2003-09-20

Dear Friends – Sept 20, 2003

Thank you so much for praying for our travels earlier this month. God used the time to refresh us a few days before we attended the International Mission Board’s Appointment week. While in the area, we took the opportunity to visit the Headquarters of Bible Study Fellowship International in San Antonio. We were the only volunteers on the large remote campus, and were treated with much care. We stayed in the Obadiah house for volunteers. What a contrast of atmosphere from Taipei! The weather was very nice, the birds were flying about and singing, and we even observed 3 deer twice. One time, we watched them frolic in an open field. We saw huge jackrabbits. Several times we were outside when the Prayer Tower clock chimed out hymns such as “Great is Thy Faithfulness??? & “To God Be the Glory???! Each night we went to dinner spots not available to us in Dallas. After a cooling shower, we had a pleasant stroll on the “River Walk???. We know that the sights, sounds, and smells of South Texas are common to all of us, but after living in Asia for three years, we appreciate these things more.

Next, we headed for Austin for our trip’s purpose – to be appointed as Career Associates with the IMB! There were 61 appointees for this event. The Mission put us up in a nice hotel within walking distance to many choice restaurants. They provide for us nicely, as they know that many will soon depart for the field where American comforts are not available. During our training sessions, we learned much, such as:
• Crating our personal belongings to the field & travel tips
• Medical benefits and payroll procedures – both stateside & abroad
• The essentials of Mobilizing prayer support & how to raise interest in missions
• Family & Personal care through adjustments & difficulties

We met with several members of the Board of Trustees to give our personal testimony of Salvation, to tell about our personal relationship with Christ and to share our call to missions. We spent one day to prepare for the actual appointment service. The best way to compare it would be to a wedding or graduation rehearsal service. All of us were coached on how to give a portion of our testimony in 99 words or less.

The night of the service brought us great emotions of joy, and confirmation. However, we also experienced sadness that you were unable to share this moment with us. After marching into the auditorium behind the flags of the nations, we were seated in the choir loft of Great Hills Baptist Church. When our time to testify came, this is what we said:

Jackie: “We are Jackie and Fran Bell, former ISC/Masters, returning to Taiwan. Approaching the empty nest, we prayed, “What’s next, Lord???? Fran thought that might mean a smaller house. I wondered if it might mean leaving 13 years in the swimming pool industry.???
Fran: “Jackie was teaching an older adult Sunday School class, when our adopted missionary visited and shared a prayer request. As he described the need, God was calling us to missions! God confirmed as He led us to Isaiah 43:19 “Behold I will do a new thing, will you not perceive it???????

We thank all of you for your prayers as we have stepped out in faith these past three years to serve in Taiwan. God used that time in Taiwan to confirm that we are to continue on this journey. The process to become Associates has taken many months of stressful paper work and interviews. The result is that we are now able to serve in a more permanent status with the IMB. We appreciate your continued partnership of prayers as we prepare for our return in January.

Let us hear from you!
Love,
Jackie & Fran
Jackie@thebellsite.com
fran@thebellsite.com

2667 San Medina Ave.
Dallas, TX 75228
214-320-1768

http://thebellsite.com