The First Meeting

So we've arrived in YuChih and now Ivan has come down with a bit of a cold too. The weather is very hot and humid and we've been sweating like crazy. Please pray for our health! This cold has really affected our energy levels.

We've already had a short meeting with the preacher (for some reason, we don't call her Pastor we call her preacher, perhaps because she is female? I forgot to ask) at this Church, her name is Grace and she runs the church with her husband Vincent. These two have just started here at this Church about 18 months now and were here last time we visited. Sadly, a few faces (co-workers) have left this Church since we were last here yet we trust that God is using this couple to grow this small humble Church in this village.

As you all know, we'll be focused mainly on discipling the senior high school kids here and working on leadership skills as well as going through the foundations of their faith. We'll also be helping with English tutoring here and there and participating in other Church groups such as the elderly that congregate on Thursdays. We also asked for Chinese lessons when one of the co-workers/secretary (Jasmine) has time throughout the week. Praise God for Jasmine who has been faithfully serving at this Church and she has always been the friendliest and most helpful and welcoming face everytime we come here. Apparently too, we have to run some games here and there so if you have any ideas for fun games that aren't in difficult English - swing the ideas this way!

It's actually a big surprise that we're coming back and the workers here haven't told any of the kids or teens. We've already run into a couple and they were very surprised to see us. I personally am not looking foward to getting swamped by the kids but I know Ivan loves it. Nevertheless, pray that we'll be a shining light to the kids and show the love of Christ in humility through all that we do here :)

Please also pray for the language barriers - it has already been a bit of a struggle just communicating in our first meeting with the preacher.