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

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