“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Dear Praying Friends:
In 1980, I was praying about an invitation from Dr. James Taylor, founding president of China Evangelical Seminary (CES), to take his place as a teacher of Greek and New Testament as he was going to Singapore to become General Director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF), of which Dori and I were members.
Because my health and spirits had been broken during our first term as missionaries, we had been sent home on an early furlough. I didn’t want to return to that place of hardship and disappointment, but these words in Isaiah came to me with convicting force and made me willing to go back. That started a decades-long happy relationship with the seminary and with Christians in Taiwan.
I will shortly embark upon this long-anticipated return to Taiwan, God willing.
During my stay in Taipei, I plan to
- Preach in the church of former members of International Christian Fellowship (ICF) in Charlottesville
- Speak to the faculty of CES and meet with the current president of the seminary and other faculty
- Meet with the current Taiwan OMF Field Director and other members of OMF
- Spend time with China Institute Partners, Global China Center Associates, former students, and friends from our church
As I have said before, I hope to
- Encourage people by listening and prayer
- Share my experiences of the grace of God since my last visit in 2013
- Learn more about Taiwanese society and Chinese history and culture
- Refresh my rusty Mandarin
My goal is to serve while there and be equipped for more effective intercession for Taiwan, which faces increasing pressure.
Dori and I are trusting God to supply needed strength, to make this visit to Taiwan a blessing to God’s people there, and to take care of her while I’m away, to the praise of his glory.
Dori has printed out copies of Isaiah 41:10 for each of us to have in front of us while I am gone.
Yours in his divine presence, help, and support,
Wright