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