Mike Kersten - VYM Taiwan

Recent Updates:

February 2

And so it ends. For now. After three and half years of service in Taiwan as an LCMS World Mission volunteer, I have moved back to the United States to plot my next move. Please read my final newsletter for more details! Thanks to all who have shared this journey with me.

November 27

If you are reading these words, than you are witnessing something new, something fresh, something as of yet unseen. That is a prompt and timely update to my website! The reason why? Something else new, fresh, and as of yet unseen is happening in my life. I'm feeling spiritually focused and alert in my life and ministry, namely because I've got a big dream and solid first step into a more active way of being a missionary at Concordia Middle School in Chiayi, Taiwan. Please read about it my November newsletter!

Please also check out a couple new photo albums:

1) ALEA Conference - The 3rd Asian Lutheran Educators Conference was held the last week of October in Shanghai. I was inspired by keynote speeches by Marty Schmidt and Mitri Raheb and joined workshops on designing field experiences, centering prayer, and opportunities in Vietnam. I also got to help Marty Schmidt lead his workshop on service learning, and idea I'm pretty keen on as a part of Christian education.

2) Guangdong 2006 - I went back to Foshan and Jiangmen in Guangdong, China the first weekend of November. I accompanied Marty Schmidt's humanities class from Hong Kong International School and made the necessary contacts to lead a trip from CMS students next July. The pictures in the album are a combination of photos from my July trip with the students and November trip with Marty's class. Hopefully it gives you a general sense of the area where we will be working.

November 14

The school semester is in full swing again. Actually it's almost two-thirds passed already which is proof of my theory that time accelerates as you get older. That said, there are plenty of fresh happenings at Concordia Middle School in Chiayi, Taiwan and lots of news to report. I'm going to call this update my October newsletter even though it's already November and I've been wanting to write on this topic since September when I started teaching the Junior One kids again. The other reason is that November has been a full month and I hope to get another update on here within the week and call it the November newsletter. Hey! I heard your skeptical snort. Cut that out. ;)

July 14

The China trip was a wonderful experience. I have some pictures in my China 2006 photo album and personal reflections in my July newsletter. Thank you to everyone who gave support financially and spiritually to this opportunity. It was truly special for everyone involved.

I am now back in the United States, enjoying the warm hospitality of my parents and biting wit of my brothers in St. Louis, Missouri. I will be returning to Taiwan on August 11. If you're in the U.S. and you've got free time between now and then, look me up!

June 21

Yes! I've set a new record for not updating my website since coming to Taiwan. But all streaks must come to end and so here's some information about what's up with me in Chiayi.
The June newsletter is in fact a newsletter for the entire spring semester with tons of pictures and brief notes about what has happened since Chinese New Year.

Thank you for your support and please consider praying about these items:

1. For the China Service Learning Trip taking place from June 27 to July 3. See the June newsletter for more details.

2. For Penny, Angela Tsai, and Ms. Ho (above) who were baptized in April, that the Holy Spirit would grow them in faith, surround them with supporting Christian brothers and sisters, and guide them to share God's love.

3. In thanksgiving with our coordinator Matt Wasmund and his wife Dee Dee as they have received their adopted daughter Lily (right) and prepare to move to Korea sometime during the next year.

4. For my coworkers, students, and me as we look forward to a summer filled with travels and activities, that we would come back for the fall semester refreshed and ready for another year of school.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

January 8

Once again, Christmas was the fullest time of year. The days overflow with activities, opportunities, and blessings from God. The December newsletter is a quick impression of the holiday while the Christmas photo album chronicles the various activities and events that took place.

Prayer Requests:

1. Thanksgiving for a wonderful Christmas celebration!

2. For Patricia Tsai and Ping-Zu (above) who were baptized on Christmas Day, that the Holy Spirit would grow them in faith, surround them with supporting Christian brothers and sisters, and guide them to share God's love.

3. For our coordinator Matt Wasmund and his wife Dee Dee (right) as they continue to wait for their adopted Taiwanese daughter and consider possible placements in Taiwan, Korea, or elsewhere for next year.

4. For my coworkers, students, and me as we prepare for taking/grading final exams and semester break at Chinese New Year in two more weeks.

December 14

Time is flying faster than ever. Does it just keep accelerating all throughout life or is there some point where it starts to slow down again? At any rate, I wanted to update my website since it's been a couple months. While there's no newsletter, I do have a couple videos for you to take a look at.

Once a month the school hosts a "Life Education" class for Senior 1 and 2 students and occasionally asks the American teachers to lead a class. Such was the case in November and our topic was bullying. First, we surveyed the students about bullying, and then asked some students to read responses for the camera. We selected a full range of responses, including some that we as teachers wouldn't necessarily endorse (such as "kill him" as a solution to bullying), but debriefed which ones we should and should not attempt after the video. You can see the Senior 1 Bullying Survey montage to get a better idea of what my students are like as well as their varied English abilities.

The heart of the presentation was a video re-telling the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 19. Afterwards we discussed the parallel between bullying and the forgiven servant's poor treatment of his fellow servant. Perhaps the cause of bullying is that we forget how much God loves us and has forgiven us insteading of allowing that fact to always guide our actions. The story takes place in a fantasy kingdom called Aidrocnoc (our school's name Concordia spelled backwards). I really had a blast scripting, directing, and editing this together and hope you enjoy Aidrocnoc: The Movie.

As Christmas approaches, I pray you enjoy the celebration of our Savior's birth and have many opportunities to share this good news with all people. God's blessings!

Prayer Requests:

1. Thanksgiving for much closer relationships with students this semester. My longer time here and smaller class sizes have really assisted in making some cool connections!

2. For all the Christmas activities throughout Taiwan and their missionary focus that many could come to the knowledge of their salvation by hearing the good news of God's gift of Jesus.

3. For our coordinator Matt Wasmund and his wife Dee Dee as the move forward with the adoption process.

4. For me as I consider whether to accept an extension to my position and continue working here at Concordia Middle School past my initial 2.5 year term.

October 3

It's great to be back in the saddle at Concordia Middle School after a fantastic summer in the United States. Just like last year, I experienced another boost in trust and respect from my students and coworkers simply by coming back again.

There's a huge new team of American teachers and their enthusiasm is contagious. Many have websites and blogs that I've linked to on the left in case you really craving some news from Taiwan. I know that happens sometimes.

As for myself, I've posted a September newsletter that's a personal note about what I'm learning about God through the experience here so far.

My goal is to be punctual with a more newsy newsletter in the next couple weeks so if my meandering thoughts aren't what you're looking for in missionary correspondence, there should be something a little more concrete soon.

July 14

Hello to all from St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. of A. My mind is in the cooker but it couldn't be at a better time as I still have a month at my parents' home to get refreshed and ready for next semester. As I reflect, I'd like to share about three people (of the many) who have allowed me to see God's love through their faith over the past couple years. You can read about them in the June-July newsletter.

Please take some time to consider praying for the requests below. (And if you consider to pray, go ahead and take some time for that too, thanks!)

May 30

Look out! This a three-for-one deal. It's a week late for it but we'll still call it the Trinity Sunday Special.

1. This Time, It's Personal is April's newsletter. I know it's almost June, but I did actually write this in April for VYM Taiwan's island-wide print newsletter and I'm just now getting around to posting it here. As you may or may not yet know, the VYM Taiwan program is ending, but LCMS World Mission's will be continuing at Concordia Middle School.

2. Give and Take is May's newsletter about relationship building with my Junior 1 Advanced English class, and how a little Star Wars, yes STAR WARS, has led to some students opening up and sharing some of their interests with me as well.

3. Taiwan Fun is a new photo album with pictures from the last two years of time hanging out with friends and students.

March 21

Spring is a time of remembering new life, both in the physical nature around us and our spiritual natures as we celebrate Easter. After a communication drought, I'm experiencing a little new life as well by witnessing God at work in one of my students. Please read about it in my March newsletter.

February 2

Try to contain your excitement, but there are TWO separate updates today!

1. The January newsletter about the new year and the Bible class changes coming for second semester. Sounds pretty exciting, huh? But if you find that a little dry, then please check out:

2. The Time Management music video. Oh yeah, that's right. You just read "music video." Publicly available for the first time ever exclusively online, this video was a small part of a life education class we did for the senior high last semester. So sit back and let the music of The Byrds, the words of Ecclesiastes, and the goofiness of me of my coworkers show you all the things that there is a right time for. It's also a good look at the CMS campus and some of my senior high students.

I'm teaching about Time Management! Hee!

Yes, that is me on the left. The Master of Procrastination teaching students about time management. My mother would be proud. The video was projected on that white screen behind us.

December 30
Merry Christmas and Happy Western New Year to all! If you are enjoying the holidays now then have fun, but you'll be working hard when Chinese New Year rolls around in February and the other side of the world gets a two week vacation! In the meantime, please pray that God gives us all patience and stamina to finish the semester strong over the next month. Christmas-time was fantastic again. You can read the brief summary of our activities here in the December newsletter and then check out the Christmas Photo Album. Please pray for the requests below.

NOTE: Notice my mailing address has changed on the left. I will now receive mail here at the school instead of at the youth center. My address is:

Michael Kersten
#31 Chien Kuo Road, Section 2
Min Hsiung, Chiayi 62145
Taiwan R.O.C.

November 7
This month I have a huge prayer request. Everyone please pray for Mr. Chen and his children as they move closer to the Lord in their lives. You can read my November newsletter to learn about the Chen family. Please pray for:

1. For the Chen family that they might fully let God's grace and love invade their lives through baptism.

2. For the preparation of Christmas activities. The heightened awareness of Christianity around Christmas time is a good opportunity for sharing the Gospel to many for the first time.

3. For continued strength, patience, and submission to God's will in my planning and teaching of Bible class at Concordia Middle School.

October 14
The weather isn't "fall" in the St. Louis sense of the word I was used to growing up, but it has cooled off a bit and is pretty comfortable for me (even though students have started wearing their coats all day). My October newsletter is arguably the most interesting yet, mostly because I didn't write it -- my students did! Before you read, please take a minute to pray for the requests below:

1. Thanksgiving for an EXCELLENT start to the school year. Oh what a difference a year makes. Praise God!

2. For Senior 1 (10th grade) students, many of whom are excited to have a real Bible in their hands for the first time during class.

3. Thanksgiving for a healthy recovery for hundreds of students and a couple teachers (including our volunteer Nate Saving), who went to the hospital after getting food poisoning from some bad duck served by the cafeteria two weeks ago.

4. For a safe and relaxing free time and productive business meeting for VYM Taiwan as we go to Green Island for our Fall Retreat from October 25-28.

August 30
This is the new and (hopefully) improved format for my web page this year. The biggest difference is that the most recent prayer requests will always be on this front page so you don't need to go to a different page to find them like last year. I believe that prayer is the most direct and immediately impactful way you can support me. Please continue to remember Taiwan, Concordia Middle School, and the Church's work here in your prayers. Also, my new photos will be hosted by mac.com's Homepage so check out the new photo album above. Please pray for the following requests:

1. In thanksgiving for safe summer travel and for a fascinating time in Malaysia, a fulfilling time in China, and rejuvenating time in the States with family and friends.

2. For Concordia Middle School's new LCMS volunteer teacher Nathan Saving from a town near Peoria, Illinois. Nate will be teaching the Applied Foreign Language (AFL) classes. The AFL students are usually a bit more open-minded and independent than the regular Senior High students which is sometimes a challenge but other times a great witnessing opportunity. Please pray for Nate to have the wisdom to strike the right balance of formality with his class so he can maintain order while building relationships that show Christ's love.

3. For Concordia Elementary School's new LCMS volunteer teachers, Andrew and Noel Schaff and Maxine Fiala from Nebraska. Please pray for their preparations and adjustment to the Taiwanese educational system. Please pray for Maxine and her family as she has returned the United States for her newborn granddaughter's funeral. They thought the baby might be stillborn but she lived for five minutes.

4. For the new school year that the Holy Spirit would work in Concordia's students through Bible class and Concordia's other ministries to show them the transforming power of God and His relevence in their lives.

5. For my first weeks of classes that I could establish a tone more conducive to learning than I managed in my first semester of teaching this spring. We are trying some new ideas with discipline and grading and I pray these measures will help remove some stones from the field we are sowing seed into.