Special prayer meeting hosted by SEND last Monday; with United Missions of Taiwan (if I remember the name correctly).

The overall theme/burden is to build healthy churches through discipleship. Please keep this in your prayers, not only for Taiwan churches, but also for your/our own church.

Pastor Chao and his wife

2 Thursdays ago, one of the leaders of EFC (Evangelical Formosan Church) visited the elderly home to share their testimony.

Grandmas, church and elderly home workers listen while the pastor's wife shares her story.

Thursday afternoon is usually a time of sharing God's word to the workers. This day was a special one. Grandmas were wheeled out to meet and listen. Grandpas remained in their room. The sound system was used so that the bedridden and those who preferred to remain in their room can also listen in.

L-R: Grandma Yui Ye is 96 years old and the only one who can stand and walk (few teeny-tiny steps). Grandma Cha Mei invited me to sit by her bedside on my first visit. I can comprehend her Taiwanese and Mandarin best. Grandma Su Lan is the only one who can wheel her own wheelchair so she's the only one who can move freely around the area. Grandma Lin Siu is mostly quiet and observant. Grandma Ah Si would always express a happy countenance when interacting with her.

L-R: Head Nurse, cook and caregiver Siu Lin, Nurse Su Chin, Grandpa Shi Yui and Su Lan, (father and daughter), Director Gao, Grandma Ah Si.

After sharing, the question on who wants to accept Christ Jesus to be their Lord was asked. Head Nurse, Grandma Su Lan, and Grandma Ah Si raised up their hands. It was a joyous occassion! We all celebrated their new birth in Christ with a mouth-watering cake.

(Grandpa Shi Yui is 100 years old and (Grandma) Su Lan is 80. Grandpa accepted Christ some time ago, also during a time of sharing in this elderly home. Nurse Su Chin usually leads the Thursday sharing time. Like Director Gao, she also goes to the same church I serve.)

Please pray for God's grace and mercy to be upon the workers and inhabitants of the elderly home; that the rest of the grandpas, grandmas, and workers may also believe and accept Christ's gift of salvation before it is too late.

Pray that God may bring brothers/sisters to regularly follow-up/encourage the new believers; that their faith in Christ grow more and more.

Fengyuan Church, where I am given the privilege to help serve in their various ministries.

Where I hang out most weekday mornings - Elderly home 3 blocks from the church. The owner goes to the same church.

Sunday service at Fengyuan Church with a guest speaker from L.A. Fengyuan Church was established 2 years ago. The local missionary who is looked upon as the leader of this church recently stepped down to take care of some matters of his existing business but remains a volunteer. The church is now praying for a pastor+wife, preferably, to shepherd the church.

Lunch fellowship after the service. This particular Sunday was potluck.

Prayer meeting with neighboring (church) leaders every Sunday night to share and pray for the concerns of each church - ministries, members, contacts, other issues, and that the surrounding non-believing communities, steeped in idol-worship, might finally KNOW and fully COMMIT themselves to the only one true and living God, who alone is worthy of all worship and praise, who longs to be gracious to them, and who alone can set them free from the fear and bondages they are afflicted with.

L-R: Siomie (full-time missionary with SEND International, who I live with), Esther (another local missionary of Fengyuan Church), Pastor of 72 Degrees Church (I have yet to know why the church name), Road evangelist Bro. Chao, Pastor of another neighboring church, Director Gao (owner of the elderly home), Pastor Feng of Poteli Church.

It used to be that the local missionary and Esther worked hand-in-hand, But after the local missionary stepped down, most if not all church responsibilities has fallen on Esther. May God continue to give her grace, strength, and wisdom to remain faithful to Him and the work entrusted to her as she/the church waits on God's provision for a committed pastor/leaders/workers.

Once-a-month prayer meeting with SEND International missionaries at the SEND office.

L-R: Will Brown, Wilma, Ron, Leslie, Victor & Joy (leader of Tanzi Church), Siomie, Suzy Brown, Ruth Harbour, Brenda. Rod, who used to teach ESL at Fengyuan, had to leave early.

SEND office in Beitun, also where Beitun Church, the mother church of Tanzi Church is located. Wilma's church in Tanzi, and the church I'll be serving in Fengyuan.

Arrived at Fengyuan City.

Arrived in Taichung City on Monday and is staying at SEND's guesthouse for 3 days for adjustment, orientation, and to meet other SEND workers and missionaries.

Strong winds welcomed and kept me company at the bus stop. Wilma, the missionary who picked me up, told me it's the sign that fall has arrived. Thought I'll have to deal with it the whole fall season, but next day was a lot calmer. Turns out it's one of their rare(?) stronger windy days/dust storm. Good to know.

After getting my schedules and keys, had lunch and some orientation. Next was some free time so thought of checking out the neighborhood. Went back up to my room and got familiar w/ where things are kept (they have 99.9% of everything you might need) when I found 2 books in English (turns out there were more). One of them is Unger's Bible Handbook - interesting reference book on the historical and archeological perspectives of the Bible. I seem to have heard of the name before. Sat on a comfy chair to browse and read some pages when sleep kicked in.

Dinner was at a missionary family's place - The Browns. When we all held hands to say grace, this simple act brought a profound reminder of God's overflowing love that unites us despite ourselves. Excellent mash potatis.

More orientations the next day. The Harbours gave me an overview of SEND Taiwan's visions, missions, work, issues, and others. Then we went to their FAITH office. From what I remember, the FAITH program has the same purpose as EE (Evangelism Explosion) but some difference in their approach. Some revisions were also made to fit Taiwan's sensitivities. They started the program some months ago, and those involved have been encouraged by the results. May God continue to use this vehicle to adequately equip the workers, and to bring the lost, the blind, the hopeless, those who are seeking, those who are ready and willing, under God's love and grace.

Since I had nothing lined up in the afternoon, Wilma drove me around the neighborhood - Morrison Academy, where to buy breakfast, lunch, dinner, fruits, etc. Dinner was pizza and the heavenly 7-layer salad by The Thars. Upon Wilma's earlier suggestion, I went with them to their church (Tanzi Dafeng Gospel Church) and was given the opportunity to co-teach their ESL class.

Wireless connection is conveniently available in my room, but I did not bring a laptop. When we got back, I found out the office can be left unlocked after-hours should we need to use the computer. Sweet! Gives me time to check emails and compose updates.

SEND office in Taichung

Tanzi Church

Tanzi Church Adults English Class. Phil Lam (foreground) from Hawaii as special guest/instructor. To the left is Jonathan Thar, SEND missionary and ESL instructor.