TAIWAN - Sister Dolly Wong

September 2007

Dear Friends:             

I was teaching a Bible study about the Holy Spirit with a young lady.  Her mother sat near by wrapping vegetarian dumplings deftly.  Just as we had finished reading John 3:3, the older woman looked up.  Apologizing for interrupting, she asked: “How does the Holy Spirit cause a person to be born again?”  In effect she had echoed Nicodemus’ question.  I proceeded to give her the answer that Jesus gave to Nicodemus.  As she filtered the information through her Buddhist perceptions, she looked unsettled.  She sighed: “But it is not easy to admit to one’s own sinfulness.  All that God wants is for us to do good rather than evil, isn’t it?”  I explained that God viewed our righteousness as filthy rags, emphasizing God’s acceptance of us solely on the basis of Christ’s righteousness.  She replied with some surprise: “Do you mean God will not accept our good works apart from His righteousness?” and remained thoughtfully silent.  Finally, she said, “I hope I will be able to understand one day.”  I encouraged her that God will surely give understanding to those who desire to know His truth.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

I was thrilled with numerous opportunities to share the gospel through a Vacation Bible School at a local church.  I believed five children expressed sufficient understanding of the gospel and responded with personal decisions to trust Christ for their salvation.  Some of these children come from difficult family backgrounds and will have very little opportunity to grow in the faith.  We trust the Lord to keep those whom He saves.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

For several months, a 29 year-old lady had been attending a Sunday evening Bible study and ladies’ Bible study.  On several occasions, she had asked questions about the lessons.  One of her question was:  Does God listen to the prayers of the unsaved?  She listened intently as I talked about Cornelius and his search for truth.  On the last Sunday of July, I had a wonderful opportunity to explain several key gospel truths to her.  She responded in faith and trusted Christ as her personal Savior.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Several typhoons had swept through Taiwan consecutively in August.  Typhoon Sepat was the most severe.  As it approached the eastern part of the island on August 17, the center of the typhoon was 70 kilometers (43 miles) with sustained winds of 155 km (97 miles) per hour and gusts up to 191 km (120 miles) per hour.  On August 18 (the day before I was to leave for the teacher-training workshop on the Mainland), the government had grounded all air, rail and sea transportation.  I believed the Lord responded to the prayerful intercession of many and paved the way for me to take off safely on August 19 despite the threatening weather.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

I was also grateful for the positive response to the workshop which included topics on a teacher’s role and responsibility, lesson preparation, spiritual training of children, and teaching methods.  What a joy to see the women respond with much thoughtful understanding. Many expressed a desire for the Lord to increase their spiritual influence on those they serve.  Whoso . . . will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

In His grace,

Dolly Wong

王彩燕

June 30, 2007is

Dear Praying Friends:                                                                                                                                    

Time moves more quickly, it seems, when one is on the move.   I was thankful for a supporting church that sponsored my attendance to the recent Pacific Rim Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International meeting hosted in Singapore.  It was spiritually uplifting to interact with fellow msionaries and co-workers and be reminded that God’s grace enables us to face our common afflictions and empowers us to resist our common adversary.  Besides attending the conference, I reported to two supporting churches and spoke at a ladies’ fellowship meeting.  In one church, I had the joy of witnessing 11 people including a young boy, a few teenagers, young adults and middle-aged folks being baptized.   As I watched the baptisms, I thought of how God is at work in our respective places of service and was challenged afresh to obey His Great Commission with greater dependence on Him. 

On my return to Taiwan, I received an e-mail that was a special encouragement to me.  Here is an excerpt of it:

. . . The main reason I'm emailing is because of Peter (her 3-year-old son).  You are in our missionary book, and for some reason, Peter has chosen you as his favorite. We rotate through the missionaries, but Peter asks to pray for you EVERY time lately!  "I want to pray for DOLLY!"  So he does.  I was so pleased, because the other night, he prayed the Bible verse that he had just learned for you (Ps. 56:3) that you would "not be afraid" and that God would "take care" of you. 

I am so thankful for godly parents who encourage their children to be missions-minded.  “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger” (Ps. 8:2).  Perhaps it may surprise us to know how much God has worked through children’s prayers.   

I plan to make a second trip to Mainland China to conduct a teacher-training workshop at the end of August.  As I prepare for this workshop, please pray that the Lord will direct me to teach relevant topics that will especially help the teachers to disciple their children in their particular ministry setting.  On my return route, I will be visiting a church in Hong Kong to share my testimony and ministry.  Thank you for praying. 

Praises for:

• Provision for my travel expenses

• An expected camera gift from my home church

Prayer needs for the upcoming trip:

• Wisdom in workshop preparation

• Witnessing and ministry opportunities

• Safety and health as I travel

In His grace, 

Dolly Wong

王彩燕