Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Mornings in Taiwan




Greetings from Taiwan:

I've also attached a picture of what many of my mornings look like -- eating breakfast, responding to e-mails and training for Gloritrek! This morning was especially nice -- two e-mails in particular!  What a blessing!

One couple who has never met us, in Joplin, MO, wrote:  
"My sweet friend, Angela contacted me through facebook this morning to tell me about Gloritrek and her friends from Taiwan needing a place to stay while bicycling through Joplin on June 18. My husband Chris and I would love to keep your fellas at our home on that date if that works for them.  How about meals? I would love to be able to provide meals for them as well.  Just need to know what they like or more importantly what they don't like or are allergic to...We attend ...a large church in Joplin which may provide a contact for you to see if David and Noah could give their testimonies." 

Another e-mail from a fella in Georgetown, OH, which is not on our route:
"I wanted to send this quick email to introduce myself and to let you know we are praying for you and Noah as you prepare for your trip, “Gloritrek”.  It is so exciting to read about your “Gloritrek” and I am looking forward to meeting you when you travel through the Cincinnati area.  Thanks for  connecting with me on Facebook and we will be praying for your need for host churches. Is there anything specific we can be praying for on your behalf?  May God truly bless you and give you many opportunities to share the gospel for Christ."

Thank you for your partnership with us in Gloritrek!  

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,
David, Brenda and Noah Atkin

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Greetings from Taiwan:

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?'  'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.'   Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'”  (Jn 21:15)  Between our Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, Peter returned to his fishing boat.  In fact, several of the disciples joined Peter, and they fished all night, catching nothing.  In the morning, through the mist, when Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they were unable to haul in the haul of fish!  Only then did they realize the person on the shore was Jesus!  What a difference WITH or WITHOUT Jesus makes!  Later, the question Jesus asks Peter, three times, while they are sitting around the fire finishing  breakfast; is also a question we would do well to answer.  As we await our Savior's return, what consumes our time, and where are our energies focused?  And, are we doing it WITH or WITHOUT Jesus?

Gloritrek is now only forty days from launch!  We are so blessed to have many, many churches and individuals across the US who have partnered with us in Gloritrek!  However, we still have a long list of locations (mostly in the west), where no churches or individuals have signed on to host Gloritrek.  Would you pray with us for the following locations, that doors might open to receive us?  If you know someone in one of these location, would you contact them for us, and ask them to look at our web-site/video and consider allowing us to share our Gloritrek message with them?  All they need do is fill out the "Host Us" form on our web-site, and we will be in touch with them.  Thank you for praying for Gloritrek!

Los Angeles, CA
San Bernardino, CA
Palm Desert, CA
Blythe, CA
Salome, AZ
Wickenburg, AZ
Payson, AZ
Show Low, AZ
Holbrook, AZ
Gallop, NM
Grants, NM
Albuquerque, NM (Sunday, June 2)
Moriarty, NM
Santa Rosa, NM
Tucumcari, NM
Vega, TX
Amarillo, TX (Sunday, June 9)
Pampa, TX
Elk City, OK
Weatherford, OK
Stroud, OK
Vinita, OK
Joplin, MO
Springfield, MO
Lebanon, MO
Rolla, MO
White Hall, IL
Lincoln, IL
Salem, IN
Louisville, KY (Sunday, July 7)
Carrolton, KY
Florence, KY
Mason, OH
Columbus/Worthington, OH
Millersburg, OH
Grove City, PA
DuBois, PA
State College, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Stroudsburg, PA

Last Lord's Day morning, Easter Sunday, our Come Christian Church entered to worship through the tomb!  Two new families were in attendance, as well as a couple new individuals.  Please pray that the sight of the empty tomb and the message that "Jesus is Risen!" will make a lasting impression! (Our April newsletter will have pictures!) 

Sports & English Camp '13, our 8th annual, was filled in just a few hours this past week, with more than 150 teenagers registered to attend, July 8th - 13th!  Please pray for Dean Chad, the faculty and teenagers who will attend (most do not know Jesus yet)!

We enjoyed a few days of family time at the beach this past week, during Spring Break.  Noah and I biked more than 300 KM, but it still felt like the lull before the storm.  We are thankful for days of rest and being together with family and friends!

These are busy days as we prepare the Come church for our absence this summer, and for our disengagement in the summer of 2014.  Thank you for your prayers! There is much more we could share, but we'll save some for the newsletter.  Your partnership with us in the Gospel -- what a difference you make!    

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,
David & Brenda Atkin
www.gloritrek.com