ORLANDO CHINESE CHURCH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
AUGUST, 2001
Letters --- From Family Members
Letter 1
Having been back to Taiwan for over a month now, I am more or less settled down to the life here. Because of family, relatives and many things happening around me, my feelings and my thoughts have been fluctuating. I miss the peace and spiritual quietness I had when in the United States. Because I am somewhat isolated from brothers and sisters, I have not been going to church as often as I like to. My quiet time with the Lord also has suffered.
I try to go to church regularly and continue with Bible reading and prayers, but I am occupied with many things and have a tough time staying focus spiritually. May the Lord guard my heart and my mind.
How are things over there with you all? You must be busy preparing for the summer retreat now. I hope brothers and sisters are still fervent in their walk with the Lord. I think of you all very much and look forward to be with you soon.
Thank the Lord that I have the opportunity to meet with many brothers and sisters here in Taiwan. The Lord has raised up brothers and sisters everywhere who are devoted to Him in their service and in their ministry of the Gospel. I thank God that I can witness more of His power and kindness in their lives.
May the Lord bless you and be gracious to you! Please remember each other in our prayers.
Mei-Ling, from Taipei
Letter 2
Thanks for your greetings and cassette tapes. They were like sweet rain falling on dry ground. I thank you deeply and greatly enjoy such wonderful grace.
Since I returned to Taiwan, I have not been able to find a church that has strong Biblical teachings and yet is full of love. Many of the sermons here seem to focus only on being "nice", i.e. kindness and love. I recall when I was at Orlando Chinese Church, I often returned home with a contrite heart that led to much self-reflection. The message in the tapes touched me even in a stronger way now that we are separated physically.
My work is complicated and often requires a lot of patience. It is a constant struggle with having to make decisions. I earnestly long for greater discernment of God's voice in all matters. May the Lord give me more wisdom and guidance and help me see, in my regrets, the "self", in His doings, the wonder of His work, and in my own limitations, His trustworthiness. His grace indeed is sufficient for me and I will only boast of His strength in my weakness. Through God's grace I am strengthened and God has provided me the courage to face responsibilities. May God continue to strengthen and provide for me in my weakness.
I benefit from Paul's observations and am often warned of the danger of the "old self". I thank God for bringing Paul and I together in marriage. Thank you for spending time with us during our marriage preparation. Because of that we can learn to "love" and overcome the clashes of the "self" with "self".
Please pass on my love to the brothers and sisters. I hope to return home soon!
In Christ, Sandra
Letter 3
Mom,
Things are going well here. Every day is a challenge, but I've met every goal so far. God has really given me strength to carry on. I go to church every Sunday and I thank the Lord that I've been holding up so far. I've gotten several letters from Connie and others, but none from the youth. Perhaps the computer is to blame. Oh well, I really miss everything back home - the freedom, people, and church. Going to church here and singing some worship songs almost makes me cry. I guess I'm homesick and don't even know it. I'll get by though, only 9 or 10 more weeks left!
I don't know if you'll ever see me the way I am now. People here aren't too fond of taking pictures. I wish you can see me though. I do look pretty funny. I can't say that I'll become a "muscleman", but I can say that I'll definitely be stronger. There will probably be a new Jason come August 31. Tell everyone that I miss them and expecting their letters.
Your son.
Abba Father
The airport was unusually crowded. With all the pushing and pulling of my luggage, eventually I arrived at the ticket counter from the end of that long, long waiting line. Breathing a big relieving sigh, I laid down my bags and laid out my tickets for the clerk to give me my seat assignment. No passport? I just could not find my passport in my purse: "How could this be?" "O Lord, where is my passport?" Going through all neatly folded clothing in this bag and that luggage, I was near panic after ten minutes and the pile of mess I created with the spread. Worrying that there would be complaint from other passengers, I stepped aside to continue my search: "Did I leave it at home? Lord, what am I going to do?"
The watch showed only thirty minutes to the departure time. I ran to the payphones, but everyone was occupied. I turned around, only to notice that my luggage was still left at the counter. Not knowing whether to make the phone call first or to collect my belongings over there, I suddenly spotted Dad coming over with my things: "O Dad, ….." He waved at me with the passport in his hand, "You forgot your passport. I went to the counter and they said that you left these bags there…" Tears accompanied me as I woke from the tension of the dream ..…
Back at the time after my graduation from grade school, I recall that we all had to take the district admission examination in town at the city high school. Spoiled by my laid-back attitude and ample playtime, I paid little attention to that matter. It was actually surprising that I even remembered the testing date after a long and relaxing summer. That morning our teacher came by with the school bus to collect all students for the big test of the big day. Shortly after I settled in my seat in the assigned classroom, the bell rang. It was time for the test! The examiner came in with the test papers in her arm, but first she had to check each student's registration card! Oh no, mine was left at home. After quite a struggle, I was given permission to go to the office to call home: "Dad,….."
Confident that dad would ask his driver to deliver the registration, I began to work on the answers for the test. Just after a while then I noticed dad rushed in, turned in my registration and rushed out. After the exam, my teacher mentioned that dad came on his bicycle, only about twenty minutes after I called. "It normally would take at least thirty minutes. I don't know how your Dad made it so fast!"
Even till now I do not know how he did it. I can only say that God has given us a good father on this earth, to whom we can raise any requests at any time by calling "Dad!" His provision and protection never failed. With the weariness of each passing year, he may have lost some youth and vigor, but not diminishing is his care and sacrifice for his children.
Our God is the never-changing heavenly Father who loves us till the end, aside being the Creator, the Ruler and the Sustainer of the universe. He sent the Spirit of His one and only Son into our hearts, so we may cry out "Abba Father!" He becomes the provision (Matt 6:25-34) and protection (Ps 121) in our lives. At every needy moment of great trials, He draws us to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help. He opens His arms to call us, "….you have been upheld by Me from birth, carried from the womb. Even to your old age, I am He. And even to gray hairs I will carry and deliver you." (Isa 46:3-4)
Thanks be unto God. He is such a faithful heavenly Father. Only He can and He will give us what the world cannot. May we all turn to Him, trusting and looking with our whole hearts!