LONG Update from Alan...

Alan's Highlights of 2025

January-February: 

Taiwan Prison Ministry Party;  Went to the International Prison in Taoyuan with Jonathan Brantingham and his son, Aaron. They had flown from the States for the events. There were about 30 0ther people and it's the "Belated" Christmas Party: an opportunity to bring some cheer, hope, and love to the prisoners.

Stateside trip: Visited with my Mom & brothers and Lovely’s sister’s family.  Great time spent with my mom going out to eat and playing games.  I also had the opportunity to go to two SDSU Basketball games with one of my brothers.

March:

Abby's visit to the States: Lovely joined her and together they went down to see Grandma Bea and stayed with my brother's family. I was in charge of caring for Lovely's Mom.

April:

Abby in Taiwan: Lovely and Abigail arrived in Taipei and we had the whole family together for two weeks.   We had a great time together, but it felt like time flew by way too fast. Lovely and I celebrated our 38th Anniversary and had our Annual Family Portraits done.

May:

HOP Retreat:  We had our annual HOP Retreat in Ilan and it was a great time of fellowship and experiencing God’s creation.  The following week was our Annual Soochow English Department International Cultural Excellence in English week. It was a very busy week as I helped to MC most of the events.

The Passing of Mom Regina: May 7th, in her sleep on a Wednesday morning. I was busy at school with the ICEE Week and got the call from Isaiah as I was just settling into my office chair to get things ready for that morning's ICEE Events.  It was such a shock. The cremation happened on Saturday, May 10th.

MRI for My Right Hip: Over the past three months my hip was bothering me more. I found out that the joint cartilage had worn thin at certain places and there was some unevenness. The cause is related to my favoring my left knee. The knee problems began with a torn ACL which was never repaired and over time with playing sports. My right hip started to compensate for this. I guess the conclusion is: I am beginning to feel my age more and more.

June: 

Baptism Service at Waishwangsyi: Three youths from HOP celebrated by getting baptized. It was a joy as the dads of two of the kids are from my discipleship group. 

July-August:

Stateside Trip: It was the first time that all three of us went to the States. Isaiah had two weeks. Lovely had three weeks and I had a much longer time as I stayed until mid-September. We brought Mom Regina's ashes and had a graveside service on July 19th. Mom Regina's ashes are now where Daddy George is buried. We went down to San Diego and spent time with my Mom. Isaiah and I and the cousins and uncle went to a Padres Game.

September-December:

The Start of Soochow University: I have a nice schedule this year. And besides that, church has been 'eventful'. Because of issues related to doctrinal belief as well as leadership style with our pastor and some of our leadership, the Pastor put in his resignation and will be starting a new Church at the beginning of 2026.  A portion of the congregation will be going with him to start this "new" church in Taipei.   It has been a stressful and emotionally draining period for me as well as Lovely and other leaders.  HOP will continue but with a smaller congregation. 

Overall, it has been a very eventful 2025 with highs and lows. Through it all, God is in control. I feel that my relationship with Lovely has grown stronger through this difficult time whether with the loss of Lovely’s Mom or the difficulties at HOP (our home church for over 22 years or so).  I have also decided that in 2026 after completing the new constitution for HOP that I will be taking a break from being an Elder. I want to make sure that there will be someone to step into the position and that the church is stable and moving forward before I step down. Lovely and I enjoy and celebrate growing older together and we look forward to taking more trips as a couple. Isaiah has a girlfriend and might be married in a year or two or three and Abigail seems to love being a missionary. We are in some ways "empty nesters" (even though Isaiah lives at home, which we love!).

In 2026, I hope to start a new discipleship group with a few men from HOP. I do plan on going to the US for five weeks this summer. Isaiah will join me for two weeks as we will go to the location of another tennis Grand Slam: US Open in New York. We've been to Australian Open and Wimbledon. This leaves just the French Open as the only Grand Slam Event that we have not gone to.  I also will continue to teach part-time at Soochow University and help out with various events that the English Department puts on during the year.  Please pray for my health and especially my right hip and my left knee to be structurally sound and pain-free. 

My verse for 2026:

Jeremiah 29:11--

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 

Daily Lovely Insight:

I was up early... and went out to run at 8am... after Isaiah and Alan took off... I came back and took a super fast shower and grabbed the food and took off to church. I had time to set up and heat up the food! We had only five ladies as one was traveling and another had a doctor's appointment. We are finished with Ephesians! I scootered over to New Life Church as they had a Christmas Flea Market to raise money for Hualien. I bought stuff... donating 500NT$. I was home and worked on getting things ready for the different upcoming programs! Tutoring was at 7pm and Family Time at 9pm!

Seek Him First!