How big is God?

How big is God?  Now that’s a question that I can’t really answer, but I do know that He’s really really big and much greater than anything that I can imagine.  Last night, we had dinner in southern Taiwan with some friends, and their stories are just incredible.  In fact, the host at the restaurant, the mother of the owner, is a new Christian.  And I promise you that her life journey is next week’s story.

Now to go back in history, in May of 1988 we worked with local co-workers to begin a new church in Fengshan, Taiwan — now an incorporated part of Kaohsiung City.  And today in 2014, it is beyond our thinking as to what God has done in the lives of so many people. We began to connect with the community in different ways.  We spent a lot of time loving people, and built relationships in many different ways.  We had English/Bible classes for all age, a Bible club for children as well as worship and Bible study opportunities for students and adults. From the small groups of that church God has grown-up an army of people who have scattered to so many places to share God’s love in a million different ways.  Some are professionals who intertwine their ministry with daily life, while others have gone to seminary and are in local church ministry.  A few of them are now involved in international missions.  Some are in the work force, but on a regular basis also lead and participate in international medical missions.  In the lives of one family, the mother was from a Christian family; however, God brought the husband, their children, his parents and many of the siblings in his family to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  I mean these people are serious about the GREAT COMMISSION.

With heart and creativity they pour themselves into finding ways to share the Gospel. Some have found business opportunities that support missions.  One family member regularly goes to a bus station with a back pack filled with a Nativity Scene and shares the Christmas story and God’s love with people there.  We now see the third generation of believers on mission to take God’s precious gift of salvation to family, friends and beyond.

Last night we especially prayed for this group around the table as they prepare to use their Chinese New Year vacation to go on a medical mission trip to Southeast Asia.  They specifically asked us to pray for 3 things:

*  Pray for smooth sailing through customs with all the medical supplies.

* Pray for good health as malaria and other risks exist there.

* Pray for good communication with local doctors. 

It’s absolutely exciting to see what God has done and is doing.  Thanks so much for partnering with us to bring God’s love to people around the world. I know that brings a smile to God’s face.

A mission trip to Xinying, Taiwan.

Join us for a peak at missions in Taiwan!  Sunday we got up early, grabbed a quick breakfast, walked to the subway near our apartment, took a train from the Kaohsiung train station to Xinying, Taiwan, and then walked a few blocks to worship with the Baptist church there. The church has a long history; however, the current pastor has only been there since last summer. Pastor Chhoa and his wife have been our friends for a long time, and it was great to share this time together.  We enjoyed the worship and the fellowship, and following the worship time we had the privilege of visiting with the church family.

To our surprise, one of the members is a man who is 94 years old and full of energy with such a great spirit.  He seems to be a real people person.  He even offered to take some of us out for lunch; but we opted to take a rain check and hang out with the church family. His son-in-law is the current deacon chairman at the church.  What a family heritage.

So many people came up and shared with us.  As we draw closer to Chinese New Year, a lot of attention is given to new goals and dreams.  The theme of the church this year is to be a LOVING CHURCH!  They have a number of teachers and other professionals in the church, and they are precious resources in God’s Kingdom. The church is already making plans to connect with students and do community ministry that reaches into needy homes in 2014.  Discipleship is also a real priority as they have just added Adult Bible study to their ministry.  We have a real opportunity to partner with them in ministry through prayer . . . praying that God will empower them to reach their families and community.

PRAY for Pastor and Mrs. Chhoa as they disciple, train and lead their church family to be on mission.  Pray for their church leaders as they take steps of faith to move forward as they follow God’s lead.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to good people?  Boy, has that question been asked a lot! Of course we can all talk about that all have sinned and none of us are flawless, but really this is a question that stumps a lot of people.  Well, I don’t have any profound wisdom to share; however, I do know that God is still engaged and working in our lives.  He never gives up. About 10 years ago a teenager in our church was in a horrific motorcycle accident and suffered severe head injuries.  The medical team gave no hope, and if there was recovery, his chances of living a meaningful life of any kind were not good.

This young man was a leader in our youth group, and the only Christian in his family. For the first time in the life of this young church, the church family came together, fasted and fervently prayed for a miracle.  It was touch and go for such a long time . . . a really long time . . .  just waiting!  The church family and other believers reached out to the family.  The son was critically injured, but through this rocky journey the parents came to Christ.  Another church in the community near this family has nurtured them along the way.

Last year when we returned, the family brought the son to worship with us.  After all that was HIS home church.  He was in a wheelchair and had a caregiver assist him, but with some limitations and halted speech he was able to talk and share with friends.

WELL, that’s not the end of the story.  Last week, the family returned to visit with us.  No wheelchair and tremendous progress!  You could see real happiness and joy in the face of these parents.  They are changing too!  Oh I don’t have any sermon to share about the situation.  I can only report what I see, and I see a miracle unfolding before our eyes.  I’m so grateful for hope in Christ and HIS power of transformation in the lives of people. We pray that God will use his story to bring hope to people around them. We serve a mighty God who tells us that nothing is too difficult for Him. Please continue to pray for this young man and this family as they face life issues related to his recovery.  I am excited to see how God will continue to work in this family. What a journey!

Our world is not the same!

Thirty years ago our family arrived in Taiwan from the United States of America.  Many Christians in the USA had a heart to reach out to a hurting world and were supporting missionaries to go and share God’s love. Well, recently I had a situation that was a real wake up call for me on how much the world has changed. As I was watching Good TV, all of a sudden a call to pray for the United States — all in Chinese — caught my attention and awakened me to realize what a different world we do live in.

As we have traveled throughout Asia, we are always bumping into people who are traveling to numerous countries and taking the Gospel to cities and villages around the world. They express a courage and desire to see people come to know Christ. They are willing to share their resources and  face numerous inconveniences to take this precious message to a hurting world.  They also have a grave concern for declining morals and challenges in the United States.

Thirty years ago much of the wealth of the world was in the West. However, as we connect with people, many in Asia have a lot more money and nicer things than we do. The thing that impresses me is that they are willing to part with those “things” and invest in people in their communities and beyond. They’re willing to take huge steps of faith and push against the barriers that prevent the spread of the Gospel. They love people and it shows. So many have grown up as non-Christians and they know the difference that Christ makes in our lives. They know the HOPE, FORGIVENESS and LOVE that Jesus gives to us.

Because years ago many Christian people from the West were willing to GO . . . Today our world is not the same!

Today is an opportunity to pray for the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To view the Prayercast video of the USA click here. May God bless the USA in ways that will open our hearts and arms to continue to bless others. Thank you for your investment in the lives of people around the world.