The Taiwan Times
By Mark Wolfram
Reporting on God’s mission in Taiwan
August 2010
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,”
Ephesians 2:19
Back on the island
Hello everyone. I am back in Taiwan, after a busy, but refreshing trip to the United States. It’s always nice to be back home with family, friends, American food (especially BBQ), and so many other parts of my native culture. Being here in Taiwan, it is easy to feel like a foreigner or alien. The culture, language, educational system, and so many other things provide stark contrast from American life. However, the above Bible verse reminds me that our true citizenship is neither in Taiwan nor America. Rather, our citizenship is in heaven with God. It does not come through a test or application process, but through God’s love as completed in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We were outsiders to God, but have been made members of God’s family, no matter if we live in America or Taiwan.
The new year
Today we had our annual faculty meeting, to start the new semester, and tomorrow will be the first day of school. This year I will be teaching 7th, 10th, and 11th grade students. Of my 10 classes, 9 of them will be English classes, and one of my 7th grade classes will be Bible class. In addition to the teaching I have begun some new administrative work as Concordia Middle School Liaison between the missionaries, the school, and LCMS World Mission. This past month I have helped to organize and implement orientation of our 2 new teachers: Graham Guenther and Rachel Sekki. Praise God that they were able to make it over safely and have already begun adjusting to life in Taiwan. In addition to orientation, I have also been working on organizing paperwork for work permits and green cards for the American teachers.
Fundraising
The trip back to America this summer was wonderful. Praise God that I was able to meet up with so many friends and family members, in addition to travel to several churches. I am elated to report that, God has provided the funds needed for this year’s service. In fact, I am already 1/3 of the amount over what I needed, so this will be applied to future years of service. Praise God for your prayers and financial support which have helped to make this possible.
I do want to let you know about one change for mailing in of donations. From now on (for those of you who pledged support), please send any checks to the address below.
LCMS World Mission Missionary Support PO Box 790089 St. Louis, MO 63179-0089Baptisms
| Jeff being baptized |
My first Sunday back in Taiwan was truly a blessed one, as we had three people baptized. One of them was a CMS student named Jeff, who I have known both from classes and from Salvation Lutheran Church Youth Group. Along with Jeff, his mother and his brother were also baptized. It was such a joy to welcome new brothers and sisters in Christ, the very first Sunday I was back in Taiwan.
Teachers needed
I know I have written it in the past, and talked about it this summer, but CMS is still looking for 4 teachers for this school year. The positions are all for elementary level English and Bible teaching. Even though the semester starts on Tuesday, we have had teachers join mid-year in the past. If you or anyone you know are interested, please contact me and I would love to give you more information. Even if you don’t know of anyone, please pray that God will provide the even more teachers to help share the love of Jesus with the students here in Taiwan.
Prayer Time:
1. Please pray for the start of the new school year for me and all of the teachers as we start back into the teaching routine. Please pray especially for Graham and Rachel as they adjust to a new culture and new responsibilities.
2. Praise God for my fundraising goal being met and exceeded.
3. Pray for my Chinese language acquisition. I will be using it more and would like to be more intentional and focused with lessons.
4. Pray for more teachers to come and serve here Taiwan.
May God’s love and peace be ever present in your daily life!
Mark