Aug 2006
Men's tea night challening
2006/08/16
The men's tea night has had some exciting times this
past few weeks. We have been discussing belief
and disbelief in the gospels stories, and what Jesus'
reaction is to statements like "help me in my
disbelief." It is clear that the men have been
really challenged by these discussions, and they have
really been interacting with the text in an exciting
way. We have been challenging some of the
guys to take a step of faith and ask God to help them
with their disbelief.
Devan off to boarding school
2006/08/12
On a personal note, our 12 year old daughter, Devan,
has just moved to Taichung to attend boarding school.
We will miss her very much but she is only 2 hours
away and she should be able to come home most
weekends. It was very exciting to move her into her
dorm today. She is really looking forward to living
there during the week. It's a new challenge for our
family, but we trust in the Lord to take care of us
all.
Susan sharing the Lord
2006/08/10
Last week, at the Bible study, Susan told us how she
has been telling her assistant cook, A-chun, about
the Lord, specifically that he doesn't need to be
afraid of the ghosts during Ghost Month. She told him
that he could pray to God, and God would protect him.
A-chun told her that he has not been afraid of the
ghosts because of this.
Business has been slow at the restaurant, which, of course, causes a lot of anxiety for the workers in regards to job security. Susan has been openly praying about the business and encouraging the workers to do the same.
Also, Susan's daughter had a baby two months ago. It seems the baby may have some kind of intestinal problem. Susan has been telling her daughter to pray to God about her daughter. Her daughter finally said she would but that she doesn't know how to. Susan plans on teaching her how to pray the next time she sees her.
Of course, people need to hear the complete Gospel before they can truly respond to the Lord. But, I think Susan is touching on something that she understands about her culture, i.e. people need to see evidence that God is at work. The Taiwanese are very practical people. They are not interested in truth issues, at least not at first. In order to encourage openness to the truth, they need to see some practical outworking of our God in their lives. They need some proof that He is trustworthy because, even the consideration of relinquishing their gods and turning to the True God, can be a frightening proposition. Susan seems to really understand this and approaches evangelism naturally in this way.
Susan and Amy
Business has been slow at the restaurant, which, of course, causes a lot of anxiety for the workers in regards to job security. Susan has been openly praying about the business and encouraging the workers to do the same.
Also, Susan's daughter had a baby two months ago. It seems the baby may have some kind of intestinal problem. Susan has been telling her daughter to pray to God about her daughter. Her daughter finally said she would but that she doesn't know how to. Susan plans on teaching her how to pray the next time she sees her.
Of course, people need to hear the complete Gospel before they can truly respond to the Lord. But, I think Susan is touching on something that she understands about her culture, i.e. people need to see evidence that God is at work. The Taiwanese are very practical people. They are not interested in truth issues, at least not at first. In order to encourage openness to the truth, they need to see some practical outworking of our God in their lives. They need some proof that He is trustworthy because, even the consideration of relinquishing their gods and turning to the True God, can be a frightening proposition. Susan seems to really understand this and approaches evangelism naturally in this way.
Susan and Amy