Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15

Every Tuesday night we have Bible Study in English for the missionaries that serve here in Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Recently we have been going through the book of 1 Peter. A couple of weeks ago, we were discussing 1 Peter 3:15. As a missionary, I have learned that this verse is very important for our lives. I am often surprised at how God presents opportunities to share Christ, at times when I don’t expect it. I would like to share a couple of quick ways that God has presented for me to witness in every day parts of my life.

Hair Cuts

I get my hair cut from a lady who lives a couple of houses down from Salvation Lutheran Church. She runs the place out of her home, and is a very nice lady. Her hair cuts are cheap ($6.00, including a hair wash after the hair cut). She does not speak much English, so our conversations take place in Chinese, but she is always asking about church. She talks about how she does not like the traditional Taiwanese religions and would like to be a Christian some day. I am always glad to hear this, and invite her to church. She has yet to come because she always cuts hair on Sunday morning. However, we recently talked about Salvation’s new Pastor (Pastor Alex). The lady said she had the chance to meet him, and thought he and his wife were nice. I pray God will continue to open doors and help me to continually be a witness to her as she cuts my hair.

Chinese Lessons

A second example is in my Chinese lessons. This semester I began studying Chinese on Monday nights at church. One of the church members organizes teachers to come in and teach a couple of the American teachers. I have had 4 or 5 different teachers this semester who are not Christians. As part of the lesson I always ask to include 15-20 minutes of Bible reading. This is great because it helps me increase my vocabulary and acquisition of Bible words, but it also gives the non-Christians teachers a chance to read the Bible. Just this past week at Chinese class, another missionary and I were able to have a conversation with a high school girl (Ginny) about why we believe in God and what she believes. She comes from a Buddhist family, but her parents have given her freedom to believe what she wants. The conversation was a great chance to let her ask questions and understand more about what Christians believe and why we believe it.

These are just two examples of ways that God presents opportunities to share Jesus outside of worship or the classroom. As a missionary, I feel this is what God has called me to do. I have life, hope, and peace in Christ, and I need to let that overflow into all parts of my lif. I need to always be ready to be a witness of God’s faithfulness.

God Calls You!

I think this is idea is true for you as well. Really, we are all missionaries for Christ. I happen to be a teacher in Taiwan, but maybe you work at a bank, in a business, a school, or are retired. The apostle Paul made tents. Regardless of what you do, Peter’s words are the same for all of us. “Always be prepared to give the reason for your hope.” What ways and areas of your life is God presenting for you to be a witness in your community? People all over the world need God’s message of hope and life in Christ, even where you are. Can you be a missionary to them?

It’s Prayer Time!

1. Pray for me as I finish school year here at Concordia Middle School. My last day of classes is June 19th. Pray for God to give me focus, patience, and a heart overflowing with his love to share with students.

2. Pray for the school as they consider changes for next year’s teaching school. I am truly blessed that I work at a school which is committed to share Christ with the students, teachers, and those outside of the campus. Pray that whatever changes that will work for God’s glory.

3. Pray for my barber, that God would work in her life and continue to use me as a witness to her.

4. Pray for the people who have taught me Chinese over the past semester. Pray especially for Ginny that God would continue to help her know Him more.

5. Praise God for the support He has provided through people like you. I have raised over $2,000 toward my goal for next year. Pray that God would also continue to provide the remaining $7,000 to raise.

If you feel called to support the mission work here in Taiwan, you can send a check to the following address:

On the memo line for the check please write “Mark Wolfram account #50152”. Even if you cannot support financially, prayer support is important as well.

Mark

Mark’s April Newsletter.

Daddy Doug and the Boyz…

Greetings to all of you, in the love of Christ. The title of this was the name given to a group of Americans who invaded a public school here in Taiwan this past month. April was full of excitement, as I had visitors from America come to help serve in the ministry here in Taiwan. Doug Larson, my friend and co-worker from Camp Okoboji, came to Taiwan with two of his sons, Jacob and Caleb. They came to perform music ministry and relationship building at one of the public high schools in the city. In addition, they helped at several of the ministries already set up at Concordia Middle School and Salvation Lutheran Church. The last several weeks have been extremely busy as I prepared schedules, transportation, activities and coordinated with teachers for Doug’s arrival. Then when he and his sons were here, we were continually on the go between ministry and social events.

The primary goal of their mission trip was to build relationships with the students of Chia-Yi Girls High School. They visited 10th and 11th grade classrooms and played songs and shared about their faith in Jesus. They were immensely popular with the students, and had wonderful opportunities to share Jesus both through their words and actions. This in itself is such a great ministry because it took place at the public school. Many students there do not have much interaction with Christians or the message of Jesus.

Doug’s visit also proved to be a great help for our on-going ministry here in Chia-Yi. Doug and his sons invited the girls to come to our Bible studies and church. The girls responded in a big way. Our Friday night Bible study had over 120 students, including a large showing from the Chia-Yi Girls school.

Our Saturday youth group normally has 4 or 5 students, but we had over 50 the day that Daddy Doug and the Boyz were there. I lead one of the small group discussions for that day’s Bible Study. We were discussing the 10 Commandments, and over half of my 12 students said they had not read the 10 commandments before. While we did discuss the law, we also talked about Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and how he took our punishment.

We even had 8 or 9 students attend church on Sunday morning. This was especially exciting as they had the chance to worship and hear the message in Chinese. These and all the other students also had the chance to meet our new Pastor and his wife, in addition to the other foreign missionaries. This was such an energy boost for our ministry, and a great way to build some new connections with students who had not been to Bible study or church before. I am so thankful to Doug for all of the help he provided to reach out to more students with our current ministries.

It’s Prayer Time!

1. Please pray that God will continue to bring these girls back to Bible study or church. Pray that the seeds that were planted and the relationships that were built will continue to grow.

2. Please pray for me as I enter the final months of the school year. Pray that God would give me energy and focus to finish up the semester.

3. Pray for CMS as the school is considering changes to the teaching schedule for next year. Pray that God would be working in the process and whatever the result would be for his glory.

4. Pray for my continued language study. I have not been very focused the last couple of weeks and pray that God would continue to bless my efforts. Some of the teachers I study with are not Christians. Please pray that God would use these lessons as an opportunity to witness to those teachers.

I am still fundraising for next year’s mission work. If you feel called to support the mission work here in Taiwan, you can send a check to the following address:

On the memo line for the check please write “Mark Wolfram account #50152”.

Even if you cannot support financially, prayer support is always important. I appreciate everything that you all do for me as I am serving overseas. I could not ask for a better support system.

Mark