From the Desk of Pastor Peter

During the past few weeks, the Sunday messages have been focusing on our hearts being the real source of sin and not necessarily our outward actions (outward actions can be sinful, but they are not the source). Jesus' words from Matthew 5 are powerful and convicting, and we are moved to rethink our lives a bit on Sundays. But what happens on Mondays, or perhaps even Sunday evening?

It is very easy for us to forget what the sermon on Sunday was about, and even though we may have had a wonderful time with the Lord in the few hours we spend together as a church, we may end up going back to our own lives with all our sinful heart issues coming back. How do we combat this?

One of the greatest ways that I have found to combat my heart issues is through accountability. Accountability is a practice that Christian brothers and sisters can participate in out of love and concern for one another to grow in the Lord. It is a time when we ask one another difficult (and sometimes easy) questions in order to continue to point each other to Christ. I believe that such accountability is absolutely necessary. Here is the question: do we practice accountability in our church?

Many times, looking for someone to keep you accountable is a difficult endeavor in itself. So, starting this month, a couple of our community groups will be implementing a new systematic form of accountability so that you will not need to find someone by yourself. A systematic form of accountability will not answer all of our questions or deal with all of our issues. But it definitely is a starting place to begin real growth in the Lord. I encourage you, if you desire to grow in the Lord, to seek accountability, and perhaps join one of our community groups.

5 Questions With...Lucienne Tseng

1. How did you first get involved with Friendship Presbyterian? I was born and raised in Taipei. A friend recommended FPC’s English congregation to me. I visited occasionally at first then started attend regularly two years ago.

2. What do you do Monday through Saturday? I work Monday to Friday as a Human Resources assistant manager for an internet company. On Saturday, I relax at home or hang out with friends.

3. What is something people might be surprised to know about you? That I enjoy water activities (surfing, canoeing, snorkeling,…).

4. What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today? Living in the reality of God’s sovereignty in a competitive, fast-paced, and performance driven working environment.

5. What is one of your favorite books of the Bible? Revelation. I like the mystery of it, and that lots of imagination is required to read it. I also like that it describes how Heaven looks. 

Michelle Ko: Return to Africa

by Michelle Ko

Greetings from Taiwan. This is my most updated newsletter from Taiwan before my departure to Tanzania on Feb 21, 2019. Praise the Lord! I am able to return to Mtwara, Tanzania and continue to serve Him on African soil. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” - Isaiah 54:10

No More Sickness

The year 2018 was a very dramatic year. In July I suddenly became ill and lost my vision temporarily. Then I endured many different medical exams and treatments in Tanzania. My vision didn’t improve, and I was very ill after a spinal tap. At that time, the African doctor highly suspected I had multiple sclerosis (MS). I flew back to Taiwan for further medical exams and to receive better care and rest. After months I had another brain MRI in Taiwan. The Taiwanese doctor confirmed and has assured me that I don’t have MS. The sickness I experienced was caused by enormous stress in Tanzania which I didn’t realize I was experiencing.

Wow! I couldn’t believe it when I heard the latest MRI result that I don’t have MS. Moreover, I was very thankful for God’s protection and believe He is using the incident to send me a message of good selfcare.

Reflect and Restart

As I reflect on my time in Tanzania (TZ), I realize it was a very tough situation when I arrived in Mtwara (see map). The weather was so HOT, and I struggled with food and transportation. On top of that, I needed to know my surroundings to look for a place to rent and to start from scratch to set up a home.

God mercifully sent a Tanzanian pastor who has a car to help me purchase and transport all the materials I needed to repair the house I rented. Thankfully, I still remembered how to speak Swahili (TZ’s national language), which helped when communicating with the workers who repaired the house.

I like challenges and strive to pursue excellence—I want things to be done timely and in my own way. At times I push myself too hard and I trust my own ability more than I trust in God’s sovereignty. The day the house was ready to move into was the day I lost my vision and the illness began.

I believe the sickness was God’s compassion for me to teach me to trust Him alone and not do things on my own. I am starting all over again learning baby steps on my spiritual journey, but I rejoice that it is never too late.

Prayer items:

• Pray for me to slow down and take time to enjoy the beautiful life God has given me.

• Thank God for His provision in everything I need and please pray He continues to supply all my needs, especially finances.

Thank you for your love, prayers, encouragements, and financial support. I humbly ask you to continue to journey with me on this mission.

In His time,

Michelle Ko

FB: MichelleKoInAfrica What’s App: +255 628 097 198 Line ID: 61 488 029 218