2004-08-01

August 1, 2004

Jackie & Fran Bell
With the IMB in Taipei, Taiwan
“That All Peoples May Know Him???
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Summer 2004 – Bell’s July Newsletter August 1, 2004

Immediate Thanksgivings: God is amazing the way he orchestrates the events in our lives that come together for the good for all of us who love him (Romans 8:28).

The week at BSF HQ in San Antonio was full of blessings, as I met with 94 other Teaching Leaders for an overview of Acts & the letters of the Apostles to prepare teaching the study that begins in September. It was a joy to meet two other Asian class TL’s (Hong Kong & Tokyo), and to be encouraged and strengthened by one another. Also among us were 3 TL’s form Africa, 6 from Australia, one from London, and the remaining TL’s teach Canadian and American classes. The housing, food, and teaching, was all done in “excellence??? – the usual BSF way. Praise God for the many volunteers that support the small staff at HQ that oversees 2,006 classes that now reach around the world.

The week in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area brings many praises also, although it was a week full of unexpected events. On Sunday July 18th, we received word that my Mom (Bobbie) had a heart attack while sitting in Sunday School. Praise God for the fireman that took her vitals and administered an aspirin. The paramedics arrived swiftly and administered nitro to her. She remained alert throughout, able to answer their questions. I was in Ft Worth with Paige and Travis, and by the time we arrived at Baylor Dallas they had already taken her into surgery and inserted 3 stints to open up 2 (99% & 70%) blocked arteries. With today’s technology, and Mom’s blood now in full circulation, she was released three days later, in time for the family to celebrate my 50th Birthday (that’s right – no jokes please – you are already heading for 50 or it’s already behind you.) In the midst of all this activity, God answered your prayers as we requested in our June newsletter, that God would bless my time with Paige and Travis and keep Jackie and I safe as he traveled to Singapore and me to the US.

Language Classes: If we were to try to measure our progress of Mandarin, it would seem we have gained an inch along a million mile journey. Others sometimes tell us that one day it will “click??? and what we have studied so far will come together with clarity. Pray for that day to come soon for both of us.

I had an interesting conversation with a substitute language teacher this week. She acknowledged my cross earrings, so I replied that they represent the cross of Christ, and then I said in Chinese “Jesus loves you???. She told me that she used to be a Christian. I then explained that she wasn’t really a Christian, because once a Christian, always a Christian because you are secure in His love. She explained that she had gone to a catholic school as a child, but she is now Buddhist. I walked through the open door that God gave me in this brief moment to explain how Buddhism is a religion and Christianity is a relationship with the living God. It just so happened that some of the words we were studying led us to discuss in sentence form that we both like and love our husbands. This conversation gave me the opportunity to quote 1 John 4:19 (yes, I can say this one in Chinese); “We love because God first loved us???. The look on her face was of surprise, and as if something was connecting. She then told me she had just taught that verse to one of our M’s that is here studying religious words/terms. I find it amusing that God uses non-believing teachers to teach missionaries his words in Chinese. Pray for this teacher, as she is exposed to God’s word, that she be touched by his Spirit and to desire to come to know him as the one true God.

Upcoming Prayer Needs:
Aug 4-7 – Safety and refreshment as we have a retreat on the Eastern coast of Taiwan with mission office personnel.
Aug 20 & 21 – We travel to Hong Kong for our BSF Area Workshop. Pray that all class staff will be equipped for a strong beginning in September.
Aug 22-30 – Jackie will travel to Thailand – pray for safety as we are apart (again) and that I will use the time to fully prepare for Class workshop on Aug 31 – please pray for 100% attendance that day.

We pray that your commitment to pray for us can be rekindled afresh, for your prayers bear fruit as we serve Him.

May you know the full measure of Jesus’ joy this day.
“But now I come to You, Father. I say these things while I am in the world.
In this way, My followers may have My joy in their hearts.??? John 17:13

In His joy too,
Jackie & Fran