親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「你們要稱謝萬神之神，因他的慈愛永遠長存。你們要稱謝萬主之主，因他的慈愛永遠長存。」詩篇136:2-3

        雖然在德國沒有感恩節，但是每年這時候也會和弟兄姐妹一同來數算神的恩典！聽到神在祂兒女身上的作為，不得不讚嘆祂的奇妙恩典！兩年前神帶領一位弟兄來德國工作，兩年合約期滿，四月份面對去留的問題。由於他看到德國華人事工的需要，決定留在德國，這意味著他將失去原本在英國公司的外派員工的福利，公司再沒有房屋津貼和汽車提供，弟兄的經濟狀況頓變困乏。除了要交房租，還要負擔乘搭公交車上班的費用，加上他原有的必要開支，每個月剩下只有幾十歐的伙食費，當時他還收留了兩位無業的男子寄居家中。儘管如此，他覺得還能應付過來，就選擇留下來服事神。神恩奇妙，怎料到了九月，這弟兄的公司要關掉英國的辦事處，不但提升他在德國工作的薪酬，更恢復提供一部車給他代步。沒想到當他願意為主犧牲，神卻加倍的祝福他，不致讓他失業，還可以有車使用。我特別感恩，除了得到一位好同工之外，他還是我的好司機，減輕我身體上的一點負擔，雖然他要從城的另外一邊來接我出外事奉。

        最近有一對主內的夫婦決定完全徹離德國回香港退休，卻遇上疫情，出入境的檢疫要求十分嚴格，令年近八十的弟兄心靈不得安寧。由於必須從法蘭克福機場離境，所以臨走前他們便有一個星期住在我家；因為要徹底清理家裡的東西，他已經把自己弄得筋疲力盡，加上航班隨時取消，令他的心靈更加不安。送機那天才發現神的帶領超過他們所求所想，在排隊等候檢查文件的時候，得知前面一位年輕人剛好也是回香港，更是住同一酒店接受隔離；年輕人表示很樂意幫助他們，而且是從法蘭克福機場一直到香港的酒店，弟兄霎時就安定下來，原來神差派一位年輕人像天使般照顧他。聊天下來，才知道年輕人剛畢業回港休息，將來還會回來找工作，曾經去過教會，但未信主，盼望日後有機會再接觸他。

        感謝主的恩典，我牙齒的治療也終吿一段落。雖然身體有各方面的退化，但是有輔助的東西可以幫助，縱有不便，還是感恩！也感謝弟兄姐妹的愛心奉獻補助醫療上的開支！

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感謝神的供應，差派從英國來德的弟兄，一起服事這裡的華人！最近他也認識一些說廣東話的非信徒，包括他收留的待業青年和他的鄰居夫婦。求主賜下智慧，向他們傳福音！求主保守，在聖誕節期間可以探訪非信徒！
2. 感謝神讓我們見證祂如何差派那位年輕人來照顧年長回鄉退休的弟兄！據年輕人的消息說，本來老弟兄夫婦訂的酒店有人感染要送去檢疫中心隔離，但是因為早前航班曾經取消，所以他們改了航班後沒有去那間酒店。感謝主他們剛剛完成十四天隔離回家（新措施要隔離21天啊）！
3. 感謝主的恩典，讓我身體需要治療的部分已經完成，配上新的助聽器和新的牙冠（十幾顆）！
4. 德國疫情轉嚴重，求主保守弟兄姐妹的身、心、靈都健康！

        願主也保守你們的健康！平安與喜樂常陪伴你們！
        剛過將臨期第一個星期，預祝聖誕快樂！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年十一月三十日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Ps 136:2-3

        Although there is no “Thanksgiving” holiday in Germany, but at this time of the year, I always count the blessings of God with my brothers and sisters! Hearing what God has done to his children, we have to admire His wonderful grace! Two years ago, God led a brother to work in Germany. After the two-year period expired, he faced the problem of staying or leaving in April. Because he saw the needs of the Chinese ministry in Germany, he decided to stay in Germany, which meant that he lost the benefits of expatriate employees. He did not have housing allowances and car use, and his financial situation was much worse. In addition to paying rent, taking the bus to work and after paying for his necessary expenses, there was only a few tens of euros left for food every month. At that time, two unemployed men were taken in. Nevertheless, he felt that he could handle it, so he chose to stay and serve God. In September, the company head told him that the office in UK was closed, and he would increase his salary and give him a car to use. Unexpectedly, when he was willing to sacrifice for the Lord, God doubled his blessings so that he would not be unemployed and he could still have a car to use. I am very grateful that in addition to having a good co-worker, he is also a good driver for me, which relieves a little of my physical burden, although he has to pick me up from the other side of the city when we go out to serve.

        Recently, a married couple decided to completely move back to Hong Kong to retire.  Because of the pandemic, there were a lot more requirements of entry to fly back to Hong Kong. They had to come to Frankfurt Airport to take off. They stayed in my apartment for a week before leaving. Because they had been exhausted after cleaning their home, plus their flight had been cancelled before, the brother who was nearly 80 years old couldn’t have peace of mind. Only on the day of the flight did they find that God’s provision exceeded their expectations. While waiting in line to check the documents, we learned that a young man in front happened to be returning to Hong Kong and was staying in the same hotel for isolation. The young man expressed that he was happy to help them, all the way from Frankfurt Airport to the hotel in Hong Kong. After settling down, he realized that it turned out that God had sent an angel to take care of him. After chatting, we learned that the young man had just graduated and returned to Hong Kong to take a rest. He did go to church before.

        Thanks to the Lord’s grace, the treatment of the teeth finally finished. Although the body is degraded in various aspects, there are auxiliary things that can help. Although there is inconvenience, I am still grateful! Thanks for the love of brothers and sisters who subsidize my medical expenses!

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for his provision and send the brothers from England to Germany to serve the Chinese here together! Recently, he has also met some non-believers who speak Cantonese, including the unemployed young man he has taken in and his neighbour couples. Pray for the Lord’s wisdom to preach the gospel to them! Pray for the Lord’s protection, when we visit the non-believers during Christmas!
2. Thank God for giving us the opportunity to witness how He sent that young man to take care of the older brother who returned to his hometown to retire! According to the young man’s news, the hotel that the old brother and his wife originally booked was infected and people were sent to the inspection center for isolation. But because the old brother and his wife’s flight was cancelled, they did not go to that hotel. Thank the Lord that they have just gone home after 14 days of quarantine, and the new measures (21 days of quarantine) have only come out!
3. Thanks to the grace of the Lord, the part of my body that needs to be treated has been completed, with new hearing aids and new crowns (more than a dozen of them)!
4. The Covid-19 pandemic in Germany has become more serious, pray that God will protect the physical, mental, and spiritual health of brothers and sisters!

        May the Lord protect your health too!
        May God’s peace and joy always be with you!
        Although the first week of the advent period has just passed, I wish you a Merry Christmas in advance!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        『他對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」』林後12:9上

        神的恩典不但夠用，而且是超過我想像的！因為疫情的緣故，一位做餐館的弟兄被逼停業，因而有空幫助一位老弟兄約見不同專科的醫生。有一天他來探我，談起這事，我跟他說我好像也有這樣的需要。他就幫我約好醫生，並同去作我的翻譯。同時，因著他的熱心，也幫我預約了日期注射疫苗。八月份雖然可以重啟業務，但因為沒有顧客，被逼徹底關門了。感恩他找到新工作！也就再沒有時間幫忙了！感恩神在我需要的時候派了這位弟兄來幫我，不然我還不知道身體狀況那麼不好，也不知道拖到什麼時候才去看醫生！

        上一封的代禱信說，經過九次的測試，我終於買了一對比較適宜的助聽器。上週也開始做牙齒治療，第一次就做了五個小時！感謝神預備了一位很好的牙醫，發現問題的嚴重性，先開始治療比較容易處理的問題，然後要等醫療保險公司的批准。由於需要處理的牙患甚多，醫療費用的報價就很高，保險公司要我去看她指定的牙醫，以確定治療方案，這樣一來一往，又等了好幾個月。最後保險公司可以支付約45%的費用，而我前幾年買了一個牙齒的額外保險，也可以支付同樣的價值，這樣我就只需承擔10%，真是出乎意料之外，神的恩典夠用！昨晚一位老姐妹還跟我說，她的牙醫保險不賠償做牙冠的錢，而我要做好幾顆牙冠呢！

        去年疫情剛開始的時候，有一位年輕媽媽得到嚴重的感冒，身體無力，疑得到新冠病毒，非常害怕，於是在一個群組裡求救，我們教會一位姐妹看到後便與她聯絡。由於這位姐妹住得比較遠，所以請另一位姐妹幫忙送食物給這年輕媽媽。但那位姐妹感到害怕，便找我一起去；她願意做司機，但不敢把食物送到她住宅，因為要坐電梯。我認為沒什麼問題，便幫忙拿了兩袋食物送過去。後來她病好了，也信主了。不但如此，她最近才告訴我，她對她母親說：「如果不是自己的母親，有誰願意在疫情嚴重的情況下去送食物給陌生人？」她母親也受感動信主了！對我而言，只是一件小事，她卻很感動，而且聽到我身體出現狀況後，都常有問候，並想在經濟上幫我一點忙。我婉拒了，因為她自己也不是有經濟能力的人。但她就纏繞另外那位姐妹問如何把她的心意轉給我，因為她已經搬回原來的城市居住。

        神的恩典夠用，因為有些弟兄姐妹知道我一下子要付那麼多醫療費用，都受感願意幫忙減輕我的負擔，這也是神藉著弟兄姊妹的奉獻彰顯祂對我的愛心！感謝主，祂的時間是最恰當的！祂差派弟兄來看我，成就了後面一連串事件；提供了耐心的服務人員，讓我終於配戴合宜的助聽器；在疫情間提供新的牙齒治療，保險公司減免不少費用；也感動幾位弟兄姊妹的愛心奉獻。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感謝神對我的恩典與各方面的供應，也感動弟兄姐妹對我的關愛與代禱！
2. 求主保守接下來的牙齒治療！
3. 請為上面提及姐妹的媽媽禱告，她在國內因摔倒住在養老院。雖然姐妹嘗試與她聽讀經的廣播，但她覺得聲音太好聽而讓她很快睡著。求主醫治她，堅固她的信心！
4. 疫情期間，學生不願意參加線上聚會。我們打算十月初開始學生組的實體聚會，然後準備迎新活動。求主感動新生來參加！
5. 感恩有14人來我家共渡中秋佳節，其中有5位是非信徒，有年長的，也有年青的！求主幫助，日後有機會向他們傳福音！

        求主繼續保守您們的身體健康！在疫情下仍有平安喜樂！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年九月三十日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in the weakness of man.” 2 Cor. 12:9

        God’s grace is not only sufficient, but it is more than I can imagine! Because of the pandemic, a brother, who was a restaurant owner, was forced to shut down his restaurant, so he was free to help an old brother make appointments with various doctors. One day he came to see me and talked about it, and I told him that I seemed to have the same need. So, he made appointments for me and went to be my interpreter. At the same time, because of his urging, he also made an appointment for me to get the government vaccinations. Since May, I started all kinds of physical treatments. In August, the brother was able to open his business but was forced to close it completely because he had only a few customers. I am grateful that he found a new job! And he doesn’t have time to help me anymore! I’m thankful that God sent this brother to help me in my time of need, otherwise I wouldn’t have known my health was so bad and I wouldn’t have known how long to delay going to the doctor!

        As mentioned in my last prayer letter, after nine tests of hearing aids, I finally bought a pair of hearing aids that fit better. I also started dental work last week, and the first time I did it was for five hours! Thank God for a good dentist who discovered the severity of the dental problems and started treating the easier ones. Since the cost of the dental treatment was estimated so high that my insurance company asked me to see its designated dentist to determine my dental treatment plan. As such, I waited for several months. Finally, the insurance company agrees to pay about 45% of the cost. I had also been paying for an additional dental insurance policy a few years ago, and it was willing to pay the same value.  At the end, I only have to pay about 10% which is also unexpected. God’s grace is sufficient! Last night an older sister told me that her dental insurance now didn’t pay for the cost of crowns, and I have several crowns to be done plus more!

        When the pandemic started last year, a young mother got a bad cold and was very weak. She suspected to have the new coronavirus, and was very scared. She sent out a message in a group asking for help. A sister from our church saw it. Since she lived outside the city, she called another sister and asked her to send her some food. That sister was also afraid and asked me to go along. She was willing to be the driver, but was afraid to take the food to her apartment because she had to take the elevator. I thought it would be okay, so I took two bags of food to her. She got well and came to become a believer. Not only that, but she told me recently that she told her mother about this incidence. She thought that if it wasn’t her own mother, who else would be willing to deliver food to a stranger in the midst of a serious pandemic. Her mother was moved and also became a Christian! It was a small thing to me, but she was very touched. When she heard about my health condition, she often asked about it and wanted to help me financially. I told her that I didn’t need her help for I knew that she was not financially sound herself. However, she asked the other sister how she could pass on her offering to me because she had moved back to her original city.

        God’s grace was sufficient because some brothers and sisters after knowing that I had to pay so many medical bills within a few months, they were inspired to help relieve my burden. This was God’s way of showing His love for me through the offerings of brothers and sisters! Thank God, His timing is perfect! He sent the brother to see me, which made the whole series of events that followed; He provided patient staff so that I could finally get a proper pair of hearing aids; He provided new dental treatment during the pandemic, and the insurance companies waived a lot of expenses; and He touched several brothers and sisters for their loving contributions.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for His grace and provision for me in every way, and for the love and prayers of my brothers and sisters!
2. Pray for the coming dental treatments!
3. Pray for the mother of the sister mentioned above. She is in a nursing home in China after a fall. Although the sister tried to listen to the Bible reading with her, she found the sound so good that she fell asleep quickly. Pray that the Lord would heal her and strengthen her faith!
4. During the pandemic, students are reluctant to participate in online meetings. We are planning to start physical student group meetings in early October and then prepare for new student orientation. Pray that the Lord would move the new students to come!
5. We are thankful that 14 people came to my home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, including 5 non-believers, both old and young! Pray for future opportunities to evangelize with them!

        Pray that the Lord will continue to keep you in good health! Have peace and joy in spite of the pandemic!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「所以我們不喪膽，外體雖然毀壞，內心卻一天新似一天。」林後四16

        『歡迎加入「耆英族」』。這是最近讀經班裡的老姊妹經常對我說的話，原因是我現在的毛病比她們還多。因為疫情的緣故，一位被逼停業的弟兄有空帶領一位老弟兄去看醫生。我說我也有需要，請他也帶我去看醫生。首先是耳朵發炎，去看了耳科醫生，檢查出來聽力下降了，要去配助聽器。然後又約去看牙醫，發現一大堆的問題，要慢慢治療。接著也去看了骨科醫生，開始了電療的療程。與此同時，眼鏡架子無緣無故就斷了，又要去配眼鏡。因此我的醫生約會比她們還多，毛病也比她們早出現。雖然在短短兩個月內發生那麼多問題，但是我還是很感恩，因為弟兄的幫忙，我才會早點去做治療。

        在耳科醫生的報告出來之後，下一步就是去找配助聽器的店鋪，心裡還是希望在那裡檢查我的聽力是沒問題的。結果還是與耳科醫生那裡檢查的一樣，需要配戴助聽器。因為要配戴助聽器，就發現身邊有些人也配了助聽器，但是他們都不願意戴，因為覺得不舒服。從我親身的經歷，更加體會他們的感受。但是，他們戴得不舒服，或許也與試戴助聽器有關。我現在才知道我們其實可以配戴到我們滿意為止，不知道他們是否嫌麻煩，就不去試了。拿回家戴得不舒服，就不戴了。我感恩遇到一位很好的服務員，她讓我試戴，現在已經是第四款了，接下去還有一款讓我試戴，直到我找到一對最適合我的為止。當然，它們的價格就相差很遠。

        關於牙齒的治療方面，由於疫情緣故，原有的牙醫只處理緊急治療。於是經那位弟兄介紹，找到另一位牙醫，馬上給我治療牙周病和補牙，還要做更長久的治療計劃，報價已經寄給保險公司，現在等候批准才開始處理。

        因為疫情的緣故，聚會都在網上，我大部份時間都坐著，因此又多了新的疼痛點。那位弟兄又幫我約去看骨科，他的方法就是電療。每次電療只有十分鐘，不管它的效果有沒有幫助，起碼逼著我每次走路去診所，就多了一點運動的機會。不然，除了偶爾有一位姊妹叫我去散步之外，我就沒什麼運動了，。

        我在德國從來沒有去配過眼鏡，因為我聽聞它的價格不菲，所以都等回北美或去亞洲時才配眼鏡。可是現在斷了架子就無法等了，剛好一位姊妹介紹一間比較便宜的店，可惜因為我配的是漸進式的鏡片，最後的價格還是比較昂貴，而且第一次配好的時候，發現還是看得不太清楚，又要再配新的鏡片。

        這兩個月來跑來跑去，身上五官三樣都有問題，而且到如今還沒有一樣是可以正式得到輔助，這是神讓我學習忍耐的功課，也讓我讚嘆神的創造是最完美的，而且不花錢。那位弟兄笑我，以後我臉上的配置都是一臉寶。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感恩在疫情期間有弟兄帶我去看醫生，盡早解決身體上各樣的問題！感恩神的供應是如此及時！由於疫情的不穩定性，與差會商量後決定今年不回去工作匯報，正好留在德國做治療。
2. 求主憐憫，藉著外置的輔助（助聽器、眼鏡、牙橋等），使我的身體繼續有能力為主服事！
3. 感謝主！一位姊妹去年接受救恩，參加我們網上的查經班。前幾個月她決定回國，但主動提出要接受洗禮。可惜她住的城市附近的教會都沒有洗禮班，於是由我給她上洗禮課程，上週離開前受洗。求主帶領她回去能找到屬靈的家，信心堅固！
4. 一位年長的姊妹在讀經班裡被另一姊妹傷害，現在不願意來讀經，但是她仍然願意自己讀經。求主憐憫，使她們能早日復和，好讓姊妹能回到大家庭裡！感恩另一位新成員加入，她前些日子因騎自行車摔倒，鎖骨骨折了，求主憐憫，讓她早日康復！

        感謝你們的代禱與支持！願主賜下甘霖，使你們有個涼快的夏天！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年七月

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        　　“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16

        “Welcome to the Senior Club!”. This is often greeted to me by the older sisters in the Bible reading group recently, mainly because I have more problems than they do. Due to the pandemic, a brother had to close his business. So, he had time to bring an older brother to see doctors. When I heard that, I told him that I also had that same need. He therefore took me to see some doctors. First of all, due to my ear infection, we went to see an ENT doctor. She found out that my hearing has dropped and needed a pair of hearing aids. Then we went to see a dentist to find out some serious problems. Later we went to see an orthopedist and started a course of treatments by electrotherapy. During this period, my glasses frame broke for no reason and needed a new pair of glasses. Therefore, I have more appointments than the older sisters have, and my problems appeared earlier. Although these things happened in just past two months, I am still grateful because with the help of the brother, I manage to do the treatments earlier.

        After the report from the ENT came out, the next step was to find a shop to get a pair of hearing aids. At first, I was still hoping that I had no problem with my hearing. But the test at the shop gave the same result, meaning hearing aids are needed. Because of the need to wear hearing aids, I discovered some people who also had hearing aids. But they do want to wear them because of the discomfort. Now that I have my own experience, I can identify with them. However, I found out that their discomfort was probably due to their initial testing of wearing the hearing aids. Now I learn that we can try wearing different pairs until we find ones that are most comfortable and satisfiable. I am not sure whether they did not want to take the trouble to try them out. So, they just accept one pair and if not comfortable, they stopped wearing them. I am grateful that I met a nice service lady who let me try different models. I am wearing the 4th pair and will try to wear another pair next time until I find one pair that will be suitable for me. Of course, their price varies a lot.

        Regarding the treatment of my teeth, due to the pandemic, my previous dentist only treats urgent matters. Because of that brother who introduced me to a new dentist who started to treat my periodontitis and dental fillings immediately. There will be more long-term treatments and the cost has been sent to my insurance company. We are waiting for their permission to start further treatments.

        Because of the pandemic, our meetings were online and I was sitting most of the time, so I had a new pain area. The brother helped me once again to see an orthopedist. His method is by electrotherapy. Each electrotherapy session only lasted 10 minutes, but whether it helped or not, it at least forced me to walk to the clinic each time to get a little more exercise. Otherwise, I don’t get much exercise, except for the occasional walk that a sister asks me to do.

        I’ve never had eyeglasses made while living in Germany because I heard that they were expensive. So I always waited until I returned to North America or went to Asia to get new eyeglasses. But now that the frame is broken, I can’t wait any longer. A sister introduced me to a cheaper store, but unfortunately, because I have progressive glasses, the price is still higher. When the glasses were ready to be picked up, I found out that they were not clear. So, they were sent back to make new lens again.

        There are problems with some of the facial features on my face. Even though I’ve been running around for the past two months, none of them can be officially assisted till this day. This is a lesson God teaches me to endure, and it also makes me admire God’s creation which is most perfect and does not cost any money. That brother laughed at me, saying that after all the configurations on my face, my face will be a treasure.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. I am thankful that the brother took me to the doctors during the pandemic to solve all kinds of physical problems! I am thankful that God’s provision is so timely! Due to the unstable nature of the epidemic, after discussing with CEM, we decided that I will not go back for furlough this year, so I could stay in Germany for treatment.
2. Pray for the Lord’s mercy that through external aids (hearing aids, glasses, dental bridges, etc.), my body would have the strength to continue to serve the Lord!
3. Thanks to the Lord! A sister received salvation last year and joined our online Bible study. A few months ago, she decided to return home, and asked to be baptized. Unfortunately, the churches near where she lived did not have baptism. So I gave her a baptism class and she was baptized last week before she left. Pray that the Lord would lead her back home and find a spiritual home and that her faith would stay strong!
4. An older sister was hurt by another sister in the Bible reading class and now she does not want to participate in the Bible reading class, but she is still willing to read the Bible on her own. Pray for the Lord’s mercy and that they will be reconciled soon so that the sister can return to God’s family! I’m thankful for another new member. She broke her collarbone a few weeks ago when she fell from her bike. Pray for God’s mercy and for her speedy recovery!

        Thank you for your prayers and supports!  May the Lord bring you rain to cool off your summer!

Serving Him,

Karen Tang

Please support Karen through prayer and financial contribution.

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「我必安然躺下睡覺，因為獨有祢——耶和華使我安然居住。」詩篇4:8

        自從開始每天的讀經聚會，感覺時間過得更快。剛開始只有五人參加，現在經常有七、八人上來，到齊的有十人。因為其中一位姊妹的邀請，一位住在慕尼黑的姊妹也來參加。本來她與兩位姊妹讀經，但因反應不太好就停了。所以，當她聽到我們有讀經聚會，她就很開心，還邀請另一位姊妹來參加。由於大家的年齡大都超過七十歲，我是最年輕的，所以剛開始的時候都要等她們慢慢上來，因為她們有時候不懂上Zoom（我們聚會的平台），進去後或許無聲音，有聲音又沒有影像。過了幾週之後，大家基本上都學會了。不過，我們當中有一位獨居又可能記憶力衰退的姊妹，總會忘事，今天教會她上來，第二天她又忘記了。有一位姊妹曾經花了四個小時教她，她自己也把每一步驟都寫下來，並把紙條放在桌面上，打算第二天照著做。結果第二天，她已經忘記了，連紙條也不知道到哪裡去了。因此，我們每天要花上很多時間去教她，其他弟兄姊妹就學習忍耐的功課。有時候還是上不來Zoom，我們就打她座機讓她聽。她是新加坡華僑，不會看中文，雖然技術上也有問題，但是她還是很高興與我們一起聽神的話。上週，輪到我們最年長、快八十歲的姊妹上不來，她都很能幹，自己努力學著進去Zoom，忽然有兩天她說不會上來了，我們也只好用電話讓她聽。後來，她女兒幫她解決問題了。

        神的帶領太奇妙了，若不是這次疫情，就不可能促成這個早上讀經班，把居住不同地方的長者聚在一起，也不可能勸她們自己讀聖經。以前不是說讀不懂，就是眼睛不舒服，不能看聖經。有一位姊妹說她平時下午才與人見面，因為早上不知道睡到什麼時候，現在她是最早上去Zoom等候的一位。現在她們都很安靜地聽，因為有人講解就明白很多，覺得有趣味。以前要去看醫生或出外辦事，就說那天不讀經了。現在若許可，她們會提早出外辦事，回來參加聚會。有一位姊妹，她有時候在車上，有時候在診所等候，也上來聽。兩個月前，想到一位已回國的弟兄，便邀請他參加。本來他心情有點憂鬱，後來他太太感謝我邀請他參加；自從他參加讀經班之後，心情也愉快積極了。除了聽讀聖經，我們也討論經文和代禱。剛好前一陣子輪到我們的長者打疫苗，大家也就可以有些討論，分享經驗，彼此鼓勵代禱。

        我們教會最年長92歲的姊妹在家摔倒骨折，要動手術，之後又要做復健，住了好幾個星期醫院。由於疫情，即使是病人的兒女都不能探訪，更不能送湯水，晚上德國餐就是啃麵包，比較可憐。住院後，她說中文的能力也下降了，給她打電話都聽不懂她說什麼。感恩的是有一位基督徒醫生幫她申請了醫院提供的平板電腦，可以約時間與家人視頻。上週她已經出院回家了。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感謝神促成了早上讀經班，讓年長的弟兄姊妹都喜悅地聆聽神的話語，更多的明白神的心意，聽從神的教導！求主感動未信主的家人，使他們早日接受救恩！
2. 感謝神讓92歲的姊妹經歷了手術和復健後回家！求主健壯她的腿，賜她走路的力量，早日恢復健康！
3. 感謝神的保守，讓大部份年過七十歲的弟兄姊妹接種疫苗之後都沒有多少副作用，甚至沒有不適！
4. 求主記念因疫情失去工作和餐館不能營業的弟兄姊妹！求主安慰他們，堅固他們的信心，在困境中仰望神！感恩一名做餐館的姊妹在疫情期間有更多時間讀經，參加各樣網上聚會與學習！

        願主恩與你們同在！在疫情中仍然得著平安喜樂！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年五月

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8

        Since we started our daily Bible reading meetings, I feel that time has gone faster. At first there were five of us, but now there are often seven or eight of us, and at most, there are ten of us. Because one of the sisters invited another sister from Munich, she also attends. Originally, she and two other sisters were also reading the Bible, but the response was not very good, so they stopped. When she heard that we were reading the Bible, she was very happy to join us and she also invited another sister to join. Since most of us were over 70 years old and I was the youngest, we had to wait for them to come in slowly at the beginning because sometimes they didn’t know how to get on the Zoom (our meeting platform). Sometimes there might be no sound and when they got in, there was no video. After a few weeks, we all learned to come on. However, one of us, a sister who lives alone and always forgets things. One sister once spent four hours teaching her how to get on Zoom, and she even wrote down every step herself, and she was told to put the note on the table so that she could follow the instructions. The next day, she had already forgotten and the note was nowhere to be found. Therefore, we spent a lot of time teaching her every day, while other brothers and sisters learned the lesson of being patience. Sometimes she still couldn’t come to Zoom, so we called her landline to let her listen. She is a Singaporean Chinese and cannot read Chinese. Although she has technical problems, she is still very happy to listen to God’s word with us. Last week it was our oldest sister, almost 80 years old, who couldn’t come up. She was very capable and tried to learn to go into the Zoom by herself, but suddenly she said she couldn’t come up for 2 days last week. We also had to use the phone to let her listen. Later, her daughter helped her solve the problem.

        God’s leading is amazing. If not for this epidemic, it would not have been possible to facilitate this morning Bible reading class, bringing together the elderly who live in different places, nor would it have been possible to persuade them to read the Bible on their own, either because they could not understand it or because their eyes were not well enough to read it. One sister said she usually meets with people in the afternoon because she doesn’t know when she wakes up in the morning. But now she is the first one to go up to the Zoom. Now they all listen quietly, and when someone explains, they understand a lot and find it interesting. In the past, a sister who told me that she had to go to the doctor or go out to run some chores, she would say that she would not read the Bible that day. Now, if it is possible, she comes back early and continues to attend the meeting. There is another sister who is sometimes in the car and sometimes waiting at the clinic, she always try to come up to listen. Two months ago, I thought of a brother who had returned to China, so I invited him to attend. He was a little depressed at that time, but his wife thanked us for inviting him. He has been happy and positive since he joined the Bible reading. Besides listening to the Bible, we also discussed the scriptures and prayed. It happened to be our seniors’ turn for vaccination a while ago, so we could have some discussions, share their experience and encourage each other by praying.

        The oldest sister in our church, 92 years old, fell and broke a bone at home and had to have surgery and then rehabilitation. Due to the epidemic, she could not even have her own children visit her in the hospital, let alone bring her soup. Her ability to speak Chinese had also deteriorated, and I could not even understand what she said when I called her. Gratefully, a Christian doctor helped her apply for a tablet computer provided by the hospital, so her children and for twice I, could make appointments to video with her. She was discharged from the hospital last week and went home.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for the morning Bible reading, so that the older brothers and sisters can listen to God’s word with joy, understand more of God’s heart, and obey God’s teachings! Pray that the Lord would move the unbelieving family members to accept salvation soon!
2. Thank God for the 92-year-old sister who went through surgery and rehabilitation and went home! Pray that the Lord will strengthen her legs, give her the strength to walk, and restore her to health soon!
3. Thank God that most of our brothers and sisters who are over 70 years old have been vaccinated and they have had little or no reaction to the vaccine!
4. Pray that the Lord would remember the brothers and sisters who lost their jobs and whose restaurants being closed due to the epidemic! Pray that the Lord would comfort them, strengthen their faith, and look to God in the midst of trouble! We are thankful that one sister who owns a restaurant business has more time to read the Bible with some brother and sisters and attend various online meetings and bible study class during the epidemic!

        May the Lord’s grace be with you! Have peace and joy in the midst of the epidemic!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「施比受更為有福！」使徒行傳二十35下

        去年春節在家吃完火鍋餐後，就遇上百年一遇的新冠肺炎疫情，至今已一年多不能開設實體聚會了。不過因為使用網上平台的方便，我們反而增加了網上見面的機會。又因大家被逼限制活動，很少出門，在家悶得發慌，所以都很期待每週的聚會。自年初以來，我們給會友安排一週查經，一週初信造就課程。初信造就課程要求參加者背經文，參加的老姊妹起初都說背不來，因為她們年輕的時候都在餐館工作，沒有接受過太多教育。不過當她們知道課程的要求後，上週看到她們真的背起來了，聽兩位說她們之前一晚都花兩個小時背經文。聽到她們的分享，實在讓人感動，畢竟她們已年過七十歲，還是很認真的學習神的話，令我們很鼓舞。

        去年疫情開始不久，就與一位年長的姊妹一起讀聖經，一年下來，終於在上週讀完了新約聖經。近日，我留意到廣東話查經班裡有好幾位獨居或年老的姊妹，便逐一邀請她們一起讀經，感恩她們都願意參與。於是這週二開始，我們就一起聽一個讀經廣播，因為她們的視力不好，所以選擇了一個她們可以聽懂的平台。沒想到，第二天，其中一位姊妹又邀請她的朋友上來。現在共有五位差不多七十歲的姊妹參加。她們都很高興，總是準時上來，這一切都表明她們有樂意的心（因為她們過慣了悠閒的退休生活，平時想睡到何時起來就何時起來）。上次代禱信提到以上的姊妹開始有點憂鬱，現在因為她認識了其他姊妹，可以私下聯絡交往，她又活潑起來了。

        自疫情以來，我們又發動第三次的愛心行動。趁著春節，我們拿了些糕點去一位姊妹家，豈料換來的是更多糕點可轉送給團契的弟兄姊妹和慕道朋友。我們一家一家送上傳統年糕、蘿蔔糕、芋頭糕、豆沙年糕、叉燒等，又給單身年輕人送上餸菜。因為距離太遠，我們走訪了八家住在外圍城市的人，第二週才送給住在法蘭克福的人。因為參加了廣東話查經班，弟兄姊妹的愛心被激勵，製作已多年沒有造過的新年食品，讓不會造的也可以享受美食，使大家在這寒冷的天氣也能感受到主的溫暖。一位年過90歲的姊妹與兒子生活，她兒子因為擔心媽媽血壓高，所以煮菜放很少鹽，怎料姊妹因此而缺鈉要住院檢查。她兒子收到弟兄給她煮的餸菜後，姊妹回饋說非常美味，實在感恩。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感謝主，感動年長的姊妹都積極開始背誦聖經金句！求主以祂的話鼓勵安慰、堅固她們的信心。
2. 感謝主，感動我們成立了一個早上讀經小組，使年長的姊妹能對神的話語有更多認識，每天生活也更豐富！
3. 感謝主激發弟兄姊妹的愛心，在春節期間造出一些美食贈予弟兄姊妹和慕道朋友，讓他們歡喜快樂去感受神的恩典！
4. 週四送別一家三口，他們學成回國發展。求主引導他們前面的道路，找到屬靈的家，繼續在真道上成長！
5. 今年的全德造就營將於4月2-5日以網上形式舉行，求主藉此形式讓我們接觸更多的基督徒，保守一切網絡上的暢順！

        願主保護你們，在這疫情裡身、心、靈都健康！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年二月二十八日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        It is more blessed to give than to receive!” Acts 20:35b

        After the hot pot dinner at my house last Chinese New Year, we encountered this once in a life time pandemic of the Coronavirus, which prevented us from meeting physically for already a year. However, we have been seeing each other more often because of the convenience of meeting online. Being forced by government lockdown, we rarely went out, and some even got bored at home, we rather looked forward to seeing each other every week. Since the beginning of the year, we have been having a bible study on one week and a new believer class on another week. The new believer class requires attendants to memorize bible verses. Our older sisters said they couldn’t memorize the scriptures because they had worked in restaurants when they were young and hadn’t received much education. However, last week we saw that they really memorized the scriptures, and we heard two of them said that they spent two hours the night before memorizing the scriptures. After all, they are over 70 years old, but they are still studying God’s word very seriously, which is very encouraging to us.

        Last year, shortly after the pandemic started, I read the Bible together with an older sister and finally finished the New Testament last week after a year. Since there are several sisters in the Cantonese Bible study group, who live alone or are elderly, I invited them one by one to read the Bible with us. To my surprise, they were all willing to do so. So this Tuesday, we started listening to a Bible reading together. Since their eyesight is not good, we chose one bible reading that they could listen to. The next day, one of the sisters invited her friend to come. Now there were five of them, all of them were near and over seventy years old. They were all very happy and came on time. This shows their willingness to come because they are used to a leisurely retirement life and usually get up at whatever time they want to. The sister mentioned above was a bit depressed at first as I wrote in my last prayer letter, but now she is lively again because she has met other sisters and they can contact each other in private.

        Since the pandemic, we have launched our third love campaign. Because of the Chinese New Year, we took a little bit of Chinese cake to one sister’s house and in return, more cakes were distributed to brothers and sisters in the fellowship and some seekers. We delivered traditional sticky rice cakes, turnip cakes, taro cakes, bean paste sticky rice cakes, barbecue pork, and dishes for the single young people. Because of the distance, we visited eight families who live in the outer cities. The next week, we delivered to those who lived in Frankfurt. Because of the Cantonese Bible study group, the brothers and sisters were inspired to make Chinese New Year’s food again, which they had not done for many years, so that those who did not know how to cook could enjoy the food and felt the warmth of the Lord in this cold weather. A sister who is over 90 years old lives with her son. Her son was afraid of her mother’s high blood pressure, so he put very little salt in his cooking. As a result, her mother had to be hospitalized for sodium deficiency. After her son received the food cooked by our brother, he gave him feedback that it was very delicious.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank the Lord for touching the older sisters to start reciting the scriptures! Pray that the Lord would encourage and comfort them with His word and strengthen their faith.
2. Give thanks that the Lord has moved us to form a morning Bible reading group, so that the older sisters will have a better understanding of God’s Word and a richer daily life!
3. We thank the Lord for inspiring brothers and sisters to make some delicious food to share with brothers and sisters and seekers during the Chinese New Year, so that they can feel God’s grace with joy and happiness!
4. On Thursday, we sent off a family of three who had graduated and returned to their home country. Pray that the Lord will guide them on the path ahead and that they will find a spiritual home to continue to grow in the truth!
5. This year’s Easter Camp will be held online from April 2-5. Pray for the Lord to reach out to more Christians through this format and everything will run smoothly on the internet!

        May God protect you from this pandemic and stay healthy physically and spiritually!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你。」以賽亞書四十一10

        本來以為十一月政府下令的「輕鬆封鎖」（light lockdown）可以控制疫情，讓人們有個可以見面的聖誕和新年假期。可是疫情還是不斷上升，現在還來一個「嚴重封鎖」，限制見面的人數與家庭。持續九個月的疫情生活，若不是有網上聚會，漸漸地連弟兄姊妹也開始接受不了。有一位年長姊妹，自疫情後便與她一起讀經禱告，但是最近她都覺得有點抑鬱，因為除了與我讀經禱告大約一個小時之外，一天其餘的時間只有她自己一個人在家裡，現在連看電視劇都失去興趣了。可能跟陰冷的冬天天氣有關，最近都很少陽光！也因為這一個嚴重封鎖的措施，本來約好一個住在鄉下地方又有抑鬱的姊妹在聖誕節來我家小住，現都要取消了。

        雖然疫情限制我們實體聚會，但是吉森團契的弟兄姊妹反而有一些靈命成長的突破。大家在網上有更多的分享與彼此鼓勵，兩個月前還全體同意一起背經文。起初有弟兄姊妹說不行，但是到了第二個星期，就有姊妹開始背多過原先指定的經文。大家都看到背經的好處，就很願意去背，因為神的話語賜下力量，讓之前對疫情還是有點害怕的姊妹願意信靠神的保護，放下自己的憂慮。又有姊妹信主和去教會多年，但之前並不是很熱心，現在卻發現神的話語太寶貴了，要開始建立靈修生活。負責學生團契的姊妹也做了很多關懷的事奉，最近發送一些掛曆的時候，得到一些回饋；因為每年聖誕節來參加聚會的人，平時都不會來參加查經聚會。今年沒有聖誕聚會，但是他們還是很感恩，團契藉著送掛曆記念他們。

        藉著網上聚會，參加廣東話查經班的成員就不受地理距離限制，有來自法蘭克福以北和以南的城市，甚至有來自英國的弟兄姊妹參加。由於疫情的緣故，聚會改到網上後，我們就增加多一次聚會，即一個月兩次聚會。年底剛好查完一卷書，我們明年開始將每週聚會，因為可以讓一些初信的弟兄姊妹參加初信造就班。有外城的姊妹擔心如果我們實體聚會之後，會取消網上聚會。我們考慮到她們的需要，將不會停止網上聚會，因為到時候就是在法蘭克福附近居住不能出席實體聚會的長者，也能參與。因這疫情，改變了我們將來的聚會模式。

        雖然嚴重封鎖措施實行，但在法律允許之下，有兩位弟兄和我將會發送掛曆和小餅乾，還有差會（中福團）寄來的口罩，給廣東話團契裡的弟兄姊妹和慕道朋友。我們只能在門外與他們見面，希望一點心意能在這寒冷天氣帶給大家有點溫暖，讓主的愛充滿他們！

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 求主憐憫這地上的人，讓疫情能早點受控制，人們可以恢復一點正常的日子！求主憐憫那些在陰冷的日子下開始抑鬱的弟兄姊妹！求主賜給她們心中的光明，有能力與忍耐去面對這些封鎖的日子！
2. 感謝主的恩典，在疫情中激勵吉森團契的弟兄姊妹在屬靈的生命上有成長，藉著神的話語得著力量，心裡得著平安！感謝主醫治好一對得到新冠病毒的夫婦，兒子也沒有受感染！
3. 求主憐憫吉森的學生們，因為疫情，以前來過團契的學生都很久沒有出現，他們也不愛參加線上聚會！求主保守他們心靈健康！
4. 感謝主，藉著線上聚會，讓一些年長說粵語的人來參加廣東話查經班！她們好幾位都是自己生活，所以很開心能參加查經班。求主帶領明年的聚會時間，透過初信造就的課程來堅固初信者的信心！
5. 求主保守我們出去派發禮物時有平安！求主讓接受禮物的人體會神的愛，在封鎖的日子裡得到從神來的平安與喜樂！

        感謝主，在這特別的一年裡，有你們的代禱與支持！求主也保守你們與家人平安、健康！在這聖誕與新年的日子裡，歌頌讚美我們的救主已經降生，願榮耀頌讚歸給至高的神！願主保守你們出入平安！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二零年十二月二十三日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isa. 41:10

        The German government originally thought that the “light lockdown” ordered in November could control the Covid-19 pandemic and give people a Christmas and New Year holiday where everyone could meet. However, the pandemic situation continues to rise, and now there is a strict lockdown, restricting the number of people and families meeting. We have been living under “lockdown” situation for already 9 months. If it weren’t for the online meetings, even some sisters could not bear it. I have been reading the bible and praying with an older sister since the pandemic, but she feels a little depressed recently. The reason being that apart from reading and praying with me for about an hour, she spends the rest of the day alone at home. She said that now she lost the interest to watch TV series which she loved before. It may be related to the cold winter weather, and there has been little sunshine recently! Because of this strict lockdown, a sister who lives in a rural area and has some depression also had to cancel her trip to come to my house for Christmas.

        Although this pandemic restricts our physical gatherings, the brothers and sisters of the Giessen Fellowship have made some breakthroughs in their spiritual growth. Everyone has more sharing and encouragement during the online meeting and they all agreed to memorize the scriptures together two months ago. At first, some brothers and sisters said that it was difficult.  But in the second week, some sisters began to memorize more than the specified verse. Everyone sees the benefits of memorizing scriptures, and they are willing to do so, because God’s words give them strength. A sister who was a little afraid of the pandemic before was willing to trust God’s protection and let go of her worries. Another sister who has believed in the Lord and has been going to church for many years, but not very enthusiastic. Now she finds that God’s words are too precious, and she wants to start a quiet time. The sister in charge of the student fellowship has also done a lot of caring ministry. Recently, she got some nice feedback when sending out some calendars. These people only come to our annual Christmas meeting but never come to the Bible study meeting. There is no Christmas meeting this year, but they are very grateful for the fellowship for remembering them after they received our calendars.

        Because of the online meeting function, the members participating in the Cantonese Bible study are not restricted by geographic distance. Some join us from cities north and south of Frankfurt, and even brothers and sisters from UK. Due to the pandemic, our bible study was changed to online meeting and we added one more meeting, that is, twice a month. At the end of the year, we have just finished studying a book. We will have weekly meeting starting next year, because we can let some new believers participate in the new believer training class. A sister from another city worried that if we meet physically, we will cancel the online meeting. We will not stop the online meeting because even our elderlies living near Frankfurt will not be able to attend physical gatherings. So, because of this pandemic, we will also change our mode of meeting in the future.

        Although strict lockdown measures are implemented, as permitted by the law, two brothers and I will visit our brothers and sisters, as well as non-believers in the Cantonese bible study group to pass out calendars and biscuits, as well as masks sent by my mission (CEM). We can only meet them outside the door. We hope that a little gift may bring them some warmth in this cold weather and that God’s love will fill them!

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Pray that the Lord will have mercy on the people on this earth, so that the pandemic can be brought under control as soon as possible, and people can return to a little normal life! May the Lord have mercy on those brothers and sisters who have become depressed during the cold days! Pray that the Lord will give them light in their hearts, the ability and endurance to face these lockdown days!
2. Thank God for His grace for encouraging the brothers and sisters of the Giessen Fellowship to grow in their spiritual lives during the pandemic, gaining strength and peace in their hearts with the words of God! Thank God for healing a couple who had been infected with the Coronavirus and his son was not infected!
3. Pray for God’s mercy on the students in Giessen. Because of the pandemic, those students who have been to our fellowship have not appeared for a long time and they don’t like to attend online meetings! May our Lord keep them healthy!
4. Thank God for the older Cantonese speakers who join our Cantonese bible study through the online meeting! A few of them live on their own, so they are very happy to participate in the bible study. Pray that God will lead our next year’s program so that the new believers’ faith will be strengthened through the basic course!
5. Pray that God will keep us safe as we go out to distribute our gifts! May the Lord give them peace and joy in these days of lockdown so that they may understand the love of God!

        Thanks to our God for your prayers and support in this special year!
        May the Lord also keep you and your family safe and healthy!
        Let’s sing praise to our Lord and Savior in this Christmas and New Year season!
        May the glory and praise be given to the Most High God!
        Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        「我觀看你指頭所造的天，並你所陳設的月亮星宿，便說：人算甚麼，你竟顧念他！世人算甚麼，你竟眷顧他！」詩篇八3-4

        上次寫信説及的是端午節的事，轉眼中秋節也過了，好像疫情並沒有攔住時間的飛逝。七月中旬接到來電，告訴我上次提到過那位尿道發炎的老弟兄，因為大量流血被送院住進深切治療部。隔了幾天去醫院探病，才知道在疫情期間探病麻煩很多，不單縮短探病時間，進去還要填表。我剛到醫院，已經看到一條隊伍在等候，便跟著排隊。結果到門口才知道要填表，由於我把手機號存了入檔，但因醫院網絡訊號弱，未能下載資料，只好打電話問人才完成填表手續，遞交後要探熱，沒有發燒才能進去。由於告訴我消息的弟兄也沒有清楚向我說明老弟兄住院的房間號，問了詢問處，我聽完之後還是似懂非懂的跟著指示走。到了深切治療部門口，才明白原來還要用對話機請護士來開門讓我進去。原來老弟兄休假回去舊老闆那裡，當晚睡在員工宿舍，由於流血過多暈倒，被員工看到地上很多血，才叫救護車送醫院。他臉上都是瘀血，估計是暈倒時撞到什麼東西。他住了幾天加護病房，再轉到普通病房多住幾天就出院了。感謝主，他的身體已經恢復很多。

        由於疫情待在家裡的時間太久，吉森團契的弟兄姐妹就在七月底組織了一次郊遊，大家能見面，在風和日麗下遊湖呼吸新鮮空氣，一家一家坐在草坪上吃自帶的午餐，一起唱詩，玩得很開心。在我們旁也有很多德國人在休息，有位德國女士看到我們謝飯禱告，在離開前好奇地過來問我們是不是基督徒。沒想到一個小動作也能見證神。

        有一位博士後去年來吉森大學工作，丈夫也陪她過來一起生活。她在國內也有去過教會，所以他們就來參加我們的查經班，並且很喜歡與我們一起查經。由於疫情，團契裡的一對年輕夫妻與他們開始在網上學習一個有關婚姻的課程。後來姊妹便帶了那位博士後做了決志禱告。可惜她老闆去別城工作，他們也就要跟著搬家。八月中有幾位弟兄姊妹和這對夫妻來我家附近一個小城遊玩，我便邀請他們兩對夫妻來我家聚會，參加網上一個佈道會。佈道會之後，我們進入團契的網上聚會，以便大家向他們道別，再一次確認他們的信仰和為他們祝福禱告。

        八月中法蘭克福華人教會終於開始了實體聚會，但是由於限制很多，而且因為有同步的直播，所以來教會的弟兄姊妹才十多位。因為要去教會，所以住教會附近那位弟兄也開放家庭，讓願意去的弟兄姊妹參加主日的查經班，同步也有弟兄姊妹參加網上聚會。其他團契仍然是在網上聚會。

        三星期前與弟兄去了一天的探訪，結果又認識了一位老華僑。她的朋友是教會的姊妹，因為在她得癌症期間常常去醫院探望她，為她禱告，所以她很喜歡禱告。可是當姊妹邀請她參加查經班的時候，她就推卻。原來她以為查經班是茶經班，她不喜歡與中國人打交道。當我們解釋過後，她就願意來看看，於是弟兄為她安裝好上網的應用程式，並教她如何使用。當她進去查經班之後，就被那位79歲老姊妹認出來，她們很久沒有見面了！

        自從疫情開始，吉森學生查經班的多位學生都不願意網上聚會。由於上面提到的夫妻也搬離吉森，網上聚會的人就更少了。我們決定不管人數多少，開始實體聚會。第一次有一位學生參加。第二次沒有人報名，我們只好在網上聚會。中秋節那週，便邀請他們一起到外面吃飯，有兩位報名。

        一位姊妹和家人年初搬來法蘭克福，後來有姊妹介紹她來和我們線上查經，已經有好幾個月了。最近一位弟兄知道她家原來在疫情期間開了一家餐館（合約是去年簽的），生意非常冷淡，便建議弟兄姊妹去她家餐館吃飯。剛好有一位來交流一年的學生要回國，我們便在那裡給學生踐行。我們才第一次與姊妹見面，她父母也很客氣。姊妹的母親因為看到女兒信主之後的身體健康了，所以也願意女兒來參加查經班。我們也為她母親禱告，兩週前她母親的手被貨物壓傷，有一根手指骨折了。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 為老弟兄得到醫治獻上感恩！求主繼續保守他的身體，帶領他準備過退休生活。
2. 感謝主保守，那位博士後夫妻已經平安搬家！求主帶領他們適應新的環境，找到一個合適他們的教會；目前他們還在參加吉森學生組的網上查經，求主堅固他們的信心。
3. 感謝主的恩典，讓我們慢慢接觸一些來德國幾十年的餐館業人士，邀請他們加入我們的廣東話查經班。他們分佈在不同地方，而且大部份都是年長人士，因著疫情，聚會在網上進行。感謝我們的弟兄，他幫他們安裝上網的應用程式及教他們使用，使得他們都可以參加，雖然剛開始他們都有點困難，但是能參加查經班，他們都很開心。求主幫助，讓新加入的老姊妹能明白主的話語。
4. 求主憐憫家人開餐館的姊妹，使她媽媽的手指能早日康復！求主也憐憫開餐館的弟兄姊妹，使他們有能力應付疫情期間的經濟壓力。
5. 求主保守教會與吉森查經班的實體聚會，使弟兄姊妹有平安的心來參加聚會。

        願主保守你們出入平安！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二零年十月四日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?” Psalms 8:3-4

        Last letter I mentioned about things happened during the Dragon Boat Festival. But we just passed Mid-Autumn Festival. It seems that the pandemic did not hinder the time from passing by fast. In mid-July, I received a call telling me that the brother whom I mentioned in my last letter that he had bladder infection was admitted into intensive care unit due to the loss of much blood. A few days later, I went to visit him and found out that it was very troublesome to visit a patient during this pandemic. Not only that the visiting hours were cut short, one had to fill out an information card. When I arrived to the hospital, there was a line already. So I lined up without knowing that the guard had just passed out a form to be filled. I got the form only after I arrived at the entrance of the building. I forgot my handy number because I stored it in my phone and I wasn’t able to open my file since the internet signal was very weak. I had to call a brother in order to find out my phone number to be able to fill out that form. Then the guard let me in after checking my temperature. Since the brother who called me didn’t tell me the room number, I asked the information desk. After hearing the instruction, I wasn’t sure I understood what was told to me. When I arrived at the entrance of the intensive care unit, I understood what was instructed to me. A nurse brought me to the old brother’s room. The brother told me that he went to visit his old boss because his new boss closed the restaurant for a short holiday. He slept at his old boss’ workers dormitory that night. Because of much blood loss, he fainted. A worker there saw the blood on the floor and called the ambulance. He had many bruises on his face probably caused by knocking on something while falling. He was moved out of the intensive care unit for some days before moving to the normal ward. He was discharged a few days later. Thank God that he has recovered much better.

        After staying at home for a long time due to the shutdown, our brothers and sisters in the Giessen bible study group organized an outing. Everyone was happy to see each other and breathed some fresh air while walking around a lake on a sunny warm day. We sat down on a grassy place family by family to eat our lunch. We also sang some Christian songs. Next to us were also some Germans resting. Out of curiosity, a German lady came to ask us if we were Christians just before she left that place. She saw that we said grace before eating. Without our knowledge we could testify God with a little action.

        A post-doctorate came to work in the university in Giessen last year. Her husband accompanied her to live with her. The husband had gone to church from time to time in China. So, they came to our student bible study group. They liked to study the bible with us. Since the pandemic came, a young couple from our co-worker team started learning a marriage course with them on-line. Later on, our sister led the postdoc to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. Unfortunately, her boss went to work in another city. So they had to move accordingly. In mid-August, some brothers and sisters along with them went to visit a city near where I live. I invited them to come after their visit and join an on-line evangelistic meeting. After the evangelistic meeting, our bible study group went on-line again so that we could say farewell to the postdoc couple. Once again, we confirmed their faith and blessed them with our prayers.

        In mid-August, Frankfurt Chinese Church resumed actual meeting. Due to the many restrictions, less than 15 people come to church Sunday service because there is also live broadcast at the same time. Since we go to church, the brother who lives near our church opens his place for our bible study again. There are still some meeting on-line. As to the rest of our other fellowships, every one is still meeting on-line.

        Three weeks ago, I went with a brother to do some visitations and met another old overseas Chinese. She was a friend of a sister. When she had cancer and was hospitalized, the sister went to visit her and prayed for her. So she likes prayers. But when the sister asked her to join our on-line bible study, she refused. She thought that bible study which in Chinese sounded like drinking tea together with people chit- chatting. She didn’t really want to interact with Chinese people too much. After we explained to her what bible study meant, she was willing to have a look. Our brother helped her set up the app and taught her how to use it. When she joined us a second time, she was recognized by our 79 years old sister who hadn’t seen her for a long time.

        Since the pandemic, some of the students in Giessen bible study group were not willing to meet on-line. Since the couple mentioned above left Giessen, there is only one student left to join our on-line bible study. So, we decided to meet in church regardless how many students showed up. The first week, there was one student showed up. The second time, no student came, so we did the bible study on-line. Last week, we took the opportunity to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival and invited the students to have dinner together. Two students came. While at the restaurant table, we were able to share some of our testimonies. One student expressed that he believed God. But we wanted to make sure that he knew what kind of God he believed. He told us that whenever he was in Giessen, he was willing to join our bible study.

        A sister and her family moved to Frankfurt from another city at the beginning of this year. Another sister introduced her to us and she had been attending our on-line bible study for some months. Recently, a brother learned that her family opened a restaurant during the pandemic ( the contract was signed end of last year). The business was very bad. So the brother asked us to eat at that restaurant. It just happened that an exchanged student for one year was about to return home. So, we decided to give him a farewell at the restaurant. Only then did we see the sister’s face for the first time. Her parent treated us well. Her mother was happy to let her daughter joined the bible study after she saw that her daughter’s health got much better after believing in God. We prayed for her mother also. Two weeks ago, her mother’s fingers got pressed by some hard objects and one of the fingers got fractured. We went there again for a second time to give the sister a surprise birthday cake. We prayed for her mother again. The sister and family was very happy!

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for healing the old brother! Pray that God will continue to keep him healthy and guide him to prepare for his retirement life!
2. Thank God for a safe move for the postdoc couple! Pray that God will help them adapt to the new environment and find a suitable church! For the time being, they are still joining Giessen’s student bible study on-line. Pray that God will strengthen their faith!
3. Thank God for His grace that slowly we could find some old Chinese restaurant people and invite them to join our Cantonese bible study group. They are scattered in different places and many are retirees. Because of the pandemic, they were able to join us on-line. Thanks to our brother who helped install the App and taught them how to use it so they could join us. Although there were difficult times to join on-line in the beginning, they were happy to be able to join the bible study group. Pray that God will help the old lady so that she can understand God’s words!
4. Pray that God will have mercy on the sister’s restaurant business! Pray for a speedy recovery of her mother’s finger! Pray that God will have mercy on those brothers and sisters who also own restaurant business so that they will have enough power to face this financial difficulties during this pandemic!
5. Pray that God will keep both our church and Giessen’s actual meetings safe and that our brothers and sisters will have the peace in heart to join the meetings!

        May God also keep you safe both in and out!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        耶和華要保護你，免受一切的災害；祂要保護你的性命。詩篇121:7

        前天收到姊妹的信息，說她父母已經回國隔離完畢，平安回到自己的家中；另一名姊妹的父親的機票卻被延期，不知道要等到什麼時候才能回家。因為出來的時候知道只能待三個月，所以只帶了三個月的藥物出門，卻沒想到因為疫情，滯留在德國多了好幾個月。除了去拿長期要吃的藥之外，身體出了其他毛病也不敢去看醫生，因為只買了基本的旅遊健康保險。姊妹的丈夫才剛剛病逝不久，留下三個小孩，工作還沒有找到，又見到父親出點狀況，感到很大壓力。雖然她家與法蘭克福有點距離，但最近都比較多去探訪她們。上週六還與兩名弟兄和其中一名弟兄的父親同去，沒想到兩位老人家相逢恨晚，說等了七十多年才認識。弟兄的父親原來住在漢堡，剛好與兒子來法蘭克福住兩個星期，因此特別高興有這樣的機會。

        廣東話查經班有一名年長姊妹會包粽子，一位弟兄便向她購買了一百隻粽子，然後與我和另外兩位弟兄分頭送給查經班裡的弟兄姊妹和慕道友。弟兄和我花了兩個星期六去探望弟兄姊妹，特別給年長的弟兄姊妹安裝zoom的軟件，讓他們也能遠距離上網參加查經班。最近幫助一位79歲的姊妹買了一部iPad，與弟兄去送粽子的同時給她設置並教她使用。由於她手會發抖，剛開始連開機都有問題。到了第二個星期去看她，手居然沒有很抖，開機也比較順暢。她很開心地告訴我們很值得，因為她可以與舊朋友視頻，又可以聽到用廣東話讀的聖經，因為她不太識字，只是在十幾歲的時候去了一年教會，透過聖經學了一點點字而已。

        因著疫情的緣故，負責廣東話查經班的姊妹仍然沒有機會上班，加上我們在網上聚會，有弟兄建議我們每月有兩次聚會。又因為在網上聚會，我們也邀請了一些以前不能來聚會的弟兄姊妹參加，甚至是住在偏遠城市的弟兄姊妹。有一對年長夫妻在疫情期間經常會有些矛盾，弟兄心情不是很好，因為原本打算回香港退休，但由於疫情不能回去。自從參加網上查經班後，姊妹告訴我她丈夫心情好很多。

        昨晚有二十人聚會，接近一半都是退休的弟兄姊妹。

        由於在教會的實體聚會有很多限制與規矩，加上偶爾有教會爆發感染的新聞，法蘭克福華人教會和吉森團契仍然在網上聚會。本週中小學生開始放假，最快也就假期後再看情況是否進行實體聚會。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 為著能平安回家的博士生一家與來看望姊妹的父母感恩！為那些仍然停留在德國不能回家的家人禱告！
2. 為姊妹的父親的身體健康禱告，不會因為延誤看病影響病情！求主憐憫姊妹，讓她得到一份合適的工作，減輕她面對的壓力！
3. 感謝弟兄的愛心，藉著送粽子行動，探訪一些弟兄姊妹！也感恩他為年長的弟兄姊妹安裝好在網上聚會的軟件，使他們能參加網上查經聚會！
4. 79歲的姊妹，因為有耳聾，需要配戴助聽器，求主憐憫她，讓她適應新配的助聽器！
5. 一位七十幾歲的弟兄，由於沒有居住的地方，仍要在餐館工作，為得一棲身之地。最近又尿道堵塞，掛著尿袋工作。求主憐憫，醫治他的病，讓他早日考慮辦理退休的手續，能夠找到一個住處，安享晚年！
6. 感謝主，藉著網上聚會可以接觸好幾位已經退休的弟兄姊妹！求主幫助，讓我們可以接觸那些還沒有認識主的退休人士！
7. 求主眷顧，讓信徒能早日可以實體聚會！
8. 求主憐憫這地，使這疫情能早日停息，使被感染的人數不再持續增加！求主憐憫安慰失去家人的人們！
9. 求主憐憫這動亂不安的世界！

        願主的平安與你們同在！願主的保護圍繞你們！

主的使女                                   
鄧秀珍                                   
二零二零年七月七日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;　Psalms 121:7

        A couple days ago, a sister sent me a message telling me the safe journey of her parents returning to their home in China. On the other hand, another sister’s father’s flight has been re-scheduled once again. He was not sure when he could return home. Since he knew that he could only stay for 3 months when he came, he only took 3 month’s medication with him. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19, he had to stay in Germany for many more months. Beside getting his necessary medication, he didn’t dare to visit a doctor for other medical problem because he only bought a travel insurance for basic health. The sister’s husband has just died recently leaving 3 children. She herself has not found a job yet. After seeing her father’s health having another problem, she felt that her pressure keeps coming. Although her home is in a small town away from Frankfurt, I have visited them more often recently. Last Saturday, 2 bothers and I and a father of one of the brothers also went to visit them. The two old men were happy to get to know each other though it was 70 years late. The father of our brother lives in Hamburg. It just happened that he came with his son to stay in Frankfurt for two weeks. He was very happy for that opportunity.

        There was a sister who knew how to wrap rice dumpling. A brother bought 100 rice dumplings from her. Then, he and I plus 2 other brothers help distribute them to our bible group members. The brother and I spent two Saturdays to visit brothers and sisters while helping the elderlies to install the zoom app so that they could join the on-line meeting. Recently, I helped the 79 years old sister to buy an iPad. So when we brought her the rice dumplings, the brother helped to set up the iPad for her and taught her how to use it. Due to her shaky hands, she had hard time opening the iPad at first. But a week later, we visited her again and saw that her hands were more controlled and could open the iPad more easily. She was so happy to tell us that it was worth getting the iPad. She could Face-Time with her long-time friend as well as listening to the Cantonese bible reading. She learned only a few words by reading the bible when she was in her teenage year attending a church for a year.

        Due to the pandemic, the sister who helps organise the Cantonese bible study group is still being asked to stay at home. Since we are meeting on-line, a brother suggested that we meet twice a month instead of once a month. Since we meet on-line, we could invite those who could not come to meet at all, even those who live in another cities. A couple always had some arguments during the lockdown period. The brother had bad mood because he planned to retire in Hong Kong but due to the pandemic he could not go back. Since he joined us for the on-line meeting, his wife told me that he was happier.

        Last night there were 20 people in the bible study meeting, almost half of them were retirees.

        There are some restrictions and rules to follow if we meet at church. We also heard occasionally that there were infections after people met at church. So, our Frankfurt Chinese Church and Giessen bible study group are still meeting on-line. The students start their summer vacation starting this week. So, we are looking to see after the summer vacation if we could meet at church.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thanks to God for bringing the PhD student and her family as well as the parents of our sister home safely! Pray for those who are eager to go home but are still staying in Germany!
2. Pray for the health of the sister’s father so that his condition would not be worsen due to a delay for examination! Pray that God will have mercy on the sister so that she could find a suitable job to release her pressure!
3. Thanks to the brother’s love! Through the distribution of the rice dumplings, we visited some brothers and sisters! Thank God also for the brother who helped the senior members to install the zoom app so that they could join the meeting on-line!
4. The 79 years old sister had hearing problem and needed a hearing-aid. Pray that God will have mercy on her so that she can adapt to the hearing-aid soon!
5. A 70+ brother has no place to live. So he has to work in a restaurant in order to have a place to live. Recently, he has some blockage in his urethra and needs to carry a urine bag to work. Pray that God will heal him and that he will consider applying for his retirement so that he could find a place to retire!
6. Thank God that we could reach out to our retired brothers and sisters through the on-line meeting! Pray that God will help us to reach out to those retirees who are not yet believers!
7. Pray for God’s favour so that believers could meet at church soon!
8. Pray that God will have mercy on this land so that the pandemic will die down soon and the numbers of infection will not increase continuously! Pray that God will comfort those who have lost their loved ones!
9. Pray that God will have mercy on this unstable world!

        May God’s peace be with you!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        「神是為我們施行諸般救恩的神，人能脫離死亡，是在乎主耶和華。」詩篇68:20

        自三月開始，新冠病毒疫情在德國迅速蔓延，以致德國政府在三月中旬頒布禁聚令，除了必須的商店如超市藥房等外，其他商店、餐館以及宗教團體的聚會場所都全面關門。德國以外的弟兄姊妹看到新聞都有點擔心，都很關心我們的安危，紛紛來問候。感謝你們的慰問！

        因為禁聚令，大部分的聚會都改為網上聚會。本來一年一度的復活節營會已經宣佈取消，但藉著一些牧者與弟兄的努力，營會的講道可以透過網路舉行，結果更多的弟兄姊妹可以參與，一起享受屬靈的筵席。

        由於禁聚令，各人都有不同反應。有一位年長姊妹覺得無聊，我勸她讀讀聖經，她卻以無興趣和堅持不了來拒絕我的建議。後來聽說有一基督徒家庭一起讀經，請他們邀請姊妹參與他們的讀經，但是他們的時間不對，姊妹便說跟我一起讀。感謝主，因為疫情，鼓勵這位年過七十多的姊妹在網上一起讀經。然而，另外一位比她年輕一點的姊妹，反應卻完全相反，不但不願意讀經，而且幾乎天天來跟我說她是否得到病毒，懷疑得到這個病，得到那個病。我也曾經一度被她的負面情緒影響我的心情。

        有一位博士生今年二月份已經畢業，可是因為疫情，航班幾次更改，不知道哪一天能回家，心情特別鬱悶。糟糕的是她已經作好回家的準備，大部分傢俱已經賣出，可是回家前幾天航空公司告訴她與家人不能飛了，滯留至今。由於害怕出門，除了去超市，都躲在家裡，為著前途焦慮，甚麼都不想幹。

        這次全球性的疫情，使人非常無助，連家人去世也無法回家奔喪。有一位姊妹失去父親，不能回家，很無奈，只有自己悲哀。另一位姊妹，母親病重時，很想在母親離世時確定她的信仰，卻不能回去。不多久，母親去世的消息傳來，也覺得很遺憾。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 謝謝遠方的弟兄姊妹的慰問！大家都在疫情當中，求主保守憐憫，讓沒有被感染的人不會被感染，已感染的早日康復！
2. 感謝神的恩典，藉著網路，弟兄姊妹仍然可以在網上敬拜、聽道、交流、彼此代禱！德國政府已經開放教會的聚會，求主保守，讓我們有智慧地保護來敬拜的人，以免發生感染！
3. 感謝主感動年長姊妹願意讀經，雖然有病痛，仍有平安喜樂！求主憐憫那位多疑的姊妹，願意信靠主，堅定對主的信心，不為自己的身體憂慮！
4. 求主為那位畢業生開路，除了一家能飛回家鄉外，還引導她前面的道路，以致她能經歷主的大能，願意接受主的救恩！
5. 求主記念那些失去家人又不能回家奔喪的弟兄姊妹！求主安慰他們！
6. 求主藉著這個疫情喚醒全世界的人，讓我們謙卑下來，敬畏創造萬物的主宰！

主的使女                                   
鄧秀珍                                   
二零二零年五月二日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” Psalms 68:20

        Since beginning of March, the Covid-19 epidemic in Germany has spread rapidly. So the Government has ordered regulations prohibiting public gathering and religious worship, closing all shops except the essential ones like supermarkets and drug stores etc. After hearing news, some brothers and sisters from overseas were concerned and asked for our safety. Thank you for your concerns!

        Because of the prohibition, many church meetings went on-line. Our annual Easter Camp was already announced to be cancelled. But through the efforts of some pastors and brothers, messages of the camp speaker could be heard on-line. As a result, there were even more participants and we enjoyed a spiritual feast together.

        Due to the prohibition law, different people have different response. One elderly sister felt bored staying at home. I told her to read the bible. She had no interest initially and said that she could not read it by herself. Then one family told me that they were reading the bible together. I asked them to invite the sister to join them. Unfortunately, their timing didn’t match.  The sister told them that she would read with me. So, we started reading the bible together through Face-Time every morning during weekdays. Thank God that due to this pandemic, the 70’s old sister was willing to read the bible verse by verse. On the other hand, another sister who is younger was not willing to read the bible. Instead, she called me almost every day for the past three months just to ask me if she got the infection or she suspected that she got this illness or that illness. There were at one point that I was really pulled down by her negative emotions.

        One student finished her PhD study in February. Due to the pandemic, her flight ticket has been changed several times. So, she was really worried that when she could go home. Worse still, since she was ready to go home, she has already sold most of her furniture. Then she and her family got stranded till now after the airline told them that their flight was cancelled a few days before their scheduled departure. She was also afraid to go out. Besides going to the supermarket, she stayed at home worrying about her future and didn’t want to do anything.

        Many people were helpless before this pandemic. Some were not able to go home for funeral services. One sister’s father passed away. She could not go home and only wept by herself. Another sister’s mother was seriously ill. She could not go to her side just to confirm her faith on the Lord. A week later, her mother died. She was very regretful.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for the concerns from brothers and sisters overseas! We are all in this pandemic. Pray that God will have mercy upon us! Pray that no more people will be infected and those who have already been infected will recover soon!
2. Thank God for His grace! Through the internet, brothers and sisters are still able to worship, to listen to sermons, to interact and pray for each other. German government has lifted the regulation on church gatherings. Pray that God will give us wisdom so that we will try to protect those who come to worship as much as possible!
3. Thank God for the elderly sister who was willing to read the bible. Despite some pain, she has peace and joy! Pray God to have mercy on the other sister who was suspicious of many things. Pray that she wills to depend on God and has faith in Him and not worry her health!
4. Pray that God will open a path for the PhD graduate so that not only they can return home, also guide her future road so that she can experience God’s mighty power and come to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior!
5. Pray for those who mourn for their loved ones who died and they were not able to go home for the funeral service! Pray that our Lord will comfort them!
6. Pray that God will awaken the whole world through this pandemic so that we are humble and fear the God who created this world!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang