Taiwan Times - March 2009 Issue

Mark's March Newsletter.

The Taiwan Times
By Mark Wolfram
Reporting on God’s mission in Taiwan
March 2009

Exciting News!

Greetings to everyone. I would like to open this newsletter by informing everybody that I have decided to extend my service in Taiwan for another year. After much prayerful consideration, I feel that God is calling me back to serve here at Concordia Middle School. There are many exciting ministries and activities that I am part of, and my teaching is always a joy.

Another piece of exciting news is that Pastor Alex is now officially serving at Salvation Lutheran Church. This past Friday I was given the keys to open up the church for Friday Night Bible Study, and I arrived expecting the church to be locked and dark. When I pulled up on my scooter, I was surprised to find the church wide open with the lights on. To my delight, I was greeted by Pastor Alex. I had completely forgotten that he would be there, but rejoiced to see him smiling and welcoming me.

That evening, he and his wife, Ruth, helped at our study. I taught the Junior High Class. We were teaching the Easter lesson. We looked at the idea of surprises and what kind of surprises the students get. Of course we talked about how Easter is God’s big surprise, and how that is so important for our lives now and for eternity.

At the end one of the 9th grade students who frequently attends FNBS asked a very good question. He asked why God needed to punish Jesus and why people had to believe in Jesus. I discussed a little about how sin needs to be punished and that we can choose to take the punishment ourselves or give it to Jesus.

The student was not totally satisfied with the answer, so he pursued his line of questioning. He surmised that if God was so powerful, He ought to just forgive everyone, regardless of what they do. At this point, Ruth jumped into help answer. She talked about how God is righteous also. It would be against his nature to not do what is right and punish sin. But because of Easter, we have great news. We don’t have to take the punishment. We can let Jesus take it.

The student did not pursue the answer further. I am not sure if the student believed or not, but he heard the message and will be able to think about. I pray that God will continue to work on his heart. I am thankful for the chance to share this news and to have the help of Ruth in witnessing the love of Jesus.

Want to support the ministry?

Because I am extending for another year of service, I will once again need to raise funds to be able to stay here in Taiwan. This year, the total sum has increased significantly. I need to raise $8,820.00 to continue my service. Now this higher goal is due to some changes in LCMS World Mission policy for my position. I am now classified as full-time employee of LCMS World Mission, as opposed to a volunteer. The practical result of this is that I now have extensive American health insurance and retirement. These are two things that I did not have in the past, as I had emergency insurance while in the US and relied on the Taiwanese health care system.

This new policy is exciting as long term missionary, but it does mean an increase in fundraising. As always, I ask that you prayerfully consider if you would like to help financially support this mission. Even if you cannot, prayer support is always important as well. I am just so blessed to have so many supporters back home, making this mission possible.

If you would like to support me, you can send a check to the following address:

Missionary Support
LCMS World Mission
1333 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122

On the memo line for the check please write “Mark Wolfram account #50152”.

It’s Prayer Time!

1. Please pray for Pastor Alex and Ruth as they begin service at Salvation Lutheran Church. Ask that God would bless them and help all of us members to support them in the ministry. Praise God for the answered prayer that Salvation now has a pastor.
2. Please pray for my friend Doug Larson and his sons, Jacob and Caleb, who will be coming this week to minister to students here in Taiwan for 2 weeks. Pray that God will bless their travels, adjustment and ministry.
3. Pray for my students that they would be open to hearing the Gospel and that God would use me to share the love of Christ with them in word and deed.

God’s peace to you all, and have a blessed Easter!

Mark