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posted by Robert on 07/28/09

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time  forth and for evermore” (Psalm 113:1-2).

The towering evergreens which surrounded me were all pointing heavenward. Psalm 113 kept echoing in my mind. I was spending the week in the Northwoods of Michigan with a large group of young men. Our goal was to seek the Lord, to hear His voice, and to allow him to search our hearts and remove anything that would hinder His power working in and through us. We were on a journey, a Journey to the Heart.

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens” (Psalm 113:3-4).

I sat quietly in my kayak on Wolf Lake, watching the sun slowly rise and soaking in the beauty of God’s creation surrounding me. For nearly two hours we glided quietly through the placid waters, marveling at God’s creation and meditating on His goodness.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

God opened up His Word to us and we spent hours reading and studying it alone by ourselves and then sharing insights together as a group. It became alive and real as we received practical direction for life situations.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where  no water is” (Psalm 63:1)

As we studied the bad heart conditions our team of eleven guys began to open up with each other and share struggles and defeats that we had never had the courage to bring into the light before. Then we prayed for one another and received the boldness to call and confess them to those who needed to know. As one fellow on our team joyfully put it, “I feel like a burden has rolled off my back!”

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

There were so many memorable times! I will never forget how our day of delighting in the Lord started off up in the prayer tower, listening to That’s My King and spending two wonderful hours together in adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Each sweet recollection of God’s goodness during this incredible week is a motivation to continue walking closely with Him as we continue living the Journey back in our own homes and families.  “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name” (Psalm 63:3-4).

7 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Michael on 07/27/09

The week of July 17 to 24 was filled with a wondrous combination of faith, love, and power. With the surrender of pleasure, pride, and idolatry came a flood of righteousness, joy, and peace. Members of six families willingly came together in obedience to the direction of God’s prompting to learn how to take the gospel to nearby communities – and then put their learning to practice. Esther, Jonathan, David and I traveled to Virginia on Friday, arriving at noon and spent the rest of the day and all of Saturday training with 18 others on how to present the gospel, Scripture verses, and Bible lessons to children in a Bible club setting. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent teaching God’s Word to children in four neighborhoods. We saw God not only work in the hearts of the children, but also continue His work in our  hearts and show His power to us all alike. The testimonies that resulted from the week were a great encouragement to believers we have met and talked with on four occasions since then. Then on Sunday evening, in the evening church service back in West Virginia, the four of us again shared twelve powerful examples of God’s work from the previous week.

David shared the excitement of explaining the gospel to other people for the first time in his life.

Jonathan shared how in the midst of a cough and cold that left him with just a whisper he was able to share his Bible lessons with a clear strong voice. He also shared how he had explained the gospel to another young man we were praying for who then finally prayed to receive Jesus Christ and trust Him for his salvation.

Esther shared how our whole group of children at one club came to the back room at the same time to have the gospel explained to them personally. We were more than happy to change our schedule to accommodate God’s work in their hearts and lead them to the Savior!

Michael shared how God had taught him to trust God to accomplish His work His way, preparing a table of spiritual nourishment for the children even when there was no time to prepare. God’s hand in the weather was a powerful testimony to many of the children, and later to the teachers as well. God even worked in the lives of some of the parents of the children at one of the clubs, showing them their need for salvation. At the end of the three days it was obvious that some of the work had just begun. Consider the verses below:

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” John 20:27

2 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 07/24/09

Taking pictures of fireworks has always thrilled me! I remember the first time I attempted doing this with a Minolta film point and shoot. With visions of what I’d seen in newspapers and magazines, I recall my disappointment and bewilderment when the prints came back showing only blur and blah. There had to be a better way!

I tried again with Dad’s film SLR one year, and then with the Canon 20D the next. Every time the 4th of July rolled around, I was out shooting with a camera. Every post-4th-of-July, I would tell myself that there had to be a better way. As each year passed, I considered different aspects of the art, modifying my formula to heighten the odds of getting a greater percentage of “good ones” the next year.

Well, now I think it is time to share what I’ve learned from all these years of experience and trial and error. Really, it is quite simple. To start off, you just need three things:

1. A steady place to set the camera (preferably a tripod)
2. A camera that supports custom shutter-speed (“bulb” on an SLR)
3. A remote shutter release (not necessary, but extremely helpful)

Imagine you are now at the park right after dusk for the last 4th of July celebration. The place is bustling with excited crowds of people and the cool, damp grass complements the warm, summer air. All your camera equipment is set up and ready to go. Now you just need to set the camera’s exposure. With exposure mode set to Manual (M):

1. Set the aperture to f/11
2. Set the shutter-speed to “bulb”
3. Set the ISO to 100

The hour for the firework show is drawing closer; the crowds are hushed; the lights around you flicker off one by one. The only light around is the lonely moon hanging in the vast expanse above you. There isn’t much time left. With your exposure set, there are only three things left to do:

1. Choose a wide angle lens (but one that will not include the horizon)
2. Set the white balance to Tungsten (or 2800K)
3. Focus on a distant object, and then set the focus to Manual

The fireworks have begun! Without zooming in or out, click and hold the shutter release button from when the firework leaves the ground to when the last bits of fire peters out after it’s glorious burst. If the circumstances are the same as they have always been for me, you will have a magnificent, stunning, and satisfactory image of the most explosive piece of artwork created by man!

(more…)

5 Comments » | posted in Photography

posted by Daniel on 07/22/09

Hurrah! Everyone’s gone! Think of all the time I’ll have! No interruptions! As many fish sticks as I like! No one I have to share dessert with! No stacks of used cups by the fridge! Won’t this be great…

The whole house changed when David, Jonathan, Esther, and Michael left to help with OEI Virginia, leaving only Dad, Mom, and I at home. But being an “only child” has not turned out as I expected it to. What fun is dessert without a dispute on how to divide it equally with Jonathan and David? How different the dinner table feels with only the three of us huddled at one end. I’ve caught up some on my studies, but how I miss the interruptions! The house is so quiet, and there is nothing like silence to sharpen the cruelty of loneliness. The ripple of Esther’s cheerful, contagious laugh…no more. Jonathan to talk with as we get ready for bed at night…no more. David faithfully checking me out on my verses each evening…no more. Michael’s hearty, wholesome breakfasts to wake up to…no more.

How I long for their return! How insignificant the small things I complained about before now seem!

Don’t take your family relationships for granted. Take the time to appreciate those who are around you!

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Donald on 07/17/09

To the children in Taiwan: I’ll remember you. I’m also praying for you and I hope you will keep practicing your English!
To those in the States: Thank you for praying! I continue to be amazed at the way simple truths, like seeds, can bring lasting results in my own life and the lives of children and families we have the honor to serve.

Today we leave Nan Jung Junior High School. Wesley and Julianna will take up the baton in August to start year two. A great pioneering effort is coming to a good close. Yesterday’s chalk-talk, again, went well and I took the easel to the Pastor’s son in the afternoon. Who knows, maybe he will use it even more than I have.

And tomorrow we head to Shin-Ju! It will be great to finish camps where I first started them two years ago. “To every thing there is a season”.

6 Comments » | posted in Family News