OFF KEY, BUT A #1 HIT!

Christmas Eve was a special time for us.  For some time we have had the opportunity to partner with a local pastor and share Christ’s love in a government assisted living facility for adults with special needs. This pastor and various partners would lead praise songs, share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and provide some discipleship and ministry opportunities for some of the people in  Longqi, Taiwan (龍崎, Liong-kia in Taiwanese).  We have seen some real growth and a number of them have accepted Christ and been baptized.  Things were going well and people were responding.

For a period of time we were not able to enter the facility.  Recently, some administrative changes were made.  With a shift in direction, the facility has given us an OKAY to once again “love on” the people there.

So Christmas Eve was a Christmas party for everyone there.  Food, snacks, singing and games were all part of the time together.  One of the local church choirs sang quite a few songs, two pastors shared a few words and Robert and I also shared a bit and led the group to sing a Christmas blessing song.

AND THEN came the best part of the day – five of the adults, who live there and have accepted Christ, sang and led the group in Christian songs that they have learned.  These adults also attend the local church each week.  Oh, they were off tune and off beat, BUT it was one of the most beautiful renditions that we have ever heard.  We also noticed a dramatic transformation in the appearance of these five people.  When we first met them, they were discouraged and actually some were depressed.  Their clothing also reflected that.  However, when we arrived at the facility for the party, one of the men, DRESSED IN A SUIT WITH TIE, ran up and hugged us since we had not seen each other in quite a while.  One of the women was dressed beautifully with make-up and hair all in place.  She and several others also ran up to greet us with such warmth.

Christ brings hope AND change – transformation – joy and  — well . . . new life in so many ways.  Please pray for this ministry and thank the Lord for changes that He has already blessed upon these people in this place.  May the Lord continue to bring transformation and blessings to you and your family in 2015.

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

Eleven years ago on my birthday, the Tan family in Kaohsiung, Taiwan was faced with terrible news.  Their son, a teenager, was in a motorcycle accident and suffered major head injuries.  Doctors saw no hope . . . just let him go . . . no future . . . just great pain.  This young man was a leader in our youth group — very committed to Christ.  However, his parents were not Christians.  This made it even more difficult for the family.  With great suffering in the hearts of our people, our church called for fasting and prayer.  He did survive but with major disabilities.  The road to recovery would be long and challenging. About a year later, we returned to the US to be with aging parents.

Now run life forward  ——————-  9 years . . . and we returned to Taiwan.  This was two years ago.  We were shocked on a Sunday morning to see the Tan family push their son in sitting in a wheelchair with the biggest smile on his face.  His speech was halted, but he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to be.  Tears filled my eyes to see him. His mother has accepted Christ, BUT the father has not made that decision yet . . . although he joins in with all of our activities.  Keep praying.

NOW run life forward again ———————-  2 years . . . Christmas 2014.  This young man was in our Christmas drama NO WHEEL CHAIR, dancing and joining in the festivities.  He’s smart and and it’s amazing to hear him communicate!!! It really is a miracle, and the joy that is in his life is absolutely astounding!!!  Enjoy this Angel Dance . . .

So at this Christmas season, we celebrate LIFE . . . VICTORY . . . HOPE . . . JOY . . . and so much more.  May your life be surrounded by Christmas miracles.

CELEBRATING HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE

Christmas is almost here, and among our ministries, it is certainly true that we’re celebrating here in Kaohsiung — in other places in Taiwan — in SE Asia — and well you can say — just all around the world.

This is such a special time and great effort is made to share God’s love in many different ways during this Christmas Celebration.

We have people in schools, dramas in all kinds of venues, church parties, evangelistic dinner parties, home visitations and of course don’t forget the Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve that sometimes can go until wee hours in the morning and connects with so many people.

Our home church will be having our community Christmas party with drama included on Saturday evening.  Then on Sunday we have our regular worship celebration followed by a big Church wide feast at a local Japanese restaurant.  Our celebrations are filled with songs, Christmas messages and gift sharing as well.  This is such a happy time, and we ask you to join us as around the world our churches are celebrating the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Prince of Peace and Savior.

JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR: 

♥  Sunday worship in our churches across Asia and beyond to glorify God

♥  The Hok-Tek Community Event on Saturday night in Kaohsiung as they share

♥  The school programs where the Christmas story is told to children and teachers

♥  Families that are contacted during this Christmas season to come to know Christ

♥  Caroling events that open doors and hearts in the community

♥  Community leaders and others who attend these special events to see Jesus

♥  For people to hear God’s story and open their hearts

♥ A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE ♥

It’s Christmas and it’s time to PARTY.  But wait just a minute . . . This isn’t any ordinary party.  This is A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE.  I have been sending out quick prayer requests for this event, but we have about 24 hours before this comes to life . . . so prayer is needed.

The place:  Well, it’s taking place on a island in SE Asia on which most of the people are Hokkien.  Some of our Hokkien partners have established new work on this place, and many of you have been praying for the ongoing opportunities for ministry there.  There is now a small church BUT filled with people with big HOPE.  Each week people travel by boat from an established church to love the people in this place.  Many teams and churches have joined together to love on these people.

NOW, it’s Christmas.  Actually two parties are planned to take place:  one is for children in the afternoon, and the second is for adults at a dinner party.  Pray for both of these fun times to be filled with opportunities to share Christ’s love and see more of these beautiful people join the family of God.  These are days filled with great happenings!

About 300 have already been given invitations to attend the dinner.  GREAT EXPECTATIONS!  We serve a mighty God who does mighty things.

In the past two years we have seen opportunities just like this one mushroom into miracles of God’s mercy and grace as people have responded to accept Christ.  We’re excited to see God’s miraculous loving hands work in this place.  Lots of effort and love have been woven into this event.

♥ SE Asia partners as they sing and share testimonies

♥ Those attend the event to have open hearts

♥ New believers on the island to have courage to share their faith

♥ Those with drug issues to be freed from their addictions

♥ More workers in the harvest to team with these workers

♥ God to be glorified and honored through these events

♥ Every seed that is planted to bring forth fruit and point to Christ

Thanks so much for teaming with us to support these friends in ministry!

Urgent Prayers Needed!

We returned to Taiwan last Thursday night around midnight, and with a fourteen hour time difference we are now trying to get our hours straight.  We took the last month off to visit with family BUT GOD NEVER TAKES A VACATION!  When we returned, we jumped back into our small group that meets on Friday nights . . . well, exciting and challenging are two words that grab the moment.  We have three more people in our small group now AND those are HUGE answers to prayer.

About 18 years ago, we met a family of five who had many special needs.  The church surrounded them with love and attempted to assist them in so many areas:  schooling, basic home skills and job challenges.  With life’s journey, we could see danger ahead for this family.  Well, unfortunately they made some bad choices and went their own way and the journey really turned sour — poor education, prison for the oldest son and well . . . lots of problems.  Recently, we “accidentally” ran into the wife at a 7-Eleven store.  You know God is great with arranging those “accidental” meetings!  It was definitely ordained, because there are over 5,000 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, and this store was not in our community. Consequently, we had an opportunity to reconnect. However, more important than that, one of the men, Mr. Tan, who is in our small group and  runs a small restaurant in our community. He is a great encourager and witness in the community.  He shoots straight and has spent a lot of energy loving on this family.

Well, that’s not the end of the story . . . this same gentleman has spent the last five years loving on a man who has been rejected by his family and living in a very depressed state. FIVE YEARS!  Well, one day he asked Mr. Tan to pray for him because he has liver cancer.  So last night he also attended our small group.  He is now a believer and will be baptized on Sunday.  With a smile on his face, he shared that all of us face death . . . some sooner than others, but he has decided to place his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ — and whatever happens he’s okay with that.

What a beautiful homecoming for the two of us.  We ask you to pray —

   * For the group of people who will be baptized at the Hok-tek Church 

   * Healing and strength for this gentleman with liver cancer and

   * Family transformation for the family with so many needs. Their three            children are now grown, so prayers for all involved are in order.  

We can’t wait to see what lies ahead . . . the journey is far beyond anything that we could have imagined.  Thanks for partnering with us!  Stay tuned for more . . .