Disappointments and Encouragements
The process of preparing to come to Taiwan, moving to Taiwan, undertaking full-time language study, living in a new country and even starting a family there has been remarkably smooth for us. By the grace of God we have had very few, if any, major setbacks or obstacles to overcome. Our plans for the fall, however, are starting to feel troublesome.
We will soon be finishing language school and are gearing up for a new phase: higher education for Jason, be that graduate school or seminary. Jason submitted applications to the three schools we felt best fit our purposes.
Since the last time we wrote we have started to receive responses from these schools. The University of Virginia responded negatively and while we love Charlottesville and would love to be moving back there, we still feel staying in Taiwan is best to continue building our Chinese language ability, learning about Chinese culture, and using our Chinese in ministry. The Lord in his infinite wisdom has removed the temptation to return to and live in our own country.
We won’t know the decision of Chinese Evangelical Seminary (in Taiwan) until after Jason takes a written Chinese test, written Bible test and has an interview, both in mid-June. We were hoping CES would allow Jason to take an English version of the Bible test, but CES has informed us that there is no longer an English version available. So we are fully resting on the grace of God for Jason to pass this test. This is as it should be, but how easy it often is to rely on our own abilities and preparation.
We are still waiting to hear from Zhong Yuan University in Taiwan, but their silence is worrisome.
Our last month has otherwise been full of encouragements. For starters, the church we have been attending is more than willing to find areas where we can serve. On June 14th Jason will be sharing his testimony with the High School youth group. We are also looking forward to helping out at a children’s camp the first week of July where we will be teaching Bible songs in English. It should be tons of fun, and a great time to get to know some more church members better as well as tell the children about Jesus. Additionally, our church gave us a generous donation and presented it to us at Bible study last week. What a wonderful affirmation from our Taiwanese church family and from the Lord that He is still behind our work. Praise God!
A second encouragement, Daisy, who works in the bread store where we shop almost daily, out of the blue one day asked us to tell her some Bible stories. Being afraid that our on the spot Chinese wouldn’t do justice to any Bible stories, Kristie invited her to come over the next day for lunch and some Bible reading. This has turned into a weekly Monday lunch date where Daisy can be exposed to the Truth and the Light.
Praise and Prayer Requests
1. CES Exams: Pray for Jason’s CES entrance exams, he has an incredible amount of Bible information to not only review but learn in Chinese.
2. Daisy: Please pray that the Lord would bless Kristie and speak through her as she reads the Bible with Daisy and that the Lord would cause Daisy to believe and trust in Him.
3. BDCC Website: Jason is nearly wrapping up the English version of the Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity website and needs prayer for wisdom, time-management skills, and perseverance to complete the two Chinese versions (simplified and traditional) of the website.
4. Taiwan: Today the newly elect president of Taiwan, Ma Yingjiu, officially takes office. Please take the opportunity of this momentous occasion to lift up the people of Taiwan in prayer and that God’s light would shine in this place.
Yours in Christ our LORD,
Jason & Kristie Truell
Recent Comments