Greetings from Livonia, MI:

Stay with me here….This past week my daily Bible reading had me in Isaiah 61, which begins, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me…”  This is the passage that Jesus read in Nazareth, in the synagogue, on the Sabbath.  It includes words of hope, such as:  “good news,”  “freedom,” “recovery,” and the “Lord’s favor.”  Yet, the hometown folks tried to throw Jesus off a cliff!  (Luke 4:14-30)  Why?  Jesus told the people of his hometown that, even as these words of hope were being fulfilled, Jesus’ neighbors lacked an absolutely necessary attribute to truly appreciate God’s blessings.  What were they lacking?  Faith!  Furthermore, Jesus said that though his own hometown was unwilling to believe; there  were Gentiles that had more faith than Jesus’ own neighbors, i.e., the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian leper.  And, that’s as far as Jesus got with his message that day, as Jesus’ neighbors bought him a one-way ticket off the nearby cliff!

What would Jesus have said, if he’d been allowed to continue.  Maybe he would have talked more about the nature of faith and what faith can accomplish.  Maybe he would have quoted Isa 61:3b,  “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”  We’ve seen some mighty impressive “oaks of righteousness” this summer!  Praise the Lord!

In Taiwan, teens from Sports & English Camp continue to meet weekly in Taichung, as many as 35!  Some of these students are riding city buses for more than an hour, and bringing their friends who are meeting Jesus for the first time!  All of this is by their own initiative, and student led — “oaks of righteousness!”

Here in Metro Detroit, we’ve been blessed over and over by God’s people, since we arrived a little more than three weeks ago.  We can’t even begin to list the ways the Memorial Church of Christ has provided for our needs.  We’re about 2/3 unpacked in our new home.  We have a new car.  Noah is enrolled in a new school, which begins Sept. 2nd.  Life has been surreal for the past couple weeks, or months.  But, God is faithful through His “oaks of righteousness.”

We apologize for not getting an August newsletter out.  It is very difficult to send out when you don’t have a computer unpacked, internet, a desk, etc.  (Can you imagine 8 days of not even opening a computer?)  However, we’ll hit the road, beginning in September, visiting partner churches in Ohio and Illinois.  We’re very excited to have opportunity to share what the Lord is doing in Taiwan, through your partnership.  We appreciate all who have responded to us, and desire to welcome us over the next four months.  We’ll be publishing our schedule soon, in the early September newsletter.  Let us know if you’d like to welcome us to your church!

Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us through the remainder of 2014.  And, of course, as the Lord leads we will continue to be involved in missions, in Taiwan, and elsewhere; just not in a full-time or overseas capacity.  We look forward to seeing you, the Lord’s and our “oaks of righteousness” soon!

Your Taiwan Missionaries,

Dave & Brenda Atkin