ticket!!!

Just thought I'd give a quick update. Tonight I'm excited because I purchased my plane ticket for Taiwan. :) I leave Aug. 19th, getting into Taiwan the morning of Aug. 21st (their time). Last night I got to talk to one of my best friends from my DTS, which was wonderful. Always a good thing to get up to date with a good friend.

Things are coming along really well for the Taste of Taiwan. Less than two weeks to go! God is continuing to blow me away with his faithfulness; especially in the area of financial support. It's like each time I go to raise support; I forget how faithful He's been in this area of my life (and my missions work) over the years. I trust that it will come in....but He always seems to do something to just remind me of His wonderful presence through the blessing of speedy support-raising. One third of my support is already in; and I'm just now sending out actual, physical letters. That's incredible!

The butterflies are slowly but surely becoming apparent; especially this week, as things are getting set in stone. Good and bad, nervous and extremely excited all flooding my heart at once. Anyway, thanks for caring and for praising the Lord with me tonight for his faithfulness and blessings.

Taste of Taiwan

(picture of friends from the english class Zulfe and I taught alongside 2 college profs. at Tam Kang University near our house in Taiwan)


Well, I finally have a day off work and I'm using it to the max, getting things prepared for Taste of Taiwan; an informational night of food, family, fun, music and more at church on August 2nd. I've been practicing recipes, putting together playlists, and creating layouts of the fellowship hall in my head. And now, Abby and I are on our way to Sioux City to an Oriental food store that I'm excited to explore. I miss Asia so much, and anything even close to what I experienced there helps bring back the joys of living there! The church secretary grew up in Taiwan as an MK, and when she and I had Chinese for dinner the other night together we had a wonderful time reminiscing about Taiwan and Asian culture. It was such a blessing to be able to talk to someone, and connect with someone who has experienced some of the same things I have. There's a bond that we can share that I don't have with anyone else.
God has continued to answer my prayers as things move ahead and seem to fall into place fairly well. He keep reminding me that He's got things under control, and he knows what He's doing, and for that I'm grateful. I'm now praying more intensely for the staff as we all prepare to lead our students into a deeper understand and love of Christ. Please pray that God will bind us together, in deep ways in the few shorts weeks we have together before the students arrive. And, a huge praise, and reminder of God's faithfulness; I've already raised enough support for my plane ticket over there!!! I didn't think that money would come this soon, and so now I just have the other $4,500 to raise. Thanks for the prayers that you've sent up on my behalf already; I appreciate them more than you know. Blessings!