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November, 2011

VOL. XIV, #11

Field Address:

Forwarding Agent:

David & Brenda Atkin

67 Wen Hsin S. 1st Rd.

Kathy Murrell
c/o Team Expansion

Nan Tun District

PO Box 51

Taichung 40876 Taiwan

Bement, IL 61813

011-886-42-381-8447

217-678-8258

KMurrelt@team6xpanslQn.org
Datkin@teamexpansion.org

Batkin@teamexpansion.org

The pain throughout my body was more than I could bear. I couldn't move, and as afternoon blurred into the night ~ in that dark hospital
room, I began to pray that I would die. I had made a horrible mistake! TTts experimental surgery, at best, was going to leave me paralyzed
for life. The tears streamed down my face as I looked over at my exhausted wife, trying to sleep on a hospital cot. My thoughts tumed to
my kindergarten-age son: who would play catch and vi,frestle with Noah? The nurses had given me morphine through an l-V in my arm. It
had done nothing but cause terrible hallucinations. I was searching for sometNng, t had no idea what it was maybe the three ribs cut-out
of my back that morrflng. Then, in the darkness and through the pain, the agonizing search was over and I began to see dearly, not a halludnation; a vision that lasted all night!

Noah was older, perhaps junior-high age, and we were riding our bikes together. Isaw us in Taichung; Isaw us in Tainan, at the fort. Isaw
us riding tfrough our old home, in Kaohsiung. I saw us near the lighthouse, in Kenting. I saw us in Taitung, Huaiien, and at the orphanage, In
Lotung. I saw us biking along the ocean, and in the cities! It was so real! I even saw Noah and I meeting Brenda at a hotel! In the vision,

Noah and I biked around the entire island of Taiwan! But,

the visbn was not over! Isaw us biking in the US: in the

mountains, and on the plains, pulling into church parking lots

speaking to groups.

horse's hooves in the Amish country of NE ONo! By the

room, Noah and I had biked aaoss America, coast-toThe pain was still beyond tolerable, but I clung to the vision

I even heard the clip-clop of

'tf

time morning dawned, and nurses entered the hosp^al

coast!

as a sure sign from the Lord that I would walk again! God

was not finished with me In this life, nor with bang a husband and father, nor in ministry! Now, several years later, true to the vision Noah

and I, tNs past July, completed a 10-day b'ke around Taiwan on the "Jesus Loves You" tour. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
And, now, faithfdl partners in our ministry to Taiwan, it is time to announce plans for

A the summer of 2013, to commence just 18 months from now!

Lord willing, we will

4-^ bike from US coast-to-coast, and from church-to-church; representing Team Expan
sion and unreached people groups around the world. We antidpate the trek to take a little

less than 3 months, and we hope to be hosted by as many as 100 churches. We also hope to be
at the NACC, In Louisville (Team Expansion's headquarters), July 9-12.
Over the next year and a half, there is much to do, both in Taiwan and espedafly in the US. Hon-

^estly, I've waited this long to share the coast-to-coast vision with you, in hopes that the conviction
of tNs endeavor might go away. I don't know why God has called us to this, or how this fits within
God's eternal plans. We're convinced that somehow it does. So, please Join with us in prayer for
summer, 20131 ~DLA
(More info will follow, especially during next summer's
furlough! The route, on the map, is subject to MUCH change!)

www . T E A M EXPANSION.QRG/ATKIN

Summer 2012

Nan-tun Elementary "Oh, Say Can You See..."

School Bible Stories

Every Thursday morning we

have the opportunity to visit two
Our upcoming furlough is fast 6th grade classes at Nan-tun
approaching, and we want to see Elementary School, sharing
you! Have we scheduled a date stories from the Bible. There
are 30 students in each class,
to visit you?
so 60 neighborhood families!
We've already booked a couple We are praying that this amaz
weekends and a week of VBS. If ing opportunity leads to King
you haven't already, please dom growth!

Furlough

e-mail us to schedule a date for

next summer! Thanks!

the Taiwan national team.

ui

them before game two. What a thrill! The US won

the game, and Noah, was ecstatic to collect all kinds
of souvenirs, including: Cano's wrist band, a game

" FOR TRMAN

ball, Sandoval's batting gloves, and the hand-written

line-up card from the US coach, Bruce Bochy!

E-mail us to join the 10:02 team!

Brenda &

Night Market Out

Noah's
6th Grade

reach has hit a snag, as

our ideal location has been

sold.

V'ball

Also, our live nativity, in

December, is right across
the street from our night
market, in the park. Please
pray as we seek ail the
necessary permits!

ture First
Place

In October!

Team Expansion:

"Bridge of life" Series

David & Brenda Atkin

Must Know/Must snare

stories frotn the BIhle

PRAY WITH US
Nov 20, picnic @ MCA
Monday Adult English Class
Nan-tun Elementary School
Bible story telling
Night Market Booth outreach needing new location
Bridge of Life series
Lance & Kim expecting #2 pray for good health
Church multiplication plans
Plans for Christmas outreach

events

PCM Thanksgiving in Lotung

2013, Bike USA plans

Please pray that we

find another "ideal" location.

Squad Cap

A small choir from MCA

(Including David, Brenda & Noah) had the opportu

nity to represent the USA by singing our National An

i rs.
e

A team of MLB stars from the US, led by Robinson

Cano, recently played a series of 5 games against

October, 2011 - General Fund

Opening Balance

$11,604.09

The Come Christian Church

will complete the 10 stories of

phase one of the Bridge of
Life series in
November,
which brings us from Creation
and up to the period of the
kings. After a couple weeks
of review and testimonies, we

will begin the 10-week phase

two. The purpose of this se
ries Is to prepare disciples for
Kingdom service, and church
multiplication.
Lord willing,
we will complete the series by
the end of April. Your prayers
for this series are greatly ap
preciated!

Received (Individuals)

356.36

Received (Churches)

9431.75

Expenses

5953.28

Ending Balance
20/20 Vision Fund

$15,438.92
7614.87

Detailed report sent to all supporters.

All gifts to this ministry are tax deductible!

Thank you for your partnership with us!

Georgia Sharpe
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:

Reggie Hundley [missionsrvcs@gmail.com]

Sunday. November 06, 2011 8;04 AM
Georgia Sharpe
Fwd: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (11/6)

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: DAVID ATKIN <DAtkin@TeamExpansion.org>
Date: November 5, 2011 7:19:19 PM CDT
To: David & Brenda Atkin <datkin@,leamexparision.org>

Subject: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (11/6)

Greetings from Taiwan:

"But ifserving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom
you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods ofthe
Amorites, in whose landyou are living. Bui as for me and my household, we will serve the

LORD." (Josh 24:15) Can one person make a difference? With God's help,
HE CAN! Joshua led Israel in taking the Promised Land, but he also led them
in following the Lord! No matter what, Joshua was resolute In his faith a
real man's man!

The Come Christian Church continues with #8 in the Bridge of Life series, and will learn
about Joshua and the conquest of the land of Canaan. May we be as "strong
and courageous," (Josh 1:6) as Joshua, in living out and sharing our faith.
After only two months, we lost our ideal night market position. The property was SOld.
Please pray that we can find another favorable spot. In December, we plan to
do the live nativity again in the park (across from the night market). Please pray
as we seek approval from local gov't leaders.

Continue to pray for the 60 6th grade students at Nan-tun Elementary School, as we
share Bible stories with them on Thursday mornings.
Please pray for Team Expansion, as the Team Leader Summit will be held this
coming week in Louisville. Having just recently returned from Japan, and
with much on our plate in November and December, I made the decision not
to attend. Nonetheless, Taiwan will be well represented by other TL's from
around the island.

The November, Taste of Taiwan newsletter should appear in your inbox this week.

Thank you for your partnership with us here in Taiwan! May you be "strong and courageous,"
like Joshua, this week!
In His Service,
David & Brenda Atkin

Team Expansion in Taiwan

datkin@,teamexpansion.org

www.teamexpansion.org/atkin

Georgia Sharpe
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:

Mission Services [missionsrvcs@gmall.com]

Saturday, November 12, 2011 7;14 PM
Georgia Sharpe
Fwd; Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (11/13)

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: DAVID ATKIN <DAtk.in@,teamexpansion.org>

Date: November 12, 2011 7:06:44 PM EST

To: David & Brenda Atkin <datkin@:tcamexpansion.org>

Subject: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (11/13)
Greetings from Taiwan:

"Whenever the LORD raised up a judgefor them, he was with thejudge and saved them out of
the hands oftheir enemies as long as thejudge lived;for the LORD relented because oftheir
groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people
returned to ways even more corrupt than those oftheir ancestors, following other gods and
serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways."
(Judges 2:18-19) Over and over again, the Israelites, rather than leading the nations to the God
of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob; turned away from the Living God to worship idols. Even more
amazing than Israel's habitual swift departures from the God of their ancestors, is God's
continued compassion and deliverance of a stubborn people.
Part #9 of the Bridge ofLife series focuses on the judges God raised up to lead Israel ~ for about
400 years from just after Joshua to Samuel. Even more intriguing, though, we'll see a flower
from Moab bloom, and see God's plan for a Redeemer taking shape.

Thank you for the many kind words of affirmation we received in response to the Coast-toCoast, Church-to-Church endeavor. We have been praying for several years that the Lord
would use this in some way to bring nations to Him. Please pray with us for the summer of
2013. Let us know if you have questions, though at this point answers may be sparse. However,
we'll do our best to keep you informed as we make progress toward this endeavor.
The Come Christian Church is planning a couple Christmas outreach events: the two-night
live nativity and a youth group party. Sheow-Yi (or, Micah), one of our young men, came to
the Lord through a Christmas outreach similar to these. Please pray that the Lord will guide our
planning, and many more will be led to Jesus through these.
Next Sunday afternoon, the 20th, we will have an all-church picnic and softball game on
MCA campus. So many of our members have family who are not yet Christians. Fellowship
activities like these are planned to give opportunity to invite these family members to meet our
church in a non "threatening" environment. Please pray.

Our night market outreach, scheduled for the evening of the 26th, is in need of another ideal
location for our booth. Please pray that one will be found.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us! And, speaking of the "flower from Moab;"
may you, too, bloom where you're planted! Who was that "flower from Moab?" Her name is
Ruth, and she became the great-grandmother of a shepherd boy name David. You know, God is
at work in your life too!
In His Service,
David & Brenda Atkin

Team Expansion in Taiwan

datkin@,teamexpansion.org
www.teamexpansion.org/atkin

Georgia Sharpe
From:
Sent:
To:

Mission Services [missionsrvcs@gmajl.com]

Monday, November 14, 2011 8:53 PM
Georgia Sharpe

Subject:

Fwd: Computation error resolved in Sept. financial

Interesting!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: DAVID ATKJN <DAtkin@.TeamExpansion.org>

Date: November 14, 2011 8:49:34 PM EST

To: David & Brenda Atkin <dalkin@teamexpansion.org>

Subject: Computation error resolved in Sept. financial

Greetings from Taiwan:

Our faithful partners, in Wilmington, OH, just recently asked a very good question. In fact, it
was so appropriate, 1thought I'd pass the response on to everyone.
Paul, in Wilmington, asked, "Looking over the above mentioned (Sept.) report, there are two
items that are rather large and 1 was wondering if you would let me know what they consist of?
They are under miscellaneous and are "Unspecified Equip." and "Other."
Here is a portion of what 1wrote to Paul...along with a couple additional notations.

The "unspecified equipment" for $1503 was to replace my office computer that crashed, along
with a new external information storage (hard drive). We believe a nearby lightning strike killed
our old ones.

The "other" category of $2,658 was Team Expansion's way of making up for an accounting error
that had been growing for several months because of an ongoing Excel computation error. Our
accounting records in the US said we had $2,658 more than we actually did. After an audit of
our books, the "field cash" computation error was discovered (we were doubling our "field cash"
in Excel). To fix the discrepancy. Team Expansion added the $2,658 to our Sept. "other"
expense, which made our Team Expansion account balance correctly. So, no, we never saw or
had or spent the "other" funds; and I'm not sure 1 understand why our Team Expansion office, in
Louisville, fixed the problem that way.
1 should have written a note about the error to include in the October newsletter (which includes
the Sept. financial), but 1 didn't know that was the way Team Expansion was going to fix the
problem until after the newsletter was written. So, sorry for the strange report. 1hope what I've
written makes some sense.

Thank you for your partnership with us! If you ever have any more questions, don't hesitate to
ask we really do enjoy receiving correspondence from our partners in this ministry.
Blessings to you and yours!
In His Service,

David Atkin

Team Expansion in Taiwan

datkin(Q)teamexpansion.orq

www.teamexpansion.orq/atkin

Georgia Sharpe
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:

Mission Services [missionsrvGs@gmail.com]

Saturday, December 03, 2011 8:31 PM
Georgia Sharpe
Fwd: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (12/4)

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: DAVID ATKIN <DAtkin@TeamExpansion.org>

Date: December 3,2011 7:38:21 PM EST

To: David & Brenda Atkin <datkin@teamexpansion.org>

Subject: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (12/4)
Greetings from Taiwan:

"Nowfaith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Heb

11:1) From Creation to King David we see what pleases God: the righteous
live by faith.

This morning the Come Christian Church will review the first 10 stories in our
Bridge ofLife
Creation, mankind and marriage, the fail, Noah, Abraham,
Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Ruth & the Judges, and David. Can you tell a story
about each of these 10 topics or individuals?
Jack & Tammy Hageman, Kimberly's parents, return to the US this morning.
Please pray for safe travels for them.

The youth group, nine teenagers, met last night and made final preparations
for our Teen Christmas Party, We are praying for 30 teens to attend on Saturday, Dec. 17th.
Our live nativity on Dec. 23 & 24 has moving to the front of our Come Christian Church
building (our home). The city cannot guarantee that a politician won't plan a last minute election
activity in our local park. And, for some reason, last minute political rallies trump well-planned
nativity scenes. Please pray for our nativity in the new location.

I (David) am coughing as I type this ~ a cold. Please pray I get over this soon. Like you, we
have much to do leading up to Christmas. In addition, the weather has turned colder (nothing
like Midwest winter weather though), and 1am coaching Noah's 6th grade softball team, and
their tournament is in Taipei next Saturday.

Tabitha Skyped with us this past week, and her semester finals are this coming week. She is
really busy right now. Holidays are a hard time to be away from your children. Thank you for
praying.

Lord willing, our December newsletter will be comingto you soon. Thank you for your faith in
the Lord, faith in us and this ministry. We are blessed by your partnership!
In His Service,
David & Brenda Atkln

Team Expansion in Taiwan

datkin@teamexpansion.org
www.teamexDansion.org/atkin

Georgia Sharpe
From:
Sent:

Mission Services [missionsrvcs@gmail.com]

Thursday, December 22, 2011 6:35 AM

To:

Georgia Sharpe

Subject:

Fwd: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (12/22)

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:
From: DAVID ATKIN <datkin@teamexpansion.org>

Date: December 21, 2011 10:21:17 PM EST

To: David & Brenda Atkin <datkin@.teamexpansion.org>

Subject: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (12/22)
Greetings from Taiwan:

"For to us a child is horn, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of

Peace." (Isa 9:6) Coinddentally, though I don't believe in coincidence when

it comes to Kingdom ironies, in our Bridge ofLife series this Lord's Day,
Christmas Day, we will learn from the OT prophets about the Messiah, whom
they all foretold would come.

Just a few minutes ago, at Nan-tun grade school, two classes of sixth
graders heard the Christmas story most for the first time! The smell of
cookies baking wafts in from Brenda's kitchen, Joanne is hard at work on the
visitor card for the nativity outreach, and in a half hour Lance and I will go
and get our nativity barn out of storage. This afternoon we will erect the
nativity barn and fence for the animals. Tomorrow and Saturday, in our
busy metropolis, we pray, many will slow down in their busyness long
enough to contemplate the nativity scene and why God would choose to
enter the world in such a way. Perhaps some will ask, "What does this mean
for my life?"

Please pray for us and those whom the Lord calls to the nativity this
weekend.

I don't know if Christmas morning we will have an update. I'm not sure
what kind of condition we'll be in.

It's our first Christmas without one or

both of the girls back that makes it feel a little different. However, on
Monday morning. Lord willing, Brenda, Noah and me will be off for a few
days to visit friends in Okinawa (less than an hour from Taipei). We're
looking forward to a little R & R. Noah is looking forward to Taco Bell on our
US military base there!

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for praying
In His Service,
David & Brenda Atkin

Team Expansion in Taiwan

datkin@teamexpansion.org
www.teamexpansion.org/atkin