親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「與喜樂的人要同樂；與哀哭的人要同哭。」（羅12:15）

        新冠疫情延續了這兩年多以來，好些弟兄姊妹在疫情期間登記結婚，到今年夏天才補辦婚禮。就吉森團契而言，在六月份就連續三週都有婚禮。第一對新人是在泰國認識的，中國姊妹在泰國宣教，德國弟兄去短宣，彼此認識。因為疫情，只得在網上交往，最後姊妹嫁到德國來，繼續與丈夫在德國教會參與難民事工。

        第二對新人都是在吉森大學的博士生，在學生宿舍裡認識，中國弟兄娶了德國姊妹。中國學生為了與姊妹交往，便尋求信仰，雖然母親已經是信徒。感恩他參加完福音營後，在團契的弟兄家裡接受救恩！婚後他要搬到南部，與妻子建立新家庭。

        第三對新人是中國弟兄迎娶台灣姊妹。弟兄從小移民德國，讀完博士後再進入神學院接受裝備。畢業後參加OMF成為宣教士，做中德跨文化的工作。姊妹在德國大學的神學系畢業，結婚後也加入OMF事奉！

        由於早被邀約參加一對夫妻的生日派對，就未能參加第三對新人的婚禮。這是一對中德夫妻，中國姐妹一直努力在當地的中德家庭作見證，想多傳福音給那些未信主的德國先生。他們就舉辦一次比較隆重的慶祝（德國先生70歲，中國姐妹60歲），藉此機會向他們的朋友傳福音。由於被邀請的講員——他們德國教會的牧師——剛好被感染了。他們臨時邀請葛忠良牧師，即創辦德華福音會的年老宣教士。因此還能見到老朋友，格外感恩開心。他雖然年老，也有病在身，只要他有精神，他都繼續服事，是我們的好榜樣。

        除此之外，六月份還觀看了兩場網上的婚禮；分別是我的外甥女在加拿大舉行的婚禮和一場牧師兒子在香港舉行的婚禮。本以為今年的婚禮就那麼多，沒想到前幾天又收到一位弟兄的婚禮邀請。他是以前查經班認識的慕道友，我離開該地之後，他信主並受洗。他因為工作的緣故搬去南部，反而跟我聯繫上，每年大節日都會來拜訪我。

        與大家分享完弟兄姐妹的喜樂之後，也與大家分享一個不是太好的消息，就是去了英國幾天回來，週四測試得到了新冠肺炎陽性。不過症狀不算嚴重，就像感冒那樣。因為有症狀，催逼我去看了醫生，告訴她我已經咳嗽快一年，是自從打完疫苗之後的反應，她便叫我去照肺，等我自我隔離完再去照。得了新冠，也讓我體會身邊同病相憐的弟兄姐妹。越來越多的弟兄姐妹都受感染，兩週前就有一位年長的姐妹得了新冠，但感恩她四天就轉陰性了。上週也有一對年輕人受感染，比較嚴重一點，有發燒、喉嚨痛得厲害。我們在德國的教牧同工裡，也相繼有些人被感染。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感恩在疫情期間也難阻不了神對弟兄姐妹的祝福，使他們結合建立新家庭！求主保守他們的婚姻，體會基督的愛在他們中間！
2. 求主祝福新人在OMF的事奉，成為中德文化的一個信仰橋樑！
3. 求主保守葛忠良牧師的身體，使他事奉得力！
4. 求主保守被感染新冠的弟兄姐妹，早日康復！
5. 求主帶領吉森團契兩位中學生畢業後的前路！他倆都是由單親母親養育成人，看到孩子在教會長大，兩位母親特別安慰。因此，下週為她們辦一個感恩見證會，榮神益人！

        無論是順境或逆境，讓我們都能同聲感謝讚美我們的神！
        感謝你們的陪伴與代禱！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二二年七月十日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

        Because the pandemic lasted for more than two years, many brothers and sisters registered their marriages during the pandemic and did not have a make-up wedding until this summer. In Giessen Fellowship, there were weddings for three weeks in a row in June.

        The first couple met in Thailand. The Chinese sister was serving in Thailand and the German brother went on a short term mission trip. They got to know each other. Because of the pandemic, they had to communicate online. Finally, the sister married to Germany and both continue to participate in the refugee ministry in a German church.

        The second couple, both doctoral students at the University of Giessen, met in the student dormitory. A Chinese brother married a German sister. The Chinese student sought faith in order to get involved with this sister, even though his mother was already a believer. We were grateful that he received salvation in a fellowship brother’s home after attending a gospel camp! Unfortunately, he had to move to the south to start a new family with his wife.

        The third couple is both Chinese, a mainland brother marrying a Taiwanese sister. The brother immigrated to Germany as a teenager, and after completing his doctoral studies, he entered the seminary to be equipped. After graduation, he joined OMF and became a missionary, doing cross-cultural work between German and Chinese. The sister graduated from a German university with a degree in theology and joined OMF after her marriage!

        I was invited to a couple’s birthday party earlier, so I was unable to attend the third couple’s wedding. This is a Sino-German couple. The Chinese sister has been working hard to witness to the Chinese-German families in her area, trying to reach out to the German husbands who are not yet believers. They held a relatively grand celebration (the German brother turned 70 and the Chinese sister turned 60) and took the opportunity to reach out to their friends. As the invited speaker, their German church pastor, happened to be infected, they immediately invited Pastor Glaw, the elderly missionary who founded the FMCD. So it was a great joy to see an old friend. Although he is old and sick, he continues to serve as long as he has the spirit and is a good example to us.

        In addition to the above, I also watched two online weddings in June; my niece’s wedding in Canada and a pastor’s son’s wedding in Hong Kong. I thought that these should be all the weddings for this year. But a few days ago, I received another wedding invitation from a brother. He was a seeker when I met him in a former Bible study class. After I left the area, he was converted and baptized. He moved to the south because of his job, but he kept in touch with me and came to visit me every year on major holidays.

        After sharing with you the joy of our brothers and sisters, I would like to share with you the not-so-good news. After spending a few days in England and returned home, I tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. But the symptoms were not serious, just like a cold. I went to see a doctor and told her that I had been coughing for almost a year and that I had been reacting since the vaccination, so she told me to get a lung test. I can only do it after I am done isolating myself. Having Covid-19 myself, it has also allowed me to experience the brothers and sisters around me who are suffering from the same illness. More and more brothers and sisters are getting infected. Two weeks ago, an older sister got infected, but thankfully she became negative in four days. Last week there was also a couple of young people who were infected, a little more seriously, with fever and a very sore throat. Some of our pastoral staffs in Germany have also been infected.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Grateful that nothing can stop God’s blessings to brothers and sisters even during the pandemic, so that they can unite to build a new family! Pray that the Lord will preserve their marriage and to experience the love of Christ among them!
2. May the Lord bless the new couple who serve in OMF and become a religious bridge between Chinese and German cultures!
3. Pray that the Lord will protect Pastor Glaw and enable him to serve effectively!
4. Pray that the Lord will protect the brothers and sisters who are infected with the Covid-19 virus and recover soon!
5. Pray that the Lord will lead the way for the two middle school students of the Giessen Fellowship after graduation! They were both raised by single mothers, and the two mothers were especially comforting to see their children growing up in church. Therefore, next week, they will hold a thanksgiving witness meeting for them to glorify God and benefit people!

        Whether in good times or bad, let us all thank and praise our God in unison!
        Thank you for your company and prayers!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「你們要以感謝為祭獻與神，又要向至高者還你的願，並要在患難之日求告我；我必搭救你，你也要榮耀我。」（詩篇50:14-15）

        感謝神，又是到了春暖花開的季節，遍地都是小野花和蒲公英，又白又黃，畫出神創造萬物的美麗圖畫。雖然新冠病毒還是盤據在幾千上萬的個案，但是因為政府放寬政策，很多商業公司都已正常營業，教會也取消了之前的要求，不過仍然建議戴口罩。因此，我也可以回教會實體聚會了。感恩上週日見證六位姐妹接受洗禮，其中有兩位14-15歲的姐妹，從小看著她們長大，經歷神奇妙的拯救，接受洗禮。另一位是在疫情初期，以為自己得了病毒（其實是嚴重感冒），身體非常軟弱，她在網上尋求幫助，後來我們送食物給她，她受感後信主了。又一位是幾年前回中國時，發現得了癌症，趕快回德國醫治並好了，雖然最近又復發，心情有點打擊，但是幾次治療後，現在也感覺好很多。

        讀經班裡的一位老弟兄，疫情期間由德國徹底回香港退休。後來因太太回國照顧一百歲的母親，他也回去與她們在一起。沒想到他去哪裡，那裡就有嚴格的封關措施，現在更被封城了。因此我們每天都會聽到一點信息，也看到弟兄的一些情緒。但感恩的是，因為有了每天讀經的平台，大家互相鼓勵、代禱，雖然他有時候也會埋怨，但最後仍然感謝神的保守。由於年過百歲的老人藥物已經吃完，出外也買不到藥物，焦急了幾天；感謝神垂聽眾人的祈求，前幾天叫了救護車，不讓送醫院，但是醫生給了藥，保住老人的性命。

        上週一廣東話查經班要聚會，其中一位年過七十的姐妹說她前幾天得到Covid-19病毒，頭幾天非常辛苦，不能參加網上聚會。後來另外一位團友安慰她，原來她在四月初也從兒子感染了Covid-19病毒，也是很辛苦。因為老姐妹獨居，得病後的幾天都軟弱無力，感恩當地有弟兄姐妹送食物給她。

        來德國十幾年，每年復活節都參加門徒造就營，由於今年疫情尚未穩定，最後同工決定今年停辦一次。鑑於講員四月份已在歐洲，北德眾教會便邀請他主講培靈會，同時也開放zoom，讓其他地區的弟兄姐妹也同蒙造就。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感恩見證六位姐妹接受洗禮。求主保守她們的信心，讓從小聽聖經故事的年輕人把信仰活出來，讓剛信主的姐妹能夠多多的明白聖經！
2. 感謝主的保守，讓年過百歲的老姐妹能夠在封關的日子得到女兒的照顧，也得到該有的藥物，保持她的生命！感恩年老的弟兄可以繼續參加讀經班，由於每日可以與弟兄姐妹交談，得到一點安慰。求主保守他有耐性，等候那解封的日子！
3. 求主憐憫得到新冠肺炎病毒的老姐妹，使她可以盡快恢復健康！
4. 感謝神，雖然復活節造就營停辦一次，卻有北德眾教會的實體培靈會，同時開放讓弟兄姐妹可以參加網上的轉播，使大家同得造就！
5. 求主感動吉森團契的弟兄姐妹，在對疫情放寬的政策下，可以恢復實體的聚會！

        願上帝的恩惠，永恆地與那些愛我們主耶穌基督的人同在！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二二年四月三十日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:14-15

        Thank God, it is the season of spring and everywhere are small wildflowers and dandelions, white and yellow, drawing a beautiful picture of God’s creation of all things.  Although the Covid-19 virus infection cases are still high (several thousand new cases every day), due to the government’s relaxation of policies, many commercial companies have opened their doors normally, and our German church has no restriction like before but still recommended to wear masks.  Therefore, I can go back to the church for some weeks now.  I am thankful to have witnessed the baptism of six sisters last Sunday, including two sisters aged 14-15, with whom we watch growing up. Since they experienced God’s wonderful salvation in their personal life, and they were baptized.  The other one was a young woman, who in the early days of the pandemic, thought that she had the Covid-19 virus (but in fact, she just had a serious cold). Her body was so weak that she asked for help online. After we responded and delivered some food to her, being touched, she also believed in the Lord later.  Another one is a sister who found out that she had cancer while visiting in China. She quickly returned to Germany for treatment and was under control. However, recently she had relapse and she was worried. But after several times of treatment, now she felt much better.

        An old brother in our Bible reading class, during the pandemic, completely returned to Hong Kong from Germany to retire.  Later, because his wife returned to China to take care of her hundred-year-old mother, he also returned to be with them.  Unfortunately, wherever he went, there was strict restriction with the Covid-19 measures. Now he is completely being lockdown.  So, every day we hear a little bit of information, and see some of the emotions of our brother.  However, thankfully, because of the platform for daily Bible reading, everyone encourages and intercedes with each other, although sometimes he would complain, but in the end, he is still thankful to God for his preservation.  Because his 100 years old mother-in-law had finished her medicine, and they were unable to buy any medicine, they were anxious for a few days. But thanks for God’s answered prayers, they called for an ambulance the other day. Though she could not be sent to the hospital, the doctor gave her the necessary medicine to save the life of the elderly.

        Last Monday, when the Cantonese Bible study class was about to meet, one of the sisters in her seventies said that she had gotten Covid-19 a few days ago and had a hard time in the first few days. She told us that she could not attend our online meeting.  Later, another sister comforted her. It turned out that she was also infected with Covid-19 virus from her son in early April, which was also very hard for her. Because the old sister lived alone, she was weak for the first few days after she became ill, and she was grateful that some brothers and sisters in the local area had brought her food.

        Since coming to Germany for more than a decade, I have participated in the discipleship camp every Easter.  Due to the unclear policy on the pandemic at the beginning of the year, it was finally decided to suspend it for this year.  Since the speaker was already in Europe in April, the churches in North Germany invited him to give a revival conference. At the same time, they also opened zoom so that brothers and sisters from other regions could also be participated.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for the baptism of six sisters. Pray that the Lord will preserve their faith, so that young people who have heard Bible stories from an early age can live out their faith, and so that the newly converted sisters can understand the Bible more!
2. Thank God for His protection, so that the old sister who is over 100 years old can get the care of her daughter on the days of lockdown, and get the medicine she needs to keep her life! Thank God for the elderly brother who can continue to attend Bible reading class so that he can appeal to our brothers and sisters every day for a little comfort.  Pray that the Lord will give him patience to wait for the city to be free again.
3. Pray for God’s mercy upon the old sister who got the Covid-19 virus so that she can get back to health as soon as possible!
4. Thank God, although the Easter Camp was cancelled, there was a physical revival conference of the North German churches, and at the same time, it was open so that brothers and sisters could participate in the online broadcast, so that brothers and sisters could be edified as well!
5. May the Lord touch the brothers and sisters of the Giessen Fellowship that under the relaxation of the policy of the pandemic, the physical gathering can be resumed!

        May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：

        「你們要讚美耶和華！敬畏耶和華，甚喜愛他命令的，這人便為有福！」詩篇112:1

        前晚除夕夜，與弟兄姐妹分享耶和華的恩福，顯然與世俗人所祈求的祝福是很不同。神樂意賜福給我們，但是我們要聽從祂的命令，喜愛祂的律法，正如神吩咐以色列人，遵行祂的誡命的人就得福，違背誡命的受咒詛。

        感謝神，讓我們一群長者可以每天一起細讀利未記，雖然講述很多有關以色列人的獻祭、潔淨的條例、律例典章，讀起來有點枯燥；但經過牧師講解，把它們連到耶穌基督的身上，就馬上與我們有關，不但感謝基督救贖的恩典，也體會神憐憫人的心意。感恩今天我們終於讀完利未記，若是請年長的弟兄姐妹自己讀的話，也許就無法讀完了。

        去年找回的一位年長姐妹，不會廣東話，所以未能參加讀經聚會。最近她因為與房東有些矛盾，就來向我訴苦。我建議她申請老人公寓，但她想到申請手續麻煩，思想上有些掙扎。可能也是孤單一人，想找個人聊聊。特別是在疫情中，因害怕出門而困在家中。

        去年年底，又開始了吉森的實體聚會，但是經常來的就只有兩家人，只要我和服事同工去，他們也來實體聚會。負責的同工體恤我們回家太晚，就帶點簡單的食物來與我們共享。三週前，因為吉森負責同工的孩子發燒，而我們的同工剛打完了第三針疫苗，我們就沒有實體聚會。沒想到原來孩子從學校得了Covid-19病毒感染，也傳給父母了。由於上述原因，我們沒有去，免受感染。同時另外一家的弟兄要做白內障手術，所以他與姐妹也沒去，他們也沒有機會受感染。不過很感恩，他們病了幾天就好了，小孩好得更快。

        自從Omicron開始迅速傳播後，我們借用的德國教會要求更嚴厲，要打完第三針疫苗，或是打完兩針和感染後痊癒，再加上官方檢測的陰性報告，才可以參加實體聚會。由於我還沒有打第三針，週日在我家附近的檢測中心都不開門，所以只好參加網上聚會。自從去年七月打完第二針之後，我沒有停止過咳嗽，所以我對疫苗有所保留，還在觀望當中。

        雖然教會要求嚴格，但在政府的法律允許之下，我們在節日期間仍然有家庭聚餐，主要邀請單身的弟兄姐妹和慕道友，讓他們過節不會覺得孤單。平安夜聚餐那天，一位慕道友收到公司正式聘請他工作的合同，大家為他高興，因為再找不到工作，他便要離開德國（昨天更聽到他拿到簽證的消息）。另外一位弟兄，他特別喜歡實體見面的時刻，所以他也很高興與大家一起聚餐。

        一位弟兄的父親因為年老，去年搬來法蘭克福入住老人公寓。由於搬家那天，他看到那麼多基督徒為他搬東西，為搬家的人預備食物，他很受感動。加上我們聚餐也邀請他，這樣他與我們比較熟了，也願意幫我們煮餐，因為他是廚師。而我們更願意他看到基督徒的好行為，從傾向佛教的追求轉向基督信仰。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感恩疫情期間，還可以網上聚會，有些過節的氣氛！感恩與年長的弟兄姐妹一起讀經，經過一年的時間，連失憶的姐妹最近也不用人教她就可以很快地上網！求主保守其中一位弟兄，明天飛回國內，要在酒店隔離十四天！
2. 求主保守孤單老人的生活，不被疫情影響自己的心情！
3. 感謝主保守負責吉森團契的弟兄一家，雖得到病毒感染，但身體已恢復健康，隔離也結束！感謝主的保守，讓一位年長弟兄順利完成了兩隻眼睛的白內障手術！
4. 感謝主讓我們藉著聚餐，關心到慕道友在異鄉的思愁。其中一位學生總是埋怨神沒有給他一條順暢的道路，求主幫助他在學業上能通過他的考試！
5. 感恩弟兄的爸爸很快就與我們相熟，他在觀察我們基督徒的行為，求主保守我們在人面前有好行為，以致他們願意接受神的救恩！

        願主的恩福臨到你們與家人！
        新春快樂！身、心、靈都健康！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二二年二月二日大年初二

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Praise the LORD! Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands!” Psalm 112:1

        On Chinese New Year’s Eve, we shared with our brothers and sisters the blessings of the LORD, which are obviously very different from the blessings that secular people pray for. God is pleased to give us blessings, but we must obey His commands and love His laws, just as God commanded the Israelites that those who obey His commandments are blessed, and those who disobey His commandments are cursed.

        We thank God for the opportunity to read the book of Leviticus with our elderlies every morning. Although it was a bit boring to read, the pastor who was reading it connected it to the person of Jesus Christ, and it became immediately relevant to us. We are thankful that we finally finished reading Leviticus today. If we had asked our older brothers and sisters to read it by themselves, they would not have been able to finish it.

        I found an older sister last year after losing her contact for some time. Unfortunately, she does not speak Cantonese, so she was not able to join the reading group. Recently, she called me because she had some problems with her landlord. I suggested that she applied for an apartment for the seniors. But she had some struggles in her mind because of the trouble she had to go through the application process. She was probably lonely and wanted to talk to someone. Especially during the pandemic, she was stuck at home because she was afraid to go out.

        Near the end of last year, we resumed our physical meeting at Giessen, but only two families came regularly. Whenever I went with my co-worker, they also came to the physical meeting. The leader of the fellowship was sympathetic to our late arrival home, so the family brought some simple food to share with us. Three weeks ago, we didn’t have a physical meeting because our co-worker had just finished his third vaccination and the leader’s child had a fever. Little did we know that the child had gotten the Covid-19 infection from school and passed it on to his parents. Due to the above reasons, we did not go to the meeting and thus, avoided the infection. At the same time, a brother from another family had to have cataract surgery, so he and his wife did not go either, and they too did not have the chance to get infected. But thankfully, the family recovered within a few days and the child recovered even faster.

        Since the Omicron infection spread rapidly, the German church we borrowed for Sunday service has become more stringent in requiring a third vaccination, or a second vaccination/recovered from Covid-19 plus an official negative test before we can attend a physical meeting. Since I had not yet received my third vaccination, the testing center near my place was not open on Sunday, so I only attend the online meeting. I haven’t stopped coughing since I got my second shot last July. So I have some reservations about the vaccine and am still waiting to see what happens.

        Despite the strict requirements of the church, we still have family dinners during the holidays, as allowed by the government law. We mainly invited single brothers and sisters and non-believers so that they will not feel lonely during the holidays. On Christmas Eve, one of our non-believers received a job contract from his company, and we were happy for him because if he didn’t find a job within the month, he would have to leave Germany. Yesterday we heard the news that he got his visa. Another brother, he especially liked the physical meeting moment, so he was happy to have a dinner together.

        One brother’s father moved to Frankfurt last year to live in an apartment for the seniors because of his old age. On the moving day, he was touched to see so many Christians help to carry his things and prepare food for the movers. He was also invited to our dinner party, so he got to know us better and was willing to cook for us because he is a retired chef. But we would like him to see the good Christian behavior and turn from the Buddhist pursuit to the Christian faith.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. We are thankful that during the pandemic, we can still meet online and have a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year! I’m thankful that after a year of reading the Bible with older brothers and sisters, even the sister who has bad memory can get online faster without being taught! Pray for the brother who will fly back to China tomorrow and be quarantined in a hotel for 14 days!
2. Pray that the Lord will keep the lonely elderly from letting the pandemic affects their lives!
3. Thank the Lord for keeping the family of the Giessen Fellowship, who has recovered from the Covid-19 infection, and that their quarantine is over! Thank the Lord for the elderly brother’s successful cataract surgeries on both eyes!
4. Thank the Lord that we were able to care for the non-believers by inviting them for meals during festive holidays. One student always complained that God did not give him a smooth path! Pray that the Lord will help him prepare and pass his exams!
5. We are thankful that our brother’s father soon became acquainted with us, and that he was observing our Christian behavior. Pray that the Lord would keep us in good behavior before people so that they would be willing to accept God’s salvation!

        May the Lord’s blessings come to you and your family!
        Happy Chinese New Year! Be healthy in body, mind and spirit!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

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