親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

        願主保守你們出入平安！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二零年十月四日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

        May God also keep you safe both in and out!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

        昨晚有二十人聚會，接近一半都是退休的弟兄姊妹。

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

        願主的平安與你們同在！願主的保護圍繞你們！

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

        May God’s peace be with you!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

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

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        「耶和華是良善正直的，所以祂必指示罪人走正路。」詩篇廿五8

        武漢病毒肺炎還未引致德國有死亡個案之前，癱瘓了三年的弟兄卻不幸因肺炎離開這個世界，留下妻子與三名幼齡孩子。安息禮拜那天，看到很多德國與外籍的弟兄姊妹出席，因為弟兄是星加坡華裔，他們一家都去國際教會崇拜。這些弟兄姊妹都常常提供幫助予這個家庭，也常常為弟兄禱告。因為他們的幫忙，弟兄太太的父親，雖然語言不通，但親身感受到弟兄姊妹的愛心，留下深刻印象。

        因為疫情的緣故，有些來探望兒女的父母只好暫時延期回家。其中一對父母，曾經來參加亞沙芬堡查經班兩次。父親很想回家，只因女兒擔心，父母就延遲回國。由於女兒上班，天氣也經常下雨，他們待在家裡，覺得很無聊。所以，他們特別喜歡來參加查經班，既可以與其他人見面聊天，又可以學習認識聖經。母親是天主教徒，父親還沒有信主，但每次來都覺得很有收穫。

        吉森團契有些弟兄姊妹是年長的，當中幾位有機會接觸中國人，因為不了解這些人的行蹤，為了避免被感染，都不來聚會了。也有學生害怕，所以團契與學生聚會就合併在一起，願意來的，我們一起繼續查經禱告聚會。更有團友害怕我們被感染，會傳染給德國教會肢體，勸我們不要聚會。經過與德國牧師溝通，他與他的同工都很明理，讓我們繼續聚會，更叫我們在這特別時期，一起向主禱告祈求。因此，我們都沒有停止聚會過。若疫情惡化，我們再作相應考慮。

        去年五月與一位79歲的姊妹見面後，就聯絡不上她。我們都擔心她出了什麼事，因為電話一直不通。上周，一位姊妹為了找她，特別去她住的地方找她，她住在靠近法蘭克福的一個城市。雖然找不到人，但是留下聯絡資料在信箱裡。不久，那位老姊妹就聯絡上了。原來她搬去與女兒同住，因為沒有帶上任何人的聯絡資料，所以我們就失聯了。感謝姊妹的愛心與堅持，終於把老姊妹找出來，我們更聯絡上老姊妹的好朋友，一位90歲的老姊妹，一起去探訪她。她見到我們特別感動，非常開心。她住的城市只有德國教會，雖然語言不懂，每週還是與女兒孫女一起去敬拜神，女兒或孫女會給她翻譯。她十幾歲就受洗，後來結婚來了德國做餐館業，都無法參加華人教會，但是她還是靠著主恩渡過很多艱難的歲月。

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 求主記念離世弟兄的家庭，母親與三個孩子！求主賜力量給姊妹照顧孩子！求主賜她健康，每天有精力花大約四個小時在公共交通往返上班！求主給她父親有體力照顧孫兒，也因著見證基督徒的愛心而思考接受基督信仰！
2. 感謝主帶領亞沙芬堡慕道友的父母來參加查經班，因著疫情留下來，有更多的時間來認識神！
3. 感謝吉森德國牧師的體諒與鼓勵，使我們仍然可以聚會！法蘭克福教會雖然保持聚會，但人數明顯下降。求主記念弟兄姊妹的憂慮，在相對自我保護的安全下，來參加聚會！
4. 感謝主，藉著姊妹對長者的愛心，不辭勞苦地把她找出來，讓我們可以去探訪她，鼓勵她！求主記念教會的老姊妹們！
5. 求主施恩，垂聽全球弟兄姊妹的呼求，讓疫情能夠控制下來，讓人的靈魂得到拯救！

        願主的平安與你們同在！願主的保護圍繞你們！

主的使女                                   
鄧秀珍                                   
二零二零年二月二十五日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.” Psalms 25:8

        Before there is a death case from Wuhan coronavirus disease 2019 in Germany, a brother who had been paralyzed for 3 years died with a respiratory disease. He was left with a wife and 3 young kids. Many German and foreign brothers and sisters attended the memorial service because the brother was a Singaporean Chinese. He and his family have attended International church at different cities. Among these brothers and sisters, some have been helping this family and praying for the brother. Because of their love and help, the wife’s father was very touched even though he could not communicate with them.

        Due to the coronavirus epidemic, some parents who came to visit their family have to postpone their return date. One couple came to our Aschaffenburg bible study group twice during their initial stay. The father wanted to go home. But his daughter was so worried that the parents delayed to return home. Since the daughter has to work and the weather has been raining, they felt bored staying at home. So, they were happy to join the bible study group when they could meet some other people and learned to study the bible. The mother is a Catholic. The father is a non-believer but he learned something every time he came.

        In order to avoid the chance of being infected by the coronavirus, some elderly brothers and sisters, and a few who might have contact with Chinese people from unknown places, decided not to come to the Giessen Fellowship. Some students were also afraid to come. So, we have been combining the two groups to continue our bible study. However, some members were so afraid that we might be infected and in turn infect our German church. So, they tried to persuade us to stop meeting. After communicating with the German pastor, he and his co-workers expressed their understanding of the situation and would let us use their facility continually. He even encouraged us as a group to especially pray to God in time like this. Therefore, we have not yet stopped meeting. We might consider that option only when the situation gets worse.

        After meeting a 79-year-old sister last May, we have lost contact with her. We were kind of worry that something might happen to her because we couldn’t reach her by phone. Last week, a sister made a special trip to her previous home which is in another city outside Frankfurt in order to look for her. The sister didn’t see anyone but left her information in the mailbox. Soon, she got a call and got connected with the old sister. The old sister had moved to live with her daughter and didn’t take any contact information with her. Thanks to the love and persistence of the sister, she finally found her. So, we picked up another 90-year-old sister who has been friends with the 79 yr. old, and visited the old sister. She was so touched and happy to see us. Even though she doesn’t understand German, she would go to worship in a German church in her city with her daughter and grand-daughter who would do the translation for her. She was baptised in her teenage year. After she married, she came to Germany with her husband and worked in the restaurant business. Therefore, she was not able to attend the Chinese Church. But she relied on God to face many difficult times in the past.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Pray for the sister with 3 kids who have just lost their loved one! Pray that the sister will have the power to take care of her children! Pray that God would keep her healthy as she needs to take nearly 4 hours daily on public transportation to go to work and home! Pray that her father will have the strength to take care of his grandchildren and he will consider accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour after seeing the testimonies of brothers and sisters!
2. Thank God for bringing the parents of our seeker to come to our Aschaffenburg bible study group! Pray that they would have more time to know our God due to an unexpected longer stay because of the coronavirus epidemic!
3. Thanks to the German pastor in Giessen for allowing us to continue to meet! Although the Chinese Church in Frankfurt has never stopped worshiping, the number of attendees has dropped a lot. Pray that God will remember the worry of our brothers and sisters that they would come to worship after proper self-protection!
4. Thank God for the love of the sister who had made an effort to find out the old sister so that we could visit her and encourage her! Pray that God will remember our old sisters!
5. Pray for God’s mercy and that He would listen to the cry of brothers and sisters worldwide! Pray that God would let the epidemic be controlled and more souls would be saved!

        Pray that God’s peace be with you!
        Pray that God’s protection be surround you!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

        「看哪，我要做一件新事；如今要發現，你們豈不知道嗎？我必在曠野開道路，在沙漠開江河。」賽43:19

        區裡的聖誕燈飾還沒有收拾好，除夕夜人們放鞭炮煙火留下的垃圾還沒有掃除，新一年就悄然來了。除夕夜雖然沒有像以往那樣多的弟兄姊妹來我家跨年，但是卻邀請了一位前一週主日崇拜後才認識的慕道友來我家。本來是邀請一位姊妹，順便邀請站在旁邊的慕道友。隔一天，姊妹告訴我她其實已經有約了，只不過她忘記了，我便請她確認那位慕道友是否還會來。後來才知道那位慕道友當時不知道是傳道人邀請她的，後來知道了心裡有一點點膽怯，但還是自己一個人來應約了。因為沒有別人的打擾，加上她來自廣東省，我們就很自由的用廣東話交談，可以更暢順的給她傳福音。

        十二月中旬參加了克勞一位德國弟兄Jung的安息禮拜，因為有幾年常常在他家作客，很懷念這一家人。剛來德國的第二年春天，就在他家開始了克勞華人學生的查經班。每次查經之後Jung太太就端上一個自己烤的蛋糕給同學享用。而我因為上山交通不便，都在她家住宿一宵。第二天她就預備一桌豐富的早餐，希望叫幾位學生一起來，一面吃早餐一面談話。可惜，很多時候學生都因睡懶覺而不來。說起Jung太太，她在我去克勞以前已經開始關心中國留學生，照顧他們的小孩，開德語查經班等。學生都很喜歡她，像德國媽媽一樣。雖然Jung太太熱心事奉，可惜她身體不好，年輕時就心臟病發作，需要在家休息，只能做一點家務。她生了四個兒子，但是也因心臟病的緣故，三個兒子先後都離開世界，最年輕的14歲，最大的29歲。雖然家裡有這樣的不幸，Jung太太也經常頭痛，卻帶病來服事我們中國學生，實在讓人感動與敬佩。而Jung先生一直默默無聲的在服事Jung太太，照顧家庭。有時候他會去樹林裡摘一些野果，帶回家讓Jung太太做果醬。後來Jung太太多次中風，熬了幾年，終於息了地上的勞苦。前年Jung先生得了癌症，經過一年的治療，也於十二月安息主懷，與Jung太太相隔七年時間。聽說Jung先生雖然病了，還是帶了蛋糕給查經班慶祝聖誕，幾天後他就與大家離別了。Jung先生一生沈默，遺囑上吩咐以簡單的儀式安葬他的遺體。當日我們準時到達墓地的小教堂，裡面已經坐滿了他的好友，我們只有站在近大門處參加他的安息禮。Jung家現在只有一長子，他長大後在別城工作。安息禮那天，有一個家庭，就是早期曾經住在Jung家的專程回來，與朋友回顧Jung家接待之恩。雖然我離開克勞的服事已經快十年，每當回去都很懷念過去的弟兄姊妹，也很懷念Jung家的熱情款待。感謝他們在查經班早期的時候之支持與熱心幫助！

感恩與代禱事項：

1. 感謝神讓吉森團契舉辦了聖誕聚會！幾位小朋友演了默劇，學生都投入參與表演，更感謝團契幾個家庭為超過80人準備了豐富的美食！
2. 感恩有一對夫婦，太太剛來讀博士後，先生來陪她。他們去年迎新時才來的，很積極參與查經班的活動！其他迎新後的學生沒來了，求主感動他們願意來參加查經班的活動！
3. 有一位博士生已經交了論文，今年畢業就會回國。她來查經班有兩年多，她自己也覺得對信仰有比較正面的看法，但是還沒有決定要信主。祈求主讓她在回國之前能有機會明白真理，接受救恩！
4. 吉森團契將於一月十八日舉辦春節活動，這次活動與聖誕活動比較接近，弟兄姊妹剛忙完。所以這次比較針對性的邀請弟兄姊妹的朋友來參加，減輕弟兄姊妹的負擔。求主感動要來的朋友得聞福音，並有所回應！
5. 感謝神帶領一些年輕家庭來法蘭克福華人教會！因著今年聖誕聚會有成人、青少年與小孩共演一部話劇，吸引了不少的家長來參加聚會。求主帶領未信的家長繼續帶小朋友來參加兒童主日學，他們也願意留下來參加主日崇拜！

        願主祝福你們新的一年，多多蒙福，事主得力，新春蒙恩！

主的使女                                   
鄧秀珍                                   
二零二零年一月六日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

        “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

        Christmas decorations have not yet been put away in our neighborhood and many garbage has not yet cleaned up off the street after people fired fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Yet, the new year has already arrived quietly. Unlike past years when I invited some brothers and sisters to come to my place for dinner and wait for the count down, I just had one guest to my home this year! I never knew her. Last Sunday after service, a sister asked me if I had any plan on New Year’s Eve. I replied no. She said no too. Then I invited her to come to my place. Since the seeker was standing by her side, I invited her too. I never met her.  The sister told me the next day that she could not come for she forgot she already had an invitation by her friend. So I told her to make sure with the seeker if she really wanted to come by herself. The seeker did not know that it was a pastor who invited her. She felt a little bit afraid after she was told that I was a pastor. But she said that she had already accepted my invitation, so she would still come even by herself. Since there was no one else to disturb us, plus the fact that she came from Canton Province, we could use Cantonese to talk and shared the gospel with her!

        Last mid-December, I went to Clausthal to attend a German brother’s memorial service. I really missed this family for I used to stay overnight in their house during my ministry years in that place. It was in this Jung’s house when we started the Chinese student bible study group in Clausthal in the Spring of my second year to Germany. After bible study, Mrs. Jung would always bring a home baked cake for us to enjoy. Since transportation to go down the mountain was limited, I always stayed overnight at her house. Mrs. Jung would prepare a table of food for breakfast the nest morning. She would also invite some students to come so that we could have more time to share. But sometimes the students preferred to sleep longer. Talking about Mrs. Jung, before I went there, she was already doing a caring ministry among the early Chinese students, babysitting for their children, opened bible class in German etc. Many students like her just like a German mother. Although Mrs. Jung was eager to serve, her health was not good. Since her young age, she had heart disease and need to rest at home. She could do very light house chore. She bore 4 sons but 3 of them died of heart disease, the youngest being 14 years old and the eldest being 29. Despite the unfortune and her constant headache, she would still serve the Chinese students. It was really touching and she was being admired by most people. As to Mr. Jung, he served Mrs Jung and support the family silently. Sometimes he would brought back berries picked in the wood and Mrs. Jung then made jam with them. After Mrs. Jung had several strokes and suffered for a few years, she went to be with the Lord. Two years ago, Mr Jung had cancer and after one year’s treatment, he went to be with the Lord also, just 7 years apart from Mrs. Jung’s death. I heard that just a few days before Mr. Jung’s departure, he baked a cake for the Bible study group’s Christmas meeting. Mr. Jung has been silent most of the time. He even left a will to have a simple burial service. We arrived just in time but the little chapel was already packed with people. We had to stand at the door throughout the whole service. The Jung family has one eldest son living. He lived in another city since he has grown up.  On the day of the memorial service, a Chinese family who had lived in the Jung’s house during the earlier days came for the occasion and told others about the good old days with the Jungs. Although I left the ministry in Clausthal nearly 10 years ago, every time I went back, I still remember some of the brothers and sisters of those days. I also missed the hospitality of the Jung family. I was especially grateful for their loving support and help for the Chinese bible study group in its early stage.

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

1. Thank God for the Christmas meeting sponsored by the Giessen Fellowship! Our older children performed a silent scene of the nativity of Jesus Christ. The students were eager to participate in singing two songs. We were grateful for the effort of just a few families in our fellowship to cook for over 80 people.
2. We were grateful to see a couple whom we first met in our welcoming new student event, join our bible study group actively. The wife is doing her post-doctorate and the husband came with her. Unfortunately, other new students seldom show up. Pray that God will touch them so that they will come again!
3. One PhD student has already submitted her paper. She will be graduating soon and will return to China. She came to our bible study group for over 2 years. She herself felt the change in attitude toward our belief but she has not yet decided to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. Pray that she will have the opportunity to understand the truth and make the decision before she returns home!
4. Giessen Fellowship will hold a Chinese New Year event on Jan. 18th. Since this event is so close to our Christmas meeting when our brothers and sisters had just put a lot of effort to it, they decided to just invite their non-believing friends to come this time. Pray that those who will come will response to the gospel!
5. Thank God for bringing some young families to our Frankfurt Chinese Church! Since some of the adults, the youths and the children together performed one skit, they attracted a lot of parents to come to our Christmas meeting. Pray that the non-believing parents will continue to bring their children to our Children Sunday School and they will attend our Sunday service!

        May God bless this new year, bless you and give you strength to serve our Lord!
        Happy Chinese New Year!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang