2006-10-19
Oct 2006 News from Taipei
Here are a few items from our lives since the last newsletter. It’s been so, so long since we have written.
Jackie’s Travels: In Sept he went to Thailand for 8 days to finalize budgets for the work that will be done in East Asia during 2007. Oct 23rd – he will go to Singapore for tech support at one of the training events for M’s on this side of the world. Please pray that our coworkers will wisely use the training they receive and financial support from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to spread the gospel, so that many Chinese will come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.
BSF Classes: Praise God for his provision of 3 new leaders in the Day Women’s class! This year’s study is Romans. Pray that the class members will embrace the true Christian doctrines/teachings explained in this wonderful letter by Paul. Pray minds will be transformed, and their lives become living testimonies that glorify God! We had a record number attend the Sept Introduction class, and many came for the Oct Intro. We are still in need of 4 more leaders to meet the needs of those on the wait list for both ladies and children.
In the men’s class we are thanking God for a record number of men enrolled and faithfully attending. We are almost at capacity and will need to add more discussion leaders soon!
English as a second language: Jackie is co-teaching an English class at a neighborhood church. The church is using English lessons as an outreach to the surrounding neighborhood. The curriculum is a series of lessons that takes the students from “Creation to Christ”. Pray that God would use the opportunity to learn or improve English as a draw for unbelieving Taiwanese to hear about the limitless love of God.
Fran’s shoulder has improved a lot. Nearly 100% range of motion has been restored except for the ability to reach behind her back. Her therapist, Karen, has set the goal to have Fran on the squash court within a couple for months. Please pray for complete restoration and strength in the right elbow to shoulder muscles. Above all, pray for Karen to one-day come to know God. She and Fran have great conversations about the Lord twice a week. Last time Fran went to watch Karen play squash with another patient, a 3rd friend showed up to learn also. Before entering the court, this new friend and Fran had a great conversation about the Lord, and the bible.
God’s at work in powerful ways! Some of our Chinese friends are testifying to God’s powerful movement in their families. One lady shared with tears of joy how her husband has turned to the Lord, they are praying together and reading the bible together. One more life is touched….. One more reached for Him! Isn’t that what living for Jesus is all about? One life at time…. turning to the Lord. He is so personal, that as he touches each one, He brings new life into marriages, and families are united together by his Spirit. Praise Him!
Language Study resumes at a turtle pace, but we both feel like we have made much progress this past year. We can speak in short sentences to express our needs in many situations, and we are both working on presenting the Gospel and giving our personal testimony in Chinese. We appreciate your prayers over the years for this difficult language. Pray that our listening skills will improve. We both struggle because everyone talks so fast. Our minds are still trying to convert their words into English. We need to be able to think in Chinese J
We had a Refreshing Summer vacation. We are so thankful for the wonderful family time we had in July. Many of you may wonder why you didn’t see us. Well, we hope you understand that our family was our main focus, and God blessed that priority. We spent a lot of hours on the road between Ft Worth and Dallas and the time went by swiftly. Paige took vacation time from work and we hung out with her a lot in Ft Worth. We were also able to spend time getting to know a special young man in her life named Chris. Because Travis had spent his vacation in Germany at the world cup earlier in the year, he was unable to take any vacation time while we were in town. We spent time with him during the evenings and weekends as much as possible. Both of our moms are doing well, and we got by to see them every chance we could. Please pray for both our mothers’ continued health and for protection upon our family.
We are looking forward to our next stateside assignment. We will be in the Dallas area April through mid-Aug 2007. Although we will travel to speak in churches about the IMB’s work in Asia, we hope to visit with as many of our friends as possible during that time.
We very much want to stay connected with you, so please be in touch – through letters or email or phone.
Jackie & Fran
Taipei, Taiwan
Rom 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
