Greetings from Taiwan:
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb” (Luke 24:1). Of course, we know the rest of the story, but the women didn’t. Mark’s Gospel tells us that as they went, they wondered how they might roll away the massive stone, which blocked the door to the tomb, so they could anoint Jesus’ body. But, when they arrived at the tomb, they discovered that the stone had already been rolled away, and Jesus’ body was no longer in need of the spices. Jesus had risen!
This weekend in Taiwan has been Tomb Sweeping, when everyone returns to their family homes to clean up their family tombs, which are usually out in the country. Tomb sweeping typically includes removing weeds that have grown up, a table of food and drink offerings, burning of ghost money and praying to the ancestors with sticks of incense. Also, many family tombs have multiple gods as protectors of the dead, and these also receive homage For Christians in Taiwan, Tomb Sweeping is a difficult time, as family pressures them to participate in the yearly ritual. For most of the Come Christian Church, they have decided to start new traditions of participating in the tomb clean-up and then bringing flowers. So, as their family prays to ancestors, they pray to the God who raises the dead. It is a powerful testimony of faith being lived out this weekend in Taiwan! Please pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ here in Taiwan!
Sports & English Camp set a new record! Registration came on-line at 9 AM yesterday, and closed at 9:40 AM, with more than 150 teenagers registered for camp. We accepted approximately 50 more on the waiting list, just in case a student who registered cannot show up. Praise the Lord for the response of so many teenagers! We wish we could do a dozen S & E Camps over the summer! No doubt, every one would be full! Please pray for camp, as we work feverishly to plan a week that will lead many teens to the Lord!
In health matters: my mom, Juanita, is recovering after having fallen in her old home. Her church, the Fairfield Church of Christ, has been a tremendous blessing as she recovers in her new apartment. Please continue to pray for Juanita. Also, thank you for pinky prayers. The infection is gone, and so are the stitches! PTL!
Lastly, Brenda, Noah and I will be taking a trip over spring break, beginning on Friday, April 11th. We will be exploring a ministry opportunity in the US. Please pray that the Lord would grant wisdom. We hope to resolve the question of what’s next for us, along with a time line, by the time we publish our May newsletter.
And, speaking of newsletters, our April newsletter will be coming your way very soon — in the next couple days. About it, I’ll just say, you won’t want to miss reading it, as I’ve done something which I don’t normally do!
BTW, I mis-typed in last week’s prayer update concerning the need for social workers at the Home of God’s Love. Yes, they DO NEED THEM. So, please be praying that the Lord will lead them to the right individuals!
Thank you for your continued prayers! Oh, how we need them!
All for God’s Glory Among the Nations,
Dave & Brenda Atkin