(a recent prayer letter received from Andy & Lisa Simpson, Taiwan)

Mid-Autumn BBQ. Although the weather wasn’t fall-like, more than seventy people from our two churches enjoyed a great time of food and fellowship for this Chinese-style BBQ. We were extremely glad that several took advantage of the opportunity and invited their unsaved family and friends to attend. As the activity ended, some officers from the Environmental Protection Agency visited us to follow up on a neighbor’s complaint. Thankfully, we had permission and kept everything nice and neat, so the officers left without any further incident. We hope we can help the unhappy neighbor hear the gospel and join us for some Christian fellowship.

Missions Month. Our new missions theme this year is “Go Tell the Untold Millions.” Our goals are for our people to have a greater vision of the lost, to have a greater participation in outreach and have a greater heart to pray and give so that our missionaries can continue to preach the gospel. To encourage them in these areas, we had them quote verses in other languages, dress in foreign costumes, make posters, and using special prayer cards, pray for people in other countries to hear the gospel. We also presented three national pastors in China and shared with them the need to pray for them and support their ministry. Over the past few years, most of the missionaries in China have had to leave for various reasons, and so we have been without a witness there. Praise the Lord, both churches agreed to help them.

Friend Day. To end Missions Month, we had Friend Day and encouraged folks to invite others to hear a special gospel message about “Jesus, the Friend of Sinners,” receive a gift and join us for an international lunch. We were glad to have some local visitors as well as others from Mongolia, India, Indonesia and a whole family from the small Polynesian island of Tuvalu.

Overcoming Depression. We recently started a special class to teach our people how to deal with depression Biblically as well as help others who are facing it. Taiwan’s suicide rate is very high and there is a great mental health problem. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in Taiwan, and it is the second leading cause of death among teenagers. Please pray that this class will be helpful, and that we will have wisdom to aid those struggling with depression to find hope in Christ.

We are thankful for your faithful prayers and sacrificial giving so that we can continue to shine the light of the gospel in Taiwan. The work is not easy, but by the Lord’s grace and with your encouragement we will continue to faithfully serve Him.

Additional Prayer Requests:

1. Christmas outreach activities & services
2. More souls to be saved
3. Leaders in Training
4. Our health