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Dear <<First Name>>,
Today is the 60 day marker before we depart for Taiwan. We are getting ready for a sale this weekend that includes just about everything. It's been an emotional process as we have gone through boxes, cabinets, drawers that contain bits and pieces of our lives. You don't often stop to think about all of the memories you are accumulating along the way. We have to say, all in all, even through some of the tears - it is a wonderful reminder of God's goodness to us through the years. Pictures of our children, letters (yes, we're that old) and little items we've collected from significant moments in our lives. Cataloging and trying to decide what to store, what to take and what we must let go of as we move on is not easy, but necessary.
Because you have been praying for many of these things - we want you to see what God has done over the past few weeks. Please take a few minutes to thank Him for answering your prayers and give Him glory.
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We found an apartment on the first day of our trip to Taichung.
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I've been accepted to language school.
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The IMB is writing our invitation letter for our Visa application - a first in the history of the IMB.
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70% of the support we need for our first 5 years of ministry in Taiwan has been pledged or given - we could be at 100% before we leave!
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Our children have a growing excitement about the move.
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We have been offered a place to live if we sale our home before we move.
Andrew, our son who is eight years old, has begun to ask every day, "how many days dad?" I can see the excitement growing in him for what is coming. Every prayer that we have asked God to answer has been answered - not always how we expected, but always better.
This is Daniel. He has been coming to the High School English camp for the past two years. Two years ago Ryan Miller, our student pastor, was able to share the Gospel with Daniel and give him a Bible. Last year I was able to visit with Daniel again about Jesus. On our Spring Break trip, Daniel contacted me and wanted to find some way to help us while we were there. Crista and I visited with Daniel and found out that he lives just a few blocks away from our new apartment. He was so excited and anxious to meet our son Andrew and be a friend to him when we arrive. Daniel is one of the many people that God is calling to follow Jesus. When we get to Taichung, we will meet his family and I am praying that God will give me the opportunity to begin discipling Daniel. Please add him to your prayer list.
We have created a printable PDF newsletter for those who are not on our e-mail list. If you are involved with a Sunday School class or church, would you consider printing some copies of this newsletter and handing it out for us? CLICK HERE to download the PDF Newsletter.
One of the amazing ways God has shown his confirmation is His provision for our needs. As of this writing, 70% of our five year support goal has been pledged or given.
Would you consider joining our regular support team. Please pray about partnering with us and giving regularly to support the work of the Gospel in Taiwan as we make disciples and launch Mission Taiwan.
Crista and I want to ask you to consider making a one time gift to Mission Taiwan before we leave to go overseas. We know that God has called us to this ministry and if you feel connected to us and believe in what God is doing in our lives - then join us in the work God is doing in Taiwan. A gift of any amount will be appreciated. God will use and multiply your support to do what has seemed impossible before. Click here for more information about joining our support team. You can set up your own plan, make a one time donation or send a pledge form in and let our CPA take care of the details.
Please pray for these specific requests:
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For our hearts to continue to grow in love for our Taiwanese friends.
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For a person of peace in our new apartment complex, Tokyo City.
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For a great transition for our home church, Trinity Baptist in Amarillo.
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For supernatural ability to learn Mandarin.
Sincerely,
Todd & Crista Blackhurst
What's coming up!
April 24 - Central Baptist Church, Clovis, NM
April 28 - Preach at TBC, Amarillo, TX
May 3-5 - Muskogee, OK
May 12 - Hillside SS Class, Amarillo, TX
May 16 - FBC Canyon Senior Adults
May 19 - Preach at Redeemer Church, Pampa, TX
June 8 - Depart Amarillo for Dallas
June 17 - Depart for Taiwan
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