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

BBQ Report

The Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as ‘Moon Festival’) is on September 17 this year. Because it is mid-week and people will only get a single day holiday from work, Our church chose to hold a BBQ on Saturday, Sept 14.

The event was a great success! Many students and some families came. A prominent member of our community came and brought his whole family. This is someone we have known for our whole time of living in Baozhong.

You prayed. We invited. People came.

And, the prominent member of the community returned and attended church service the following day.

God did more than we asked for, more than we imagined. Please pray that we will continue to see answers to prayer and evidence of God at work.

Praise and Prayer

BBQ Time!

The Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as ‘Moon Festival’) is on September 17 this year. Because it is mid-week and people will only get a single day holiday from work, churches such as ours are having the BBQ on the previous weekend.

Members of our church, along with us, have been inviting friends to join us for the late afternoon and evening BBQ on Saturday, September 14. Please pray that extended family members and friends will be willing to accept the invitation and to attend.

Other prayer requests for the event include:

• Please pray for suitable weather.
• The church building will be used as the location, with electric grills inside and charcoal grills outside. Please pray for everyone to be safe.
• Much of the preparation is being done by Pastor Joshua. Please pray for stamina as he has many other ministry responsibilities this week.

Thanks for supporting this community event in prayer.

Praise and Prayer

Buildings

Construction is happening not far from our house. A local resident is erecting a workshop or a factory. Seeing this reminds us of a desire that we have for the church that has been started in Baozhong.

Our church facility is located just up the street from the construction. We have a dream to help the church transition from renting the current building to purchasing a suitable facility for long-term ministry. Similar to our present location, it will need to provide for serving the needs of both the community and the church family. Potential locations have not yet been identified as raising the funds needs to be done first.

It is estimated that a minimum of CAD$350K-400K will be needed to purchase a suitable facility. The responsibility to raise the funds and pay for the building rests with the local church leadership and those attending services. Even with the Taiwan Alliance denomination helping to arrange the financing for such a purchase, it is a major step of faith. Many attendees are from lower income families.

After consulting with The Alliance in Canada Global Missions leaders, we have set a faith goal. We are asking God to provide CAD$100,000 over five years to help the church make a substantial down-payment. A Project Fund has been registered and is ready to receive donations:  Baozhong Alliance Church Facility Project.

We are asking God to supply  CAD$23,000 to be donated towards this project before the end of the calendar year. After administrative costs are assessed, we will reach the faith giving goal of $20,000 for this year.

In accordance with Canadian laws, the funds will be held by the Canadian denomination until the church is ready to make a down-payment on a building purchase.

The Baozhong congregation and some outside donors have already contributed the equivalent of CAD$62,000 towards the building program. We would love to encourage them by informing them of additional funds being donated from the Canadian Alliance constituency.

Would you please pray for God to provide the necessary resources for the building down-payment and purchase?

Donations can be given through the Alliance Canada website and through Canadian Alliance churches.

Praise and Prayer

You Are Invited!

We want to take the opportunity to invite you to join us and other international workers at the Global Gathering. The details can be found at https://thealliancecanada.ca/global-gathering/  We would love to have you attend with us!

As a bonus, there will be an opportunity to visit Taiwan for a five-day trip prior to that event.It would be a privilege to host a group of visitors who would like to be introduced to the work that the Canadian International Worker Team is doing in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Trip will include a visit to our site and much, much more. We want to share what God is doing and some of the ways that we are asking God to build His kingdom in Taiwan. If you have been wondering what it is like for us to live overseas in a different culture, this is your opportunity to come and find out.

The number of people our Taiwan Team can host for that trip is limited, so be sure and register early.

If you are interested in attending the Gathering or the trip to Taiwan, please register your interest on the response form on the above website. More information will be sent to you. If you wish, you can also write and let us know. We would like that!

Praise and Prayer

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