Advent Begins

Sunday, December 1, is the start of the Christmas Advent Season. Once again, our church is using an Advent Wreath and the lighting of candles to help us build our faith as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas.

The first purple candle is a reminder that Jesus came just over 2000 years ago, and that He is coming again. The challenge is: Are we ready for His return?

On a personal level, listening to the song “It’s About the Cross” is one way we are preparing out hearts for celebrating Christmas.

Financial Support Update

The postal strike in Canada is just one of the challenges making it difficult for those wishing to give a year-end financial gift. The value of the Canadian dollar compared to other world currencies is another. Please pray that God will provide sufficient financial resources for introducing Jesus to those who have not yet heard about Him.

For those wishing to contribute, we recommend giving through your local Alliance Church or giving online. Suggestions that you may want to consider for a year-end gift include:

1. Baozhong Alliance Church Facility Project – Please pray that God will help us reach the goal of CAD$20,000 by the end of the year.
2. Global Advance Fund – Supporting international workers like us as we invite others to become Christ-following disciples.
3. The Global Emergency Response Fund – providing warmth, food, and hope to those enduring unimaginable hardship in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Thank-you for praying for God to provide funds for each need.

Praise and Prayer

Selection

We saw this fruit stand this last week. The quality is excellent. There is an abundant selection.

People can pick and choose what they wish to purchase. If they do not see the desired item here, they can look elsewhere. The consumer-shopkeeper relationship is very transactional. The buyer is looking for a shop that sells the desired fruit.

Traditional Taiwanese religious practices are sometimes viewed similarly. Incense and offerings are presented to a deity so that blessing can be obtained. If the god of one temple is unable to give the supplicant peace, fortune, promotion, health, or a suitable significant other, etc., then the petitioner may go to a different temple and make the request of another deity. There is a very practical and transactional nature to the relationship between the god and the worshipper.

Success, wealth, and power are common prayers. The hope is that the acquisition of these things will endow the petitioner with honour and freedom from fear. Escaping shame and obtaining respect are foundational aspects of the culture here. There is also a fear of calamity or adverse fortune that people face daily.

As Christ-followers share the good news about Christ Jesus, we need to share how being reconciled in a relationship with God restores the honour that sin has stolen. An intimate life lived in relationship with the Prince of Peace will free people from being controlled by fear. Both of these deep-seated needs are met by Christ.

Please pray that the sharing of these important truths, particularly during the Christmas season, will attract many more people to belief in Christ.

Praise and Prayer

Getting Old

Some of us are very aware that we are getting older. Taiwan is not the only country experiencing the greying of society.

A recent headline on an online news site reported that 18.76% of Taiwan’s population is aged 65 or above. Since 2018, the number of seniors living here has increased by more than one million. We older folks are now more than 25% of Taiwan’s population.

The birth rate has also fallen, creating pressure on Taiwan’s population numbers from both ends of the age spectrum. Projections are that the number of people living in Taiwan will decrease by about ten million people over the next 50 years.

These demographic shifts are a concern for those sharing the good news about Jesus in Taiwan. Historically, the elderly have been less interested in hearing about Jesus, and more resistant to considering a change in their belief systems. Many of the people who have contributed to make Taiwan what it is today are facing a Christ-less eternity.

In recent months, the other evangelical church in town has seen some success in reaching out to the older much respected segment of society. Their Sunday morning services now include simultaneous translation (Taiwanese and Mandarin). Our church ministry includes visitation of some who admit they are over 65.

Please pray that God will grow His kingdom among the older generation of Taiwan’s society.

Praise and Prayer

Rested and Ready

We are back from our beach vacation. We have lots of memories–quiet times of rest, watching waves, and first-time visits to some scenic areas. We enjoyed the hiking. We praise God that the typhoon blew through so quickly and that we had a safe place to shelter.

It is good to be quickly involved again in ministry.

• Discussing plans for Christmas programming.
• Preparing Sunday School lessons (Kathy-Lu) sermons (Lorne), and English-teaching lessons (both of us).
• Planning for Winter Camp and searching for additional volunteer leaders.
• Coordinating those who will lead the Pre-Global Gathering short-term mission trip to Taiwan.

We praise God for the time of restoration.
May He fill us with His power and guide us to serve Him well.

Praise and Prayer

Numerical Growth

Baozhong Alliance Church joined with two other Alliance churches being started in Yunlin County and one being started in Chiayi County for an October 27 Outdoor Service. This is an annual event and the number of participants this year was greater than in previous years.

Please praise God with us and ask God to add people to each of the four churches.

Praise and Prayer

Unexpectedly Fresh 

We travelled to Taipei a few days ago. We were surprised to see vegetables being grown underground in the subway. It is a special display of how Taiwan is using technology to overcome the weather and geographical challenges when growing vegetables. Here’s more about that “Smart Greenhouse.”

Helping people grow in their spiritual lives is an important part of discipleship. We do not use greenhouses, but we are continually looking for creative methods to help people learn.

Please pray for Pastor Joshua as he works to create a training module on Friendship Evangelism.

Praise and Prayer

Thanksgiving

On this Canadian Thanksgiving Day, we will focus on expressing thanks.

The photo is the Fangyuan Lighthouse that we saw on our day off last week. It is still a working lighthouse. It was built in 1983. It has its own power generator, making it independent to what happens around it.  The light generated can be seen 16.6 nautical miles away. The light emitted shines for five seconds and then goes dark for five seconds. It helps fishing boats safely navigate around the Wanggong Fishing Port.

Scripture tells us to “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thess 5:18).  Christ-followers are to be emitting gratefulness, just like a lighthouse emits light. It is a part of our testimony to the difference Christ makes in our lives.  We are part of God’s plan to guide people into the safe harbour of His salvation.

• We are grateful for you! Thank-you for praying faithfully for God’s work in rural Taiwan!
• We give thanks for church members who faithfully attend church services.
• We praise God for nudging some less regular attendees to come worship with us this weekend.
• We are grateful for the opportunity to share Bible stories to children.
• We give thanks for youth who attend the youth fellowship.
• We praise God that one young man is taking pre-baptism classes, exploring what it means to follow Christ. (Another young man has indicated that he will attend classes in the new year.)
• We are thankful for church members who are willing to serve as Board members, guiding the church work in Baozhong.
• We are thankful for long-term friends in the community and are asking God to lead them to faith in Christ.

These are just a few of the things for which we are grateful. (We only gave you 80 seconds worth. Many more items could have been added to the list.)

Praise and Prayer

Double

Thursday, October 10th, is Taiwan’s National Day. Because it is the tenth day of the tenth month, it is also known as Double Ten Day. The above logo is the 2024 National Day visual theme approved for this year’s celebrations. (courtesy of TVBS)

I thought it would be interesting to look at the 33 instances that the word ‘double’ occurs in the New International Version of the Bible:

• Josephs brothers took double the money when they travelled to Egypt the second time. (Gen 43)
• Those who have stolen items are required under the Law to pay back double. (Ex 22)
• The curtain in the tabernacle in certain places was a double layer. (Ex 26,28, 39)
• The firstborn son of an unloved wife was to receive a double portion of the inheritance. (Deut 21)
• A double-edged sword is mentioned. (Jud 3; Ps 149; Prov 5; Heb 4; Rev 1; Rev 2 )
• Hannah received a double portion of meat from the sacrifice. (1 Sam 1)
• Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. (2 Kg 2)
• The skin of Leviathan [possibly a crocodile or a sea dragon] is described to be a double coat of armor. (Job 41)
• Ambivalent or half-hearted people are described as being double-minded. (Ps 119; Jam 1; Jam 4)
• The punishment for sins was sometimes described as receiving double from the Lord’s hand. (Is 40; Is 51; Jer 16; Jer 17; Rev 18)
• The blessings received from the Lord at the time of restoration of Israel are described as being double portions. (Is 61)
• The fork for pulling meat from the pot is described as being double-pronged. (Ez 40)
• The Most Holy Place of Ezekiel’s temple had double doors. (Ez 41)
• Hosea described some people as being guilty of double sin. (Hos 10)
• Elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of double honor. (1 Tim 5)

As Taiwan celebrates this week, may God bless its people with supernatural peace and with a revelation of Himself.

Special Prayer Request

Please pray for healing for Rev. Silas Yang, President of the Taiwan Alliance Church Union. He is currently receiving ongoing medical treatment after emergency surgery. Pray for peace, comfort, and strength for his wife and daughters. (A family member frequently accompanies a patient to provide personal care during hospital stays in Taiwan.)

Praise and Prayer

Storm Warning

Another tropical storm is approaching our island. Typhoon Krathon predicted to affect our weather on Tuesday and Wednesday. The above graph shows the probability that we will have storm force winds.

The farmers are concerned that the storm winds and rain will damage their crops. It is common to see rice and corn fields flattened after the storm has passed. Facing such hardships is a part of life for many in our community. Please pray that we will have wisdom and the right words to empathize and comfort people as we interact with them.

The storm conditions may require us to make some adjustments in our schedule. If the conditions dictate, we will opt for “Plan B” and have our Wednesday afternoon meeting online.

Sometimes we need to be flexible. We are thankful that God extends sufficient grace to handle the unexpected. And, we know that same grace will be sufficient for you as you meet the unplanned moments in your week.

Blessings!

Praise and Prayer

Shining in the Darkness

The sign of the Baozhong Alliance Church at night shines in the darkness.

Below it is a television screen with a photo slideshow of church activities. It also shines in the darkness.

But most important is that our lives will shine in the darkness, helping people discover the blessings of having Christ in their lives.

Please pray that we will represent Christ well.

Praise and Prayer