Day 2 - May 20 - Huntington Beach to Riverside, CA

Day 2 - May 20 - Huntington Beach to Riverside, CA (83 Miles)

Average speed - 12 MPH
Time on the road:  10 hours

Day one started with Scripture and prayer, and no other fanfare.  We started from the boardwalk, and rode up the Santa Ana River Trail.  We got lost a couple times, and the last half of the day was spent climbing.  We had two offers for housing, but neither we conducive for day two, so we stayed in a motel, which wasn't conducive either.  More on that later.

It was great talking to Chase Andre, who was in Taiwan for a while teaching English.  He will marry soon!  We also spoke with Chuck Foreman, in Phoenix, our old co-worker!  Great touching base with him, and we look forward to being with them this weekend!

Day 1 - May 19 - Christ's Church, Griffith Park (Worship Day)

Day 1 - May 19 - Christ's Church, Griffith Park, CA

We're here in Huntington Beach, CA; at the Best Western Hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  Tomorrow we begin riding!

Over the weekend we were hosted by Christ's Church of Griffith Park, near Burbank.  Bruce Flennor, serves as the minister.  Bruce and Tanya were a tremendous blessing to us, as Bruce picked us up from the airport, and Tanya took us around LA, and they also brought us down to Huntington Beach.  What a blessing!  Luey and Andy stayed with a retired evangelist, Jim; who has the most amazing garden!

This Lord's Day morning, it was evident that the Lord was working among the congregation!  And, we had an all-church BBQ after. Later, we were blessed to meet Bruce's brother and his family, who are headed to E. Asia as medical missionaries.  Please pray for Paul, and his family of six!  I think we were and encouragement to them, as Paul was to us -- even removing a splinter from my finger!

Tomorrow is a big day -- can't believe it is finally here!  Thank you for praying for us!

IMPORTANT:  This is the last weekly "Time for Taiwan" prayer update, until after Gloritrek.  Lord willing, we will resume these weekly prayer  updates beginning in mid-August.  Until then, please go to www.gloritrek.com to sign-up and receive our daily blog updates by e-mail.

Also, thanks to FCC in Monticello, IL; follow us with real-time GPS.  It can be accessed through our web-site, or this link:  http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=03rRhzMKemqU1OqATqJXscbN0u6vOLrMW

Greetings from Taiwan:

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 1:7b; I Cor 1:3; II Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; Col 1:2; I Thes 1:1; II Thes 1:2; I Tim 1:2; II Tim 1:2; Tit 1:4; Phil 1:3)  See how many times the Apostle Paul begins his epistles with "Grace and peace to you…"  Grace and peace must be pretty important!  And, when you think about the kind of life Paul lived, both prior to seeing the light, and then, as a missionary, it's not hard to see why these attributes are especially coveted -- as they are gifts from above!  And, when I think of grace and peace, and gifts from above; can't help but think of our mothers!  They seem to embody these qualities more than any!

Happy Mother's Day to our mothers!  I've include a flower for you -- a water lily!  I took this picture yesterday on my bike ride south of Taichung, in the rain, just for you!  Lilies are Brenda's favorite flower!  :-)

We have challenged the Come Christian Church not to be idle this summer while the missionary is away!  To GO, we've added GROW!  So, Come Christian Church wants to GO & GROW this summer -- I've challenged all to reach at least one, and double our attendance by 3rd Sunday of August.  Can it be done?  With God's help, all things are possible!  Amen?  Shea-shea!

Gloritrek takes-off this Friday afternoon, May 17th!  Lord willing, we'll arrive in LA on Friday afternoon, and spend the weekend with Christ Church of Griffith Park.  On Monday morning, we will set out for NYC from Huntington Beach, on the south side of LA.  I cannot describe what I am feeling right now, so I'll just ask you to pray for Noah, Luey, Andy and me.  Pray for our families that we will be saying good-bye to (Lord willing, we will see Brenda again in Tulsa; nearly a month from our departure.)  Pray for the churches we will visit -- that the message of unreached people groups (UPG's) will be embraced.  Yes, pray to the Lord of the Harvest!

Thank you for your partnership with us!  Here in Taiwan, when someone is going on a journey, we say, "One road to peace!" (Ye-lu ping-an!)  Many years ago, while biking and sharing in China, I never tired of hearing that phrase, but they say it differently.  They say, "One road, tail breeze!" (Ye-lu, swen-fong!)  However you say it, your prayers give us peace, and are like a tail breeze pushing us forward!  Grace and peace to you and yours!

   

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,
David, Brenda & Noah Atkin
datkin@teamexpansion.org  / gloritrek@gmail.com

We're less than 10 days from take-off on Gloritrek!  This morning, Luey, Andy, Noah and I biked Noah to school (about 8 miles).  After dropping Noah off at MCA, we rode about 20 more miles, nearly circling the city of Taichung.  It's a city of 2 million, with maybe 2-3% knowing Jesus.  I prayed as I rode this morning.

Good news!  Christ Church in Griffith Park, Burbank, CA; is hosting us while we're in L.A.  We are so grateful for this church, and Pastor Bruce & Tanya Fleenor!  What a blessing!  We look forward to meeting them!

I've been convicted in the last week, feeling a little like Jacob, wrestling with the Lord!  Why?  There are many days in our schedule where we've been unable to find a church to host us, especially out west.  What to do?  It would be easy to just go find a motel, one with a pool preferably!  Of course, that cuts into what we hope to give Team Expansion at the end of the summer, as we focus on unreached peoples.  So imagine you're a pastor or church secretary, and you hear a knock on your door....

"Hello, my name is David Atkin, missionary from Taiwan.  This is my son, Noah.  These are our Taiwanese friends, Luey and Andy.  We're on a Gloritrek for unreached peoples, and we're biking coast to coast, church to church.  We have nowhere to spend the night tonight.  Would you be willing to host us this evening?  In return, we'd be happy to tell you about what we believe God is leading us to share with churches across America."

Wow!  What would you do with this, probably inconvenient, opportunity standing at your door?  Some  may say, "Go in peace!"  The spiritual way of saying, "Get lost!"  However, for some whom the Lord has directed us -- we may be a real blessing to them, as they are to us!  So, in every town we enter, before going to check into a motel for the night; we will first visit the area churches, and give them opportunity to accept us into their home/church, or forfeit the chance to interact with us.  For, if we believe that God is leading us on this Gloritrek;  and, we do, otherwise, there aint no way it would be happening!  Then, we believe God will lead us to those whom God has been preparing!  If Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, it is a small thing for Him to prepare a place in each town/city we visit.  What do you think?  What would you say?

Thank you for praying for us!  We are feeling the weight of preparation details; as well as the challenge of increased training and staying healthy and safe.  Like, yesterday, as I recover from bronchitis; I went to the pool for the first time in more than a week and broke my pinky toe.  It is black today!  You may have heard the expression, "The devil is in the details!"  Let us pray that the Lord would smash Satan under our feet!"  Amen.

Mornings in Taiwan

Greetings from Taiwan:

I've also attached a picture of what many of my mornings look like -- eating breakfast, responding to e-mails and training for Gloritrek! This morning was especially nice -- two e-mails in particular!  What a blessing!

One couple who has never met us, in Joplin, MO, wrote:  

"My sweet friend, Angela contacted me through facebook this morning to tell me about Gloritrek and her friends from Taiwan needing a place to stay while bicycling through Joplin on June 18. My husband Chris and I would love to keep your fellas at our home on that date if that works for them.  How about meals? I would love to be able to provide meals for them as well.  Just need to know what they like or more importantly what they don't like or are allergic to...We attend ...a large church in Joplin which may provide a contact for you to see if David and Noah could give their testimonies." 

Another e-mail from a fella in Georgetown, OH, which is not on our route:

"I wanted to send this quick email to introduce myself and to let you know we are praying for you and Noah as you prepare for your trip, “Gloritrek”.  It is so exciting to read about your “Gloritrek” and I am looking forward to meeting you when you travel through the Cincinnati area.  Thanks for  connecting with me on Facebook and we will be praying for your need for host churches. Is there anything specific we can be praying for on your behalf?  May God truly bless you and give you many opportunities to share the gospel for Christ."

Thank you for your partnership with us in Gloritrek!  

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,

David, Brenda and Noah Atkin

datkin@teamexpansion.org  / gloritrek@gmail.com

www.gloritrek.com

Greetings from Taiwan:

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?'  'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.'   Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'”  (Jn 21:15)  Between our Lord's Resurrection and Ascension, Peter returned to his fishing boat.  In fact, several of the disciples joined Peter, and they fished all night, catching nothing.  In the morning, through the mist, when Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they were unable to haul in the haul of fish!  Only then did they realize the person on the shore was Jesus!  What a difference WITH or WITHOUT Jesus makes!  Later, the question Jesus asks Peter, three times, while they are sitting around the fire finishing  breakfast; is also a question we would do well to answer.  As we await our Savior's return, what consumes our time, and where are our energies focused?  And, are we doing it WITH or WITHOUT Jesus?

Gloritrek is now only forty days from launch!  We are so blessed to have many, many churches and individuals across the US who have partnered with us in Gloritrek!  However, we still have a long list of locations (mostly in the west), where no churches or individuals have signed on to host Gloritrek.  Would you pray with us for the following locations, that doors might open to receive us?  If you know someone in one of these location, would you contact them for us, and ask them to look at our web-site/video and consider allowing us to share our Gloritrek message with them?  All they need do is fill out the "Host Us" form on our web-site, and we will be in touch with them.  Thank you for praying for Gloritrek!

Los Angeles, CA

San Bernardino, CA

Palm Desert, CA

Blythe, CA

Salome, AZ

Wickenburg, AZ

Payson, AZ

Show Low, AZ

Holbrook, AZ

Gallop, NM

Grants, NM

Albuquerque, NM (Sunday, June 2)

Moriarty, NM

Santa Rosa, NM

Tucumcari, NM

Vega, TX

Amarillo, TX (Sunday, June 9)

Pampa, TX

Elk City, OK

Weatherford, OK

Stroud, OK

Vinita, OK

Joplin, MO

Springfield, MO

Lebanon, MO

Rolla, MO

White Hall, IL

Lincoln, IL

Salem, IN

Louisville, KY (Sunday, July 7)

Carrolton, KY

Florence, KY

Mason, OH

Columbus/Worthington, OH

Millersburg, OH

Grove City, PA

DuBois, PA

State College, PA

Bloomsburg, PA

Stroudsburg, PA

Last Lord's Day morning, Easter Sunday, our Come Christian Church entered to worship through the tomb!  Two new families were in attendance, as well as a couple new individuals.  Please pray that the sight of the empty tomb and the message that "Jesus is Risen!" will make a lasting impression! (Our April newsletter will have pictures!) 

Sports & English Camp '13, our 8th annual, was filled in just a few hours this past week, with more than 150 teenagers registered to attend, July 8th - 13th!  Please pray for Dean Chad, the faculty and teenagers who will attend (most do not know Jesus yet)!

We enjoyed a few days of family time at the beach this past week, during Spring Break.  Noah and I biked more than 300 KM, but it still felt like the lull before the storm.  We are thankful for days of rest and being together with family and friends!

These are busy days as we prepare the Come church for our absence this summer, and for our disengagement in the summer of 2014.  Thank you for your prayers! There is much more we could share, but we'll save some for the newsletter.  Your partnership with us in the Gospel -- what a difference you make!    

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,

David & Brenda Atkin

datkin@teamexpansion.org  / gloritrek@gmail.com

www.gloritrek.com

Gloritrek Friends:

(This posting requires a nearly immediate response!)

Greetings from Taiwan!

I just wanted to let you in on a once in a lifetime opportunity!  Thanks to a connection Jon Ralls has made with a bike clothing manufacturer (and there really are only a few who make the real-deal stuff), we have the opportunity to create our own Gloritrek kits (bike clothes).  And, because we've got this awesome co-worker with mad graphic design skills, Chad Edwards, we've got a really cool bike jersey!  It would be completely wrong of me NOT to offer YOU an opportunity to get your own Gloritrek jersey!

If you want a bike jersey, at $65 USD or $2000 NTD (New Taiwan Dollars), NOW would be the time to reply to this e-mail!  I know that sounds really expensive, but if you haven't priced top of the line jerseys lately, and not the kind you would buy at Dick's, then you'll know this is a really good deal.  Sizes range from XS to 4XL.  But, these tend to run smaller than US sizes.  So, I normally wear a L, but in these I need a size bigger, a XL.  And, if you don't want skin tight, you can go 2 sizes bigger!

Gloritrek cycling caps are also available!  Embroidered with the logo on gray, with yellow side panels (Team Expansion on one side and Psalm 96:3 on the other in a blue print).  Those are $15, or $500 NTD.  They are being made in CA!

Gloritrek T-shirts, in gray and navy blue, will be available later, at about $12.  Made in Joplin! Thanks Biaka!

Gloritrek wristbands, like our "Jesus Loves You" bands, will be available in several colors at about $3 per band.

Of course, any money Gloritrek makes will go to Team Expansion and the trek toward unreached peoples.  However, to make money we'd need to charge more for the item than it actually costs, and in the case of the bike jerseys/hats -- we're not!

In the US you can send a check right away to our amazing forwarding agent, Kathy, and put "Gloritrek jersey" in the memo line.  If you are in Taiwan -- just hand me cash, and I'll get you a receipt.  

Team Expansion

℅ Kathy Murrell

PO Box 51

Bement, IL  61813

217-678-8258

I will place the order next week, March 18th, because they take nearly a month to get done.  Sorry, no orders after that for the bike jersey!  When we receive the shipment of jerseys, we'll make sure you receive yours ASAP, if I have your mailing address! :-)

Sorry, but you only have until the weekend to let me know on the bike jerseys, and the rest will be on the Gloritrek web-site soon.  LASTLY, please pray for Brenda's family, as we just received news that her Uncle Bob passed away.  There are times when it's tough being a missionary, and today is one of those days...

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,

David & Noah Atkin

datkin@teamexpansion.org  / gloritrek@gmail.com