Blessings: From and To Him

This trip is my first time to ever be part of a CI in any way and Father has used it to stretch my horizons and broadened my level of experience in working with different ministries. It's been encouraging to me to be able to teach the kids biblical principles and character illustrated through songs, stories, crafts, (and my personal favorite) testimonies from my own life. I've been extremely blessed to be able to work with such a great team of like-minded believers that enjoy teaching the kids just as much as I do. Speaking of which, I was extremely impressed with the diligent determination, patient professionalism, and Christ-like care given the children by the interpreters last week in Hsinchu. I want to spend this time to personally thank any and every CI interpreter (both those who have interpreted in the past and those that will in the future). Your role is vital and your responsibility large. Without you, these CI's could not exist in the same way. May Father bless you richly as you abide in Him and allow the extra distractions to be cut away.

The CI staff have been inspiring to me by their annual sacrificial service. Their willingness to continue to serve and disciple the teachers and interpreters is evidence to their servant spirits and love for God and others. Each day we are exhorted to spend personal quiet time in the Word, reading and praying over the passage that we are reviewing as a group. Mark, the book that we have been studying, seems to be focused on the theme for the Taiwan CI is year: God's power and our ability to access it through faith.

Monday was our first full day in Tainan. It started off with group singing and a study of Mark chapter 6. We were then guided through visiting a few tourist highlights of the city and ending the excursion at the night market for dinner. While walking around the crowded market we were able to see some of the pain and bondage that so many of the people of the city are in. During that time the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for the city and especially those who will be attending the Seminar and the CI.

The rich sound of waves rolling onto the beach, the sweet smell of the sea drifting in from the refreshing breeze (bathing everyone who ventured out to experience the moment), and the dazzling show of light can hardly begin to describe the majesty of the sunset moments at the Tainan beach. While we were there, I stepped away from the group and enjoyed a few moments of thanking and praising Him for allowing us to experience first hand His power and majesty through His creation. May He receive the glory for the work we are about to do these next few days.

Please pray for the health of the group, and that the hearts of the children coming would be prepared for the seed of His Word.Thank Him for the fellowship and unity that has grown and developed in the team for this year's Children's Institute.

Luke Wills