My husband is a basket case.  Not the typical way to begin a ministry newsletter, is it?  Steve is a “basket case” because he just got back from his long-anticipated trip to Taiwan.  As I write this, he’s been home for almost a week but is still struggling with exhaustion and muscle pain.  He’s frustrated with what seems to him to be a slow recuperation, but, as I keep reminding him, he’s pushed his body to the breaking point these past three weeks.  Both the trip to Taipei, Taiwan, and the return trip included stops in Chicago and Tokyo, and each trip took more than 24 hours.  By the time he got home last Tuesday night, he had been up more than 30 hours. A trip like that would be exhausting for anyone, but for Steve, who has both cerebral palsy and a kidney disease, it was truly grueling.  His body needs time to recover, as impatient as he is to get that process over and done with.

I hate to see Steve like this, of course, but oh – this trip has been worth all of what he’s been through to get there and back.  As Steve spoke in a series of chapel services at Christ’s College in Taipei, approximately 30 students accepted Jesus into their lives!  As Steve's wife, I am both proud and humbled when I think of what God has done through him on this trip.  I'm proud of his God-given gifts and of his commitment and determination to serve his Lord.  But I'm also humbled, humbled to think of how God is using him.

     This trip was truly a team effort.  Many of you have given specifically for the trip and/or committed to praying for Steve daily.  Your prayers made a difference!  He tells me that he had energy when he needed it and was also able to rest when needed.  I also felt the impact of your prayers as I dealt with the challenges of caring for six-year-old Rachel on my own for two weeks and helping her cope with missing her father.  Thank you for your love, prayers, and financial support.

Randi