| Pyongtaek Post--February 15, 2004 |
| Hi friends! Let me start by apologizing for the late letter and the big, huge email. As you know, I usually send a link to my update. Well, my site-editor will not load on my computer, so while I can access my site to look at it, I cannot edit it to send a new page link. Sorry about that. I've been battling with it all month, then I realized that February was almost over. It might be a good idea to send the February letter while it was still February. So...now to the letter: February has been an exciting month! In the last update I mentioned the upcoming Spiritual Emphasis Week. Praise God! He is faithful to answer our prayers. At least 4 children came to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and MANY of our high school students made a public commitment to follow Christ! My heart was so encouraged by what the Lord did in our students and in the staff during that week and in the weeks that have followed. The emphasis for the week was on growing in Christ. Airforce Chaplain Glen Hawkins taught about the "wheel" analogy during the week. Maybe some of you have learned or used it before. Well, simply put, Christ is center (hub cap) and the four spokes are Prayer, Fellowship, Witnessing and The Word. His explanations were simple, easy to understand in our largely ESL audience. The kids really responded throughout the week in group and individual discipleship sessions. The students were confronted with important, difficult questions like "What does it mean to BE a Christian." I know we've heard that question a million times, but do we have a meaningful answer; one that we live out everyday of our lives? It's something to think and pray about. Well, our staff and students did, and God did receive and is continuing to receive the glory! Thank you to those of you who lifted up Spiritual Emphasis Week in prayer. Thanks for sharing in my ministry!!! I love that I can share these joys and burdens with you! This month is the "month of love", of course you all know that:) I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and were able to communicate your love and affection to those God has blessed you with! We had a great celebration here at school on the Friday before Valentine's Day. I have attached a picture that encapsulates the experience here. Just want you to know that my mother's carepackage made that picture possible. I just want to send out a big "Thank you" to my parents who faithfully sent me a Valentine's Day card even though I only got it today, the 25th:) Ahhh the joys of living overseas:) Also, thanks to the ladies in the church office at Carriage Hills for the package of Bro. James sermons on tape! What a blessing!!! And of course, while I'm thanking people...Robbie Smith, thanks for the Hershey's miniatures! I love Mr. Goodbar:) Okay.. on to Spring Break and a missions trip to the Philippines! ICS Pyongtaek's Spring Break is April 5th-9th. Eight teachers (including me) and a yet undetermined number of students are going to a Word of Life Bible camp in the Philippines to build a drainage system for their soccer field. I know, I know...sounds really spiritual huh?:) Hard labor done for God's glory is worth it:) I'm excited about the opportunity for our students to see those who have less than they do and to serve those people by working hard! It's going to be a life-changing experience all the way around! The number of students interested i also a huge encouragement to me. Because this trip has so much potentional for God's glory in the lives of my students, I am asking for your help. 1st...PRAY!!!!! Pray for God's purpose to be worked out in this trip and in the hearts of the teachers and students. Pray for our obedience to the Spirit's call. 2nd...The cost of the trip is $500 for each person. This cost includes: airfare; lodgings; food and project supplies. It's a CHEAP mission trip. Still, many of the students who want to go are unable because of finances. If you could sponsor a child fully or help to sponsor, PLEASE consider it. Then, email me and I will let you know how to go about it. It's a watershed event to take students from ICS on a mission trip. It's an exciting, long-awaited answered prayer. Please don't miss the blessing by not being involved. Obey as the Lord leads you. Okay. This email is long enough. I praise God that you have made it this far in reading it. There are other prayer needs. If you are interested in them, please email me. I appreciate every bit of interest and prayer you have given on my behalf. I am truly blessed, and I praise God for you. Every time I hear from any of you, my cup overflows with praise and joy! In Christ, Emily Wiltshire International Christian School Pyongtaek, South Korea |