The older I get, with more of my life to look back upon, the more amazed I become at the tapestry of my life. Or more specifically, how God has weaved people and circumstances in and out of my past, present, and future.
Take Michael for example. I met Michael over twenty years ago during my first Taiwan experience. Michael was our coworker who translated our classes, Bible studies, and English camps. We were young, healthy, and in style with big hair (well, at least I was)!
Michael, along with his wife, Anna, and four beautiful children, have been woven back into the fabric of my life in a way that only God could have intricately orchestrated. Jeremiah 29:11 continually dances through my mind.
Michael is a math teacher at a local school. Along with his full time job, he and Anna own and operate a cram school. He conducts math classes on the evenings and weekends for students who want to get ahead. Besides supplementing their income, they also use it as a means of ministry.
Recently, they took several of their students on a mini retreat in Hualien. Needing another driver to make the five hour trek across island, they began to seek out another available adult. A mutual friend recommended Carl. Along with driving, Carl also taught a lesson on keeping your faith alive and growing.
Besides studying the Bible, they went to the beach, hiked, and biked through Eastern Taiwan. It was a wonderful time of developing friendships and discipleship opportunities. Carl also experienced the joys and tribulations of authentic Chinese cuisine! Deep Fried Silkworms!
Carl greatly enjoyed his time in Hualien with Don and Marla (Bettinger), Michael and Anna, and the youth group. On coming to Taiwan, we didn't know how or when God would use us but we knew since God called us, He had a plan! We hope to continue being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and have the courage and faith to walk through open doors.
Recently, Michael and Anna shared that they have been praying for years to bring a missionary family that could partner with them in the ministry that God created. They feel we are the answer to that prayer. So what does the future hold... only God knows but if God is the weaver, its got to be beautiful!
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| Hiking over Chinese New Year break |
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| My little monkey! |
I love how God works! It's fascinating to see how He weaves threads together in His masterpiece. Not always easy, though, when you want to see what the pattern looks like and you're still in the midst of the threads being woven. Hugs to your sweet crew!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! It is so awesome when you get to see a peek of what that tapestry looks like that God is weaving now and you can see a glimpse of where He is leading. Our God is SO awesome!
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