Goodbye time is here. Tomorrow is the last day of school for our kids, and many of their friends are leaving. Last night they made some going away cards, and two out of three were in tears. I would guess this doesn't just reflect the particular losses, but the history of saying goodbye to friends and loved ones over and over again. Joey wants to have a birthday party, but only about three of his classmates (only counting boys, of course) will actually be here in the summer! Many who aren't leaving for good take summer trips back to their countries of origin, or if missionaries have a longer home assignment, they start it right now.

Of the six TEAM missionary families in Taichung, 3 are leaving for 6 mos to 1 yr in the US! Personally, I'm bracing for next year, when 2 of the 4 counselors working in the Center will take 1 year home assignments. One will likely be reassigned to Taichung, but the other will likely be relocated to mainland China following that home assignment.

As many missionary clients pause for summer travels and scheduling reasons, pray that God would continue to build them up with respect to the changes they are pursuing. Pray also for the many of us who face significant changes and transitions at this time.

Personally our family is ready for a summer change of pace. However, there are some challenging crises to be dealt with both in the missionary community and in the Chinese church community. Pray that God would give us grace and patience, and even more bring about the righteousness and peace he desires in those most immediately affected, and the whole body of Christ here in Taiwan, internationals and locals together.

Yours from the far side, in Jesus love,

Steve and Laura

PS If you want to see the prayer calendar Laura edits for TEAM Taiwan, go to our web site below, go back up a step to TEAM Taiwan, and you'll see the link.
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Dr. Steve and Laura Spinella, Sarah, Joey, Robby
Ta Yi Street, Lane 29, #18, 2F-1, Taichung, TAIWAN
886 4 236-6145, of 236-1901, fx 236-2109, USA 1 719 528-1702
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60189, 800 343-3144 <http://www.team.org.tw/spinella> <spinella@alumni.rice.edu>