Double Ten

October 10 is known as Double Ten Day.  It is the day that Taiwan celebrates its National Day.

News reports of recent days have mentioned growing tensions in Southeast Asia as the large country to Taiwan’s west exerts its influence.  Many nations, both those in the region and those who feel responsibility to maintain world peace, are expressing their concerns.

Taiwan is home to about 23 million people.  Historically it has been ruled by Polynesians, Europeans, the Japanese, and by the Chinese.  Although it is currently a democratic republic that is self-governed, the long-term political status of the island is disputed.  Some feel it is a province of China that needs to be reunited.  Others are pursuing a goal of greater autonomy. Between the two polar viewpoints is a large range of moderating views.

Caught in the middle are the residents of Taiwan.  Their views also span the wide spectrum mentioned.  But the most urgent concerns relate to providing for every day life.

It seems that regional tensions, that include the future of Taiwan, will not be resolved naturally.  The ambitious goals of competing powers seem destined for further conflict. Peace and security are unlikely to be found through political or military means.

This highlights the need for Taiwanese people to hear about Jesus. Christ provides citizenship in a heavenly kingdom that will be eternal.  He gives meaning to life and hope for the future, including during times of stress.

Please pray for the Taiwanese as they celebrate Double Ten Day.  Pray that God will reveal Himself to them and they will find hope and identity in Christ.

Praise and Prayer

• May God help us to have gratitude-filled hearts as we prepare for celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving.  Taiwan does not have an official Thanksgiving Day. However, having a heart full of thanks is a habit that helps to produce a healthy spiritual life.  Please pray that we will all aspire towards this goal.
• Please pray for unity and Christ-inspired fellowship as the Taiwan C&MA pastors and church leaders meet Oct. 16 for the annual denomination business meeting.  The pandemic, political views, societal problems, and personal biases all tend to divide.  We believe that the Holy Spirit wants to unite people in Christ.  Let’s pray for this to happen.

Remembering

As Kathy-Lu shared this last week at the midweek Primetimers event (Heritage Alliance Church), she talked about her grade 12 Sunday School teacher’s influence.

The teacher taught the lessons and also lived out the truths she was teaching.  It left a lasting impression.

That Godly woman is an example to us all to stay engaged in the lives of those around us, including those who are younger than us.

Will you pray that God will raise up Godly influencers to help working class Taiwanese to become disciples of Christ.

Praise and Prayer

• As the limitations of the Covid regulations are easing, Baozhong Alliance Church is planning to offer classes to the community.  Please pray as plans are made and believers commit time to these efforts.  The hope is that the transformational message of the gospel can be shared through the friendships that are developed.
• Please pray that seeds of truth planted in people’s minds (some a  long time ago) would produce the fruit of belief.  Pray that those words will be remembered, will be dreamed about, and that the memories will motivate people to seek out knowing Christ.

Traction

The time is coming to put winter tires on the car.  The purpose of changing the tires is to increase traction.

Have you ever asked God what change you need to experience in order to have better traction in your spiritual life?

The Psalmist prayed: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!  (Psalm 139:23-24)

Please pray that believers in both Taiwan and Canada will not only pray such a prayer but also have courage to allow God to change the “snow tires” in our lives.

Praise and Prayer

• Please pray for Canada as it votes in a federal election. Decisions that are made about the economy, the pandemic, and international relations all affect efforts to give people access to hear about  Jesus.
• Pray for Lin Mama’s family to receive comfort.  Pastor Joshua will officiate at her funeral on Monday, September 20.
• Praise the Lord for people showing interest to serve as international workers in Taiwan.  Please pray for discernment and for visas to be granted in the near future.
• Pray for church leaders in Taiwan and Canada as they navigate ever-changing regulations that affect ministries.  Pray for wisdom and resilience as they guide those whom they shepherd.

HMR

According to Wikipedia there are at least 28 meanings to the acronym “HMR.”  They range from Heavy Metal Rock to Hazardous Material Report (or Regulations).  There is also the less usual, such as: High Moisture Resistance.

For C&MA international workers, HMR means Home Ministries Retreat.  This year it is designed to be an online time of teaching, sharing, and workshops.  It is designed for people like us who have returned from an overseas location to connect with people and groups in Canada.  We will be attending (virtually) all week.

The theme for this year is “Resilience.”  We want to be resilient followers of Christ who serve well.  Just like the annual physical examination that people schedule to remain healthy, this will be a time to have a spiritual check-up.  One of the key areas we will focus on is “Managing Transition and Stress Well.”

Thanks for praying that this week (Aug 9-13) will be a time when God renews, refreshes, and revitalizes those who attend.

Praise and Prayer

• A recent tropical storm that tracked across Taiwan resulted in flooding from the heavy rains.  Please pray for farmers who have suffered huge agricultural losses.  Pray for those whos cities and neighbourhoods have experienced heavy damage.  (News Story)
• Thanks for praying as we work through the process of re-obtaining Canadian driver licenses.  Progress is being made.
• Taiwan celebrated Fathers’ Day on August 8.  Please pray God’s blessing on those who are following the example of our Heavenly Father as they fill this important role.

Provision

Thank-you for praying.  God has provided.
We were able to purchase a 2012 Nissan Altima for use this year.

Praise and Prayer

• Please pray for the Taiwan C&MA International Worker Team!  The mothers of two members, one from Thailand and one from the USA, passed away.  Please pray for their families to be comforted.
• Pray for us this week as we continue to navigate the process of reclaiming our Canadian driver licenses.
• Praise the Lord that soft lockdown epidemic protocols have been relaxed slightly allowing smaller churches to hold services in their buildings.
• Missions agencies, including the Alliance, are waiting for the soft lockdown protocols to be further relaxed so that workers may apply for visas.  Please pray that the measures to fight the epidemic will be successful so that this can happen.

Both – And

Because the Lord has been giving the Taiwanese success in fighting the virus, the number of daily new infections has been decreasing.  So the soft lockdown protocols are being adjusted.  This will permit indoor gatherings of up to 50 people, and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people.  That means that a small church like Baozhong Alliance Church is able to once again meet for Sunday services starting next Sunday.

However, like in North America, not everyone is ready to return to indoor in-person services.  Therefore the decision has been made to continue live broadcasts in addition to the services at the church building.  The photo is our pastor’s wife leading the worship singing this past Sunday.

There were problems with the newly-installed internet and there were sound quality difficulties yesterday.  Please pray that these can be resolved for future weeks.

Praise and Prayer

• We’re free from quarantine!  Our first days have been filled with caring for our granddaughters.  We are working on various items that could could not accomplished while in quarantine.
• We made an agreement to purchase a car, and hope to pick it up on Tuesday (tomorrow).  Thank-you for praying about this.
• Please pray for Silas Yang, the president of the C&MA in Taiwan.  His weekly duties now include contacting government offices to determine how the latest soft lockdown measures are going to be enforced.  He must advise all the churches so that our Christian testimony is protected.  In addition to his denominational leadership duties, he is the lead pastor of a church.  Pray for him to have wisdom and grace as he navigates this challenging time.

Comforted by the Familiar

As we unpack items that we had stored, and items that we brought with us from Taiwan, there is a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from having familiar belongings around us.

But our comfort is not fully satisfied by belongings.  Family and friends add but cannot provide to the extent that we desire it.

The Psalmist reminds us that God’s unfailing, limitless love is the place we are able obtain sufficient comfort.

Praise and Prayer

• We praise God for negative Covid tests and that quarantine will end this week.
• We have been looking online.  We have not yet found a vehicle that seems right for us. This week we begin to go look at vehicles that are for sale.  We need an affordable, dependable car that we can use this year.  Please pray for God to direct us to the right vehicle.
• The daily number of new Covid cases continues to decrease in Taiwan.  Vaccination numbers are slowly increasing. Pray for wisdom for church leaders as the soft lockdown protocols change to permit some meetings.
• Pray that online meetings we have scheduled for this week will lead to God-honouring decisions and the building of His kingdom.

Quarantine News

We are safely back in Canada and are following the necessary protocols as laid out by the authorities.

We are thankful for our suite.  After some days of unpacking it is beginning to feel like home.

What is not feeling like home is the restriction on hospitality.  We cannot have friends and family inside, and we cannot go out and be with them.  We are thankful for large windows that allow us to see those who are making “contactless deliveries.”  When we do not want to shout through the glass, a mobile phone link helps.

Being in a form of isolation has made me think about what it must have been like for Paul when he was imprisoned.  His accommodations would not have been as nice as ours.  Even though his movements were restricted, Paul did not lose his focus.  And we see a little of his attitude when we read Philippians or the other prison letters.  It is much easier to complain, or loudly desire something different. But this is a time planned by God for us so that He can teach us and transform us in ways that would be difficult to accomplish otherwise.

Thanks for all the love and support that people are sending our way during these days of confinement.

Praise and Prayer

• We praise God for safety and for the many ways He is caring for us during our travels and our current quarantine.
• Please pray that God will guide our steps as we search for a car to use during home assignment.
• We praise God for creative online ways the Baozhong Alliance Church is using as they minister to each other and to new contacts.
• Praise the Lord that Hector has graduated from high school.  Please pray for him as he prepares for university entrance exams scheduled for late July.
• The epidemic protocols in Taiwan have been extended until July 26.  Because the number of daily new infections has decreased, some outdoor activities are being permitted, but indoor gatherings are still restricted.  Church services will continue to be online.

Thank-you!

We are grateful for the many people who are donating towards our support costs, toward the ministry, and to specific projects.  Your involvement makes it possible for us to continue sharing Jesus with the people of Taiwan.

Global Ministries is making some major adjustments to both our compensation package and to the way in which donors can participate in supporting global ministry.

Effective July 1, our salary package has been adjusted so that we will receive additional monthly compensation.  Our contributions toward retirement are also being increased.  These changes will align our compensation with Canadian law.  We won’t bore you in this letter with other details, but just want to thank you for your generosity that is allowing this to happen.

The above graphic explains that structure for supporting global missions in our church organization is being adjusted, also effective July 1.  Things are now being combined under three categories, simplifying the donor’s need to designate funds.  Each of the three funds listed above will have an annual budget to allocate resources to the areas most needed.  The descriptions will permit you to find the aspect of the ministry that you desire to support.  This will help you to know what the new donation categories are.

As with any change, there will be a phase in period.  Likely there are additional questions that need to be answered.  Please know that we are available and willing to help you obtain answers.

But, the most important thing we want to communicate today is our appreciation for your generous and sacrificial support for us and global initiatives.  May God’s blessings be upon you!

Praise and Prayer

We are travelling and entering quarantine.  Thanks for remembering to pray for:

1. Technology to cooperate as we work with multiple agencies that monitor Covid testing and quarantine.
2. Rest and refreshment as we slow down during our quarantine.  God has a purpose for scheduling this time in our lives.
3. For wisdom for those who are shouldering additional responsibilities because we are not in Taiwan.  God’s empowerment and grace is sufficient for all circumstances.

Drip, Drip, Drip

The weather bureau has issued heavy rainfall warnings for a number of days during the past week, and the rain continues.  The map shows the current heavy rain advisory, and we are the small red dot.

This news seems positive because we were praying for rainfall to relieve the drought.  BUT, the waterproofing work that was done on our house last month is not working.  There is a leak from the second floor ceiling, and it drip, drip, drips when there is heavy rain.

We are leaving in one week, and are hoping for a reprieve in the weather so that the workman can come do the repairs.  It would be best if this is accomplished before our departure.  Otherwise we may need to inconvenience a friend to come open the house for the work to be done.

God knows what is best.  The leak is not serious, but it could make things damp enough for mildew to proliferate.  That would not be good.  Please pray with us for resolution to this difficulty.

Praise and Prayer

• We appreciate those who passed along news of the changes in quarantine regulations.  As we are not fully vaccinated before travel, we have arranged for the mandatory hotel quarantine.  Thank-you to those who give toward our support and the Global Advance Fund so that such expenses are covered.
• Taiwan has extended the current pandemic prevention measures until July 12 (after our departure).  So many of our good-byes are virtual ones–using social media.  We are thankful for good friends that we will miss while away from Taiwan.
• We are thankful to those who are helping to get our Canadian belongings into our home assignment suite!