An Artist's Notebook: The Taiwan Times

Here is Mark's latest newsletter about his mission work in Taiwan. I guess when I think about it, Mark might be the volunteeringest person I know. After all, every moment of his waking day he is doing mission work.

I was particularly pleased to see that Mark has started an American football club in Taiwan. I am hoping that this is the first blow that brings down the worldwide domination of that other football game known as soccer.

The Taiwan Times

By Mark Wolfram

Reporting on God’s mission in Taiwan

May 2007

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 6:25-30

This Bible verse was the text for the sermon today. I also sang a song with the Salvation Youth Group, which had this verse as the theme. What a comfort it is to know that God will take care of our needs and that we do not need to worry. As a missionary, much of this also comes from support back home. I want to thank you all for your continued support and concern for the mission work I am doing here in Taiwan. God continues to richly bless my time here, and it is not possible without the support of so many people in America. I would like to pass on some great news! I found out a couple of weeks ago that I am fully funded for next year’s service. Praise God for the quickness with which this happened. He always provides what we need.

In this newsletter I would like to share a story about the chance I had to witness to a student here at Concordia Middle School. This past year I helped start an American Football Club with Kevin, another American missionary here in Taiwan. At CMS, students come to school approximately 2 Saturdays every month. Most of these Saturdays they have 2 periods of club time from 8:30-10:10. In this time students can sign up for different clubs that interest them. There are a great variety of clubs, a few of which include the movie club, ping-pong club, the science club and the service club.

For our football club we have 15 boys who come and play 2 hand touch football. We started the club in the fall by practicing different drills, and also slowly teaching the students new plays. Now, we scrimmage for most of the time and the kids have taken ownership of creating plays. While it does mean waking up early on a Saturday morning, it is a blast when I am out there playing with the kids.

Once last month during football club, we took a 15 minute break to rest up and re-hydrate. I spent most of the break talking with an 11^th grade student named Henry. Out of all of the kids in the club, Henry probably has the most natural talent. Kevin and I both peg him as a perfect tight end or linebacker on an American football team. He’s a really nice kid who is always willing to help out by taking attendance or translating instructions for the other guys.

During the break, I had a chance to talk to Henry about his plans. I asked him about where he wanted to go to college and what he wanted to be. In the course of the discussion Henry asked me why I came to Taiwan. I had the chance to share with him how I knew that God had called me to Taiwan, and that God brought me here to share the news about Jesus. Henry did not respond with much, other than he thought that it was good for me to be here at CMS. I know it was just a small conversation, but I pray that God will continue to use me as a witness to Henry and the other students I have in football club. I really appreciated the chance to witness and share with students outside of the classroom environment.

It’s Prayer Time!

Here are the prayer requests for this month. As always we lift these up according to the will of God, praying for Him to be glorified through everything.

Pray that God would give me the strength needed to finish the school year. This semester has been extremely busy with classes, Bible Studies, and additional online college courses.
Pray for Salvation Lutheran Church, as we still do not have a pastor. Pray that God would prepare the people and future pastor for work together.
Praise God for all of the support both from my family and friends back in the United States.
Pray for God to raise up people to come and serve here in Taiwan. We are currently short one person for the high school.