Grubb Mission Report October 2016

A Work of the Chestnut Mountain Church of Christ, Chestnut Mountain, Georgia USA

 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

PLEASE PASS THIS REPORT TO THOSE YOU THINK MIGHT HAVE INTEREST IN OUR WORK!

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Taiwan-China Trip

(Aug. 24-Oct. 10)

      On August 24th, I began my 60th overseas mission trip. I visited Taiwan until September 13th and then went directly to China for the rest of the time. After returning from this trip, I still have a very busy October ahead of me. You can look at my speaking schedule to see where I will be during the second half of the month of October. Thanks for your prayers on behalf of my travels during this trip.

      I arrived safely in Taiwan and was met at the airport by William Chen. I stayed with William and Yolanda while I was in Taipei. On Friday, brother Jao and Yolanda took me to see the POW camp which housed Allied prisoners during World War II. In addition, there were gold and copper mines there as well. You can see pictures I took of this day’s tour on my Facebook page. I had two good night’s sleep on the first two nights in Taiwan. That helps to get accustomed to the twelve hour difference in time. On Saturday, William, Yolanda, and I went to do some shopping and to eat lunch together.

      The gospel meeting in Taipei began on Saturday night. We had two visitors to attend the service. The theme of my meetings in Taipei, Hualien, and Taichung was “Where is Your Treasure?” On Saturday night, I spoke on the subject of “The Widow’s Mites.” I presented the other two lessons for this meeting on Sunday morning. There were about fifteen who attended the services Sunday morning. After a potluck meal, William Chen taught a Bible class on John chapters two and three.

      On Monday morning, I took the train from Taipei to Hualien. Brother and sister Wang met me there. During the week I was in Hualien, I stayed at the church building. On Tuesday, we made three visits in the morning, then made another visit in late afternoon.

      On Wednesday morning, we went to one of the Assisted Living homes to make a number of visits and also to conduct a Bible study. People living there range in ages from 65 – 102. On Wednesday night, I had the privilege to teach the midweek class at the Hualien church building. On Thursday, I conducted two Bible classes at the Assisted Living Homes – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon.

      On Friday morning, we conducted a gospel meeting with four men at the Assisted Living Home. On Friday night, we had the first of four lessons in the weekend gospel meeting. The theme for the gospel meeting in Hualien was the same as in Taipei: “Where is Your Treasure?” (Matthew 6:19-21). The first lesson in the series was “Sacrifices that Cost Nothing.” The topic for Saturday night was, “The Widow’s Mites.”

      Sunday was a busy day. It started at 6 AM. We went to one of the Assisted Living Homes for worship from 7-8 AM. Bible study at the church building was from 9-10 AM. Worship from 10-11:30 AM. After lunch, the second assisted living worship from 2-4 PM. Sunday evening was used to get my luggage ready for 6 AM departure to Tainan on Monday morning.

      We rode two trains and arrived at brother Wang’s parent’s house by lunch time. We then went out to make visits and prepare for the evening Bible study as well. On Monday and Tuesday we made several visits, conducted at least three Bible studies a day then had a service in the evening. We had fourteen in a pouring rain on Tuesday night.

      On Wednesday morning, we headed for Kaohsiung. We made two visits during the day then had the first night of the gospel meeting with fifteen in attendance. On Thursday, we went way out in the country for lunch and a Bible study. On the way back, I was able to go and see the Love River. The gospel meeting in Kaohsiung ended on Thursday night. I went to the High Speed Rail station and headed for Taichung, where John and Michele Yo met me.

      The rains returned with a vengeance on Friday night. It affected the attendance of the gospel meeting. The same was true for Saturday night. We were able to make some visits both on Friday and Saturday. The attendance for the Sunday morning was better. We also had a potluck on Sunday night to celebrate the Autumn Moon Festival. There were a number of visitors who attended.

      On Monday morning, we had a Bible study at a house near the church building then had lunch with the oldest member of the church in Taichung. I was able to eat my favorite bowl of noodles on my last day in the country.

      On Tuesday morning, brother and sister Yo took me to the airport to catch my flight to Shanghai. When I arrived, brother Bob was there to meet me. I spent the rest of the day getting settled in for the rest of the week.

      The rain followed me to Shanghai. Boy, did it follow me. It rained every day for the next week. The typhoon that hit Taiwan on the day after I left headed this way. On Wednesday morning, I worked on several upcoming projects for when I return to the states. On this day, I had the opportunity to teach two different groups – one in the afternoon then one in the evening. I taught some non-Christians in the afternoon. I met with four new brethren in the evening.

      Thursday was a material preparation day. I worked on a number of projects for when I return to the states. There were no Bible studies scheduled for the day. On Friday morning, we had a Bible study with about eight sisters in an apartment. On Saturday morning, we went to make a visit with one of the members in Shanghai.

      On Sunday morning, I packed up my luggage preparing to move over to the other side of Shanghai to begin my Monday through Thursday classes. I had the privilege to speaking at the morning worship in PuXi. After lunch, I went back to pick up my luggage at the hotel and took a taxi over to PuDong for afternoon worship and getting settled in to my room. This is the same place I stayed last year. One difference – my bed is not on the floor! This will make it better for my feet and knees. After the afternoon worship, I changed my clothes to go to eat dinner and to go do my shopping for the week.

      Monday began the beginning of a two week course on evangelism. Classes are Monday through Thursday. There are two full-time students, but there were two others who were able to attend most of the classes as well. Mixed in with the classes were evening visits with prospects and members.

     The second weekend in China was also very busy. I taught classes on Friday morning and night then spoke two times at a Youth rally on Saturday. I then spoke twice on Sunday before getting ready for another three days of classes with a fourth day for testing.

      The last week in September, I taught my final three days in the school. On Thursday, I gave the two tests for the two students in the school. I then moved back over to the other side of Shanghai for the rest of my time in the country. I had the opportunity teach some additional classes the last several days I was in Shanghai. The last week I was in town, there was a two day lectureship. I had the opportunity to take part in this effort as well. There were about fifty to attend this effort.

     For the entire trip, I taught about sixty hours in private classes, Bible classes, Bible school, lectureship, youth rally, gospel meetings and worship services.

      While I was in Shanghai, I had the opportunity to visit the Bund again, as well as the area across the Whangpoo River from the Bund where the second tallest building in the world is located. I went up into the Oriental Tower and had a beautiful view of the city. I was also able to visit the Shanghai Museum.

      In spite of a few bumps on the way home, I arrived safely. Thanks for all of the prayers offered on my behalf during this trip. I appreciate the support I receive from brethren that enables me to do this work.

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SPEAKING SCHEDULE

2016

October 14-15 World Evangelism Seminar

October 16-19 – Gospel Meeting – Cartersville, GA

October 22 – Chestnut Mountain Youth Day

October 29-30 – Southeast GA Lectureship

Nov. 21 – Dec.  19  – Singapore/Malaysia

   23-26 Nov. Four Seas College Lectures

     23 PM Wed. Night Bible Study - Jurong

     27 Nov. JB and Skudai, Malaysia

     28-30 Batam, Indonesia

   1-7 Dec. Section 17 Meeting and Camp

   9-11 Dec.  Kota Kemuning

 11-15 Kampar, Ipoh, and Taiping

 16-18 Dec. Subang Jaya  

2017

Jan. 31 – Mar. 14 – New Zealand (Arrive 2-2)

Apr. 24-25 McCaysville Lectureship

May-June – Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia

September – China

December – Taiwan

2018

April 15-19 Gospel Meeting – Shelbyville Rd.

Apr. 22-25 Gospel Meeting – Collinsville, IL

SYMPATHY: News reached me on Saturday, October 8th (in Shanghai) that Virgil Hale passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

– John M. Grubb