New twist on "body life"

What comes to mind when you think about how the body of Christ functions as a body and works together to meet the needs of the congregation and community? My guess is that your picture doesn't include a man pulling out his haircutting equipment and offering free haircuts or a woman trained in massage therapy giving help to ease the pain in members' necks and shoulders. Our little congregation in Hsinchu has both and we feel blessed because of the service of these brothers and sisters. They are a real live emulation of "foot washing" in modern context. I am humbled by their service.

The calming effect of beauty in creation

When I arrive at my office here on the campus of the China Lutheran Seminary in the morning and see this little patch of beautiful, wild looking purple flowers, I feel happy and peaceful. These flowers are such an amazing picture of God's creative power and loving provision. Lord, thank you for surrounding me with reminders I can see. You know what I need!

Recent Snapshots of my life

Being a part of TEAM Taiwan is really to be a part of a family.  The first Saturday in September we had a cookout to celebrate the official arrival of our newest coworkers, Jeremy and Ruth Hsu, and to show appreciation to Bill Franklin for his service to our Ministry Area by holding the role of Ministry Area Leader for the last 16 years.  Hiroshi and Kumi Ebina did the work of preparing all of the food for the picnic and we had a great time eating Japanese style BBQ, done on an American grill!  We are blessed to have 50 % of our family from North America and 50% from Asia.  

Welcome and Appreciation BBQ for TEAM Taiwan Missionaries

 Before our fall classes got going we held promotional events for the 40 Minute Bible Study Series in 2 cities.  We are praying that each one who attended will have been encouraged and empowered to step out and lead a group of people in studying the Bible.  We are also praying that for those who do, it will be the first step into a lifestyle of disciple-making.

Students practice leading small group Bible Study using Precept 40 Minute Studies

Long Time No See

I won't bore you with all the chat about getting busy and not blogging....I am back and really do want to do my best to keep up with you all.....this is to be a forum for sharing what is going on with me.  Everyday stuff, ministry stuff, spiritual stuff.......

So, here goes.......

First to catch you up on everything between my last post and now.....

Maybe a simple outline of events would be the easiest.

1. Beginning of summer 2010, I became the Interim Ministry Area Leader for TEAM Taiwan.  Filling in for Bill Franklin who went to the US for a 6 month Home Assignment. 
2. December 2010, Bill Franklin and I were called to Wheaton for some mission business.
3.  January-May 2011 Working through the mission business and preparing for Home Assignment
4. May-Aug 2011 in the US on Home Assignment
5. Aug. 11, 2011 arrive home in Taiwan.

There were lots of things that happened during that time.  One important (but not so pretty) thing was me getting physically, emotionally and spiritually rundown.  That took place in the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.  Maybe that is more of the real reason for no blogging.  I learned a couple really important lessons, which I am sure I will continue to need to learn again and again.  1.  I can't but God can -- and He never expected that I could.  and 2.  If I will choose to put my trust in Him and not expect that I can do any of the things He asks me to, on my own strength, I will be able to go through it without getting depleted.  My first several weeks in the US gave me (by design) time to spend alone with God and get renewed.  But during that time the Lord also spoke to me about living a lifestyle that is healthier all around, and will be likelier to protect me from getting rundown or burnt out.

So, now I am back in Taiwan and into my new routine....I am dividing my time between directing Precept and leading the Taiwan ministry area for TEAM.    There is lots to learn and I am daily amazed at God's faithfulness to be here with me, to be my strength, my companion, my teacher.....He's awesome!

Taiwan Prayer

Join me in praying this prayer for Taiwan!

Youth Group at Christmas

Its hard to believe that the kids who started out in this group (standing) as 6th graders are getting ready to graduate from High School! Praise God that they are all believers and living lives that identify with Christ. Pray that they will seek to grow and make Christ the central focus of their lives.

Leader Training

The day we have been anticipating since we stopped doing leader training 4-5 years ago finally arrived. Since the best leaders are developed out of the best students, it was proving fruitless to train people who had never been students of Precept Bible studies. About 5 years ago we decided to focus our energy on developing a pool of students who loved using this method and materials and were now desiring training so that they could lead others.



On November 14, 12 students completed the Precept Leader Training in Hsinchu. Several of them will participate in the practice leading class early next year and then they will be set free to begin to lead their own groups in their churches.

We thank God for His faithfulness!

Some Images From Morakot

Is there any question of God's mighty power?

A BBC report on the rescue efforts in southern Taiwan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8200839.stm

Taiwan under water

I am sure that most everyone has been watching the news and has seen many photos of the destruction as well as the rescues taking place in southern Taiwan following Typhoon Morakot this past weekend.

I came across this photo that I felt carried a very poignant message. I post it below for your consideration.

Some really good things to think about

Today on a friend's (Elsie Quick) blog I read what she called Life Affirmations. These are the things that I need to speak into my life everyday. They are truth that I need to live by. Let me share them:


I am loved by God always. I am loved without condition.

My life is of great beauty and infinite value.

God has a plan for my life that is meaningful, purposeful, and joyful.

There is a work for me to do today that will bless others and give me deep satisfaction.

God is always with me. I need never face my problems alone.

Together with God, any difficulty can be worked out and overcome.

All I can say is, AMEN

God is always with me

Adjusting back to life in Taiwan was harder than I expected, after 4 months in the US. I think the main reason is that as I get older, adapting to change is just more of a challenge. I am very glad to be home now, and also very thankful for the time that I had with many special family members and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed time with my home church as well as the Adirondack Bible Chapel. In both places I had more time to start to get to know people and that makes it very precious.

Dai's brother Jing Wei's baptism was held off until I could get back, for which I was really thankful. What a blessing to be able to see first hand his public profession of faith in Christ as he shared so clearly with us all, the blessings from God that money can't buy!

Back in Taiwan!

I have been home now for almost 2 weeks and I have to say, it is good to be home...in spite of the heat and humidity. I am thankful for the time I had with family and friends (both old and new) from March to July, and feel renewed and ready to fully engage in whatever God has prepared for me here.

This week I have the opportunity to introduce Inductive Bible study to a church. I will have one session with the whole church on Sunday, then 4 more sessions in the evenings this week for whomever comes. I am asking God to set their hearts on fire with a desire for Himself and for them to see that studying His word will enable them to know Him more intimately.

Next week the four Exodus classes begin in Taipei, Hsinchu and Taichung. There are 30 people signed up to study this time. Please pray with me for some people from these groups to be raised up as future leaders of Bible studies. I know there are people with the gifts to do it...it is just a matter of calling and commitment.

Please pray for the staff and the direction of Precept Taiwan, as well. There are some changes in the wind and all of us need to know confidently that we are in the place of God's purpose for us individually and as an organization. I, as the leader, really need His wisdom and courage to lead each step.

Yikes! How can it be the middle of 2009 already!

Actually, I do know how 6 months could pass by and hardly be noticed....at least from the perspective of blogging. January and February were devoted to preparations for TEAM's Annual Conference and my upcoming Home Assignment. On March 10 I departed Taiwan for 4 months in the US.

This time away has been a very rich time for me. I am so thankful for the many connections with long-time friends and supporters as well as many new ones. A holiday trip to N. Ireland gave me wonderful rest and spiritual uplift as well as just the pure joy of being in a lovely place with some of my favorite people.

The missions conference at my home church (Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church) was a wonderful experience for me. I got to interact with old and new friends and also to experience first-hand the transition to a new pastor along with the merger of his former church members into our congregation. It is proving to be a historic event (process) and one that is extremely encouraging to watch, as the Spirit of God blends two congregations into one....the truth of "one Spirit, one Body, one Lord" is illustrated beautifully. I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Having all of my siblings gather with my mom to celebrate her life of 90 years and counting was so much fun! I can't even begin to say how blessed I am to have such a family!

God has given me precious time with all of my siblings and I am very thankful for that. Everytime I leave them, I am aware that we don't know when and where we will next meet. As I said to Mom....I hate goodbyes and am just looking forward to the eternal "hello" of heaven.

May 23-June 3 I was in the Adirondacks, getting to know the wonderful folks at Adirondack Bible Chapel. That church is such an example to me of body life and just being in their midst was an amazing encouragement to my spirit.

Now, as I write, I am in Dallas, TX visiting a longtime friend/supporter as well as connecting with a family, newly appointed to serve as missionaries in TEAM Taiwan and also a sister who may join us in ministry in Taiwan in the future.

This time in the US can be described as one "God orchestrated event after another".

An Answer to Many Years of Prayer

We were so thrilled to hear that Wang Mama (Ashley's mom) had trusted Christ as her Saviour on Thursday afternoon when Barbara was visiting her. Pastor Peter Hwang came over to the hospital Friday night to baptize her and to anoint her with oil and pray for her.

After she was baptized, everyone there spoke a personal word of blessing to her, beginning with her son Ashley (charter member of the Hsinchu TEAM church). It is hard to express the joy of seeing a soul you have prayed for over so many years, finally come to salvation!

Dai is offering words of blessing and joy....and telling Wang Mama how blessed she is to be united with her whole family in a common faith. We are all looking forward to being together forever!

The whole family gathers around Wang Mama, and Lyou Mama, and Pastor Hwang...rejoicing that Wang Mama has put her faith in Christ and is baptized into the body of Christ. No need to fear...!

A Sad and Joyful Celebration

Jodee had a nice talk with Uncle Gerry (Dad's younger brother). Uncle Gerry's son was kind enough to fly Uncle Gerry and Aunt Louise down from Raleigh in his plane. So we got to see cousins Doug and Barbara, as well.
Sisters Sue and Sharon enjoyed visiting and catching up an the latest on both sets of grandchildren. They each have three! Sharon has two grandsons and one granddaughter and Sue has two granddaughters (twins) and one grandson.
I think brother Jim was talking to Uncle Eldon about clarinet reeds. That is one thing they have had in common for many years....playing the clarinet! By the way, I think Uncle Eldon is about 94 years old. His hearing doesn't allow him to play the clarinet anymore, but he did for many, many years.
I enjoyed catching up with niece Heather.(Sharon's daughter) We have a special bond because of the year she and Sharon lived with us while Phil was stationed in Thailand during the Viet Nam conflict. She is now mommy to three delightful children.
Mom and Aunt Wilma had a nice visit. Aunt Wilma is Dad's younger sister. We were very thankful that she and her husband Eldon were able to join us for Dad's funeral. Wilma and Eldon were both in Mom and Dad's wedding party 68 years ago!

Our New Office Location

The office of Precept Taiwan is the first section of the 2nd floor. The director's office is the half toward the back.

Stepping into Glory!

Today is a day with many mixed up emotions....grief is one, but at the same time there is joy, thanksgiving, relief, excitement, and even anticipation. My father turned 92 on Saturday. I don't know if he was aware of it or not, because his body has been slowly shutting down over the last week or so.

At 1:50 a.m. this morning (EDST), Dad breathed his last breath in the body that had held him captive for the last few years. That statement makes me sad, because I miss him and it is hard to say goodbye. But, realizing that he is released to enjoy Jesus' presence and we will see him again there when we leave this world....glory!

The thing that I kept hearing about Dad in the last little while was how peaceful he was. That was a specific answer to prayer. Especially in the last hours as it became more difficult for him to breathe....he still remained calm and quiet. He didn't seem to have any pain.

There are so many things that I am thankful for right now....can I share a few?

* I am thankful for my Dad's life and the example he gave all of us of what it means to live your life for God. He was faithful to God, to Mom and to all of us--a truly godly man.
* I am thankful for God's provision for my parents to live in a place that has offered them the care they have needed at different stages--particularly the good care that Dad had in the health center for the last three years.
* I am thankful for the hospice group that provided extra care for Mom and Dad over the last 6 months
* I am thankful for my siblings who have selflessly gone to be with Mom an Dad at various times to give added support--it was so comforting to know that even though I couldn't go, Mom and Dad were not left alone. (and we know that even when WE couldn't be there, God NEVER left them alone)

The memorial service has not been scheduled yet, as Monday morning has barely started in the US ....but I already have reservations to arrive on Friday evening and hopefully all my other siblings will be able to gather by then as well. Thanks for your prayers for our family at this time. We really appreciate you.

A Moving Experience

The China Lutheran Seminary here in Hsinchu just completed a new building last year and after remodeling their old dormitory, they invited several Christian organizations to move their offices into the newly envisioned "Christian Park". By locating our offices all in the same place we have the possibility of sharing many resources as well as networking. We are delighted with the move.


As the date for the movers to arrive drew near, we put everything we could into boxes.


Its amazing how much can be accumulated over 10 years in one location!


I now have a bright (I didn't even turn on the lights all day today!) and spacious office all to myself!


Joy and Dai share this space. I will post a photo later after everything finds a home!

Our Trip to Manila!

Joy, Dai Eve and I set out from home on a 4-day adventure to Manila. We had several purposes for the trip: renew Eve's visa for Taiwan, visit our colleagues in Manila, take a few days out for fun, and for me, to reconnect with a good friend from college.


Precept Manila is overseen by Ann Dy and Natalie Tan. Ann (seated with me) treated us all to a wonderful Filipino dinner in the restaurant at her bank (where she is a director). Natalie (2nd from r. in front) served as our airport transportation, tour guide, hostess and all around wonderful companion for our first day and a half.


We enjoyed seeing the suite of office, classrooms and storage that serve Precept Manila. This suite is located in one of the bank buildings. What a wonderful provision from God!


Scott and Cindy (my college friend) run a medical clinic which focuses on training people to do jungle medicine. They have a combination of local people and missionaries coming to them for 4 months at a time. They also offer a free clinic three times every week.


I thought Taiwan traffic was chaotic until I visited Manila!