Grateful

Because you pray......Cobe's story

We've known Cobe for several years. I introduced you to his family in a previous e-mail (JULY UPDATE).

Cobe came to one of our English Camps at the Sports University several years ago. It was there that he had his first encounter with Christ and Christians. He was attracted to the Gospel because of the love and acceptance he received from our team and he came back to the camp for several more years. Cobe's relationship with our Texas friends runs deep.

When we moved to Taiwan, Cobe was one of the first to show up to help us. He translated for us, took us around (made us try some new foods) and continued to hear and explore what it means to follow Christ.

In Taiwan, all healthy adult males are required to serve a mandatory term in the national military. So this fall, Cobe did a brief term of service which was cut short because of his mom's fight with cancer. His mom is currently in treatment and from Cobe's report to us is doing okay.

After his service, Cobe began his dream job with Reebok. Cobe loves shoes, so anything working with shoes is right up his alley. However, for now, this job is based in Vietnam. Thankfully, because of FaceTime, we get to talk regularly - and Cobe has apologized for all the foods he made us try when we arrived, because the same thing has happened to him with his new Vietnamese friends.

Because of the confidence he got at our English camps and his relationships with our team, Cobe is one of the few experienced English speakers at the shoe factory. Even though he is the youngest employee with the least amount of time on the floor, he gets the best jobs because of his ability to communicate with their mostly western clients. God has shown him great favor. The picture at the top of this e-mail is Cobe playing basketball with one of the Reebok designers.

Cobe is really thinking about what it means to follow Jesus. Please continue to pray for him to listen and respond to God's call.

Todd & Crista

In our next newsletter, I'll give you an update on Nelly. A similar story of one of our kids who is now training in the military's elite Frogman unit. You may have seen their stories on the Discovery Channel recently. Nelly has also been given some extraordinary opportunities because of his ability to speak English.

Also, we just spent the afternoon with Christopher Chen. Christopher (on the right) is also in the military and came home to visit for the weekend. We were able to spend about six hours today with Christopher and really get some great time talking about God's providence, sovereignty, family and other things. Please continue to pray for him as he considers his future. God is definitely working in this young man's life.

Mission Taiwan had an incredible year end!

We know there are many worthwhile places for you to investing your resources for the kingdom. We are praying and asking you to consider Mission Taiwan in 2014. God is doing something great here and we would be honored to have you as a financial partner in this ministry. Make a one time gift or become an annual or regular supporter.

GIVE NOW

Our board is continuing to work on our budget and long term plans with us. Your support, be it a one-time, annual or regular gift will gives us the opportunity to think about the future and step boldly forward into what God has waiting for us.

Our next newsletter will contain a special report from our Board of Directors.

We love and appreciate you. Most of all, we thank you for praying for us. Every day, our family needs spiritual protection, support and encouragement. God continues to bring people into our lives who need to hear the Gospel. There are relationships from the past that we continue to pour into. Our children are growing and have challenges to face as they live in a foreign culture. So we thank you.

Answers to Prayer -
-Our language studies - we continue to make good progress in our study and understanding of the language. This is a gift from God. Please continue to pray for us.
-Friends - God has provided both of us with a couple of godly, friends who are like-minded in their love for Jesus that we can share our hearts and lives with.
-Children - Our kids continue to do well and grow in grace. God uses them in really unique ways to open doors for us.

Prayer Needs -
- Katelyn is looking for an orphanage to work with. Pray that God will open doors for her.
- We have been praying for some new opportunities that will help us advance the gospel long term. Please pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment as we balance the present and future.

Previous Newsletters

Latest Blog Post - Learning Mandarin

This is Andrew with some students at a public elementary school. Crista and the kids recently went to talk about the Christmas story after they were invited by one of the teachers we attend church with.