A Mid-Year Ramble from the Walz Family

Taiwan & Ohio

July 2025 Edition

Well, friends, the hour grows near when trunks are packed, passports (hopefully) arrive, and a certain family of six boards a plane bound for Taiwan once more. After a full year spent roaming the hills and hollows of Ohio, visiting churches, sipping coffee with old friends, and starting Bible studies in nearby villages, we’re nearly ready to set off again.

This year has been good to us. We’ve driven many miles—some on purpose, others by accident—sharing updates with supporting churches and gathering new ones into the fellowship of this Great Work. Along the way, we’ve met couples with bright eyes and open hearts, eager to learn. And in our own backyard, we’ve seen the fruit of quiet discipleship: souls turning to Christ and joining His church. There’s joy in that, the kind that settles deep and stays with you.

In just a few weeks, we’ll land in Taiwan with much to do: set up a new home, furnish it (with toddler-resistant furniture), sort out school plans, and procure transportation. But even before the dust settles, we’ll begin the old and wonderful rhythm we’ve known for many years: walking through neighborhoods, meeting new friends, and inviting them to sit and talk about Jesus. And, if the Lord is willing, from those little moments, a new church will be born.

This time around, we won’t be going alone. Traveling with us are two dear friends from Logan, Ohio—Luke and Emily Ganson. They’re a young couple with a small farm and a growing burden for the nations. A few years ago, Luke began feeling the weight of those who’ve never heard of Christ. We offered them a six-month internship, and they took it. Brave souls. Please pray for them as they leave behind comfort and kinfolk to learn the rhythms of missionary life.

There’s more. In the village of Shawnee, something lovely happened. A young couple, Dekota and Haley, were living together when they came to faith. On their own, they made the decision to marry and do things God’s way. Dekota even moved out until their wedding day, which is set for July 19. He’s planning to share the Gospel with his unbelieving family at the wedding. We’re cheering them on. Please lift them up in prayer.

And from across the ocean, news reached us of a young lady named Rita, who began attending one of our early church plants. After a few months of listening and wondering, she believed. Our friend Rubio, the pastoral intern there, has been walking alongside her while also caring for his father, who is now battling cancer. Pray for Rubio—he’s carrying much, but carrying it well. We look forward to joining him again soon.

So, here we are. The road calls once more, and though it winds through airports and embassy forms, we know the One who walks ahead of us.

With joy and hope,
John, Alisha, Ian, Eli, Liam, and Emily Walz