Taiwan 2009

Posted April 3, 2009

Dearest Friends,

This is the most fantastic list of blessings. You are going to love this email. The last 3 days of ministry in Taiwan have been exhausting, but very sweet. Anna and I have been battling colds, but are feeling much better. Please forgive me for not writing sooner, but I really needed to rest between programs.

The mountains that are near the city, particularly Ali mountain, are very famous. However, only once after a rain, and then only for 15 minutes, have we seen any at all. The city is constantly covered with haze, but this week we are seeing God cover it with His Holy Spirit. We are all so blessed!

1. In the afternoon, after a group of students watched a program, they were excitedly talking about it on the bus. One young man heard them talking about what they had seen and heard. He was scheduled to take a test this morning and would have missed the program. He was so eager to hear what his friends had heard that he went and begged a teacher to help him postpone his test. She told me how happy he was to attend the puppet show.
    
   
2. At 7:40 AM this morning, hundreds of young people crowded into a hall. All of us felt the presence of God's Holy Spirit on those young people. A teacher came to me and said, "I was so touched. The students were crying. I was crying." We were allowed to pray with these young people and I ask you to continue in prayer for them. My heart broke for them as I looked deep into their eyes. They were so attentive. They listened eagerly as I described how the one true God offers forgiveness and love. Pray!
    
   
3. At a Catholic hospital, the priest and the director welcomed us and were very enthusiastic about what we share. A doctor later spoke to me about how amazed he was that a couple of hundred people had gathered on 2 floors to listen to the Gospel. He told me that even after we left, people were talking about what they had heard. So many people heard about Jesus Christ that morning. Most were from a Buddhist background and for too many, the Gospel was news.
    
   
4. At a kindergarten, Sam told the story of Jonah using balloons. The children loved the story. Best of all, many of them prayed out loud asking Jesus to save them.
    
   
5. Imagine 150 fourth graders at a puppet show. They were students at a public school, but we were given an open invitation to share with them. They loved the program, but remember, the entire presentation told them about Jesus. They were having a wonderful time learning about how they could have a relationship with God.
    
   
6. We did 2 programs at a school where we were not allowed translation. It was a very difficult time as we were desperate to tell the children about Jesus, but questioned their ability to understand our English. We were reminded about the Holy Spirit enabling men to hear the Gospel in their own language in Acts, and continue to pray that He will do the same for these children. Please join with us in these prayers.
    
   
7. A public school gave us 450 sixth graders and everyone was amazed at how well they listened. I was equally amazed. After all of these years telling children Bible stories, I am still delighted and blessed by the power of the cross to touch children's hearts. The teachers were equally engaged as they listened to a story about the miracles of Jesus. It was an awesome experience!
    
   
8. Our last evening was spent in an exceptionally sweet time of fellowship with our new team and their families. We prayed together, laughed, and cried when we realized we had to say goodbye. They were all so kind. Ask the Father to really bless this new team with all of the wisdom and skills they need.

Our final show was at a kindergarten and we heard so many call on Jesus, asking Him to be their King. What a fantastic finish to an unbelievable time of ministry in Taiwan!

HOME

Tomorrow, Saturday at 4 AM, we will begin our journey home. Because of the 12-hour time difference, we will arrive home the same day. Please pray us safely home.

As we were driving to Hsinchu, the pastor in Chiayi called to beg us to change our schedule and return next year. All of our Chinese friends were all so eager to learn and anxious to begin this new ministry. Please ask the Lord to give us wisdom to make the right decision one week from now.

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine

Posted April 1, 2009

Dearest Friends,

Chaiyi Hospital

Our day began with prayer with the hospital chaplains. Prayer is always the best way to begin a day! We asked God that He would do more than we could ask or imagine. Let me tell you how faithfully the Father answered our prayers.

1. Our first show was for mentally handicapped children. More than 100 children along with their caregivers and some parents watched for an hour. Everyone said that the children would never be able to sit for so long and listen. However, they did not understand how the impossible is always possible for God. They were all amazed that the children listened so well and enjoyed the program so much. Some prayed, trusting in Jesus.
    
   
2. At the second show, we had mostly adult patients and hospital staff. I was amazed that they stopped for an hour to listen to puppets sing, a Bible story, and testimonies. Many of the adults and children were rolling IV poles. As I looked at them, my heart was broken. It is terrible to see children and adults suffering, but is far worse to realize that they do not know Jesus. He is real comfort! It was such a gift to all of us that God would allow us to be in the hospital sharing His hope, His love.
    
   Since this is a Christian hospital, 15% of the staff are Christians. Now, you may think that is a very low number. However, remember that outside of this building, less than 1% of the population trust in Jesus. How wonderful that God has taken hold of this place and is using those who work here to reach out and share His love with those who need it! There is no place else in the city where this is true.
    
   
3. Our third program was for little children, but again, so many adults also stopped to listen. When we prayed with them, I heard some children boldly calling on Him. Praise God!
    
   
4. Finally, we traveled to the 11th floor of the hospital to the psychiatric ward. Can you think of a better place to tell people about Jesus who gives hope, peace, and can take away your fears? Can you imagine the wonder you would experience when you hear about the only Son of the one true God who removes guilt and shame? It was a precious show!

Please pray for the hundreds of people who listened to the Gospel today in the hospital lobby!

Blessings

We had the most amazing meal last night. It included so many wonderful dishes, but we seldom know exactly what we are eating. We ate pig tendons, sea cucumbers, shark fin soup, but the rest mostly remained a delicious mystery.

When we returned to church last night, a large Christmas tree was lit up on the side of the building. Everywhere we see Christmas decorations which often remain until Easter. I love Christmas decorations. How cool to get to enjoy them in March!

On the top of the church are giant Chinese words which proclaim "Jesus loves you." Thousands can see them every day.

Everyone has a camera here. The other night, 8 cameras were taking our picture at once. Always, people are photographing us with their cell phones.

Most people that I talk with here think that I am at least 70 years old. I think this is a blessing.

There was some confusion when I arrived at the psychiatric floor for our last show. Since I had come by myself on the elevator, the nurses became confused. They kept telling me to sit down and rest. I almost got admitted.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we will be doing programs in another hospital, a kindergarten and an elementary school. Please remain on your knees!

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 30, 2009

Dearest Friends,

RAIN

I woke up Sunday morning to a storm. Immediately, I began to pray as our plan was to do a program in a park. The people we are working with here have wonderful vision. They are very willing to go outside the church and schedule opportunities for us to share. I wanted to share with the children in the park that day, and I also wanted encourage our friends' efforts to reach people outside the church.

God was very kind to us. Our friends sent vehicles over to the park and brought all of the children back to the church to the first floor where we did the puppet show. Normally, they have 50 children in Sunday school, but yesterday they had 145 in attendance! God answered all our prayers. More, because we were at a church, we had complete freedom to pray with the children. We heard so many children praying out loud asking Jesus to be their King and their Savior. It was awesome!

SATURDAY'S PRAYER REQUEST

The other day we sent out a special prayer request and asked specificall' that you pray for the team we are planting here in Chaiyi. They desire to hear God’s voice and vision clearly. Each day, they are moving closer to accepting the equipment and believing they can start a puppet ministry in this place. Even now, as we are typing this e-mail, some are meeting downstairs to learn how to setup the sound system, puppet stage, and the easel. Please keep praying. All of us truly believe that these are the right people for this ministry.

CONCORDIA SCHOOL

Concordia is a school that was established by Lutheran missionaries more than 50 years ago. Today, we had the sweet privilege of doing 3 programs for the children. Later in the week, we will have two more opportunities to share with the students. Most of the children who attend this school are not from Christian families. This is a very special opportunity to share with Buddhist children whose families are the doctors and lawyers and key businessmen in this community. Please pray for our remaining two times that we will get to be with these children. I have a real heart's desire for them to be able to hear the Gospel clearly and with understanding.

TODAY'S PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be at Chaiyi Christian Hospital. We have four programs schedules with different groups at the hospital. Please pray that we will make the right decisions about what we will do in each place. Ask the Father to call many to faith as we are sharing tomorrow. Thank you for being so faithful to pray for us. We feel the strength of your prayers.

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 28, 2009

Dearest Friends,

We are in Chia-Yi, in the South of Taiwan. We are working with a wonderful group of people. Last night, they welcomed us so warmly, they had prepared fo us a wonderful dinner. Then, they stood and sang for us. The words to the song said, "I am glad, for I belong to Jesus. Praise the Lord." They have real joy for Jesus. They have also arranged a great schedule for us, with many kinds of opportunities. We will be doing programs at schools, at hospitals, and on the streets. Clearly, they have great vision.

However, they are concerned about the responsibility of accepting the puppet equipment that we want to give them. They are fearful that it is too great a responsibility for them to undertake. I admire their honesty and their desire not to see the equipment wasted by being put into storage. However, after the training time we had today with them, all of us believe that these are the right people to start a team in this part of Taiwan.

Please consider that there are precious few Christians in this part of the country. Today as we were doing a program at an apartment complex on the street, many people came who would never have visited a church. There is a desperate need here for Christians to go where the lost people are and share Christ with them. They are hungry to hear. Today they stood or sat in the sun for an hour to listen to stories about the one true God.

Please pray that these dear people will accept this equipment and trust God to raise up a team from among them. Please ask God to give them the courage to believe that with Him all things are possible.

New photographs have been uploaded at http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/7700201_EkSSc#P-1-21

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 28, 2009

Dearest Friends,

GOOD-BYE TO HSINCHU

We finished our time in Hsinchu sharing with 1400 children in a single day. It was amazing! We were at a school where we had done many programs across the years of ministry in Taiwan, so the children recognized me when we arrived. They said, "Oh look, it is the old woman who tells us stories." Then they guessed my age to be 89. Maybe, I should dye my hair. HEEHEE

WE had complete freedom in this school, except that we could not pray with the children. Still, we were able to explain the hope of Jesus so clearly and model for them a prayer so that they could know how to ask Jesus to be their Savior. One of the teachers told me that she could see in the children's eyes how well they listened. Truly, they were hungry to hear about His hope.

Please continue to pray for the children of Hsinchu and Peter and Melody. It is such a dark place, full of so many temples. Yesterday, we passed by the temple to the lord of hell and one to the mother of heaven. Please pray!

HELLO TO CHAI-YI

Now, we are in the south in Chai-yi and there are even less Christians here. There are even more temples. This is a town of 270,000 people.The air is very bad. You can see it blocking the view of the rest of the city. In minutes, we leave for a show. WE need you to pray for this area. We will train and equip a team here and there are many details to sort. Again, please pray.

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 26, 2009

Dearest Friends,

Wow!

Today, the children were very caught up in the story of Jesus and His miracles. When He calmed the storm, you heard them say "Wow!" I want to be continually that excited when I think about what Jesus did... what He does. How sweet to hear Buddhist children excited about a Bible story!

Public Schools

Today, we did 3 programs at public schools. All of the programs were well received, even by the teachers. We shared with over 1200 children who loved what they heard. What an amazing privilege to tell so many Buddhist children about Jesus!

Some of the Christian teachers at one school were fearful about how the Gospel would be received. God gave them courage and peace. In the end, they were very pleased.

One of the best stories today happened in the strangest place. Two teachers took me to the restroom so that I could wash my hands. They both spoke English well. I continued a conversation with them that we had begun at the end of the show. One teacher goes to Peter's church and one teacher is from a different church tradition. The second teacher said that she had never heard such stories as she has heard today. We talked about Jesus Christ and His miracles. All of us shared testimonies about how He had changed us.

The dear young woman began to cry. She said that she felt something she had never known before and put her hand over her heart. I told her my testimony and my husband's testimony. God used these stories to touch her heart. She told me that what I said was "compelling." This was the actual word she used. I explained to her that there was nothing compelling about me, but told her that what she was experiencing was the touch of God's Holy Spirit on her life.

She looked at the other teacher and switched places with her. She said, "You stand beside her. God's Holy Spirit is too much for me. I cannot stop crying." We spent another half hour together and she asked many more good questions. Please pray for these 2 teachers. Pray that the second teacher will talk more with her believing friend. Pray that she will trust in Jesus.

Grateful

We are so grateful for a Christian brother who owns a hotel here. He generously gives us a place to stay and we so appreciate his kindness. Each morning we enjoy a lovely breakfast and each evening, we rest well. Please ask the Father to bless him as he blesses others.

English

Everyone here has an English name. They all study English in schools. Most English names are pretty normal, but the other day, I met "Shopping." Truthfully, many Americans could claim that name.

Many years ago, when I first began to work in Taiwan, I heard about a ladies' clothing store here. They translated their name into English. Over the store front hung a sign that said "to cover your ugly." This memory always makes me laugh.

Our Puppet Team

In Chinese, the words "puppet team" literally translates "cloth idol team." Imagine going to a Buddhist school where people worship false gods. We introduce ourselves as Christians and then tell them that we are the Agape Cloth Idol Team. I confess that this is somewhat disturbing.

The worship of idols is very real here. The other day, we drove down the "god street" where you can go to buy your god. We have passed a couple of places that make gods. I always wonder if you can argue over the price and get a discount god, how much power does a person expect it to have? If you can make it with your own 2 hands, why would you worship it?

The people here are so precious, but they live in such darkness. My heart breaks for the children who grow up with these lies. Their homes all have a god shelf where they worship their dead ancestors. Please ask the one true God to break your heart so that you will remember to pray for the children of Taiwan. Please see their great need for the truth!

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 25, 2009

Dearest Friends,

MACKAY HOSPITAL

Can you imagine doing a puppet show in a hospital lobby? This is how we spent the morning. More, because the hospital was founded by a pioneer Presbyterian missionary to Taiwan, we had complete freedom in what we did and said. We could even pray with everyone, giving them an opportunity to ask Jesus Christ to be their Savior.

The head of the hospital, a doctor, came to welcome us. He stayed for most of the show and even wore a funny hat from Zimbabwe. All of the children loved him for making them laugh and clapped for him. I could not imagine a similar scene in an American hospital.

Doctors, nurses, patients, and those who brought them all listened. People stood on 2 floors in an open lobby, watching the program in a full circle. It was a very interesting way to tell a story. All the time you had to be looking up and down, and all around the room. Many set in chairs in front of us or stood around the room. Children came to see the puppets with their parents rolling their IV poles. Most stayed for the entire hour, instead of for parts of the program as we expected.

I watched as people listened eagerly to stories about Jesus and was amazed. More, even the adults stood in line for a free flying mouse balloon. Please pray for all of the seeds that the Father planted today. Please pray that those who heard will hunger to know more about Jesus. What a fantastic time we had at the hospital! That sounds strange, doesn't it?

CHILDREN PRAYING

We received an invitation from a teacher while doing a program at a rural school on Monday. She invited us to come today and do an after school program. Her church has a ministry to very poor children whose parents work very long hours and have little time for their children. The children were from Hakka homes and many were mountain children, from the Tayal tribe.

All through the story of Joseph, I could tell that they were really listening. Still, you never know how the Father will move in their hearts. It was the sweetest joy to hear dozens and dozens of children calling on God to be their Father, calling on Jesus to save them. We made all of these children balloons as well! We left the show full of joy. All of us kept talking about what a sweet day that we had been given.

THE RESTAURANT

None of us could have imagined that we had another wonderful surprise waiting for us. Peter had planned to go to one place to eat, but we were too late by the time that we finished the second program. We had one plan, but the Father had a better plan. At the restaurant where we went, because we were eating lunch after 3PM, there was no one else there. We had a private restaurant. The owner and I had 2 great conversations about Jesus and some stories about the children we serve. With real joy, he received a Chinese illustrated life of Jesus. He became very excited. It is wonderful to see someone so thrilled! Please pray for this young man to trust in Jesus.

PRAYER REQUESTS

This was an especially sweet day. There is more to this story, but I will need to wait until tomorrow to tell you about the backpacks that we assembled today for a closed country. The hour is late and I confess that I am tired. Please stand with us in prayer!

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 24, 2009

Dearest Friends,

GREAT DAYS

When the program goes well, I say "Awesome." My Irish partner, Sam Shaw, says "Brilliant." My Chinese pastor friend says, "Hung How" (spelling phonetically). Our French puppet director Anna says "Genial." Silvana is from Brazil and she says "Maravilhoso." In any language, today was wonderful. We were allowed to pray with the children at a Christian school, but most of the students were not from believing families. Today, we heard so many children praying loudly, asking God to be their Father and Jesus to be their King.

You may wonder if such an experience is really life changing. The Director told me that as a small child she had trusted in Jesus during a similar program for children many years ago. She grew up in a Buddhist family, but came to Jesus as a small child.

It is amazing to be traveling with friends from four continents and five countries. All of us are so blessed by all that we see God do. Each day is a great day as we share with hundreds of children, many of whom have no understanding of who Jesus is and how He can change them. I cannot imagine living a single day without Jesus. Here, people can live an entire lifetime and not hear His name. Please pray for Taiwan!

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Monday morning, we did two programs at a public school. As it is in most places in Taiwan, almost everyone was Buddhist. The children loved the program. As they were leaving the building, they were all shouting something. Peter told me that they were shouting, "We want you to come again. We want to see you again."

Two years ago, we were at this same school. One of the teachers remembered our visit and more, she remembered the Bible story that she had heard. Please pray for all of these children to remember what they heard about "true love." This was the subject that the school approved. What a great topic! There is no true love except through the cross of Jesus Christ and that is what we shared with them!

As usual, they would not allow us to pray with the children, but we could tell them how to pray. This always makes me laugh because God is the creator of the universe. They cannot stop what He chooses to do in the lives of the children.

BON APPETIT!

We all enjoyed the most wonderful meal with our friends Peter and Melody and their children. I always tell children that a missionary needs to be able to eat anything. We proved that statement as we all dined at a Hong Kong-style restaurant. We ate turtle blood jello and snake soup. After dinner, we went for a walk and shared a can of asparagus juice.

There is a delicious fruit here that is a cross between a pear and an apple. Our friend calls it a jingle bell, but we have decided it is a "prapple." Anyway, it tastes great!

IN THE COUNTRY

Monday afternoon, we drove out of town to a school in the country. On the edge of the mountains, the school is beside an orange grove. The air was so nice and the view was great!

The best part of the trip was meeting a young boy named Joseph. He came up after the show and presented a small banner as a thank you from the school. Then he came to see me again. He wanted to shake my hand and tell me thank you.

I looked into his eyes and knew that Joseph was not just grateful for a good show. He had listened with his ears and his heart. Later, I spoke with him alone and encouraged him to remember the story. I asked him to please trust Jesus. He promised that he would. When a child reaches out to you as Joseph did and looks so deeply into your eyes, you see the need of his heart. Please pray for Joseph to pray and call on Jesus to save him.

TRAINING

On Saturday afternoon, we trained 35 Sunday school teachers. They got so excited about what they heard and were eager to learn. We did our best to encourage them. I shared with them how my Sunday school teacher touched my life when I was 5 years old. I still remember Mrs. Smith. Please pray for these teachers to be bright lights in the many churches that they represent.

Last night, we taught Seminary students at a Lutheran seminary. Some of those who came plan to work in a closed country, a place where you cannot openly go as a missionary. They will risk their lives to tell people about Jesus Christ. What a privilege to teach them!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tomorrow and Thursday we have more shows in schools and at a hospital. Please pray! It is very dark here and all of us need you to pray.

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 22, 2009

Dearest Friends,

The Hakka people are an unreached people group in Taiwan. Less than half of 1 percent of them trust in Jesus Christ. The rest are Buddhists who are deeply committed to ancestor worship.

It is extremely difficult for a Hakka person to come to faith in Jesus Christ because it involves turning their back on their entire family. Our friend pastor Peter was so happy today because a Hakka man in his fifties was baptized today. For more than 30 years, his Christian wife has been praying for him to come to faith. His father had forbidden him to become a Christian. Recently, he went to his father and told him that he had decided he would not wait any longer. He told his father that he knew that even though they did not know the Lord, he believed that God had blessed them. He asked his father to respect his decision and he agreed. Please pray for the father also to trust in Jesus. He is 87 years old. Peter said that the man was so full of joy when he was baptized that he cried. Praise God for his new faith!

A SMALL HAKKA CHURCH

Today, Sunday, we all went to a small Hakka church. It is a very small light in a very dark place. The church is struggling. Their pastor suffered from depression and committed suicide a year ago. The members are fearful to share their faith and so it was a real step of faith for them to invite us to come. Sam preached, Silvana sang, Jeremy spoke, Anna played her flute, and I gave a mission report. We are all still so jet-lagged and we were blessed that the Father could use us today in spite of our exhaustion. There is a 12-hour time difference here.

More, this afternoon they scheduled an evangelistic outreach and invited the children from a nearby school. Forty children came and I heard 2 praying softly, asking Jesus to be their Savior. It was wonderful! They had planned games and refreshments and we made everyone balloons. It was a wonderful afternoon.

JEREMY WILL EAT IT

I especially enjoyed crushed ice with passion fruit and bean noodles on top. When you eat the bean noodles, they squeak in your mouth. It is just like eating cheese curds in Wisconsin, except not as loud.

I loved shrimp and fish, but it always tickles me to see it looking back at me. Tonight, all of the shrimp were watching me.

URGENT PRAYER

Tomorrow, Monday, we begin our ministry in the public schools. They are all Buddhist schools and we must have your prayers. This is a very dark place with a very great need that only Jesus Christ can satisfy.

Please pray. Ask others to pray. It is so dark here!

In Jesus,

Linda Summer - Director

For Sam Shaw Assistant Director
Silvana Shaw
Jeremy Snow
Anna McIlwaine
Peter and Melody

Posted March 21, 2009

Dearest Friends,

We are in Taiwan after 2 days of adventure. Nothing ever goes as we hope, but this trip is already full of stories that surprised even us. We arrived at the airport with our 12 very large suitcases and 8 carry on bags. so far, so good. Then we discovered that the visa sight that Sam and Silvana had checked was not recently updated. Silvana travels on a Brazillian passport and was told that she did not need a visa, but she did. We prayed, remained calm, and thanks to an amazing effort by my sister Cathy, Silvana got a visa in Atlanta. She will arrive later today. Praise God!

I was briefly detained in the Detroit airport because I set off an alarm that detected radioactivity. I registered a 6 on the alarm. The security people got very excited. I guess that I look like a mad bomber. In reality, I had some tests done on my heart on Tuesday and was injected with a radioactive isotope. After some special equipment was brought , they determined that I was just what I said, a children's Bible teacher. The guard was not allowed to leave me alone, so I took the opportunity to tell him about Jesus and His hope.

Anna struggled to leave France in the midst of a labor strike. Then she helped an older French couple on the plane to Hong Kong. To thank her, they gave her a boiled egg and some nuts. Who travels with a boiled egg? A smile and a good sense of humor always helps.

Mostly, we remember that we trust in a sovereign God who holds all our days and plans. Truly, we walk trusting in our Father's constant care. When things are funny or difficult, when unexpected expenses occur, when we arrive on time or are delayed, we smile and trust. This simple truth has required many lessons that we walked through on previous trips. I am so glad that God does not give up on us.

In minutes, we begin our ministry. We are on our way to teach a large group of believers at a local church. Please pray for this time.

In Jesus, Linda for Sam, Silvana, Jeremy and Anna

Posted March 19, 2009

Dearest Friends,

TAIWAN

In just a few hours, we will leave for the airport and fly to Taiwan. I am so excited about the opportunity to tell Buddhist children about the one true God! I can't wait to see our friends Peter and Melody and here about all of their adventures in the past 2 years. Also, I am so happy about the team that the Lord has put together for this trip. Sam Shaw and his lovely wife Silvana are always a blessing. Anna McIllwaine is the French puppet director and a constant joy. She will meet us in Taiwan. Jeremy Snow was one of very first puppeteers 18 years ago and so much fun to work with! As you can see, I am very excited about all the aspects of this trip and expect that the Father will do wondrous things! Once again we will be a team from 4 nations and 3 continents. It is strange and wonderful trying to explain to people how we became friends and partners in ministry when we come form so many places. Please pray for us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Please pray for many children to discover the truth of the Gospel.

ROMANIA

Two months ago, we left Romania very pleased with the new team that God gave us! I remain excited about their present and future ministry and ask you all to hold them in your prayers! I have all confidence that they will do a great job of reaching their children for Christ.

INDIA

Always in February, we are in India. Last year, we had an opportunity to share with 18,500 children thanks to the hard work of a dear young man named Hansen. In late December, he married and we were all so anxious to greet them and pray with them for their marriage. For years, we have worked with Joy and his dear wife. They all have such courage and love for Jesus. I have been very sad to not be in India this year. The persecution of the Christians has become fierce. Our presence would of put those we love at risk. Our friends asked us not to come and wait until next year. They can not wait for your prayers! Please daily ask the Father to protect them and make them bright lights in a very dark place. It is an honor to work with them and call them friends. They need you to be on your knees.

AMERICA

I have been home in the US the last 2 months, but not home in Georgia. Doors opened for ministry in Wisconsin, both coasts of Florida, and in Alabama. We also did programs in local churches. God is so kind to us. I have heard many children here in America calling on Jesus to save them. More, I have spoken at many churches and seen people awake to the need of the children in the world to hear about Jesus! I am eternally grateful to all those who made these many opportunities possible! Pray for our nation to respond to Jesus.

Please pray for all of us as we travel over the next 2 days.

In Jesus, Linda for the Team