Strawberry Pears

The dragon fruit, as this plant is usually called, is an exotic cactus that grows in our part of the world.  The blossoms are some of the largest in the world.  They are about the size of a dinner plate, and only bloom for one night.  Yes, I said that right, they bloom at night.  The photo is the following morning when the flower has closed so that the fruit can begin to grow. (Sorry, I was not there at the right moment.) The flower (when open) has a powerful fragrance that permeates the darkness.

Sometimes God’s creation reminds us of truths from His Word.  We are active, living for Christ in the darkness.  We are only here for a somewhat short life (when compared to eternity).  God’s will for us is to believe in Christ as our Saviour .  Through our life choices and words we are to let others know about the special life available to everyone.

Please pray for us, as we pray for you, that we will be effective in allowing the fragrance of Christ to waft to those around us.

Adjusting Expectations

After further evaluation how an English drama in the Fall might impact other school activities, the principal of Fuhsing Elementary School informed me that the school no longer wishes to attempt this.  We have been asked to continue to use a format similar to what we are currently doing.

We do not usually make a decision about Fall community service time commitments until August, but it is exciting to hear that the principal desires to see this continue.  Please pray for us to find adequate resources to keep the interest of the students.

Praise and Prayer

• Thank-you for praying for our friend Sean’s father.  He came yesterday with Sean to attend church service.  Please keep praying as we try to follow up and talk with him more.
• Charlie remains in hospital.  The doctors are treating him to insure that all the infection has been dealt with prior to his release.  Please pray that he will draw close to Christ during this time.
• Anti-virus measures are being relaxed in Taiwan.  Please pray for wisdom as people are able to be in closer proximity again.
• As usual, we are making monthly visits to our Canadian international workers colleagues.  Please pray that we will be an encouragement as we meet with each couple.

Creating the New Normal

Since April 12, Taiwan has not had locally transmitted cases of the virus.  There have been a few new cases, but all are classified as imported.  Imported cases are Taiwanese or resident permit holders who return to Taiwan from other countries where they were infected.  All arriving passengers must have a 14-day quarantine.  Those who are infected may need to do their isolation in a government-approved facility.

Because this is the situation in Taiwan, the government is adjusting the containment protocols.  There are instructions from the central (national) government and additional requirements from the local governments.  Some begin today (June 1) and others begin June 7.  Still others will be phased in gradually. (That is what the news report above is explaining.)

Although the opportunity to not wear a mask in public is exciting to think about, we still need to be sensitive to those around us who have varying levels of comfort at this time.  Not everyone feels safe.

The church hopes to begin our fellowship lunches after worship services in July.  Other activities must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Please pray for wisdom as church leaders make these decisions.

Praise and Prayer

• URGENT!  Please pray for our friend Sean’s father.  He is getting weaker.  He does not yet know Jesus as his Saviour.  Sean is going to try and arrange a visit so that we can share with his Dad about Jesus.
• Praise the Lord that Charlie’s health is much improved and he is now able to recuperate in a regular hospital ward.  Please continue to pray that this experience will help him draw closer to Christ.

The Team

It was a privilege this past week to gather with other Alliance international workers for fellowship and prayer.

Hearing testimonies of how God has provided in the past and praying for one another is an important way that we work together.  We are thankful for the team of people God has brought to Taiwan.

Please pray that we will have Holy Spirit anointing that will give us boldness to do what God desires to see done.

Please pray that spiritual strongholds will be pulled down in Jesus name and be replaced by Christ-exalting new habits.

Pray for many more Taiwanese working class people to be added to God’s Kingdom.

Praise and Prayer

• Praise the Lord that Lorne was able to preach at Amazing Grace Alliance Church (5/17).  Please pray for God’s clear leading as a pastoral candidate couple will visit that church next weekend.
• Praise the Lord for opportunities to tell Bible stories in Schools.  Because of the epidemic it is difficult (seemingly impossible) to invite the students to come to Sunday School. Please pray for a spiritual breakthrough that will permit more opportunity to disciple the students.
• International workers who plan to travel to North America in the summer are finding it difficult to make travel arrangements that are not later cancelled by the airlines.  Please pray for God to provide.

Mothers and Children

Mother’s Day this year is memorable because it stands out from the celebrations of other years.  We have all had to be more creative this year to make the mothers we know feel special.

Rather than ordering a large cake for everyone to share, each mother who attended our worship service received their own individually wrapped piece of cake. The children were pleased to present that and a small gift to the mothers who were present.  Mothers who did not attend but who are a part of our fellowship received a special delivery later in the day.

Honouring mothers is just one of the ways that we live out Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Praise and Prayer

• Praise the Lord that Lin Mama was able to return home on Saturday where she continues to recover from her surgery.
• Praise the Lord for opportunities to communicate with and try to bless some church members who have not been attending recently.  Please pray that God will grant them grace where needed in their lives.
• Praise the Lord for opportunities to affirm mothers this past weekend and pray blessings on them.  If you are one of those special people, we pray God’s favor and peace upon you.
• Praise the Lord that the meetings last Wednesday went well.  There are developing partnerships to expand Vietnamese Diaspora ministry in Taiwan.

The Place was Shaken

Lorne preached from Acts 4:23-31.  After the believer’s prayer, the place shook (earthquake-like) and the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit so that they witnessed boldly.

The worship service finished and after a few minutes break prayer meeting began.  Only a few minutes into the meeting, there was a significant earthquake.  Everyone could not help but think of the passage of Scripture that we had just been studying.

God has our attention.  Now the questions that come to mind are:

1. Are we ready for the filling of the Holy Spirit?
2. Are we ready to boldly proclaim Christ?

Praise and Prayer

• Please pray for Lin Mama who continues to recover after surgery.
• Please pray for those facing difficult economic times due to the virus epidemic.  Pray that they will put their hope in God.
• Please pray for those with whom we are meeting weekly.  Pray that God will reveal to them their need for His love.
• Lorne and Chinh will meet with church leaders in Chungli to discuss partnership in Vietnamese Diaspora Ministry.  Please pray for God’s clear leading as we plan together.

Thank-you to those who have given generously to our support.  Thank-you for your sacrificial commitment to help people hear about Jesus.  For those wishing to participate in this way, please designate your gift to : Lorne and Kathy-Lu’s Support

Affirmation

The number of students attending Sunday School is not large.  But the dedication of the teachers showed this last Saturday as they took time to attend the Sunday School workers training session.

The Fuhsing Alliance Church (in Greater Taipei) sent some of their teachers to provide a training time for teachers from our church and one other nearby Alliance church.  The workshop included the explaining of their teaching goals, how scheduling is done,  possible preparation methods, and available online resources.  Their sharing was very well received.

And, from our church’s viewpoint, the teachers seemed to be greatly encouraged.  Because of the training there may be some creative additions to what they are currently doing.  Our hope is that they are all affirmed and feel the Lord’s pleasure with the foundation they have already laid.

The biggest challenge facing our church’s Sunday School ministry is the need for more students.  With some planned transitions, and one student entering junior high school in the Fall, that will leave one elementary aged boy as a regular attender.

Would you pray with us that God will provide some more elementary age students to come and learn about being a Christ-follower?

Praise and Prayer

• Please pray for Lin Mama who is recovering from surgery.
• Please pray for those facing difficult economic times due to the virus epidemic.  Pray that they will discover new ways to put their hope in God.
• Please pray for those with whom we are meeting weekly.  Pray that God will reveal to them their need for His love.

Happy Easter!

Because we are a small group and living in Taiwan where by the grace of God prevention measures are helping to curtail the spread of the epidemic, we were still permitted to meet for Easter morning worship.

The Communion Table looked different.  That was because we had the Communion steward spray alcohol sanitizer on his hands and wear gloves before serving the believers.

Unstoppable!  That was the love of God to provide salvation.  And that is also the response of those who desire to remember the significance of the death and resurrection of our Lord.

May you find creative ways to express your celebrations this Easter as we celebrate the Risen Christ.

Prayer and Praise

• We are thankful for the opportunity to watch online at no cost some dramatized versions of our Lord’s life.  Additional times of reflection are helping us to find peace for our souls.  May you also find ways to rest in God’s peace.
• God made a way!  When the request came to help update a missions curriculum for the C&MA in Canada, it seemed that there was not time in the schedule.  But because a few things were suddenly requested to be cancelled, we had enough time.  We are thankful to other colleagues who are helping by providing advice and photos!
• Praise the Lord that Lin Mama was feeling well enough to attend church on Sunday.  Lin Papa came too!  Please continue to pray for his salvation.

The Cross Marks the Spot

In Taiwan, a red cross on the outside of a building helps people identify the location as a Protestant church.  To the average person, the church is an organization that helps people in the community.

But as Christians, the cross is much more.

• It marks the spot in history when the penalty for our sins was paid.
• It reminds us of Jesus suffering in order to being healing into our lives.
• It is a symbol of our salvation.
• It is where we died with Christ so that we can rise with Him in newness of life

This week we will have a unique Good Friday.  It is the designated day each year to remember the cross and the Christ who died on it.  Current societal happenings mean that many people will have additional time this year to reread the story and reflect on its significance in their own lives.

Even when facing social isolation, we are blessed because Our Saviour faced the greatest isolation in order to save us.

Simplifying Life

We recognize that many people are facing a reduction in income and have a reduced ability to give.  We are all making efforts to reduce expenses as much as possible.

If you are still able to give to support C&MA global efforts, we ask that you prioritize gifts toward worker support.  This can be done by designating your gift using one of the following:

• Designating to “Lorne and Kathy-Lu’s support” (You will receive a thank-you letter from us)
• Designate your gift to the Global Advance Fund from which we also receive support.

It is possible to give from your own home by using this button

DONATE

Praise and Prayer

• We had hoped to do much more, but will celebrate Easter this year with small gatherings of masked believers on Good Friday evening and Easter Sunday morning.  It is too important an event to do nothing!
• This past weekend the Taiwanese had a long weekend to permit people to remember ancestors.  By doing this they maintain and strengthen family relationships.  Unfortunately there was a segment of the population who opted to add some recreation at certain tourist destinations.  The resulting crowds mean that people are wondering if we will see an outbreak of sickness within the next couple of weeks.  Please pray for God’s mercy in limiting the spread of disease in Taiwan and other places.
• PLEASE make wise choices so that the danger of infection is limited.  And join us in praying for God’s mercy and healing.

Cheering On Our Coworkers

Yesterday, Lorne travelled to Taichung Alliance Church to hear our coworker (Rev. Chinh Truong) share his testimony.  After studying Mandarin for one and one half years, this was the first time he used his new adopted language to share in front of a group.  We celebrate his success!  We pray that God will continue to give Chinh and Lieu progress in the task of language learning.

(It may have been more difficult to share than usual as everyone around the table wore face masks.  The masks not only provide others protection from us spewing germs on those around us, they also hide some of the facial expressions that help a speaker know they are being understood.)

Please pray for Chinh and Lieu (pictured above) as they complete their final months of language learning.

Staying Safe in a COVID-19 World

We are very aware that in everything we do we are to bring glory to our Lord.  That includes the efforts we take to stay safe in a virus-filled world.  So our first line of defense is “Trust in God” demonstrated in a number of ways:

1. For overall health:  Prayer, More Prayer, Careful Listening to God, and Sharing Lessons from God’s Word with Each Other
2. For our spiritual and mental health:  Finding healthy ways to stay in touch with loved ones, friends, and other believers.  We all need encouragement during this time when we cannot meet face-to-face.
3. For our physical health:  Wash hands frequently, especially every time we go out or come in.  Avoiding public transportation and gatherings of more than 50 people.  We also avoid shaking hands and are careful to wear masks in group situations.
4. For our social health:  At this moment we are still permitted to meet for church services because infection rates are lower than other countries. But we have cancelled our lunch at church as people cannot wear masks and eat at the same time.

We firmly believe that God is still in control and has the ability to demonstrate that truth “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that (we who believe) might always fear the Lord (our) God.” (Joshua 4:24).

Praise and Prayer

• We continue to give thanks to God for His protection and for health to serve Him and the people around us.  Thank-you for remembering us in your prayers, even as we remember to pray for you.
• Taiwan has implemented restrictions on air travel from other places, a ban on foreign visitors, and compulsory quarantine for any residents of Taiwan who arrive back from outside the country.  Everyone is watching the daily statistics.  We pray that those living here will find true peace in Christ Jesus.  Please pray that we will trust God for protection, knowing that He is protecting us through measures such as these.

A Message from our Worldwide Team:

As a global team, our confidence during these unsettled times is in God, our Rock and Refuge. We are committed to mutual care and support for one another as we span the miles. Thank you for bearing witness to the hope we have in Jesus. It is our collective desire to make Him famous and may we all continue to bring access to Jesus through our loving words and actions. We deeply appreciate your ongoing prayers and financial support as together we live each day by faith.