Dear Family & Friends,
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. You ought to say instead, ‘If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.’” James 4:13-15
James calls us to look at our lives as instruments of God. We should make plans only after having asked God for direction. Too many times we just take off doing what we want without asking God what He wants us to do. This is setting ourselves up for disappointment. Without having God as part of the plan there is no way for us to have the abundant life He desires for us to have. Join us in praying for God’s direction in the plans we make.
We are in the midst of making plans for our ministry here in Taichung. Our team has a ministry plan that all of us need to evaluate. We have individual ministry plans to evaluate and formulate. We, John & Cheryl, have a lot to do in this area since we just moved here to Taichung. We realize that it is easy to fill our schedule with good things to do, but we want to do what is best. We want to be busy doing what God wants us to do now. Pray with us as we ask God to direct us as we plan our schedules.
Our team continues to connect with youth from Sports & English Camp. We ask that you pray for Michael & Mindy. They are both very interested in worshipping God and learning more about Him. Michael became good friends with Andrew at camp. Mindy was on John & Cheryl’s family one week. Mindy wants her whole family to be able to worship God. Pray that we will be able to find the right time to have a worship and discipleship time that allows them to participate.
The big government inspection for Taiwan Xi En is this Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 – 6:00. They will be interviewing staff, looking at paperwork, and inspecting the facilities. John will need to be present for at least part of the inspection. We pray that God will give us favor in the eyes of those that carry out the inspection and those that will review the inspectors’ report. This inspection will determine Xi En’s ability to continue serving as an orphanage as well as whether the organization can apply to become an adoption agency.
We have asked for you to pray for Zi Chang, Wan Ting and their children before. They are a young couple that we met through Taiwan Xi En. They now have two little girls. They continue to have financial problems. They currently are being sued by a past landlord for back rent. We don’t believe that giving them the money is the answer. They need to learn how to keep a job and to budget what they earn. We may have more opportunities to speak into their lives during the next month. Pray that we will have wisdom as we speak to them about their financial and spiritual conditions.
Nathanael arrived safely back in Knoxville on Tuesday. On Monday he will drive to Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA where he will move into his apartment and prepare to begin his master’s studies. Pray that his move goes well and that he and his roommate will also be able to become good friends. Andrew is getting along well starting school and made the varsity soccer team as a sophomore! Moriah’s knee is getting stronger. She is working on flexibility at this time. She still has several weeks before she will be allowed to play sports, but she is getting there and excited to start volleyball soon.
We appreciate you praying for our family & ministry.
God Bless,
John & Cheryl
1. Please pray that we will first give our planning to God as we make our ministry schedule.
2. Please pray for our team as we continue to connect youth. Pray that we can worship with Michael & Mindy.
3. Please pray for the inspection at Taiwan Xi En this Wednesday.
4. Please pray for us to have wisdom as we try to help Zi Chang & Wan Ting.
5. Thank you for praying for family as we continue to make adjustments and transitions.
Posted on August 16th, 2015 by dunns
Filed under: Uncategorized