The latest from Mark’s mission work in Taiwan. On a personal note, Mark is back in the United States for a few weeks and we will be having our annual meal in the next couple of weeks. There will hopefully be a in focus picture of us on that night surfacing here in the near future!
LCMS World Mission
1-800-433-3954
www.lcmsworldmission.org mission.info@lcms.org
The Taiwan Times
By Mark Wolfram
Reporting on God’s mission in Taiwan
June 2010
Power of God’s Word
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:9-10
God’s word works and does what God wants it to do. We don’t always know when or how, but the Bible tells us that we can trust that God’s word will do what it sets out to do. This newsletter today focuses on how God’s word is working in the lives of people here in Taiwan. First and foremost by bring them to the waters of holy baptism.
God continues to be working in the lives of the people here in Taiwan, through many and various ways. Right now, the most exciting aspect is how God is using baptism to bring Taiwanese people into his kingdom. In previous newsletters, I had written about a Kevin (7th grade student) and Jack (an 8th grader) who are taking baptism classes and will continue over the summer. The last time I talked to Jack, he said that he should be baptized sometime in July.
Additionally, in the end of June I had the chance to talk to Pastor Alex of Salvation Lutheran Church about baptism classes at our church. He passed on some great news, that I would like to share with you all. Currently there are 4 people taking classes, who will then be baptized in the middle of August. They are as follows:
1. Jeff, and his brother and mother. Jeff just finished his 7th grade year at Concordia Middle School. He attends youth group at Salvation Lutheran Church, and his mother and brother come to the Saturday Kids Camp at Salvation Lutheran Church.
2. Jessica. She is a Taiwanese woman, who has come to our Friday Night Bible Study this year.
In addition to these four people, Pastor Alex also said that this summer there are several new people that will begin baptism classes sometime in July. They are:
3. Jonathan and Rachel. Jonathan is an English man, and Rachel is a Taiwanese woman. They started attending church this past spring, and are both newer Christians.
4. Lenzy, who just graduated from middle school and will start 10th grade at a new high school this fall. She has attended our Friday Night Bible Study and Youth Group.
5. Jackson, who finished mandatory military service this past year, and is now working and studying English. He is coming to the class to learn more, but Pastor is not certain if he will finish the program. Please pray for God to continue to work in Jackson’s heart.
Short Term Missions: Advocate 341
During the first two weeks of June, we had special visitors Doug Larson, Jacob Larson, and Garrett Wolle. Doug and Jacob had come out last year to do music ministry to the students at Chia-Yi Girls School, and this year they returned with a new friend, Garrett. Together the trio formed the group Advocate 341. Their name shows the purpose of the group, to advocate, or speak out as 3 guys 4 one purpose. Their purpose is to speak the message of the Gospel of Jesus. While in Taiwan, they performed a free concert at a local shopping center called Nice Plaza. Over 300 people attended the concert, and Salvation Lutheran Church helped to pass out information about Bible Studies and fellowships for those that attended.
In addition to the concert, the three guys did ministry to students at Chia-Yi Girls School and Chia-Yi Boys school. Here they went to music classes to sing songs, and share about the love of Jesus through their music. They helped to build relationships with the students and invite them to on-going ministries at Salvation Lutheran Church. Nearly 50 girls from the schools or concert came to at least one of these activities at our church. Praise God for the relationships that were built and the opportunity that Doug and the boys had to share the Gospel with the people here in Taiwan.
Pray that God would continue to keep the students connected to him and the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work faith into the hearts of those who heard the message.
Financial Support
Want to support the ministry here in Taiwan? I am still working on fundraising for the coming year. Currently I need to raise $5,000 for my next year of service. I am elated to announce that the first goal of 25% has been met, and thus I am officially extended for next year. My next goal is to meet the 70% I need to return to the field at the end of the summer. To meet this goal, I need to raise $1,700 by the beginning of August. If you would like to contribute financially to the ministry in Taiwan, please send a check to:
Missionary Support
LCMS World Mission
1333 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122
On the memo line for the check please write “Mark Wolfram account #50152”.
Or go online to my prayer card and make a donation over the Internet. http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=8521
In addition, I hope to see some of you this summer as I speak at several churches in Iowa. I will be speaking at the following churches this summer, so if you are in the area, please stop by.
1. July 11 Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard
2. July 25 First English Lutheran Church in Spencer
3. August 1 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sioux City
Praise God
God always hears our prayers and answers them in his time and in his way. This month I am especially excited to relay that God answered prayers regarding new teachers. We have two new teachers who have signed up for service in Taiwan next year, their names are Graham Guenther and Rachel Sekki. Both of them will come teach at the Middle School. Please pray for Graham and Rachel as they prepare to come to Taiwan and serve.
It’s Prayer Time
1. Pray for all of those who are taking baptism classes or will start them shortly. Specifically pray for Jack, Kevin, Jeff’s family, Jessica, Jonathan and Rachel, Jackson and Lenzy.
2. Praise God for Graham and Rachel who will come out to teach in Taiwan next year. Pray for him to guide, protect and prepare them for service in Taiwan.
3. Pray for all of the students who heard the Gospel from Advocate 341. Pray that God would continue to work in their lives and help them to be connected to his word.