A few Things

The last few months have been so busy. I have a few pics here showing why. Our church has moved towards independence and are now the Kaohsiung International Church. The logo seen here was created by the highly esteemed and sought after Mike Chu of Alberta, Canada. We are now meeting in a new place and will soon start looking for a pastor again (once we settle in). We have lost a few people in the last few years because we don't have a pastor. I guess some people need the figure at the front to give them the feeling of stability. I feel that with a good leadership and people being willing to pull together we form a more realistic picture of the body of Christ. We need to rely on Jesus and not on some person to keep us. Not that a pastor wouldn't be nice to have. (By the way if you know anyone interested in moving to Taiwan and earning very little money to lead a church where you will never get strong leaders because they leave Taiwan as soon as they are ready to lead, let me know)(I'm serious. That person is out there somewhere.)
Other highlights have been Chinese new year, Christmas and news that my little sis is getting married. Pics for some of these will come as soon as I get some time.
God has blessed me with many extra tutors in the last few weeks. Pray that He will now provide the energy I need to handle them.
God Bless

Good to know someone is there.

Here is a picture of Leanne and I at Sun Moon Lake on our Christmas Vacation. I had a long weekend and we used it well. Good to know somebody looks in. I will try to be more faithful again.
God Bless

Helloooooo

Does anyone still read this? If so let me know.

Sorry the links didn't work

Here are the links to see more pics from our time with Tracy.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102675&l=b69ce&id=522630113

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102679&l=9c818&id=522630113

Some Many Things

I have not blogged in a while. I am so sorry for that. A lot has happened in the last few months. Here are a few of the highlights.
On New years we went for a big fireworks party on the beach and spent all night going to see a sunrise that never quite happened.
February was Chinese new year which was relaxing. A friend of ours (Mike Bell) came towards the end of the month and hung out.
March saw us go on another mission trip to Miaoli. The trips are becoming more organized and fun. They are also tiring. Pray for energy and blessing as we go again on April 12 and 13.
My sister, Tracy, came to see us and we had a grand old time. Below you can see some of the pictures from these various events. If you want to see more pictures go to the following facebook pages



Overall a busy but fun few months.
Pray needs:
1. Our church is looking for a pastor. Pray God sends the right person (and if you know someone send them my way).
2. Continued support for the missions trips to Miaoli. Pray for financial details and volunteers as well.
3. Rest for Leanne and I. We are over tired right now. Pray we can rest while we have the chance.
God Bless you all for your prayers.
Cliff and Leanne

One Wedding and a Missions trip

We have had an eventful few weeks. The pics you see above are from a wedding I did today for a couple in my cell group. It was very informal but all of us were incedibly nervous. We were situated on a lower platform and evertone was above us looking down. I didn't use a microphone and everyone could still hear me. I was able to give a good simple gospel based message to a group that consisted almost entirely of non-Christians. Pray the seeds stay in their hearts and grow.
The last picture is from our missions trip to Miaoli. It was to an aboriginal tribe in the mountains. You can see more pics at this web site:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=78118&l=17006&id=522630113

The trip was a success. We felt like our church can do some good up there so we will send groups up once a month and alos do other supports for the people already working with the kids in the area. Pray for those kids.

The other thing was our trip to visit the Lovely Steven, Kamyee and Noelle Ladas in Bangkok. Steven was my first roommate in Taiwan and Kamyee was there so much she was practically a roommate too. The trip was fun especially meeting Noelle. Next time in Kaohsiung. This link has some of the pics from Bangkok:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76389&l=28aac&id=522630113

A busy few weeks but we have had a great time.

Merry Christmas

Baptism At the Beach

We at the Bread of life English fellowship were priviledged to be able to baptise 5 people on November 11. The pics you see are from the beach where we did it. It was wonderful. I was priviledged to be able to lead the service and to baptise two of the candidates and assist with the others. I was initially skeptical about doing it on the beach and the waves you see were powerful. God baptised me several times. But it was a really powerful witness to the other foreigners who were on the beach (there was a french speaker who got baptised and did his testimony in french. At the same time there was a group of frenchmen having a BBQ right next to us. God works) and did a lot to bring our church together. We spent most of the day there having a BBQ. It was great. I will be the first to suggest doing it there again next time.

God Bless

Sorry Again

I am looking for something very happily.

Happy Together

With Paul at his birthday BBQ.

With a group of explorers in a cave.

The lovely Mike Chu, hamming it up as always (he and his wife Kathy left us about a month ago sniff sniff)

It has been a long time. I don't know why other than that Facebook has sort of taken over the role of this blog. The pics you see here are some of the recent happenings in our life. These are us with some of the people at church. Some are gone and some are still here. I feel sad as I see these people coming and going. I don't want to say goodbye. I want to hold on to them and keep them with us. I guess they need to move with their lives but it does make our life a little less bright.
I never know what to say here. I guess a run down of what has been happening is good. I have just finished my 8th course in my Master's course. It went well but not as well as I hoped. I did not do well on one paper ( I still think it was the teacher's fault). My wonderful 4.0 GPA is now gone and I see it with the silver lining that at least I don't have to worry about that anymore. Pray I will put the effort needed in the last few courses. I have grown weary of studying and feel like the writer of Ecclesiates when he said too much study is tiring (not sure where it is but it's in there somewhere).
We just had a church retreat and I had to deal with some difficult issues which came to my attention. PTL the people took the criticism well and that God gave me the ability to present it with love.
Leanne is excited as the Taiwan bookstore Eslite is planning to put her on display in their stores. They will be presented as they are, one of a kind gift items and not mass produced journals. Pray this goes well.
We are planning a trip with our air miles to go to Bangkok to visit some friends there. right now we are on a waiting list for tickets so pray that we are able to get them and go to Bangkok. We haven't seen these people for about 7 years.
Our church will hold its Thanksgiving dinner this Sunday. Pray that we can have a good time and some of the divisions in the church can be healed at this time.
We are still looking for a pastor. The candidate we have will visit in January. Pray God will make it clear to him and us what should happen here.
I will sign off there.
Let me know if you read this. I like to see people are looking in. Just leave a short comment like Hi.
Thanks

Typhoon Saturday

We sat in the house all day today because Typhoon Sepat hit us this morning. This morning it was still calm although this thing had been approaching for about four days. It was crawling along. It hit on the weekend which sucks. It means no time off work and you have to stay in on your free day. But at least we are safe in our house. Pray for those in less sheltered areas as they are getting slammed. This is a Super Typhoon which means it will do alot of damage.
I have uploaded two pictures. One is the sattelite view of the typhoon. You can't see Taiwan in the picture because it is covered by the typhoon.
The second picture is what I might look like if I were a Simpsons' character. Leanne says I got the hair and nose right but that I am not that fat. I tend to disagree. What do you think? Did I capture myself?
I am the proud uncle of a beautiful boy named Milo Davin Pierce Hildebrand. You can see him and the rest of the family above. I got to see him on the Skype the other day and he actually opened his eyes for me. What a handsome young man! I think I will have treat him extra because he is a fellow second oldest brother in the family. We gots to stick together!
It's been a busy summer but it is drawing to a close. I will finish up my summer session at the junior high next week and then will start up the new school year a week later. Pray for a good relationship with the new classes.
I start another of my Masters courses in two weeks. I am so ready to finish my masters. I still have 5 courses to go but at least I am on the downward side now.
Leanne has a couple of her pictures in a show next weekend. Pray they sell. She will also display some of her books for sale as well.
God bless

Seven Years and no itch

I am pleased to announce that Leanne and I will have been married for 7 years on this coming Sunday in God's eyes (I will explain if you ask). I have been looking back at my life and cannot imagiine what I would be now if I had not come to Taiwan and met Leanne. She has been the single biggest blessing God has given me in my life. I know that I would not be in Taiwan now if it had not been for her. I would not be going for my Master's. I wouldn't be leading worship. I would be a loner living in some hole somewhere. I thank God everyday for giving me a helpmate who knows me as well as anyone and even better I know myself. Thank You Lord.
Happy Anniversary Leanne

A question: Please Respond!!

Is it sacriligeous to talk about Dr Pepper and God in the same blog? Thoughts?

Dr Pepper

I am sitting here drinking a Dr Pepper and thinking how good God is to us. it is such a small thing to have a certain treat like a soda available to you but it makes my day when I can have one at the end of the day. Being in Taiwan these things are sometimes hard to find but here I am drinking one. Praise the Lord for He is good.

Long Time No See

Blame it on Facebook. I have gotten on facebook recently and that coupled with doing my Master's thesis proposal for the last two months has made it hard for me to update here.
To catch up then:
1. Leanne just completed a successful exhibition of her hand made books at a book store. See her blog on the right for details.
2. I did complete my proposal for my thesis. 85 pages later I am very happy to report getting high praise from my instructor. Pray the evaluation comes back as good.
3. Leanne and I took a trip to Taipei for the Dragon Boat long weekend (four days!!!). We started the trip off right by going up on the new high speed train. You can see some of the pics (one outside one inside). It was underwhelming as it never felt you were actually going close to 300 km/h. So cool!
4. We went to see some of the famous Terra Cotta soldiers at a museum in Taipei. They were imported from Mainland China. Very interesting.
5. Went to the area around Taipei 101. This is the tallest building in the world.
6. We are having a very hot summer. Pray it will be a little cooler as I start my busy schedule.
7. The church is still waiting to hear from our pastoral candidate. Pray we can find out God's will for this. We need to find someone soon as we are losing some key leaders this summer.
8. I am getting fat. I have been sitting at the computer alot doing my Master's. Pray for determination to brave the heat and get some exercise.
9. Leanne had some pain in her leg last night but it seems to have gone away Praise the Lord.

That's the best I can do for an update. Please let me know if you read this.

Stephen and Elizabeth's Wedding/Anniversary

What was it? A wedding banquet? An anniversary celebration? Whatever it was we had a great time. Stephen sang a lovely song for Elizabeth (Was that 'catch a kangaroo'?) And Elizabeth sang a beautiful love song to God. A moving night. They shared stories about each other including all the blood and gore.
Stephen and Elizabeth have been a huge blessing to our church. In the absence of a pastor they have stepped up very well to lead a group of immature church members. God Bless you guys as you find your path.

Men's Retreat- The Aftermath

We got through the weekend and the time was well spent. God taught us alot through Robert Branch and the guys got a great chance to bond and get to know some guys that they don't usually hang out with. I just threw in the last pic to let you know I was there too. Pray the things learned this weekend will stick and grow in the guys hearts.

Men's Retreat

I have spent the last couple of months preparing for this next weekend. The Men for our church will be going on a retreat this weekend. The theme will be "Being a Godly Husband". Please pray the theme rings true for our church. We have about 40% married guys at the retreat and the rest are single. One guy is engaged as well.
Please pray the weekend can bring us together as men.
Thanks

Check Out Leanne's Blog

That's right. To the right you will see a link to Leanne's Paper Wonder. Check it out. It has some of her latest creations and a link to our flickr account to see the rest of them.
Post a comment when you go there to say hi and let her know what you think.

We Remember

Dad went home one year ago. We remember him.
A man who loved us and whom we loved.
A man who worked hard to give to us whom we seldom really appreciated.
A man who talked to us and hoped for us to talk back.
A man who helped people whenever he could and left us a great example.
A man who sometimes complained but never refused.
A man who always had a plan about how to do it.
A man who I would love to ask for advice but can't anymore.
A man who is missed more than we can understand.
A man who we thank God for bringing into our lives even if only for a short time.
Henry David Peter Hildebrand 1947-2006