Warning: I usually do not write letters that are two pages long, especially when I hand-write them. This one is two pages long and single spaced. Read at your own discretion. And yes, there is personal contact information that you can use to your own benefit. Thanks. :)
JoAnn
以下是蘇小安 Jo Ann Su 的代禱信.
finding biological and spiritual family away from home...in Taiwan <3耶穌在這裡~~~tag yourself if i missed you!!!
Posted by JoAnn Su on Friday, August 1, 2014
Hi. I’m not very good with introductions, but if you know me well enough, you probably already knew that. Brownie points for you! Anyway, the point of this letter is not brownies—unfortunately—but something better than brownies, hopefully! This coming summer of 2015, I’m joining an international SEND team for a short term mission trip. J Whew, that’s a mouthful. However, a handful of people from my church (Cincinnati Chinese Church, also known as CCC) will be joining me—youth, adults, and students in this group! I will inform you of these groups of people as well as some of my personal needs. Before I begin, remember this: prayer is an opportunity to talk to God, the giver of all things. He gives and He takes away. J
What is SEND? I once asked the same question, but back when CCC sent their first team in 2012. It’s an international commission of faithful stewards/stewardesses for the Gospel. So I would also like to spread the Gospel specifically in Tianwei, Taiwan. Taiwan is the home country of many members of our CCC team this year, which is good for those of us who aren’t as familiar with this rural country off the coast of China and Korea. A tiny island, Taiwan is the nationalist “rebels’” refuge. Since this was seen as a place of escape, the island hasn’t been very open to new religions. Dominated by Buddhism or polytheism (of natural elements), evangelizing is a long process. I say this through my own experience with another short-term mission trip from 2014 with Keelung Church. Finding a person on the street willing to learn more about God is a rarity. Nevertheless, we can pray for those individuals and ask God’s Holy Spirit to intercede for us as He did for the Apostles. I find this truth hopeful and comforting; two words that also describe our loving Father. For that, I am forever grateful.
OUR TEAM IS A GAGGLE (NOUN: GROUP OF PEOPLE) OF QUALITIES. I appreciate this greatly, especially since I am one of them. J Our team leader, Jim Wei, is a Taiwanese father of three. His youngest daughter--Jessica—is one of my best friends and is going on the trip as well. She had previously gone to Thailand in December 2014. Her mother--Leouduan Yeh—is joining her and Uncle Jim. Additionally, a few other families are bringing some—not all—of their children. For example: Rola Song has three children, but she is bringing her youngest daughter, Tabitha. Jing-huei Lee has three children, but he is bringing his middle son, David. In contrast, Rhoda Weston is bringing both of her sons, Frank and Jack. Though they do not normally attend our church, they are willing to serve God. J Also a previous family of our church is bringing her daughter--Vicky and Joy Chang will be joining us. Can you tell who’s missing? Here’s a hint: a CCC mother is bringing her two children—a son and a daughter. You guessed it! (Maybe.) It’s my family. J I have an older brother, aged 25 (during the trip), and I will be 18 when the trip begins. My mom goes by “Grace” and my brother goes by “Joel”. I will be able to consume alcohol (the drinking age is 18) in Taiwan… but not that I want to.
So hopefully you know us all a bit better now. I will include contact information at the end of this letter if you have further questions. J For my own needs, I mainly want to address my spiritual readiness. The things about missions is that you always think you are ready with your preparation, and then something completely unexpected and maybe unwanted slaps you smack in the face. But it happens, and when it does, we can only cry out to the Lord for strength, love, faith, and trust. I will leave you with words from God to ponder at the closing of this letter:
My beloved child,
In this life we have many trials and sufferings. I told you I would never leave you. But when you see only one set of footprints in the sand, those were the times I carried you in my arms.
May the Lord bless you, always.
Yours,
JoAnn Su
2015.04.04
In case you were wondering what I looked like… (Or my mom, on the left) 2015 March at the Ohio River
二0一五年三月 俄亥俄河
Below: a collage of my 2014 short-term mission with Keelung Church (& Korean students)
二0 一 四 年 七月 基隆教會和韓國教會年輕人
Yes, I’m bilingual. Thanks for asking!
- [email protected] (personal email) **I will reply ASAP.
- (513) 293-8046 (CELL)
- Sycamore High School '15 GRAD
- Youth Group (CCC) 12th grade girls SG