In June 2006 we took a team from Taiwan to minister in Venezuela.  Why so far, you may ask...because some of our best friends from college are IMB missionaries there, and they were telling us how many Chinese people were in their area.  However, currently, there are not any missionaries specifically reaching them.  There are no Bible studies in Chinese in their area.  Terrie's Sunday School class began praying weekly for Venezuela and other South American countries and the missionaries in these countries.  We also prayed for the Chinese people in each of these areas.  As we prayed the burden for the Chinese in Venezuela became strong.  So, we began to plan a trip.  It was a wonderful experience for all concerned.  It was challenging to work with so many cultures being involved between our Chinese, American, and Filipino team members and the Venezuelans and Mainland Chinese people we were seeking to minister to.  But God is always faithful.  He taught us so much on the trip.  And He used the trip in ways we never expected.  Since we were there, God has changed the hearts of some who now are ministering to and befriending the Chinese people in the area.  Before our trip there was a real division between the Venezuelan nationals and the Chinese residents.  One of our team members is also praying about returning to Venezuela as a full-time missionary to the Chinese.  God is so good!

 

We served in and around the Barinas area.

 

Dave rehearsing with part of the Venezuelan team.

 

 

Bill and Teresa, IMB missionaries in Barinas (and two of our best friends).

 

The team on the bus.

 

In town in Barinas prayer walking...and our new ministry "prayer shopping"  :-)

 

Empanadas!  Yum!

 

 

 

Local Chinese family who owns a restaurant pictured with one of our team members Eugenia

 

Getting ready for one of the Bible clubs

 

 

Sharing in one of the services

 

 

English workshop

 

 

Another Chinese restaurant (and pizzeria) owned by a Christian Chinese family in the area

 

 

Our team

 

 

 

 

Eugene sharing his testimony in Chinese, Eugenia translating it into English and

Bill translating it into Spanish.

 

 

A youth discipleship and music group serenading us.

 

 

 

 

Saying goodbye at the airport