TEAM Taiwan

It’s the beginning of another school year already.  We are looking forward to the cool weather, but more importantly, we want to give you a heads up concerning our upcoming activities this fall.  The areas of interest are our outreaches to area colleges, churches and  families.  Be praying for these specific opportunities.

First, I will be on two campuses providing English Bible Studies in addition to teaching several English Classes.  We have about 10 Tent makers who are willing to donate time and effort to provide times in which students, including those who attended the 2011 Summer Camps, can come and learn more about American culture through simple Bible Studies.  My involvement in area colleges will also help me start to lay the foundation for recruiting students for the 2012 American Life Camps next year.

Second, as students become more interested in the Word of God, they will be encouraged to attend small groups where we will be presenting Mentoring materials either for evangelism or spiritual growth.  I have already started a men’s Bible study.  Currently, there are about four
or five male students interested in learning more about Christianity.  These men have come from many different areas.  Some students were students at SYME, while others come from campuses and through acquaintances.  We meet at either a local restaurant or at the SYME office.  Pray for a consistent place to meet.

Third, I will be attending language classes at an area college that is different from our Bible Study colleges.  My goal is simple; I want to finish the language process by mastering the written language.  Though I have the ability to read mandarin a little, I want to make it my life style.
I want to completely switch over to mandarin completely in order to better communicate principles, as well as, to be able to utilize already translated material without the help of phonetic aids and a computer.  This will enable me to work better with non-English speakers more clearly.  This course is a two year commitment where I will master over 8000 Chinese characters.  This is more than enough to read in most everyday texts.  I will also know how to write all these characters.  I do not take this lightly, it is imperative to complete.  At the end of the course, I will take the Chinese version of an English proficiency.  Please be praying for me in this area.  It is my strongest area of learning, but time, a lot of time, is needed to practice.  Pray for the right amount of time in all areas.  Pray for a balance in ministry and the ability to remember all of these characters.  Pray that I find the right method for character retentions.

Fourth, in our local church Liu Bau, I have started to mentor the older youth ministry leaders and encouraging them to change the way they administer their ministry.   We are encouraging the students, with adult participation to plan and lead their own small groups.  This will be a yearlong project, but SYME has been very influential in our endeavors.

Finally, be praying for our family.  Jami will be returning for two months to help with her grandma.  Her grandma currently has cancer and will be leaving to be with the Lord soon.  The complication is her grandma takes care of her aunt, who is not able to take care of herself.  Abbey and I will remain in Taiwan, pray for simplicity in our day to day lives.  Pray for quality time together and in ministry.  Pray for Jami as she deals with family issues that I personally have never had to deal with.