Friends, family, and partners is ministry we wanted to let you know that 2013 has started off extremely busy, but it has also been a great start. To start out the new year we spent two weeks in Taipei, Taiwan for Matt to finish up his final two courses for his M.Div. He is currently finishing up his final writing assignment and although he will not walk to graduate until we are stateside, as a family we are proud of him and all of the other guys in his international church planting cohort.
The time in Taipei was also refreshing as we were with 15 other families that are serving internationally. Andrea was able to spend time with all of the other wives where they were able to study God's Word, fellowship, and shed a few tears. You do not fully realize how much you need to step outside of your current state sometimes until you actually get the opportunity. Elliot also enjoyed his time of playing with all of the other children and we want to express our gratitude to the volunteers that came out the first week and provided free childcare as a blessing to us all.
Returning from Taiwan we hit reverse culture shock as Taipei is a very modern city and perhaps the cleanest that we have ever been to visit. We hit the ground running by playing catch up on our life in S. Asia. Matt started organizing his next training and also took up some local opportunities to teach in a church that is in a nearby village. It is amazing how God will bring different leaders into Matt's life that our desperately desiring assistance in the equipping of their people to be sent out on mission.
Andrea is progressing along in her pregnancy and in case you missed our announcement, we found out that baby number two is going to be a boy! We are very excited as a family and Andrea grew up with four men in her house so she is fully prepared for three. She is continuing to disciple women in the red light district and teach one rescued lady art as a possible way to generate future income. God continues to deepen friendships with neighbors and we ask that you would pray with us for one particular lady as she is reading the Bible and asking many questions.
Please continue to pray for us as we desire to be very strategic in 2013 in our ministry here. Matt is working on fully developing his intense discipleship group of church planters, and at the same time working towards the goal of working through his close national partners so that the work never depends on him. We are excited to see the people of S. Asia continue to respond to the gospel and make disciples of them that will continue to advance the Kingdom of God here.
Thank you for your prayer and support, we ask that you remember us in the following ways:
- Friend of Andrea's asking questions about Jesus.
- Matt's development of his discipleship group and national partners.
- To be strategic in 2013.
- Elliot's allergies.
