Taiwan #2 March 22nd, 2009

Dearest friends,

The Hakka people are an unreached people group in Taiwan. Less than half of 1 percent of them trust in Jesus Christ. The rest are Buddhists who are deeply committed to ancestor worship.
It is extremely difficult for a Hakka person to come to faith in Jesus Christ because it involves turning their back on their entire family. Our friend pastor Peter was so happy today because a Hakka man in his fifties was baptized today. For more than 30 years, his Christian wife has been praying for him to come to faith. His father had forbidden him to become a Christian. Recently, he went to his father and told him that he had decided he would not wait any longer. He told his father that he knew that even though they did not know the Lord, he believed that God had blessed them. He asked his father to respect his decision and he agreed. Please pray for the father also to trust in Jesus. He is 87 years old. Peter said that the man was so full of joy when he was baptized that he cried. Praise God for his new faith!

A SMALL HAKKA CHURCH
Today, Sunday, we all went to a small Hakka church. It is a very small light in a very dark place. The church is struggling. Their pastor suffered from depression and committed suicide a year ago. The members are fearful to share their faith and so it was a real step of faith for them to invite us to come. Sam preached, Silvana sang, Jeremy spoke, Anna played her flute, and I gave a mission report. We are all still so jet-lagged and we were blessed that the Father could use us today in spite of our exhaustion. There is a 12-hour time difference here.
More, this afternoon they scheduled an evangelistic outreach and invited the children from a nearby school. Forty children came and I heard 2 praying softly, asking Jesus to be their Savior. It was wonderful! They had planned games and refreshments and we made everyone balloons. It was a wonderful afternoon.

JEREMY WILL EAT IT
Pastor Peter says he loves Jeremy because he will eat anything. That does seem to be the truth because last night, Jeremy ate chicken feet, pig’s feet and pig intestines, and finished off with sweet potato ice cream.
I especially enjoyed crushed ice with passion fruit and bean noodles on top. When you eat the bean noodles, they squeak in your mouth. It is just like eating cheese curds in Wisconsin, except not as loud.
I loved shrimp and fish, but it always tickles me to see it looking back at me. Tonight, all of the shrimp were watching me.

URGENT PRAYER
Tomorrow, Monday, we begin our ministry in the public schools. They are all Buddhist schools and we must have your prayers. This is a very dark place with a very great need that only Jesus Christ can satisfy.

Please pray. Ask others to pray. It is so dark here!

In Jesus,

Linda Summer – Director

For Sam Shaw – Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Taiwan #1 March 21st, 2009

Dearest Friends,

We are in Taiwan after 2 days of adventure. Nothing ever goes as we hope, but this trip is already full of stories that surprised even us. We arrived at the airport with our 12 very large suitcases and 8 carry on bags. so far, so good. Then we discovered that the visa sight that Sam and Silvana had checked was not recently updated. Silvana travels on a Brazillian passport and was told that she did not need a visa, but she did. We prayed, remained calm, and thanks to an amazing effort by my sister Cathy, Silvana got a visa in Atlanta. She will arrive later today. Praise God!

I was briefly detained in the Detroit airport because I set off an alarm that detected radioactivity. I registered a 6 on the alarm. The security people got very excited. I guess that I look like a mad bomber. In reality, I had some tests done on my heart on Tuesday and was injected with a radioactive isotope. After some special equipment was brought , they determined that I was just what I said, a children's Bible teacher. The guard was not allowed to leave me alone, so I took the opportunity to tell him about Jesus and His hope.

Anna struggled to leave France in the midst of a labor strike. Then she helped an older French couple on the plane to Hong Kong. To thank her, they gave her a boiled egg and some nuts. Who travels with a boiled egg? A smile and a good sense of humor always helps.

Mostly, we remember that we trust in a sovereign God who holds all our days and plans. Truly, we walk trusting in our Father's constant care. When things are funny or difficult, when unexpected expenses occur, when we arrive on time or are delayed, we smile and trust. This simple truth has required many lessons that we walked through on previous trips. I am so glad that God does not give up on us.

In minutes, we begin our ministry. We are on our way to teach a large group of believers at a local church. Please pray for this time.

In Jesus, Linda for Sam, Silvana, Jeremy and Anna

Taiwan, Romania, India and America - March 19, 2009

Dearest Friends,

TAIWAN

In just a few hours, we will leave for the airport and fly to Taiwan. I am so excited about the opportunity to tell Buddhist children about the one true God! I can't wait to see our friends Peter and Melody and here about all of their adventures in the past 2 years.Also, I am so happy about the team that the Lord has put together for this trip. Sam Shaw and his lovely wife Silvana are always a blessing. Anna McIllwaine is the French puppet director and a constant joy. She will meet us in Taiwan. Jeremy Snow was one of very first puppeteers 18 years ago and so much fun to work with! As you can see, I am very excited about all the aspects of this trip and expect that the Father will do wondrous things! Once again we will be a team from 4 nations and 3 continents. It is strange and wonderful trying to explain to people how we became friends and partners in ministry when we come form so many places. Please pray for us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Please pray for many children to discover the truth of the Gospel.

ROMANIA

Two months ago, we left Romania very pleased with the new team that God gave us! I remain excited about their present and future ministry and ask you all to hold them in your prayers! I have all confidence that they will do a great job of reaching their children for Christ.

INDIA

Always in February, we are in India. Last year, we had an opportunity to share with 18,500 children thanks to the hard work of a dear young man named Hansen. In late December, he married and we were all so anxious to greet them and pray with them for their marriage. For years, we have worked with Joy and his dear wife. They all have such courage and love for Jesus. I have been very sad to not be in India this year. The persecution of the Christians has become fierce. Our presence would of put those we love at risk. Our friends asked us not to come and wait until next year. They can not wait for your prayers! Please daily ask the Father to protect them and make them bright lights in a very dark place. It is an honor to work with them and call them friends. They need you to be on your knees.

AMERICA

I have been home in the US the last 2 months, but not home in Georgia. Doors opened for ministry in Wisconsin, both coasts of Florida, and in Alabama. We also did programs in local churches. God is so kind to us. I have heard many children here in America calling on Jesus to save them. More, I have spoken at many churches and seen people awake to the need of the children in the world to hear about Jesus! I am eternally grateful to all those who made these many opportunities possible! Pray for our nation to respond to Jesus.
Please pray for all of us as we travel over the next 2 days.

In Jesus,Linda for the Team