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Missions' Team News for August

News from the Edwards Family in Taiwan

Chad Edwards writes the following news about their 2010 Sports and English Camp and their mission’s sixteenth anniversary celebration.

As I begin typing here, I already know there will not be enough space on this paper to contain all the great things God did during 2010 Sports and English camp, but here are a few!

On the first night of camp, a first time camper Vicky knocks out two teeth playing a relay game, but decides she doesn’t want to go home. Come Friday, she wants to put her faith in Jesus!

Campers and staff bond amazingly well, staying up late over instant noodles sharing life stories.

A boy named Jason comes to camp skeptical about God, but speaks out the loudest when he gives his confession of faith on Saturday morning!

Wow...Awesome stuff! This year, the theme for camp was “The Journey”. The question we posed to our 124 campers this year was, “Do you know where your ‘life journey’ is heading”? So, on Friday evening, after much preparation and prayer, we presented the campers with the opportunity to begin a new journey with Jesus. Nearly 30 kids came forward with questions, decisions and need for prayer. Twenty-one of the students decided that they wanted to follow Jesus. As part of our decision time, we spent time sharing and praying with each student. Many sat in tears, overwhelmed by how they had experienced God, all week, and others sat pondering the response their parents would have when they told them of their new faith in Jesus. Every year, we have each student call home to share their decision with their family. For some, this goes well, but for many others, this is where trust, obedience and patience begins. Of the twenty who accepted Christ, only 9 were given permission to be baptized. Our prayer for those not given permission to be baptized is that as they begin to follow Jesus and his Word, their families will not help but see the change that has taken place in their hearts. Thank you for praying by name for these kids. We have included the names of those who made decision last week. Please keep these kids and their journey ahead in your daily prayers!

As we prepared to go home on Saturday, we sang our theme song of the week, “Journey”, written by fellow co-worker Cherry Messimer:

"And when my Journey is all through...
Jesus, I wanna be with you! (X2)
This is what I’m looking for!
To live my life for something more!
This what I’m headed towards!
Yea! To be with you forevermore!"

BAPTIZED – Austin, Echo, Ephraim, Jason, Jovy, Kelly, Samuel, Tiffany, Vivian

NOT BAPTIZED – Andy, David, Eva, Jane, Jerry, Justin, May, Mickey, Stacy, Vicky, Wendy, Willy

I can still remember when I turned 16. My parents planned a big surprise party for me and I got my driver’s license. Turning sixteen meant more freedom and independence. It also meant I was maturing (at least I thought I was) and that I was taking on more responsibility for myself and those around me. As the Taiwan Christian Church celebrated its sixteenth year as a body of believers, it is very obvious to see the maturity and spiritual growth that has taken place over that last few years: Brothers and sisters stepping up in service and leadership. Our youth group, along with quite a few guest campers shared their testimonies from camp and how God was working in their lives. Though sixteen years seems like a long time, I am so thankful for the fruit we have been able to see and for God’s faithfulness through these years of growing and maturing. Of course, no celebration would be complete without a good meal. As the catered meal was being set up, all 125+ attendees were forced into every available nook and cranny of our facility’s limited space which created some special sharing times. There were even people eating and sharing in our secretary’s office! Please pray for the Taiwan Christian Church as they continue grow up into complete maturity.

Please keep the Edwards, and the continued growth and success of their work in Taiwan, in your prayers.

Missionary birthdays for August

Saturday, August 14 – Prisca Laguerre

Haitian Christian Ministries, Inc.
Emmanuel and Prisca Laguerre
c/o Lynx Air International
3402 SW 9th Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33318