Mark’s latest missive from Taiwan.

Hi everyone. Well September has come and gone, but it was a great month to get back adjusted to teaching, and all of the other activities here in Taiwan. In this month’s newsletter, I would like to share about my 8th grade small group.

Here at Concordia Middle School, the religion department organizes small group for students in 8th and 9th grade. I decided to help with it this year, and have a group of nine 8th graders. Some of these are my current students who I have English Bible class with, and others I do not teach in class. We meet every Tuesday for 45 minutes, during the students’ nap time.

I am especially excited about this group because these students love to sing. I take in the guitar and they sing English songs, and I have been working on a couple of Chinese songs to sing with them. Last week we sang “All in All”, “Be Glorified”, and a Chinese song called “Let Praise Arise.” I am most impressed with their confidence in singing loud, something that is not too common for 8th graders. In addition to singing songs, we read a couple of Bible verses and pray.

I am really looking forward to getting to know these students over the course of this year. Please pray that God would bless the group and help the students to put their trust in him above all things.

Another blessing that came from my small group experience, was at the small group teachers’ meeting. To kick off the small group year, all of the teachers met to discuss materials and the schedule for semester. At this meeting I ran into Bill, one of my former students.

Bill was one of my 10th grade students my first year in Taiwan. He was always interested in Bible class, and even came to our On-Campus Student Fellowship when he had time. As he completed 11th and 12th grade, he had not yet become a Christian. He is now a sophomore at a Jhong Jheng University, which is located 15 minutes from CMS. At the small group meeting, I was excited to find out that he is now a Christian, and had signed up to help with small groups at Concordia this semester. He told me that he attends church near his college and that he has a physics professor who is also a Christian and is someone he can talk about his faith with.

Praise God for Bill’s story. As a teacher here at CMS, it can be difficult to have many students who do not come to faith while attending high school. At the same time, God is still working on them and loves them. He works things out in his time, not my time.

It’s Prayer Time!

1. Please pray for my small group, that God would bless our time and help the students to grow in faith and love toward God.
2. Rejoice with Bill and his faith in Jesus.
3. Pray for my classes, that God would help me to share the love of Jesus both through action and word.
4. Pray for Ben, Andrew, and I as we plan the missionary retreat for this fall.
5. Pray for my Chinese language study. I need some motivation to continue learning and studying.

May God’s peace and love be with you all!

Quick Update

Hello everyone from Taiwan. Just wanted to write and let you know that I made it back over here safely, after a wonderful time in the United States. I spent 7 weeks in America this summer, which is the longest I had stayed since coming overseas as a missionary. I really enjoyed the chance to meet many of you and come speak at several churches.

One prayer for the summer, was for the necessary funds to be raised for the coming year. Praise God that He always provides. I am elated to say that I am fully funded for the coming year. I thank so many of you who provided financial support for the mission work that is happening here in Taiwan.

As I write this, Concordia Middle School has just begun a new semester. After a month of optional summer classes, the students are now beginning their mandatory school. I am excited for another opportunity to teach Bible and English classes here at CMS. My schedule this year will include 7th,8th, 10th, and 11th graders. The 11th grade will be a new class for me, although I am blessed to be able continue teaching an amazing group of the students I had last year as 10th graders.

In addition this month will start up our Thursday evening On-Campus Student Fellowship, and Friday Night Bible English Bible Study. The Salvation Youth Group has continued through-out the summer, and I have been able to attend the last two Saturdays.

That’s right boys and girls, it’s the start of a new year, and it brings excitement, energy, and many chances to share the love of Christ through words and actions.

It’s Prayer Time!

1. Pray for me as I start a new school year. Pray that I may get all of my classes organized and off to a good start. Pray that I may love my students and share Jesus with them in all things.

2. Pray for Friday Night Bible Study, On-campus Student Fellowship, and Salvation Youth Group. Pray for God’s blessings as these start and that many kids may come eager to hear about the love of Jesus.

3. Pray for all of the missionaries here on Team Taiwan. May God bless all of us as we work together and share the Gospel.

4. Pray for my barber (whose name is Sue Hway…some had asked). Pray that she may come to faith in Christ.

5. Pray that God would help me continue to improve my Chinese.

May God bless you all,

Mark