THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS AND BALTIMORE,

Dearest Friends,

WONDERFUL STORIES

I still have so many amazing stories to share with you about what we saw the Lord do in Baltimore, Maryland and in many cities in the Smoky mountains of Tennesee. You are going to love these stories and have more reasons to thank God for His love toward so many children and adults. Praise God!

HOMELESS GENTLEMEN

Yes, we did a show for 50 homeless men and 25 other men who were learning to live a different way. Okay, I can guess that you are thinking the same thing that the men who came were thinking. I heard them complaining that they were being forced to watch a puppet show just so they could eat and sleep for the night. As I was listening to the grumbling before the show, I began to pray, asking God to make me wise.
After talking with the Father, I decided that the best way to deal with this problem was not to ignore it, but admit to the men that I had heard their complaints. I said, “Gentlemen, I know that you are unhappy, but I beg you please to listen for just 5 minutes and see if God might use us to speak to you.” Then, I began to tell them stories about the children that we serve. It is an unbelievably tough man that can resist the suffering of children. Though these men had experienced very rough lives, some had even been in prison, I watched as their attitude changed. First, they smiled, then laughed, and finally some prayed in soft whispers, calling on Jesus to save them. Awesome!
All of the men were very encouraging to the young people as they shared their testimonies. More, they all clapped at the finish and gave us a standing ovation. What a change God had made in their attitudes. Who would believe that God could use such simple, foolish things for His purposes?
One man pressed a handmade cross into my hands as he thanked me. He said, “Your face is full of light. Thank you for coming.” We all felt that we left that place with the men giving more to us than we could give to them. The Father had blessed all of us!
Please pray for the men at the Helping Up Mission and their Director in Baltimore. This is a very hard place and God is faithfully calling many to faith. I have all hope for these men because I see in my own life how God does not give up on me and deals with my sin. Pray!

The Christian Community Center

This is another very special ministry in Baltimore. For so very many years, The Christian Community Center has loved the families in this very hard part of Baltimore. I always love doing a show for these children as they are always grateful. One little girl especially blessed my heart as she came and told me that she remembered the story that we had told last year. I had given her the pictures and she had them all on the walls of her room. More, she was excited to get a new story to add to her collection. Her enthusiasm for God’s stories made my heart sing.

TENNESSEE

Each year, 20 million people make this area of Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains their vacation destination. Why would we go there to do shows? Well, we were not there for a vacation, though our friends did treat us to a free game of PuttPtt golf and go cart rides. I really loved the go cart rides though I was going so slow that people were pointing at me and laughing. More, I was the only white haired old lady on the track. We were also treated to a special time enjoying God’s creation on the river as we tubed thanks to the kindness of a prayer partner.

Yes, this area is full of tourist attractions, but it also has so many children that are not a part of this world. Many are from broken homes and too many are being raised by their grandparents. We shared with hundreds and hundreds of children. Sometimes, when we were allowed to pray, we heard children softly praying. Others told us that they had prayed.

One little boy touched my heart. I was talking to the children about how God loves them and cares for them. He raised his hand and said, ”My Grammy loves me.” He could understand God’s love because his grandmother loved him.

So many children welcomed us and told us that they remembered us from last year. More, they remembered the stories that they had heard. Children said, “You told me about Jesus!” I can not think of a better way to be remembered! Gofd is so good to me!

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Please begin to pray for our time in Ireland as we leave on the 14th of August. September will find us in Uganda.
2. After receiving so many notices from friends and churches that are cancelling their support or greatly reducing it due to our current economy, you probably think that this request would be devoted to that problem, but no. I am completely sincere in asking you for a more important request that supersedes economic concerns. I have felt a real urging from the Father to ask that our prayer support be doubled. Presently, 1341 people receive our letters and it is because of their faithful prayers that so many children all over the world hear about Jesus. I beg you to contact your family and friends and ask them to pray for us. Prayer is the key to everything. I want to see this list doubled in the next 12 months. You can help! Please, with your friend’s permission, send me their email addresses. Talk with them about the children that we serve. Think about all that we have seen this past year. What will God do as we increase our prayers for the children?

In Jesus,

Linda for all of us who have the delight of sharing with the children, teenagers, and adults in the world

Baltimore, MD, USA, July 17th, 2009

DEAREST FRIENDS,

PLEASE, CAN I LIVE WITH YOU?

We have been doing many shows in this area, mostly with children in difficult places. A little 10 year old girl sat on the front row at a program. She listened so sweetly and called on Jesus to be her King, asking God to forgive her. Then, she came and asked me, "Please, can I live with you?" My heart broke for her and all that she suffers. How desperarate she must be to ask a complete stranger to taker her home!

This little one lives in one of the worst places in Baltimore. When, I opened the door to get out for the show, there was an empty whiskey bottle on the ground. In this area, there are more liquor stores and drug dealers than anything else. Prostitution is also a big problem. It is not a safe place for children. However, God is kind to these children in that they are hungry for the Gospel. More, they get so excited when they hear a Bible story.

As I began to tell the story of Jesus calmimg the storm, they listened. When Jesus spoke and the storm calmed, they began to clap and cheer. Three times they loudly cheered as Jesus did miracles. I think that these children can teach us many lessons. Why don't we who claim to be God's people become excited as we listen to Bible stories? I want to have this kind of enthuiasm for God's word. I want these children to grow up with hope!

Please pray for all of these little ones to fall deeply in love with Jesus. Ask the Father to keep them safe and to protect their hearts from the evil one' attacks. They live in a place that you would not be comfortable driving through. They need your prayers. They need Jesus!

PROBLEMS

As always, we are having difficulties as equipment breaks that should work fine. More, we have had our car in the shop for 3 days as we lost the transmission the other day. This was a very expensive, unexpected expense for the puppet ministry. A supporting church helped us with part of the cost, but I would ask you to pray for the difference.

Worse, we had no way to do shows. God blessed us through the sacrificial kindness of friends who voulunteered their car. They loaned us the very same car that I normally pull the trailer with and it had the same light plug and trailer hitch. Praise God!Though they wish to remain nameless, I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Without their kindness, we could not have shared with so many children and would have missed 6 shows. Please ask the Father to bless them as they have blessed us!

In Jesus,Linda for Malachi, Naiomi, and Lindsey

PLEASE, CAN I LIVE WITH YOU?

We have been doing many shows in this area, mostly with children in difficult places. A little 10 year old girl sat on the front row at a program. She listened so sweetly and called on Jesus to be her King, asking God to forgive her. Then, she came and asked me, "Please, can I live with you?" My heart broke for her and all that she suffers. How desperarate she must be to ask a complete stranger to taker her home!

This little one lives in one of the worst places in Baltimore. When, I opened the door to get out for the show, there was an empty whiskey bottle on the ground. In this area, there are more liquor stores and drug dealers than anything else. Prostitution is also a big problem. It is not a safe place for children. However, God is kind to these children in that they are hungry for the Gospel. More, they get so excited when they hear a Bible story.

As I began to tell the story of Jesus calmimg the storm, they listened. When Jesus spoke and the storm calmed, they began to clap and cheer. Three times they loudly cheered as Jesus did miracles. I think that these children can teach us many lessons. Why don't we who claim to be God's people become excited as we listen to Bible stories? I want to have this kind of enthuiasm for God's word. I want these children to grow up with hope!

Please pray for all of these little ones to fall deeply in love with Jesus. Ask the Father to keep them safe and to protect their hearts from the evil one' attacks. They live in a place that you would not be comfortable driving through. They need your prayers. They need Jesus!

PROBLEMS

As always, we are having difficulties as equipment breaks that should work fine. More, we have had our car in the shop for 3 days as we lost the transmission the other day. This was a very expensive, unexpected expense for the puppet ministry. A supporting church helped us with part of the cost, but I would ask you to pray for the difference.

Worse, we had no way to do shows. God blessed us through the sacrificial kindness of friends who volunteered their car. They loaned us the very same car that I normally pull the trailer with and it had the same light plug and trailer hitch. Praise God!Though they wish to remain nameless, I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Without their kindness, we could not have shared with so many children and would have missed 6 shows. Please ask the Father to bless them as they have blessed us!

In Jesus,
Linda for
Malachi,
Naiomi,
and Lindsey

A Country with Bears, Wolves, and Caviar, May 21st, 2009

Dearest Friends,

I am so excited at all that we are seeing God do. Some doors close to us before we even have an opportunity to do a show, but others are opening. Tomorrow, we will be at a school and do 4 shows. The next week, we will return to this school and do 2 more programs. This is a miracle. We should not be allowed to go to this school and share about Jesus, but we are going.

Our friends have a heart to serve God. They are risking everything they own and even their freedom so that these children and young people can hear about Jesus Christ. You must stand with them and with us in prayer. We are in a very difficult place, but the children and young people of this nation are in a worse place. Can you imagine growing up with no knowledge of God? Most have never heard His name.

Our friend that we are working with never heard God's name until he went in the military and met a believer. He was the first to make fun of the Christian and now he is a pastor.

We desperately need you to pray and organize others to pray. We need doors to open, wisdom as we share, and protection for our friends. Please stay on your knees.

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

USA, May 17th, 2009

Dearest Friends,

EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGE:

Please note that all addresses on the website are unchanged. Please change the earthlink address if you are using it to msummer05@gmail.com The earthlink address will soon stop working. Thankyou!

ON MONDAY,WE FLY!

Sam, Silvana, and I will meet 2 team members from another country and prayerfully start a new puppet ministry in a country that I can not name. I have been advised that because of this particular country's growing hostility to Jesus Christ that I should not name it in the emails. Presently, it is open to Christians, but they are making access very difficult.

PLEASE PRAY:

1.It is our hope to share with thousands of children and encourage many new friends during this very difficult time. Ask the Father to open doors, especially to orphanages, and make us wise.

2.Customs presents a real problem. We need them not to open our suitcases or ask us any questions about our things or why we are there. God can do anything! Please pray!

I remember years ago standing in customs in Ukraine when it was difficult for Christians to visit. I was very tired and had so many big suitcases with me. Silently, I asked the Father to help me as I was alone, but in truth, never alone! Suddenly, a man came running across the airport and spoke to me in perfect English. He said, "Your face is full of light. You are a Christian! I will help you." To my amazement, he lifted every bag even though I had not spoken to him and asked him to help. When I turned to thank him, he was gone. He disappeared! I believe that he was an angel. Praise God!

This is the kind of miracle that we need.

Ask God to make them totally uninterested in our luggage. Please know that we never lie to these officials, as we trust not in our ability to be clever, but in God's great power. It is our heart's prayer that all of you who read these stories will give all praise and all glory to God alone!

TAIWAN

We returned home from Taiwan with a heart full of praise as we shared with over 10,000 children , teens, and adults the hope that we have in Christ. Many were Buddhist and many indicated that they had found the one true God! We resupplied our team in the north and were able to start a new ministry in the south. Through our friends there, we were able to place teaching tools in the hands of children's Bible teachers in Thailand, Burma, and China. I am so excited! Please pray over all of these ministries!

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Many of you who receive these emails represent churches that do not support us. Would you please speak to your churches on our behalf? Like all missionaries, we have been notified by too many churches that due to difficult financial times, they are significantly reducing all of their missionaries support. Other friends have lost their jobs and can not support us any longer. This is not a problem for me to solve, but an opportunity for us to see God move in a big way! However, I need you to ask the Father how you can help. I need you to speak for children who have no voice.

I am happy to come and present what the Father is doing in the lives of children all over the world. He is awesome! If you wish to adopt a set of equipment for a particular country, please respond to this email and let me know your heart's desire. We need your help, but I sincerely want you only to do what God tells you to do. I trust in His Providence and His faithfulness in all of our lives!

PLEASE STAY ON YOUR KNEES ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF THIS COMING WEEK!

With all joy,

In Jesus,

Linda for the team

Taiwan #10, April 3rd, 2009

Dearest Friends,

This is the most fantastic list of blessings. You are going to love this email. The last 3 days of ministry in Taiwan have been exhausting, but very sweet. Anna and I have been battling colds, but are feeling much better. Please forgive me for not writing sooner, but I really needed to rest between programs.

The mountains that are near the city, particularly Ali mountain, are very famous. However, only once after a rain, and then only for 15 minutes, have we seen any at all. The city is constantly covered with haze, but this week we are seeing God cover it with His Holy Spirit. We are all so blessed!

1. In the afternoon, after a group of students watched a program, they were excitedly talking about it on the bus. One young man heard them talking about what they had seen and heard. He was scheduled to take a test this morning and would have missed the program. He was so eager to hear what his friends had heard that he went and begged a teacher to help him postpone his test. She told me how happy he was to attend the puppet show.

2. At 7:40 AM this morning, hundreds of young people crowded into a hall. All of us felt the presence of God’s Holy Spirit on those young people. A teacher came to me and said, “I was so touched. The students were crying. I was crying.” We were allowed to pray with these young people and I ask you to continue in prayer for them. My heart broke for them as I looked deep into their eyes. They were so attentive. They listened eagerly as I described how the one true God offers forgiveness and love. Pray!

3. At a Catholic hospital, the priest and the director welcomed us and were very enthusiastic about what we share. A doctor later spoke to me about how amazed he was that a couple of hundred people had gathered on 2 floors to listen to the Gospel. He told me that even after we left, people were talking about what they had heard. So many people heard about Jesus Christ that morning. Most were from a Buddhist background and for too many, the Gospel was news.

4. At a kindergarten, Sam told the story of Jonah using balloons. The children loved the story.
Best of all, many of them prayed out loud asking Jesus to save them.

5. Imagine 150 fourth graders at a puppet show. They were students at a public school, but we were given an open invitation to share with them. They loved the program, but remember, the entire presentation told them about Jesus. They were having a wonderful time learning about how they could have a relationship with God.

6. We did 2 programs at a school where we were not allowed translation. It was a very difficult time as we were desperate to tell the children about Jesus, but questioned their ability to understand our English. We were reminded about the Holy Spirit enabling men to hear the Gospel in their own language in Acts, and continue to pray that He will do the same for these children. Please join with us in these prayers.

7. A public school gave us 450 sixth graders and everyone was amazed at how well they listened. I was equally amazed. After all of these years telling children Bible stories, I am still delighted and blessed by the power of the cross to touch children’s hearts. The teachers were equally engaged as they listened to a story about the miracles of Jesus. It was an awesome experience!

8. Our last evening was spent in an exceptionally sweet time of fellowship with our new team and their families. We prayed together, laughed, and cried when we realized we had to say goodbye. They were all so kind. Ask the Father to really bless this new team with all of the wisdom and skills they need.

Our final show was at a kindergarten and we heard so many call on Jesus, asking Him to be their King. What a fantastic finish to an unbelievable time of ministry in Taiwan!

HOME

Tomorrow, Saturday at 4 AM, we will begin our journey home. Because of the 12-hour time difference, we will arrive home the same day. Please pray us safely home.

As we were driving to Hsinchu, the pastor in Chiayi called to beg us to change our schedule and return next year. All of our Chinese friends were all so eager to learn and anxious to begin this new ministry. Please ask the Lord to give us wisdom to make the right decision one week from now.

In Jesus,

Linda for

Sam,
Silvana,
Anna and
Jeremy

Taiwan #9, March 31st, 2009

Dearest Friends,

Chaiyi Hospital

Our day began with prayer with the hospital chaplains. Prayer is always the best way to begin a day! We asked God that He would do more than we could ask or imagine. Let me tell you how faithfully the Father answered our prayers.

1 – Our first show was for mentally handicapped children. More than 100 children along with their caregivers and some parents watched for an hour. Everyone said that the children would never be able to sit for so long and listen. However, they did not understand how the impossible is always possible for God. They were all amazed that the children listened so well and enjoyed the program so much. Some prayed, trusting in Jesus.

2 – At the second show, we had mostly adult patients and hospital staff. I was amazed that they stopped for an hour to listen to puppets sing, a Bible story, and testimonies. Many of the adults and children were rolling IV poles. As I looked at them, my heart was broken. It is terrible to see children and adults suffering, but is far worse to realize that they do not know Jesus. He is real comfort! It was such a gift to all of us that God would allow us to be in the hospital sharing His hope, His love.

Since this is a Christian hospital, 15% of the staff are Christians. Now, you may think that is a very low number. However, remember that outside of this building, less than 1% of the population trust in Jesus. How wonderful that God has taken hold of this place and is using those who work here to reach out and share His love with those who need it! There is no place else in the city where this is true.

3 – Our third program was for little children, but again, so many adults also stopped to listen. When we prayed with them, I heard some children boldly calling on Him. Praise God!

4 – Finally, we traveled to the 11th floor of the hospital to the psychiatric ward. Can you think of a better place to tell people about Jesus who gives hope, peace, and can take away your fears? Can you imagine the wonder you would experience when you hear about the only Son of the one true God who removes guilt and shame? It was a precious show!

Please pray for the hundreds of people who listened to the Gospel today in the hospital lobby!

Blessings

We had the most amazing meal last night. It included so many wonderful dishes, but we seldom know exactly what we are eating. We ate pig tendons, sea cucumbers, shark fin soup, but the rest mostly remained a delicious mystery.

When we returned to church last night, a large Christmas tree was lit up on the side of the building. Everywhere we see Christmas decorations which often remain until Easter. I love Christmas decorations. How cool to get to enjoy them in March!

On the top of the church are giant Chinese words which proclaim “Jesus loves you.” Thousands can see them every day.

Everyone has a camera here. The other night, 8 cameras were taking our picture at once. Always, people are photographing us with their cell phones.

Most people that I talk with here think that I am at least 70 years old. I think this is a blessing.
There was some confusion when I arrived at the psychiatric floor for our last show. Since I had come by myself on the elevator, the nurses became confused. They kept telling me to sit down and rest. I almost got admitted.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we will be doing programs in another hospital, a kindergarten and an elementary school. Please remain on your knees!

In Jesus,

Linda for
Sam,
Silvana,
Anna and
Jeremy

Taiwan #8, March 30th, 2009

Dearest Friends,

RAIN

I woke up Sunday morning to a storm. Immediately, I began to pray as our plan was to do a program in a park. The people we are working with here have wonderful vision. They are very willing to go outside the church and schedule opportunities for us to share. I wanted to share with the children in the park that day, and I also wanted encourage our friends’ efforts to reach people outside the church.

God was very kind to us. Our friends sent vehicles over to the park and brought all of the children back to the church to the first floor where we did the puppet show. Normally, they have 50 children in Sunday school, but yesterday they had 145 in attendance! God answered all our prayers. More, because we were at a church, we had complete freedom to pray with the children. We heard so many children praying out loud asking Jesus to be their King and their Savior. It was awesome!

SATURDAY’S PRAYER REQUEST

The other day we sent out a special prayer request and asked specifically that you pray for the team we are planting here in Chaiyi. They desire to hear God’s voice and vision clearly. Each day, they are moving closer to accepting the equipment and believing they can start a puppet ministry in this place. Even now, as we are typing this e-mail, some are meeting downstairs to learn how to setup the sound system, puppet stage, and the easel. Please keep praying. All of us truly believe that these are the right people for this ministry.

CONCORDIA SCHOOL

Concordia is a school that was established by Lutheran missionaries more than 50 years ago. Today, we had the sweet privilege of doing 3 programs for the children. Later in the week, we will have two more opportunities to share with the students. Most of the children who attend this school are not from Christian families. This is a very special opportunity to share with Buddhist children whose families are the doctors and lawyers and key businessmen in this community. Please pray for our remaining two times that we will get to be with these children.

I have a real heart’s desire for them to be able to hear the Gospel clearly and with understanding.
TODAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be at Chaiyi Christian Hospital. We have four programs schedules with different groups at the hospital. Please pray that we will make the right decisions about what we will do in each place. Ask the Father to call many to faith as we are sharing tomorrow. Thank you for being so faithful to pray for us. We feel the strength of your prayers.

In Jesus,

Linda for
Sam Shaw – Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Joseph and Lori