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February 6, 2011 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“Be careful never to take my son back there!” Abraham told him.  “The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the land of my relatives, promised me with a solemn oath, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’ He will send his angel before you so that you may find a wife for my son from there.  But if the woman is not willing to come back with you, you will be free from this oath of mine. But you must not take my son back there!”  Genesis 24:6-8

In this passage we Abraham’s faith in the promises of God.  He instructed his servant according to the belief that God intended his descendants to possess the land that he was living in.  This faith in God’s promises gave direction for his life.  We can use the promises in God’s word to provide direction for our life as well.  Please pray that we and your Taiwanese brothers and sisters will learn to have faith in God’s promises to point that they help guide our daily lives.

We are sorry that our prayer note is a little late today.  Cheryl has not been feeling very well the last two days due to an outer ear infection.  We also had Ladybug staying with us.  She takes more work than the average infant.  Please pray for Cheryl as she has already been to see the doctor twice because of this ear infection.  She is now on a pretty hefty dose of antibiotics and is to return on Tuesday to see the doctor.  Please pray that the infection does not spread and that Cheryl’s discomfort decreases quickly.

Please continue to pray for Xiao Mei and her son Joshua.  The weight of her sentence truly may depend upon the grace of God coming to the family of her ex-husband.  The judge will take into consideration the families attitude toward Xiao Mei.  If they are willing to forgive her or show her comapassion then the judge will more likely to be lenient.  Please pray for those of His Hands and others that will try to reach out to this family with the love of God.

Thank you for praying for these concerns.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray for us all to learn to have faith in God’s promises so that they guide our life.

2.  Please pray for Cheryl’s ear infection to clear up completely and quickly.

3.  Please pray for Xiao Mei, Joshua, and everyone that will affect her sentencing.

Posted on February 6th, 2011 by dunns
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January 30, 2011 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,…”  II Timothy 1:7-9

This sunday is a fifth sunday.  That means our people testify as to how God has been working in their lives.  We believe that it is important for us, as Christians, to be actively sharing God’s blessing in our lives.  Doing so in worship encourages the body of Christ and prepares us as individuals to witness to those that are not yet Christians.  Please pray that we will all be willing to witness about the change Jesus has made in our lives.

Please continue to pray for Brother Ren Jhou.  He has done very well since his surgery.  This past Wednesday the put a tube into his stomach to act as a drain.  He is still in the ICU, but should come out soon.

This past Thursday Malachi’s adoption case came up in court.  His birth mother was supposed to appear and confirm that she did agree to allowing her son to be adopted.  She did not appear, which was expected.  The judge said that her not appearing would slow the case down some, but would not keep the adoption from going through.  She said that she would allow up to three months for the social worker to complete her report on the birth mother.  This would allow adequate time to find her.  If she is found then the report could be finished earlier than three months.  We are scheduled to return to the US for a home assignment time this summer.  Please pray that everything can be completed before we need to leave.

We are considering to stay in the states for a school year.  This would be the first time since we moved to Taiwan in July of 1998 that we would be gone for such a long time.  There are several reasons why we are strongly considering a longer furlough.  Many of these reasons have to do with our family.  We have asked our representative elders and others for their input.  Everyone has been supportive of us staying for this extended period.  We have yet to set exact dates, but need to do so soon.  We ask that you especially pray for the planning that must be done before we leave.  John will be working with Eugene & Paul to make plans for essentially two years.  Cheryl has to make plans with the directors of His Hands as well.  We have mixed feelings about this decision.  We want to be in both places for different reasons, but ultimately we want to do God’s will.

Thank you for your prayers on behalf our ministry.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray for us all to have confidence to testify to the power and love of Jesus in our Lives.

2.  Please pray for Ren Zhou as he continues to recover from brain surgery.

3.  Please continue to pray for Malachi’s adoption to be completed before our home assignment begins this sumer.

4.  Please pray for John, Eugene, and Paul as they make extended plans for both congregations.  Pray for the His Hands as well as they plan for Cheryl to be absent.

Posted on February 6th, 2011 by dunns
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January 23, 2011 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” “What is it, my son?” he replied. “Here is the fire and the wood,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together.

Today’s sermon at Eternal Light and Good News will be from the testing of Abraham’s faith.  Abraham responded to Isaac in faith.  Abraham believed that God would keep His promise and bring descendants to him through Isaac.  He believed that if necessary, God would and could bring Isaac back to life from the dead.  Wow!  Do we have such a faith that we would sacrifice our hopes and dreams in order for God to be proved faithful, and in so doing we too be proved as faithful?  Pray with us that we be found faithful to God’s call on our lives that He may be glorified.

Please pray for a brother in the Good News church, Ren Zhou.  He had a brain tumor removed this past week.  He has done very well since surgery.  The doctor has been very pleased with his recovery so far.

February 3rd is Chinese New Year’s Day.  Chinese families all over the world will celebrate with lots of food and giving of red envelopes filled with money.  During this time families will remember their ancestors and most, will worship them as well.  This provides an opportunity for Christians to witness to their family members by being grateful for their ancestors, but not worshipping them.  At times, families will put great pressure on them to worship with them.  Please pray for Taiwanese Christians to be prepared to stand firm in their faith and to share the love of God.

We have mentioned before that we will be back in the States this summer for home assignment, furlough.  We originally thought this would just be a summer trip, but now we are not certain.  We are considering returning for a longer time.  Please pray that we will receive direction from God as to how long we should stay in the US on home assignment.

Thank you for your prayers.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray for us and your Taiwanese brothers and sisters as to be found faithful.

2.  Please Pray for Ren Zhou to have a complete recovery from his brain surgery.

3.  Please pray for Taiwanese Christians as they will have opportunities to witness to their non-Christian family members over the Chinese New Year holiday.

4.  Please pray for us as we continue to seek God’s direction for our next home assignment time.

Posted on January 22nd, 2011 by dunns
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January 16, 2011 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child when I am old?’  Is anything impossible for the Lord? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.”  Genesis 18:13-14

The fact that God is all powerful is something that he has to remind us all of often.  It happens all through out the Bible, and in our own lives.  We must believe in His omnipotence if we are truly going to trust Him with everything.  Otherwise, we keep holding on to certain things in our lives.  Please pray with us that we and our Taiwanese brothers and sisters will truly believe that nothing is impossible with God.

We praise God for the work we see Him doing in the Good News congregation.  There is a growing number of people that are desiring to pray regularly.  We hope this prayer movement will grow and bring about growth in many areas.  We also witnessed almost everyone from the Good News congregation working together on the Christmas outreach.  It was the best display of unity that we have seen in a long time.  Please keep praying for their desire to pray and for growth in unity.

We have some people that are desirous of being better trained to be leaders and teachers in the Church.  Eugene, Paul, and John have been discussing how to proceed in training them so that they will be prepared to work in new church plants as well as the existing ones.  Please pray for them as they make plans.

We thank you for praying for Paul and Malachi.  They are both doing much better.  We are concerned that they don’t get sick again as many people are sick with colds and viruses.  Please pray for everyone’s health, and we’ll do the same for all of you.

Thank you for praying with us and for us each week.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray that we and our Taiwanese brothers and sisters will truly believe that nothing is impossible with God.

2.  Please pray for the Good News congregation to desire to pray and to grow together in unity.

3.  Please pray for us to have wisdom as we plan for the training of leaders for future church plants.

4.  Thank you for praying for Paul and Malachi.  Please pray that they stay well as many people have colds and viruses.

Posted on January 15th, 2011 by dunns
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January 9, 2011

Dear Family & Friends.

There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to stay for a while because the famine was severe. As he approached Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will keep you alive.  So tell them you are my sister so that it may go well for me because of you and my life will be spared on account of you.”  Genesis 12:10-13

The above passage is part of the text from today’s sermon.  This passage represents the struggles and difficulties of life that tempt us to follow our own way rather than God’s way.  Abram need not fear his death.  God had not yet fulfilled His promise of an heir to him yet.  God certainly would protect Abram so as to keep His promise.  We need to remember to choose God’s way is always the best.  Remember, Hagar came up from Egypt with them.  If Sarai had not been in Pharaoh’s house they may never have had Hagar to deal with.  Please pray with us concerning learning to trust in  God’s way of doing things over our own.

We ask that you continue to pray for us as we make plans for this year.  We are scheduled to return to the States for a time of home assignment.  We are in the process of making some decisions about the length of time we will be in the States and when exactly that time will begin.  We appreciate your prayers for guidance in this area.

We ask that you continue to pray for Xiao Mei (Shiao Mei) and Joshua.  Recently she was back in court where her sentencing was discussed.  We don’t how long it will be before the judge makes a decision and how this will affect Joshua’s situation.

We are also grateful for your prayers for Cheryl’s brother, Tim.  His surgery went well and he is home recuperating.

Also, please pray for Paul, our Taiwanese pastor, and little Malachi.  They both have very bad colds.  Paul’s cold has become worse due to complications from his diabetes, and he is having a very difficult time combatting the illness.  The effects from Malachi’s medicine makes it hard for him to sleep during the day.  He also has a lot of drainage in his throat that causes him to cough.  Please pray that he gets better soon.

Thank you for your prayers.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray for us and the churches here to learn to trust in God’s way over our own way.

2.  Please pray for us to receive guidance in regards to the time that we spend in the States on home assignment.

3.  Please continue to pray for Xiao Mei and Joshua at this time.

4.  Thank you for praying for Tim’s surgery and continued recovery.

5.  Please pray for Paul’s and Malachi’s quick recovery from the bad colds they have.

Posted on January 8th, 2011 by dunns
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January 2, 2011 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries.  He walked with God.”  Genesis 6:8-9

Noah was a man that chose to act righteously.  According to the book of Hebrews, he acted by faith.  It was his faith in what God said that caused him to be considered righteous in the sight of God and, ‘…blameless among his contemporaries.’  Today it is the same for us.  It is by faith in the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we are considered righteous as well.  May we all choose today to live by faith during this new year.

We ask that you pray for those that were baptized last week at the Good News church.  John had the privilege of baptizing three people last week.  A couple Simon & Rachel Jen and an older lady Miss Xiow.  Simon has come to the Good News church for about 11 years and had been sprinkled as an adult, but now he chose to be immersed with his wife.  He said that he had learned a lot about baptism since coming to the Good News church and part of that was that immersion was the mode that truly fulfilled the meaning of scripture.  He said that he wanted to be obedient to the message of God’s word.  PTL.

Cheryl’s brother Tim is having prostate surgery this Tuesday, Jan. 4th.  Please pray for Tim and the family as he goes through this surgery.  Please pray that he will heal quickly as well.

Last Friday evening at one of the Friday evening cell groups, one of our men said that he had never yet read through the Bible in a year.  He committed to do so this year.  Paul is going to challenge everyone at Eternal Light to do the same.  Please pray for everyone to take up this challenge together.

May God bless you richly in the coming year.

In Christ’s Love,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please join us in committing to live by faith and not by sight during 2011 as Noah did in his day.

2.  Please pray for those that were baptized last week.

3.  Please pray for Cheryl’s brother Tim as he has surgery on the 4th.

4.  Please pray for the Eternal Light congregation to read daily in the Word of God.

Posted on January 1st, 2011 by dunns
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December 26, 2010 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?  Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.’”  Genesis 4:6-7

The above text is a glimpse into the life of every person.  We battle with sin in our lives.  As non-Christians, we try to subdue sin on our own, but we often fail.  As Christians, we have power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to assist us in overcoming sin.  Please pray that our Taiwanese brothers and sisters and we will subdue sin in our lives through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Last week we were traveling back from Taichung at the time this note is usually sent out.  We were able to assist our sister church, Come Christian Church, in Taichung where David & Brenda Atkin as well as Lance & Kim Hampton serve.  Malachi played the part of baby Jesus in their outdoor live nativity.  The nativity drew quite a crowd on both Friday and Saturday nights.  This was in preparation for their Christmas eve program.  Please pray that the Come Christian Church will have opportunity to continue to witness to main of those that attend their Christmas activities.

Last Sunday evening the Eternal Light congregation hosted a Christmas outreach at the local elementary school.  The Good News congregation participated in the program helping Eternal Light to have a very good outreach.  There were over 30 visitors that came.  The Good News congregation had their outreach on the evening of Christmas day.  The program went very well and there were a lot of young people in attendance.  Please pray that both Good News and Eternal Light will see work hard on follow-up so as to see growth.

Thank you to everyone for your notes and gifts during this Christmas season.  May God continue to bless all of you in the New Year.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Pray that our congregations will bring glory to God by learning to subdue sin through the help of the Holy Spirit.

2.  Please pray for the Come Christian Center as they follow-up on the many contacts they have made through their Christmas activities.

3.  Please pray that the Good News & Eternal Light congregations will both see growth through their Christmas outreaches.

4.  Please pray for the three believers being baptized today at the Good News Church.

Posted on December 26th, 2010 by dunns
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December 12, 2010 Prayer Note

December 12, 2010 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“Then Peter started speaking: ‘I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him.’”  Acts 10:34-35

The message this passage of Scripture brings, was revolutionary to Peter’s thinking.  God was changing his mind about who he is in Christ as well as whom He considers worthy of His love.  God does not play favorites.  He sees all men as needing salvation and worthy of the opportunity to hear its message.  When we look at others are we selective of with whom we are willing to share the Gospel message?  Let us pray for God to open our hearts to all men as He has.

We want to praise God for the the opportunity that God gave us to share the gospel message through the story of Christ’s birth yesterday.  We asked you last week to pray with us about this opportunity.  We spent about three hours visiting with the people in the Chinese class.  There were people in the class originally from Canada, Indonesia, Mainland China, the United States, and Vietnam.  They brought some of their family members and friends with them as well.  Everyone enjoyed all of the activities that were planned, including the story.  It was interesting that adults were much more interested than the children.  We invited everyone to attend our Christmas outreach activity on the 19th.  We hope that we have sown seeds that will later be watered and will have an opportunity to grow into saving faith in their hearts.

Please continue to pray the upcoming Christmas outreaches on the 19th and 25th.  The Eternal Light congregation will be having their activity on the 19th at the grade school.  We hope that many people from the community will come.  The Good News congregation will be hosting their outreach on the night of the 25th.  Each of their cell groups are involved in the program.  Please pray that their working together will help them develop a bond of unity in Christ.

We ask that you continue to pray for the whole of the ministry at His Hands.  They are involved with many people that need Christ as well as several adoptions.  We ask that you especially pray for Xiao Mei as she awaits to be sentenced.  Her son Joshua is 20 months now and is realizing that mommy is the person behind the glass and that he can’t reach her.  This is hard on them both.  Xiao Mei is also having to decide what and how to tell her family in Vietnam.  This is really weighing heavy on her heart right now.  Pray that she continues to rely on God for strength, courage, and wisdom.

Thank you for lifting us up before the Father.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Pray with us that our Taiwanese brothers & sisters and we will all be willing to share the Gospel with all men.

2.  Praise God for attentive listeners to the story of God’s love for man through the birth of Christ.

3.  Please continue to pray for the upcoming Christmas activities on the 19th and 25th.

4.  Please pray for Xiao Mei (Shiao Mei), Joshua, and her family as she awaits sentencing and decides how to tell her parents.

Posted on December 11th, 2010 by dunns
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December 5, 2010 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, his strength returned.  For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘This man is the Son of God.’” Acts 9:18-20

The above passage is a testimony to a changed life.  Saul had seen the “True Light,” Jesus.  Once Saul met Jesus nothing was the same for him.  He was changed from the inside out.  We are hoping and praying everyday that people will see the “True Light” shining though us, and that they, too, might meet Jesus and be changed forever.  Please continue to join us in praying for our upcoming Christmas outreach activities.

On Saturday, the Eternal Light congregation was given an opportunity to serve the grade school community.  The principal asked Paul at the last minute to help with their “all school” track & field day by setting up a booth that would sell food.  We are not in the habit of raising money through selling items, but the school needed food vendors.  The principal also wanted to give charitable organizations a chance to receive some donations.  We took the opportunity to bless His Hands Taiwan and the school community.  Our people sold the food items inexpensively, and posted signs that all proceeds would go to His Hands.  Paul & Betty also prepared a game for the children.  They could win prizes for memorizing Bible verses.  The more you memorize the bigger the prize.  We are yet to see what the total effect will be, but we believe God was glorified.

We, John & Cheryl, have been asked by friends to help with a special Christmas activity they are hosting.  These three friends are Morrison teachers.  They take part in a Chinese class for foreigners.  Most of the people taking the class are foreign brides.  We have been asked to present the events of Christ’s birth in story form to their classmates and families next Saturday morning.  Many of these families live close enough to be easily affected by the ministry of the Eternal Light congregation.  Pray with us as we prepare to share the story of God’s love through the birth of Jesus.

During the month of October, Cheryl began trying to decide what she would be studying next with her ladies group.  After just not finding the right thing the ladies themselves asked if they could learn how to share the Gospel with others.  Wow!  PTL!  This past Wednesday morning they began studying about why we should share the Gospel with others.  Join us in praying for our ladies to become great evangelists.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please pray that our changed lives will draw people to Jesus.

2.  Please pray that the God was glorified and hearts were touched through the activity at the grade school.

3.  Please pray for our opportunity to share the message of God’s love through Jesus’ birth next Saturday.

4.  Please pray for the Ladies Group as the learn how to be an evangelist.

Posted on December 4th, 2010 by dunns
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November 28, 2010 Prayer Note

Dear Family & Friends,

“Now very early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been moved away from the entrance.  So she went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and told them, ‘They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’  Then Peter and the other disciple set out to go to the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in.  Then Simon Peter, who had been following him, arrived and went right into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen cloth lying there,  and the face cloth, which had been around Jesus’ head, not lying with the strips of linen cloth but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, came in, and he saw and believed.”  John 20:1-8

In the set of stories that we have been teaching we come today to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  John states that after seeing the empty grave clothes he believes.  You and I don’t have the privilege to see the empty tomb and grave clothes with our eyes.  We have to see them through eyes of faith.  It is this faith that sets us free from the bonds of sin and death.  It is this faith that drives us to share the living savior with others.  Others, like us, that have only see Jesus in the lives of others and the written Word.  Join us in praying for opportunities to share with others that they to might believe.

As we count our blessings, we have included each of you that partners with us in prayer.  Thank you for including us in your daily prayers.  We are in the midst of a spiritual battle for souls that can only be won through intense prayer.

We are also grateful for the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our fellow FCM/TE missionaries and a few other expats.  We spent three nights in Lotung at the Home of God’s love, and last night in the home of Jon and Amy Ralls.  It is always an encouraging time of the year for us.

Many of you will remember our mentioning Shiao Mei, one the His Hands moms.  She has also been working as a nanny for over a year. after giving birth to her son.  She had been accused of a crime by the family of her husband.  During the time of the investigation and court proceedings she has been placed in the care of His Hands.  During this time she has come to faith in Jesus.  This faith has changed her heart to the point that she admitted her guilt.  This has led to her imprisonment.  Her now 1 1/2 year old son, Joshua, is now staying with the His Hands directors.  This has been a very difficult week for everyone involved, but especially Shiao Mei and Joshua.  Please be in prayer as we wait for her sentencing.

We received a prayer request from a cousin of John’s to pray for Rex Fletcher, who is a part of our extended family,  He is dealing with several health issues.

Thank you for your prayers.

God Bless,

John & Cheryl

1.  Please join us in praying for opportunities to share the gospel with the lost.

2.  Thank you for praying with us.

3.  We praise God for the opportunity celebrate Thanksgiving with our FCM/TE family.

4.  Please pray for Shiao Mei and Joshua at this time.

5.  Please pray for Rex Fletcher as he battles several health issues.

Posted on November 27th, 2010 by dunns
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