親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

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

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二零年十二月二十三日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

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

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

        願主保守你們出入平安！

主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二零年十月四日

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

        May God also keep you safe both in and out!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

        昨晚有二十人聚會，接近一半都是退休的弟兄姊妹。

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

        願主的平安與你們同在！願主的保護圍繞你們！

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

        May God’s peace be with you!

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，

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

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

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

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

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

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

感恩與代禱事項：

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

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and prayer items:

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

Serving Him,
Karen Tang

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