Dear Praying Friends, 

Thank you all for your prayers as I made the long journey back to Taiwan. It was great to be home for a few weeks this summer to spend time with so many friends. But I know there were also many people that I didn’t get a chance to visit with while back and hope to be able to catch up with you soon too. I couldn’t have asked for a better time while in MN. The temperatures over the summer were perfect and most of the time with the high heat and humidity, I felt like I was back in Taiwan! I want to share a little of how God refreshed me while visiting and ask for prayer as I seek to follow after Him.

God’s Great Commission
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20

During the short time home, God overwhelmed me through the preaching of His Word and worshipping together in English! While in Colorado, I heard an encouraging message from Jerry Bridges about the Great Commission. He urged us all to PLEAD God for the FULFILLMENT of the Great Commission. As he spoke the words about how God directed Joshua to lead the Israelites in defeating their enemies and settling the Promised Land... I imagined all God has been doing in Changhua over the past several years in my life and the lives of those in our church. God helped Joshua see what He had accomplished (so he could praise God) and then showed him what was still before them to do. While sharing with everyone about everything happening in Taiwan, God reminded me of what He has accomplished in my life and is revealing to me the things He still wants to do for His own glory and from His greatness! He has already taken church-plant in Changhua through many steps that have sometimes brought us to tears, humbled us in our dependence on Him, or given us reason to rejoice together in praise; and is laying before us how He wants to help us continue to walk forward in faith. I am thankful God is faithfully working out his plan in all of our lives. I am also thankful His work is not yet finished (but eager to see the Day!), because there will be so many more Taiwanese worshipping with us for all eternity in heaven! Let’s not forget the hope we have in Christ and keep PLEADING God for the FULFILLMENT of HIS COMMISSION while encouraging one another as HIS DAY APPROACHES! 

Thank you also for many of you who have been sacrificing financially to be apart of the His Great Commission in Taiwan. Over the past two years, God has been faithful in showing me how he provides! I invite you to praise him for his great and timely provision. I also invite you to join me in praying for a few new regular supporters. As I seek to follow God into the future, there is need for growth of new supporters over the next year. Thank you for your willingness to pray and trust God with me as he provides! 

MN, CO, MN, TX, MN …
There were so many things that I would have liked to do while home, desiring most to spend some good time with family and friends. I was able to see my Grandma down in Southern Minnesota. At the age of 92, each visit helps continue to create memories as we face the challenges of old age. My sister, Christina, flew in from Seattle for a short visit. Carolee was in Minnesota and working at the hospital! It’s a great feeling having the entire family together for the first time in several years! It has been good to see some of the changes around town too. Unfortunately, the Twins weren’t really competitive this season, but that also means their tickets were really cheap and I was able to see the new stadium for the first time. Ice cream and dinner with friends have made me think of when I can get back out on the soccer field for some good exercise again.

God has been asking me to step out in faith in other areas of my life over the last year. During these weeks, I was able to spend a lot of time with Dava. If you had an opportunity to meet her while we were in Minnesota or Texas, Dava’s bright smile and joyful attitude would certainly be fixed in your memory! The time together was truly precious after spending many months using Skype to communicate. Please pray for Dava and I as we seek God’s leading for the future and desire to honor him in our relationship! 

Back to Taiwan
The return back to Taiwan seems to come quicker each time I visit. I am thankful for all that I was able to do while in the States and sad for the people who I couldn’t visit. But I am also eager to return to the guys I love in Taiwan. This week, we will start to meet incoming new students. Please pray as I jump right back into the beginning of the school year. Please especially pray for young men to respond to Jesus’ gospel call and commit their lives to him!

In Christ Jesus, 

Eric