.  BUT He has also demonstrated it in many practical ways in our first three days:

• Coworkers purchased requested foods and placed it in our home before arrival.
• Our car was delivered to our doorway, awaiting our arrival.  We are looking forward to driving it and touring town to see what has changed after our mandatory quarantine period is over.
• The local mechanic and his wife came to take the car for servicing.  They also gifted us some delicious guava.  (It helped to improve our simple bland diet.)
• Another long-term friend arrived with leaf lettuce and a pineapple.  We waved through the window and collected it after she departed.
• Someone else delivered some special cake from their hometown.
• We attended online church yesterday.  They thanked God for our return and prayed for his guidance as plans for involvement are made.
• Email and messages are arriving from Canada with encouraging words and reminders that we are being prayed for.
• And, these are only a few of the ways that God is demonstrating His loving care.

We are abundantly blessed!

Praise and Prayer

• Our three days of quarantine are followed by four days of self-monitoring.  We are permitted to leave the house wearing masks, but are to limit our time with other people.  Praying this all goes well so that we can attend in-person church next Sunday.
• We are encouraged that some people not yet “walking in the Way” are reconnecting. We are praying for rekindling of relationships and opportunities to talk about heart matters.
• The waves of emotions related to saying good-byes and leaving are frequent for both us and family members who continue to reside in Canada.  Thank-you for praying as we navigate some intense moments.

Taiwan Bound

Travel to the beautiful island of Taiwan is scheduled for this week.

• Pray that the Covid-19 Tests scheduled for Tuesday will be negative.
• Pray for us and for our family and friends as we continue to say our good-byes.
• Pray for our colleagues and friends who are preparing for our arrival.  With their help we will have food to eat during quarantine, etc.

Praise and Prayer

• Pray for last minute details as we weigh suitcases, and triple-check our paperwork.
• Pray that our pre-departure Covid-19 Tests will be negative, permitting us to fly.
• Pray for uneventful check-in for our flight.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian missionary, Rev. George Leslie Mackay’s arrival in Tamsui, north Taiwan. He planted more than 60 Presbyterian churches in Taiwan. Some of the Christians in Taiwan can trace their spiritual heritage back to the 5th generation.

However, there is a Taiwanese saying in the church, “一代清，二代明，三代霧霧看不明，四代你請我無閒，五代神明滿厝間.” The first and second generation of converts understand the faith. The third generation experiences it as if through a fog. The fourth generation says “I’m not free” when invited to church. The fifth generation fills his house with other gods. It is a warning that each person has to come to an understanding of the gospel for him/herself.

There are people who have said, “My grandmother was a Christian. She prayed before meals, went to church on Sundays and there was a cross on her grave.” But beyond that, they have no idea what it means to be a child of God and have a relationship with him.

• Pray that Taiwanese believers would share the gospel with those around them, including nominal Christians.
• Pray those with a Christian heritage will not assume their salvation, but will explore and gain a renewed fresh understanding of the good news of salvation.  Pray they will commit themselves to following our Lord and Savior.

(This post is adapted from an OMF Taiwan FaceBook Post)

Praise and Prayer

• Pray for the gospel work in Baozhong Township.  The other evangelical church being started in town is going through pastoral transition.  
• Praise the Lord we have an agreement for someone to purchase our car.  They are willing to let us use the car until June 28.
• Pray for strength and wisdom as we prepare to move out of our suite next weekend.

Countdown To…

Thanks for praying for us as we prepare and do all of the above.

Of course, there are many smaller but still significant things inserted into that schedule.  It feels like there are thousands, but we know it can be done with God’s help and the help of friends.

Thanks for tracking with us during our one month countdown until we are on the plane heading to Taiwan.

Praise and Prayer

• Baozhong Alliance Church is ministering to “John’s”  family.  John is at the addiction recovery center.  Pray that God will help these people to understand about and desire a relationship with Christ.
• Our travel documents arrived intact last Tuesday.  Praise the Lord with us!
• Recovery from sickness is another praise item!
• Praise the Lord we were able to attend a family reunion with more than 80 people last Saturday.
• Pray for us as we pack, say good-byes, sell our car, etc.

One Third of Us

Last Saturday. June 5, was the “Day for the Unreached.”

A group of Christian leaders and Christian organizations used this three-line graphic to draw attention to the fact that:

• One third of the world’s people do not have access to Jesus
• That is about 7,000 groups of people who have not yet heard
• Many of those people are in Asia

This need, including the millions of Taiwanese who still need to hear about Jesus, is just one of the motivations for us going to Taiwan next month.

Do you care about those who have not heard?  What will you do to show that you care?

• Will you pray?
• Will you draw three lines as a visual reminder to pray?
• Will you encourage others to do get involved with you?
• Will you give?
• Will you go?

Please join us in helping people hear how to know Jesus in a personal way.

Praise and Prayer

Things don’t always happen as we expect:

• Our travel documents were delayed in Canadian Customs, and the prediction now is that they will be delivered to us today.
• Sickness has invaded our home.  Please pray for Divine healing and daily strength.
• The car dealer who was to buy back our car is not doing business.  So we must arrange a private sale.  Please pray that God will help us do that.
• Scheduling and coordinating volunteers who will help us in the next few weeks is going well, but is not yet completed.

Orientation Difficulties

While visiting Nanaimo, we went with our host to the beach to watch the sunset.  We were on what is called the east side of Vancouver Island.

• Looking straight out on the strait, we observed an otter playing and catching a fish.  It seemed to be east of us.
• Looking along the coastline, to what seemed like it should be north, we saw the setting sun.
• Our sense of direction was definitely distorted.  What seemed like east, was actually north.  What seemed like north, was actually west.

We later consulted a map to discover the reason for the confusion in our sense of direction.  Due to irregularities of the coastline, the beach we visited was aligned east-west.  The map was our outside reference, our independent authority, to discover why our sense of direction did not line up with reality.

Psalm 19 and Psalm 119 have multiple statements that talk about the advantages of using God’s Word to be the authority that corrects us when our perspective of right and wrong is misled.

Let’s pray for each other to remember to check our lives against the words of Scripture.

Praise and Prayer

• Wow! What a week!  Our resident permits are supposed to arrive by courier today.  We have conditional medical clearance, and flight arrangements for travel to Taiwan are being made.  We gave notice to our landlord that we will be moving.  Our landlord in Taiwan agreed to continue renting to us for another two years.  It really feels like progress is being made.  Thanks for praying.
• Please pray for us to have needed energy and wisdom as we prepare to pack items for storage, for travel, or to be disposed of.  June will be a busy month as we take care of many details.

Remembering

Three score and ten years ago, that’s 70 years for those who need clarification, the Alliance sent the first international workers to Taiwan.

The foundation for gospel work had been laid many years before.

• Dutch missionaries first arrived about 400 years ago and were driven out of Taiwan by the Han Chinese in 1661,
• About 200 years later, the Presbyterians sent James Laidlaw and George McKay.
• These and other Protestant missionaries who followed them contributed to the development of education and medical treatment in Taiwan. Testimony of their sacrifice and their dedication to the Lord lives on and is recorded in Taiwanese historical records.

The Alliance trailblazers were Margaret Oppelt and Pearl Fustey. Since 1952 there have been many others whose names are seldom mentioned. Like the unnamed saints in Hebrews 11:33-39 they did not receive their full reward here on earth.  Their reward is an eternal reward received from Christ Jesus Himself.

As you pray this week, please ask God to empower and encourage unnamed global workers around the world.  Give thanks for those who were the trailblazers, and pray that those who are follow them will be found faithful when they too stand before Christ.

Praise and Prayer

• Waiting:  We are waiting for news that our resident permits have been issued.  We are waiting for medical clearance.  When those waits end, we will be able to request airline tickets and set a departure date.
• Did you know that Lorne is one of many people serving on a committee in preparation for General Assembly (July 5-8).  Pray for committee members to have wisdom as they read reports, listen to presentations, and prepare for the business sessions at GA.

Struggling with Life

You may have noticed that COVID has attempted to take over life.

• For some it was the actual fighting of the disease.
• For others it was grieving significant losses.
• We all have felt the restriction of the regulations.
• And fear has invaded and made itself known in ways not experienced previously.
• In some way or other it has become a personal fight against something we do not control.

Lives attacked by COVID related experiences are more angry, more frustrated, more discouraged, or even more bewildered. Things we formerly relied on have become dubious.

• Scientists and health officials publicly disagree.
• Rule-makers cannot keep up with the changes that they themselves are legislating.
• Media is filled with conflicting instructions of what to do.
• Education and affluence no longer protect people.

There are effects felt in all areas of life–physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual.

Our Taiwanese brothers and sisters in Christ are having similar experiences.  Like us, they are being challenged whether Christ provides the resources needed to sail through these storms.

Please pray for all believers who are searching for answers and solutions to life challenges.  May we all turn in faith towards God who has said:

Praise and Prayer

• Praise the Lord with us that the Immigration Office in Taiwan accepted our application for resident permit extension. Barring further complications, our new permits should be ready in about 10 days.
• The date for our return to Taiwan (something many people are asking about) cannot be set until some final business is accomplished.  Please pray for energy and wisdom as we work on remaining tasks.