2000-08-04

MLCAug. 4, 2000

Aug. 4, 2000
Hello Family & Friends –
We are halfway through training!

Yes, it’s hard to believe, we are at the half way mark. We are anxious to get back home and even more anxious to get to Taiwan. This week has been very productive and helpful in many practical ways. We’ve had a brief lesson & overview of Buddhism (one of Taiwan’s many philosophy/religions) & Communism. We had a morning of teaching on how prayer is most vital to missions. We were reminded of how very thankful we are for the many of you who are committed to support us through prayer. One missionary said, “If I didn’t have family and friends praying for me, I might as well pack up and go home???. I just kept thinking about Jesus’ command in Matthew 9:37-38. It is prayer that is sending us!

We took a personality test. No, we didn’t fail and yes, we discovered we have a personality! J Neither of us was surprised. Some of you may be familiar with the Briggs-Meyers Type Test. (One of us is ISFJ, the other ISTJ). The test is simply for the purpose of understanding yourself and others better. It was fun playing out some scenarios in a large group. Such discoveries will help us as we make adjustments through culture shock and as we work with other team members on the field.

I have had more time for independent study this week and have studied several books and videos on Taiwan. I really enjoyed reading copies of letters written by missionaries and how they have intermingled with the un-reached people groups in the mountain regions. Such letters reported stories about the tragic earthquake on Sept. 21, 1999 when over 2,000 people were killed, and thousands left homeless. People without the knowledge of God and without hope were receptive to being helped (fed, clothed and housed) by many Christians. During this tragedy, many Taiwanese realized that their dead and empty religions could not help them. Receptive to love, they asked about the God that brought peace in the Christians hearts. When asked, the gospel was shared and many Taiwanese began a personal relationship with the Lord, as they learned about Him.

Jackie has had a heavier load this week. He took computer classes on databases, encryption & security. He also taught Microsoft Word classes and is preparing to teach Advanced Word. He has spent some extra time teaching an Asian couple. It’s been good for him to slow down and communicate with them in a clear and concise way.

Other practical sessions included how to handle overseas payroll, expenses, and banking. (We were able to join a credit union.) In another class, we received good listening tips as well as warnings concerning relationship killers. Giving & receiving supervision was touched on as we all be involved in some way. Our longest training session has been the ESL/EFL classes (English as a Second Language/English as a Foreign Language). The lady training us for two full days has been teaching this class to various denominational missionaries for many years. We will receive a teaching certificate upon completion that should be recognized in the US and abroad. Teaching English is a great way to form relationships that will hopefully lead to an open door to share the love and forgiveness of Christ.

We are praising God this week for the contract on our house, Travis’ health insurance and school aid. Please keep Jackie’s Mom in your prayers. Pray her appetite return, the swelling in her leg reduce, and for renewed strength. Also, the eye condition I had a few months ago has flared up and I’ve begun cortisone treatment again. Please pray they will heal up before our departure overseas.

We love you all and are very blessed.
Love,
Jackie & Fran

P.S. If anyone could store two old chairs in a garage or storage shed, please let us know. Fran hopes to reupholster them when we return.