近況和感恩

　　回顧過去三年，2013年5月我們開始了彩虹幼兒園的動土；2014年試著開辦，沒有執照，收了三個孩子，那時我們老師同工有八位；9月我們慶祝開學日，中福團的國際總幹事朱昌錂牧師來探望我們，又邀請了政府官員、朋友、贊助者、家長及學生來一起慶祝，感謝神！

　　2015年1月終於拿到了執照，若不是神的掌管我們可能現在還沒有拿到。2015 年5月我們慶祝1週年，這時有20個孩子，許多是幾個月禱告後篩選出來的。原先我們只憑著人的判斷來聘請老師和收學生，所以碰到許多問題。現在學到功課，要先尋求神的旨意，然後作決定。感謝主我們開始時收的三個孩子，仍舊在我們學校，並且平衡的成長，同工都非常愛他們，孩子的家長也信任我們，成為我們的好朋友。

　　感謝神，現在幼兒園有24個孩子，其中有幾位才來了兩個星期，已經非常適應。這是我們期望蒙式教學應有的結果。現今世界混亂，到處戰亂不和，天災人禍，但在這裡我們感受到神的同在。暑期到了，我們的孩子在院子裡玩耍，非常開心。

　　教育同工的一個課程就是要注重關係，讓他們知道在職場上「講閒話的殺傷力」。當我們1月回到吉爾吉斯時，發現許多同工溝通的問題，需要我們立刻解決，防止彼此的猜疑，特別是經過跨文化跨語言的障礙。這裡的人普遍是彼此缺乏信任。

　　前一封代禱信我們提到不同的培訓，感謝Jackie 帶了當地她訓練出來的同工，來教我們如何建立團隊，他們不僅教我們團隊理念，也示範應用出來。但願我們可以學好，並廣泛傳遞出去。請為我們的團隊更清楚好團隊的重要性來禱告。下面相片是我們為孩子們慶祝生日。

　　我們隨時都在傳講異象及目的，鼓勵彼此幫助達到目標。我們也開始英語教學，希望將來他們能與我們溝通，並且能明白外來用英語的各種培訓教導。長樂開始了品德教育課程，柏林繼續教導蒙式教學理念。求神帶領這些老師，能成為很好的同工，將來也能夠成為好的培訓老師。

　　聽說吉國法律，來了吉國五年後就可以申請PR。這十年我們為了簽證花了不知多少的時間和精力，去年6月決定開始申請PR。這需要花很大的人力資源，要許多的文件加上翻譯所有證件，面試了三次，也知道現在吉國敵對外國人，尤其是持有歐美護照的。我們幾乎要放棄了，好不容易最後總算拿到了，而且花費低於每人$300。感謝神，這樣我們可以方便於5年內進出境，不怕警察隨時的抽檢。最近聽到許多長期的宣教士，孩子出生在吉國，因為拿不到工作許可和簽證，只好改變計劃要離開。

　　5月20日柏林的父母慶祝70週年結婚紀念日！很可惜我們不能參加。我的兄弟姐妹，他們的孩子孫子一起在洛杉磯慶祝。附上照片。神的恩典，父親95歲母親93歲，身體都尚健壯！感謝神，請繼續為他們和家人禱告。

　　6月1日兒童節，早上在幼兒園慶祝，下午我們又有送撒瑪利亞鞋盒的活動，藉著這些禮物我們把耶穌的愛及世界各地孩子的愛心，帶給當地的孩子們。他們都非常高興，趕緊到處告訴鄰居們，願我們明年能辦得更大更好。

 

代禱

1. 讓適合的孩子來到我們幼兒園，我們可以影響他們。也給我們好的幼教老師。
2. 神帶領我們的團隊建立，品德教育，能天天應用出來。
3. 願神帶領有能力的老師來教蒙式教學，領導的方法及品德教育。
4. 我們主要的同工：Elena、Sophia、Peter 和 Kasbek。
5. 我們其他的老師同工，孩子們，還有他們的家庭。
6. 神賜福給順服祂的人。

 

＊如蒙感動為蔡柏林、何長樂宣教士夫婦在吉爾吉斯的事工奉獻，請用劃線支票，抬頭請寫「中華福音使命團」，或可直接存入香港的匯豐銀行014-014625-001之戶口，然後註明「吉爾吉斯事工」後擲回本團。歡迎每月以銀行自動轉賬，請與本團聯絡。

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John & Chrisita Tsai Prayer Letter 2015/6

Update & Give Thanks

Looking back last 3 year, we remember in May 2013, we started the actual construction of the Rainbow Kindergarten. In the following May 2014 we did the Test Trial of the kindergarten with only 3 children and 8 staff without license. In September, 2014, we had a Thanksgiving Celebration to show our appreciation to God, and to show to VIPs from Government, friends, supporters, parents of our students of what we are doing.

We finally got our license in late Jan. of 2015for His provision to accomplish what we knew was impossible by our own power. In May 2015 we celebrated kindergarten one year anniversary of our startup. Currently we have 20 children that were selected pray fully over the last few months. In the past, we depended on our own judgment to bring in teachers and students without waiting on the Lord. God made us learn some hard lessons- to let go some teachers and students who were not meant to be part of us. Now we know better and we seek His face and His will in every interview, every decision to be made and ask for His blessings be upon us. We were thankful that the first 3 children are still with us, they are growing well in spite of their initial weaknesses in different areas. Our whole staff love them dearly, and their parents/guardians now learn to trust us with appreciation. With good relationship, we have become friends.

Now we have 24 children. Even when some of them are only with us for 2 weeks or less, we can see them fitting quite well in our established environment and with each other and our staff. This is how we envision Montessori school should be operating and we just want to give thanks to God that it is happening. The world may seem to be in chaos in many parts of the world with many man-made troubles and natural disasters, but here we feel God’s presence. Summer is here and children can spend more time playing in the playground and they simply love it.

One of the Classes we were concentrating on is RELATIONSHIP and the first one was on “the Damage of Gossip at workplace” which caused a great deal of mess at the beginning of the year when we returned from USA. Communication among people has always been one of the greatest issues that require the most attention and if not well understood will definitely cause problem at workplace and in home life resulting in mistrust between people especially across different cultural and language barriers.

In the previous letter we mentioned training in various areas. We really want to thank Jackie who started the training with us in Teambuilding which we desperately need and she brought her local team from Bishkek whom she trained herself in the past few years. Together, they not only taught us the concept of teamwork, but more importantly demonstrated how principles should be practiced; applied so how good things can be multiplied and spread to many. Please pray that our staff can learn to see the significance of a good team. Following pictures we also celebrated birthday with the children.

Every opportunity we have, we review our vision and goals of the organization with staff. We are also encouraging each other to grow and work toward these goals. We also started English classes with our staff for better communication with us and for future teaching in English from the outside. Through translations, Christa started Character Building class while John also continued with the Montessori training. Please pray that through our combined efforts, we build them up to be excellent staff, teachers and one day become good trainer for others.

According to Kyrgyz law, any foreigners having been here for more than 5 years are eligible to apply for PR. After spending countless number of hours in the past 10 years just to get visa for us to stay legally and work in Kyrgyzstan for our ministry, we decided to go for the PR status here, a year ago. It is a great deal of preparation of necessary documents and Examinations/Investigations from both USA and Kyrgyzstan. However, after almost one year of waiting – 3 not so promising interviews, numerous trips of submissions of documents by Sophia and our understanding of the general opposition of Kyrgyz people against foreigners applying for PR, especially Americans and Europeans, we were ready to give up. Then, we were finally granted the PR status with just normal fees of less than $300/per person. Now, this means we can come in and out without visas for 5 years. We can only thank our Lord for His extra grace and mercy, for we hear that many other Ms who are not getting their working permits rejected are forced to change their plans to leave Kyrgyzstan.

May 20 is John’s parents’ 70 year anniversary! We were sorry that we were not able to celebrate with them with the rest of our big family of brothers, sisters, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in LA on such a special occasion. Please see attached picture. We are indeed blessed for John’s father is 95 and mother is 93, still in relative good health! Please continue to pray for their health and our whole family’s protection.

June 1 we celebrated “Children’s Day” in our kindergarten. In the afternoon we also pass out the shoeboxes from Samaritan Purse which we hope this may still be the means by which we can evangelize. The children were thrilled and excited to receive these gifts and they talked about this event for days among friends and neighborhood. Of course, we did share with them that these gifts are packed by Christian children of many different churches of the world with their own pocket money and are most willing to share Jesus’ love with other children in the world.

 

Prayer Requests

1. May God bring appropriate children come to our kindergarten so we can make a difference in their lives. May He also bring interested candidates for training to be preschool teachers.
2. Pray God lead our efforts in our team building and character building through daily practice .
3. May God bring suitable trainers to us, on Montessori, leadership, character building.
4. Do pray for our core team members – Elena, Sophia, Peter and Kasbek.
5. Pray for other staff, our students and their families.
6. May God bless all that are obedient to Him.

CEM Missionaries
John & Christa Tsai

Email: Jc.kg.mission@gmail.com     Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com

If God touches your heart to support our ministry please write check to CEM (China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.) with memo “for His Ministry in Kyrgyzstan”
China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6, San Ramon, CA 94583-1214, USA
Tel: (925)552-8088     Website: cemusaonline.org

近況和感恩

　　我們已從台灣香港回來一個半月了，在這個幾月裡我們的同工及孩子有些狀況，他們應該去還是留？我們應該單單靠神無窮的恩典，還是要盡力照我們能力把學校辦好？我們相信順服就是蒙福。我們在老師身上很多個月的教導及與孩子父母的交通，似乎達不到果效，總不能帶給他們正確的觀點。他們不願意接納我們的建議，這對學校有負面影響。最後經過禱告我們只好請他們離開，但願我們彼此都學到功課。感謝慈愛信實的神，祂是聽禱告的。

　　一月我們總算從教育部拿到幼兒園執照，但是還要符合當地許多政府部門的要求。幾個月的老師培訓卻沒有教出很好的教師團隊。托克馬克是個小城市，閒言閒語傳得特別快。我們真是嚐到厲害，也學到我們必須小心招募老師同工，還有挑選學生和家長。我們的教育方法是要與家長一起教育孩子，所以收學生不能操之過急，老師也要訓練好，這樣才能有優良的果效。托克馬克缺少人才，許多優秀人才都想出國，國家五分之一人口都到國外打工，大部分人比別的國家落後10 年。我們相信神給他們潛力，如果願意學習，加上努力，家庭的支持，他們都能學好。

　　中亞國家男女不平等，我們的老師多數是女的，東干、烏茲別克和吉爾吉斯人，不被看好為職業婦女，只能作個家庭主婦。我們需要鼓勵他們，傳遞我們的願景、異象和價值觀，加上他們也要了解蒙式教學理念，是跟當地的教育方法不一樣。當地的教育方法是蘇聯式沒有啟發性的教法，老師只在上面講，孩子只是聽。

　　我們承認以前的想法太天真，組成一隊能同心合一的團隊需要時間，現在知道需要至少6個月的訓練，但多數老師是今年一月加入的。要彼此學習，知道各人的長處，彌補短處。要供應一個安全的環境給孩子們，這些需要時間和耐心建立。我們的目標是到年底會有50個孩子。這樣我們的收入才能趕上開支，如果物價不暴漲 （最近幾年每年上漲30%）。

　　現在還需要各樣的培訓課程有：

• 家長和老師對孩子認知
• 蒙式教學方法
• 基本英語
• 團隊訓練及衝突管理

　　我們需要同工更有職業理念，但是學的不只是知識，而是神要在他們身上的呼召，裝備，來影響孩子認識神。柏林長樂準備教他們品格教育，借用一本<邁向真成功>（全家如何一起培養品格）。神是我們的導師，教我們如何傳給老師們，讓他們去影響孩子，再幫助孩子的家人。把恩福帶給穆斯林的國家需要時間，精力的擺上，這是我們的夢想，好像是不可能的事，但是我們相信在神沒有難成的事。

代禱

1. 讓適合的孩子來到我們幼兒園，我們可以影響他們。
2. 神賜智慧給我們團隊，能有合一的心事奉祂。
3. 賜我們好的身體為祂打那美好的勝仗。
4. 賜孩子與家庭救恩，賜我們有屬天的智慧傳福音，不影響我們的執照。
5. 願神帶領有能力的老師來教蒙式教學，領導的方法，品德教育（紀念Betty, Tony 與 Jackie, Holly與Jayanti）他們可能會來幫助我們。
6. 2015 年十月總統大選，賜國家平安。記得2005 及2010年兩次政變。
7. 為我們家庭禱告，賜福於我們。
8. 為我們工程主任的得救禱告，為Peter T禱告，他以前與我們同工過，現在又願意與我們一起事奉神。
9. 神啊，請袮賜福給我們的支持者（在財務、禱告、忠告、鼓勵等），你知道他們。謝謝主，把他們擺在我們周圍，提醒我們，在困難的時候支持我們。

主內，
蔡柏林、何長樂 敬筆

＊如蒙感動為蔡柏林、何長樂宣教士夫婦在吉爾吉斯的事工奉獻，請用劃線支票，抬頭請寫「中華福音使命團」，或可直接存入香港的匯豐銀行014-014625-001之戶口，然後註明「吉爾吉斯事工」後擲回本團。歡迎每月以銀行自動轉賬，請與本團聯絡。

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John & Chrisita Tsai Prayer Letter 2015/5

Update & Give Thanks

We have been back from Taiwan/Hong Kong trip for over 1 ½ months now. During the last several months, we have been struggling with some of our staff and students wondering if we should keep them or let them go. Question: Should we continue to demonstrate God’s infinite love and grace to work on and with them or we need to strive for excellence of our kindergarten and expect them to recognize that obedience is the essential step for receiving Blessings? We have been trying for months to explain to them what is required of the teachers in training and the parents without success, and their behavior and lack of efforts to change really negatively affect the whole school. We finally made the decision with lots of prayers among us for the well-being of our school and the ones that we did let go, asking mercy that we all will learn valuable lessons. We give thanks to our Father that indeed He is faithful and loving.  He heard and answered our prayers.

 

Back in January, we finally received our license from Ministry of Education but still we have to meet many local requirements that required time to meet before final approval. The months of training since last year on the local people did not create a good teaching team. Tokmok being a small town, has been known as a place where gossip starts easily, spreads widely until rumors are formed.  We heard about damage of gossip but now God allows us to experience and know how serious it can be. Now we need to be extra careful in our selection and preparation of our staff and teachers and also our selection of students and their parents. After all we do expect parents to be our partners in the lives of their children. Therefore, we choose to add children carefully and to provide adequate time to properly equip and train our teachers to strive for excellence.

 

Remember, Tokmok does not automatically produce good people and best people may not stay in Kyrgyzstan. One fifth of the people work outside Kyrgyzstan. In general, people are at least 10 years behind time even if they attend the local schools. However, we believe God did provide them with potentials and once they acquire the willingness to learn, appropriate efforts, and are given supports by their families and opportunities from us, they are capable of doing well.

 

In Central Asia countries, equality between male and female is not so common especially among the Asians. Our teachers are mostly Dungan, Uzbek and Kyrgyz women. No local people expect them to become professional but only expect them to be mothers, and wives from their own society. So, we need to influence their basic thinking starting with understanding of our Vision, Mission and values. They also must understand Montessori Philosophy which is very different from the traditional way of teaching in Kyrgyzstan. Their ways have been heavily influenced by the Soviet way that students cannot be above teachers.

 

We must confess our previous thinking were too naïve about running a kindergarten. In order to build a sound team with similar values and act in unity and harmony requires time for such development. We now know that we need at least another 6 months to train our staff who joined us this January to have the basic qualification to teach the Montessori methods. In addition, the whole staff need to learn how to know about each other, recognize each other’s strength and compensate each other’s weakness for the good of the whole.

 

We must be able to provide a peaceful environment for our kindergarten where parents feel comfortable leaving their children with us and children feel safe and happy to attend school. All these require time and patience to achieve and our new target is that we may bring the number of students to 50 before the end of 2015. Only then our tuition income may cover our monthly operating expense if the inflation is under control for Kyrgyzstan. (So far it has been around 30% for the last 10 years)

 

So far, we still need all kinds of training for all our staff and Montessori Methodology for our teachers:

• The current training classes are:
• What do parents & teachers need to know about the children and their needs.
• Montessori techniques, in various different areas.
• Basic English
• Team Building & Conflict Management

 

We need classes to train our staff to be more professional, However, more importantly, we recognize that just information and knowledge do not make us better staff and teachers. Only God, can empower our people to fulfill His calling for them and equip them to influence the children to go to Himself. In the near future, John and Christa are planning to start to teach Character Building based on the book – Achieving True Success through building Character as a Family. Do pray that God is the Teacher behind this, first teaching us to coach our teachers and through them the children may benefit greatly from a young age and impact his/her whole family. This is our dream to bring blessings to this Muslim country and requires a great deal of time, efforts and may seem impossible for us to achieve. However, we believe that nothing is impossible with God!!

 

Prayer Requests

1. May God bring appropriate children come to our kindergarten so we can make a difference in their lives. May He also bring interested candidates for training to be preschool teachers.
2. Pray God grants us success in our team building efforts that we consistently demonstrate unity, harmony, joy and peace in everything we do with each other and our children and their families.
3. Grant us power, strength and good health so we may continue fight a good fight.
4. May God draw people of all ages and of all nationalities to Him through our ministry.
5. May God bring suitable trainers to us, on Montessori, leadership, character building. (Please remember Jackie, Shirley, for their ongoing support, Holly, Jayanti, Betty and others who will be coming to help us).
6. October 2015 this year will be presidential election in Kyrgyzstan. Grant this country peace and stability!! We still remember the 2 revolutions we went through in 2005 & 2010.
7. Do pray for our family’s protection and blessings so we can solely focus on our God.
8. Pray for our building manager, Mr. K for his salvation and bless him for his dedication and loyalty. Pray for Peter T. who has worked with us before and again now that he that he returns to Kyrgyzstan. May he join us for a longer term to serve God.
9. Lord, continue to bless our many partners (in finance, prayer, advice, in encouragement etc.)

 

CEM Missionaries
John & Christa Tsai

 

Email: Jc.kg.mission@gmail.com     Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com

If God touches your heart to support our ministry please write check to CEM (China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.) with memo “for His Ministry in Kyrgyzstan”
China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6, San Ramon, CA 94583-1214, USA
Tel: (925)552-8088     Website: cemusaonline.org

這一個月神讓我們大開眼界：

遇見一些在中亞事奉的人

　　2月26日至3月4日我們參加了一個大會，遇見許多從世界各地來的人才，他們都是神差派去中亞這些信奉伊斯蘭教的國家的。過去10 年我們被局限在吉爾吉斯，沒有機會多出去接觸外界。藉著他們神讓我們知道，我們先要與穆斯林建立關係，然後才能把我們的信仰分享給他們。現在是緊急的時候，ISIS 藉著伊斯蘭的名意，傳達恐怖的信息，連虔誠的回教徒都害怕他們。

台灣香港一行

　　3月12日要出發的幾個小時前，長樂的腰背突然疼痛異常，幾乎不能坐飛機。但神給她勇氣面對，我們照原定計劃出發。我們從Bishkek要經過Almaty、Kazakhstan、香港然後到台北、台灣（20 小時的旅程）。若不是神預備輪椅，長樂無法順利到達台灣（平常輪椅要24小時前預訂的）。

　　在台灣主要是做身體檢查和購買一年的藥，這些藥佔了我們行李的四份之三。當我們到了桃園機場，要買手機的Sim card和坐的士去淡水，才發現自己帶的台幣和美金都不見了。實在想不出在哪裡被偷了，一直到現在還是想不通，我的背包一直沒有離開我身邊。這是撒旦的攻擊，但我們相信神的供應是足夠的。

　　在台灣的一個禮拜我們住在淡水。去了三間醫院：長庚、仁愛、書田，拿了三個月的藥，超過三個月的要自己買。還好我們在台灣先有一筆錢暫放在堂姐小琪那裡，現在可以應急，謝謝神的預備。感謝神！李秀全牧師和師母讓我們在他們成長的教會裡分享。那一天覺得非常美好，有好的道聽，又能與兄弟姐妹溝通。

　　帶著護腰帶，又吃了肌肉鬆弛劑，我們每天從淡水到台北，參加各種會議及探訪牧師、朋友、親戚。感謝神台灣的交通實在方便，捷運四通八達，還有公車。

　　3月20日我們離開台灣到香港，參加中福團40週年慶典的感恩系列，第一次見到中福團香港辦事處的同工及同期正巧在港的宣教士，謝謝朱昌錂老師（國際總幹事）、廖婉芬牧師（香港區主任）、梁鴻光牧師（政策計劃主任），還有許多同工為我們這兩星期完備的預備：

• 我們是新加入中福團的宣教士，有機會去香港參加40週年慶典的感恩系列，可以遇見許多牧師和幫助中福團的教會和會友。
• 兩個星期我們被安排在非常方便的住處，靠近港鐵和餐館。也借給我們電話、八達通，預備周全。
• 在辦事處準備好兩個座位，有Internet。謝謝他們又安排我們到各個教會、祈禱會分享神給我們的異象及願景，願神賜福與他們。
• 謝謝同工們幫助我們設計橫幅、單張、名片。他們實在是有高效率的事奉神的僕人。感謝神讓中福團有這麼好的、有能力的一群同工。

　　神讓我們看見祂的作為在各個不同的教會裡，特別是年輕的一代。我們又參加了一個聯合禱告會，看見禱告的力量、門徒訓練的重要性、團契小組有人帶領。神的國快速的擴展，神讓我們看見祂揀選不同背景的人來作祂的工，只要他們有信靠順服。

　　神的手在香港大大的作工，多少的年輕人被祂撫摸。讚美神讓我們藉著這次的拜訪學到很多，願我們也能讓神給我們的異象激勵他們。

　　3月31日我們飛回吉爾吉斯，天還在下雪。感謝神Kasbek與崔峰來機場接我們。

代禱

1. 帶著滿滿的祝福歸來，但是身體已經吃不消了。請為我們的身體禱告，願我們能繼續為主打那美好的仗。
2. 2015年我們需要從新開始，經過有高山低谷。禱告我們學習功課，神賜智慧，讓我們心門打開，同心合一的事奉祂。
3. 願神為我們的孩子及他們的父母開門，雖然我們不能直接的傳福音給他們，願以我們的生命行動來感化他們。
4. 願神帶領有能力的老師來教蒙式教學，領導的方法，品德教育（紀念Betty, Tony and Jackie, Holly and Jayanti）他們可能會來幫助我們。
5. 為我們的家人禱告，保護看顧他們。
6. 神啊，請祢賜福給我們的贊助者（在財務、禱告、忠告、鼓勵等），你知道他們。謝謝主，把他們擺在我們周圍，提醒我們，在困難的時候支持我們。

主內，
蔡柏林，何長樂 敬筆

 

＊如蒙感動為蔡柏林、何長樂宣教士夫婦在吉爾吉斯的事工奉獻，請用劃線支票，抬頭請寫「中華福音使命團」，或可直接存入香港的匯豐銀行014-014625-001之戶口，然後註明「吉爾吉斯事工」後擲回本團。歡迎每月以銀行自動轉賬，請與本團聯絡。

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John & Chrisita Tsai Prayer Letter 2015/4

Update & Give Thanks

 

This month has been most eye-opening for us and God allows us to do:

Meeting with people working and involved in Central Asia

We met with various people from different parts of the world at a conference in Feb 26-Mar 4 to know what God is doing in Central Asia among the Muslim Nations. For the past 10 years, we had only some experience very much confined in Kyrgyzstan.  Through some of the people we met, God let us know that we are to befriend the Muslims & form good relationships with them so we may able to share our beliefs with them. At this moment it seems to be very critical for the spread of ISIS (the terrorist activity under the name of Islam) which even the devoted Muslims are afraid of.

 

Trip to Taiwan & Hong Kong

A few hours prior to flying out to Taiwan on Mar 12, Christa’s lower back was in excruciating pain, for unknown reason. It was so bad Christa even questioned if she could get on the plane to go on the trip. However, God gave her enough strength to endure the pain to go as planned. The trip started from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Almaty, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and to Taipei, Taiwan (20 hours journey on the road before reaching Tamsui where we stayed in Taiwan). Christa could not have made it if at the last minute God did not provide her the wheelchair service which usually had to preschedule at least 24 hours ahead of time.

Trip to Taiwan was mainly for medical check-up & to purchase our annual supply of medicine, which filled almost ¾ of the space of one of our checked in luggage. When we arrived at the Taoyuan airport for Taipei and John was trying to find Taiwan currency for first buying a Simm card for mobile phone and then to get the payment for the taxi fees to go to Tamsui. That was the time we were shocked to find out that the cash (US $ & other currencies) we brought for the 3 weeks’ trip were missing from the carry-on bag.  For a few moment we were dazed about many things, not knowing what to do or what had happened and when!  Even until now, we still have not figured out how or when the money was lost but we knew even before the trip that things might to be rough for Satan usually made it difficult for us but we must believe that God would carry us through for His grace is always sufficient for us.

We stayed in Tamsui during our one week at Taiwan.  We visited 3 hospitals for our various health check-ups長庚， 仁愛，書田 and got our 3 months of medical supplies through Taiwan medical insurance and bought the rest ourselves. In Taiwan, we could not use our visa card but had wonderful people that loaned us the money for the necessary expenses.  Praise God His provision!  We were also very grateful to Rev. Morley Lee and Simu for they arranged for us to share at his church in Taiwan where they grew up in. We thoroughly enjoyed the congregation, benefitted greatly from his sermon and had a wonderful fellowship with brothers and sisters.

With the support of a girdle and muscle relaxant medicine, we managed to travel daily from Tamsui to Taiwan to attend all sorts of meetings, and visits to pastors, friends and relatives. We also praise God for Taiwan’s convenient, wonderful, public transportation.  We are getting to be quite good at taking MRT (Massive rapid transit) and buses.

On Mar 20, We left Taiwan for Hong Kong to attend CEM 40^th anniversary celebration events and to meet with CEM’s local workers and missionaries for the first time. We must thank Dr. Calvin Chu (International Director), Gloria Liu (Hong Kong Home Director), Kenneth Leung (Director of Policies & Planning) and their staff for their wonderful arrangement for us in Hong Kong for the two weeks for the following:

• We, as new missionaries joining CEM, had a chance to visit Hong Kong office to attend CEM 40^th anniversary celebration events, and met many pastors and affiliated church members and supporters of CEM.
• For the 2 weeks in Hong Kong, they placed us at a centrally located apartment near to public transportation, and has easy access to restaurants of all kinds. They even got us a phone to use and card with money for transportation payment.
• They set up two nice desks for us in their office where we could have Internet access to do whatever work we desired to do. We thanked them for the efforts they made so that we may share at several churches, prayer meetings of vision and mission given by God in Central Asia. We are just so thankful beyond words! May God bless them for being so kind to in spite of their busy schedule.
• We also want to thank all the office workers for their assistance in all things and especially in technical supports such as design of banners, business cards. They are such effective and efficient workers in serving our God and His people. We must say that CEM is indeed very blessed to have such talented and hardworking servants of God.

While we were in Hong Kong, God also opened our eyes to see His amazing work over there through different churches and people, especially among the younger generations. We attended united prayers participated by different churches and became even more aware of the power of prayers. We also saw the significance of discipleship training and the formation of small groups led by trained leaders.  Through all these, God demonstrated how His kingdom can be multiplied and thus grow in awesome ways. It is indeed a time for amazing lessons and God is indeed opening our eyes showing us how different people of all sorts of background are selected to do His work if only they are willing to obey and trust Him.

We were given opportunities to see God’s hand moving in Hong Kong, and how many young people are drawn to Him and called by Him in personal ways. We praise God that we have learned so much through our visit and we hope that we were also able to encourage the people there with the Vision and Mission that we had from God.

We flew to Kyrgyzstan on Mar 31. It was still snowing but we received warm welcome by Kasbek and Peter at Manas Airport.

Prayer Requests

1. We had a wonderful trip but we did not realize how tiring it was on us. Do pray for our aching body and our overall health. May we continue to fight a good fight for our God.
2. 2015 will be a year of restart. We have made mistakes and went through some down times. Pray that we can learn lessons and God grants us wisdom to keep our hearts open and do have unity and harmony of our spirits for His ministry.
3. May God open doors for our Children and their families that they are open to Him. We cannot openly evangelize without the risk of losing our license. May God’s presence shine through us that we may use our own lives to transform theirs.
4. May God bring suitable trainers to us, on Montessori, leadership, character building. (Please remember Betty, Tony and Jackie, Holly and Jayanti who may be coming to help us).
5. Pray for our family that they are protected from evil and blessed by God in every way.
6. Lord, continue to bless our many partners (in finance, prayer, advice, in encouragement etc.), you know who they are. Thank you, Lord, for putting them around us to remind us and sustain us when things get tough. Please bless them accordingly as they have been such great blessings for us.

 

CEM Missionaries
John & Christa Tsai

 

Email: Jc.kg.mission@gmail.com     Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com
If God touches your heart to support our ministry please write check to CEM (China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.) with memo “for His Ministry in Kyrgyzstan”

China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6, San Ramon, CA 94583-1214, USA
Tel: (925)552-8088     Website: cemusaonline.org

感恩：

• 1月8日我們離開聖荷西前往洛杉磯，然後10日返回吉爾吉斯。先是與幼教專家Jayanti Tambe見面，又參觀了她幫助開辦的一間非常特別在洛杉磯的幼兒園。這間幼兒園的確新穎，孩子都這麼幸福，它是基於「玩樂為本」的方法，每一種教具都有目的，旨在培養孩子的全人發展，啟發他們身體各部份的潛能。Jayanti與我們交談了幾個小時，她當過幾間加州著名幼兒園的執行長。 也是一位大學教授，專長幼教，培訓了很多幼教的教師， 滿有熱情。在美國，以及世界各地，尤其是貧窮的地區，如非洲，印度等，培養年輕的老師。儘管我們短暫的相識，在她忙碌的時間裡願意提供服務來吉國幫助我們。讚美主的供應和預備，在不久的將來，她會帶一些學生來參觀我們的幼兒園，幫助我們實現我們的願景和使命。Jayanti也會邀請Holly Bruno一同來，Holly常是幼教大會的主題講員，又是電台節目主持人。她們今年七月將會去印度培訓，順便也來吉國探望我們。Holly是我們參加達拉斯幼教大會認識的。感謝神為我們安排預備，也給我們鼓勵，這些連結的工作，遠超過我們所求所想。 我們可以放心，因為我們的主耶穌基督已經贏了。阿爸父，當我們走在你的旨意裡，你總是負責到底！
• 27小時的飛程和等候，我們終於抵達比什凱克機場。這是清晨，天空漆黑，預計照常有人來接機，卻沒有熟悉的面孔等著我們，感到失望，不知道有甚麼事發生。柏林試著用手機聯絡，發現我們的同工在路上發生車禍。嚴冬天氣，地上都是冰雪，居然還有車子在高速公路賽車！把她逼下八米深的溝。感謝神的保守，她沒有受傷，只是車子有些損傷，但是另外車子的一家人有許多傷亡。這是吉國常有的事，我們只好打車回到Tokmok。
• 長樂在離開聖荷西時就得了感冒，一直咳嗽不停。也知道吉爾吉斯的事工問題，從去年10月不斷堆積，裡面有大量的誤解，錯誤的溝通，衝突和團隊成員之間的傷害，需要我們及時的解決。來到這裡，馬上就要捲起袖子，了解情況，一一的面對。沒想到離開短短的三個月，就有這麼多問題發生。我們迫切需要從上而來的智慧。
• 當我們無計可施的時候，我們一直向神禱告，仍指望我們自己有能力解決。但是，最後我們完全臣服於神，知道我們不能做任何事情，相信只有祂能。事實上，神做了！祂把崔峰從上海帶回來，他在上海2年，幫助他妹妹做一些生意。再以前他是柏林5-6年的得力助理，有良好的關係，他是少有的漢語俄語翻譯，又熟悉聖經。因為俄羅斯經濟的衰退，影響了上海的工作，又趁著中國新年，回家休息，和妻子兒子團圓。他是為我們核心成員溝通的最佳人選。通過崔峰，我們明白發生了甚麼事。感謝神。崔峰也陪我們參觀一所比什凱克的私立學校，已經成立了22年，由兩位吉爾吉斯姐妹建立的，有良好的聲譽。總共有700名學生，包括250幼兒。 她們聘請了大約有200名員工，包括高級素質的管理員、教師、有心理學知識的、醫療人員、財務人員、廚師、維修隊、保安、園丁等。在吉爾吉斯的南部奧什也有一間分校。我們談了4小時，建立了很好的關係，她們也很願意幫助我們訓練一些老師。我們分享了過去9年的經歷，她們也認同我們是帶著神的使命與托付來的，她們願意幫助我們實現，請禱告她們成為我們合作夥伴。
• 我們開了今年第一次核心員工會議，回顧過去3-4個月發生的事情，不管有無數的艱辛和挫折的挑戰，讓我們吸取了寶貴的經驗，我們需要繼續前進，尋求更好的結果。能夠忘記背後，努力面前，學會如何彼此相愛，作孩子的好榜樣。
• 我們重新組合了幼兒園管理體制，讓我們的組織更健全。柏林長樂仍為創始人，也是暫時的校長，下面有兩個部門領導。一個專注學術方面主管，監督教師和實習生，還負責培訓幼教。另一個是業務主管，負責監督工作人員，如建築經理、廚師、護士、清潔工，幫助協調培訓活動與外國人聯繫。願神賜予我們智慧，力量和分辨能力，根據祂的意願做出正確的決定。
• 感謝Shirley和Patrick（我們的​​合作夥伴）過去一年一直在幫助我們幼兒園的工作，培訓我們年青的老師。如果沒有他們的幫助，我們的工作無法推進。請與我們一起禱告，求神保守他們。

代禱

• 帶來很好的幼教培訓老師。
• 帶來當地愛孩子，肯學習的優秀教師。
• 為國家的穩定和提供人民安逸的生活。
• 為我們團隊的同心，聖靈充滿，完全順服神的旨意。
• 保護青少年不受ISIS的謊言，保護兒童免受各種疾病，包括麻疹的爆發。
• 祈求我們的家庭能持續支持我們，免遭邪惡勢力，受到神各樣的祝福。

 

雖然無花果樹不發旺，葡萄樹不結果，橄欖樹也不效力，田地不出糧食，圈中絕了羊，
棚內也沒有牛；然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的神喜樂。主耶和華是我的力量；
他使我的腳快如母鹿的蹄，又使我穩行在高處。
哈巴谷3：17-19 

　　主啊，我們相信祢已經供應我們很多需要的夥伴（錢財、祈禱、諮詢、鼓勵等），祢知道他們是誰，雖然我們並不清楚。主啊，謝謝祢對我們的愛，把他們放在我們的生命裡。請祝福他們，因為他們一直這樣祝福我們。我們祈求禱告是奉主耶穌的名！阿門

 

主內，

蔡柏林、何長樂 敬筆

 

＊如蒙感動為蔡柏林、何長樂宣教士夫婦在吉爾吉斯的事工奉獻，請用劃線支票，抬頭請寫「中華福音使命團」，或可直接存入香港的匯豐銀行014-014625-001之戶口，然後註明「吉爾吉斯事工」後擲回本團。歡迎每月以銀行自動轉賬，請與本團聯絡。

下載 PDF 格式 (中文)
Download English Version

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John & Chrisita Tsai Prayer Letter 2015/1

Update & Give Thanks

• We left San Jose on Jan. 8 to go to Los Angeles before flying out to Kyrgyzstan on Jan, 10. We had an important date to visit Jayanti Tambe, an early child education expert, who we met in San Jose while attending a 2 days Early Child Education (ECE) Leadership Training. She asked us to visit a “one of a kind” preschool she helped to build up in Pasadena many years ago. It was indeed an awesome place for the young children from toddler to up to 7 years of age. These children are so blessed to study there! It is based on “PLAY BASED” methodology, but totally designed by God Himself. Every so called play is intentional, purposeful, meant to develop each child for his whole being, and to bring out all the potentials in his body parts.We had a few hours together with Jayanti, who has been executive directors of a few well-known preschools in California. She is also an educator, professor, and trainer to many early child education teachers and administrators. How does one describe her? Words are inadequate to do so, because, she is a bundle of positive energy and just has a consuming passion to train workers for education of the young. She does that in USA, as well as in the other parts of the world, the less fortunate areas, needy places such as in Africa, India etc. of all nations. In spite of our short acquaintance, she is to ready to offer her service to us by coming to Kyrgyzstan, out of her already packed schedule. WE praise our Lord for His provision and knowing that in the near future, she will come to visit us with a short term team of (ECE) students to help us in our vision and mission.Jayanti plans to invite Holly Bruno, (JD attorney, and keynote speaker, Radio program host) to first to go to India to train her people there in July. Before we left USA, she suggested to John and I that we should also invite Holly to visit us in Kyrgyzstan to do similar training. After all, we first met Holly who we met in NAEYC conference in Dallas 2014, where she taught us being leader how we need to be “Thick skinned” even we may be born “Thin skinned”. During our short interaction with her during class, she became quite excited with our work in Kyrgyzstan. She suggested for us to take the leadership workshop offered in San Jose a few weeks later, and talked her further to see how she may be of some help. Indeed, she kept her promise and introduced us then to Jayanti and other educators during the workshop. She even took her precious time from her final speech as a keynote speaker to introduce to the audience about our work. We can only bow down before our amazing God for such unexpected affirmation, encouragement and connection. This is more than we can ever imagine. Lord, you know so well of our hearts, and how much we long for your confirmation of our work in that moment of life storm we were facing. We needed so much to be recharged, refreshed to be able to return to the mission field. Again, we are assured of the truth that our Lord Jesus has already won and Abba Father, You are always in charge; we cannot be safer when we walk in your will!
• We arrived in Bishkek airport after a 27 hours trip from LA. It was early in the morning, the sky was pitched dark and we expected to be greeted at Manas airport as before. However, there was no familiar face waiting for us. We were disappointed and started wondering what could have happened. John tried to call and found out his phone was not working. We suspected that our phone unit probably expired. After we picked up our luggage, John was able to purchase additional phone unit at the airport and we contacted Sophia (our administrator/translator), and found out she had a car accident coming to pick us up.The severe winter weather, plus the ridiculous race of two cars against one another ended pushing her car off the highway into an 8 meter deep ditch. We can only thank God profusely for His protection over Sophia. And we gladly took a taxi back to Tokmok knowing she was OK, even though the ride was rather costly with all our many pieces of big and small luggage. Sophia’s car had to be pulled out and up the ditch by a crane many hours later and she was stuck on the cold winter highway for almost half a day. But, such is the life in Kyrgyzstan faced by the locals as well as for foreigners. May God have mercy on all of us and give us strong hearts.
• In the following week Christa continue not feeling well with the bad coughs caused by germs she caught from San Jose, through Los Angeles and brought them back all the way to Tokmok. John was also very tired from the trip having to take care of all business of travelling and also Christa. All the bad and sad news about Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Tokmok, and Kindergarten since October 2014 were continually piling up on us. It seemed to be never ending and now wait for us to handle. How? We had no idea. We just know there must be incredible amount of misunderstanding, miscommunication, conflicts and hurts between the team members.How did it get to be so bad in our absence? We thought when we left, with the exception of “No License”, other matters were still manageable. At that moment, we had no idea where or how we could start, to get to the bottom of this massive confusing problem.  How could we untie all these tight knots, especially our most trusted translator was right in the center of this ugly storm? There is no way that anyone in that position can be objective and stay neutral in translation. We were also afraid to bring in a new translator to deal with our internal issues. After all, Tokmok being such a small place is known where gossiping is common and rumor spreads like wild fire. Bad news usually travel fast!! We desperately need wisdom from above to select the right person to help us to collect data enough to understand the problem and stop and hopefully reverse the damage done.
• We were at our wit’s end. We had been praying to God but still were counting our own abilities for solutions. But, finally we totally surrender to God, knowing that we could not do anything, but believing only He can. Indeed God did! He brought Peter Tsui back into our life at this moment of desperate need. He has been working in Shanghai for the last 2 years, helping his sister to do some business with Russia. In 2005, he was brought in to work with John for 5- 6 years as the assistant to the president under MCCF. Peter and we had great working relationship and he is one of the few workers in Kyrgyzstan that could do Chinese Russian translation and knew bible well. Peter has been translating sermons for many preachers that came to Kyrgyzstan in the past many years.Recently, Peter’s work in Shanghai slowed down because of the downturn of Russian economy. He was also taking some time off because of the oncoming Chinese New Year to be with his own family here (wife and son). So, he is just the perfect candidate for our communication with the core members. Through Peter, we gain some insight of what had happened and trying to be light and salt as Jesus instructed, we tried to work through these issues one by one. We really appreciated Peter’s willingness to help us in our time of needs and pray that God will use him in His mighty ways in the future.It was also with Peter’s help, we could visit a private school which has students from preschool age, through elementary school, Junior High and High school in Bishkek. This school was built 22 years ago by two Christian Kyrgyz sisters with intention of establishing a school with good reputation of being professional and dedicated towards education. This is the largest private school in the whole of Kyrgyzstan. They did what they planned and now they have a total of 700 students with about 250 kindergarteners. In order to do so, they hired a team of around 200 workers of high caliber in all levels and areas. On their team, they have recruited and retained qualified directors, administrators, teachers, psychologists, business, medical staff, financial staff, good cooks, maintenance team, trustworthy guards, professional gardeners etc. and they also have a large branch school in Osh, the second largest city, in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. We spent about 4 hours with the founders and were totally impressed and convinced of their principals of good operation. We plan to learn their methods and strive for excellence for God.

  As we presented our projects to them in the past 9+ years and shared with them our new vision and mission from God, they were also touched by our love for the children of Kyrgyzstan. They offered to help us to achieve our goals for the young ones in Kyrgyzstan. Please pray that we can be partners in God’s ministry. Our hearty thanks to Brodie and Hilary to these two wonderful ladies. You both are God sent! Bless you for your insight.

• We held the first staff meeting with the core members on 1/23/2015. Our main goal was to recap on what has happened over the last 3-4 months since we were gone. We went over all the challenges that we have gone through and gave thanks to God that regardless there were numerous hardships and setbacks, we all survived. We suggested that we all learn lessons from our past mistakes, especially the lesson of humility and not linger in the past. We need to move on and seek for better results. Being able to forgive is a must if there were wrong done to each other and we must learn how to love one another. Be a model for our children.
• We started our kindergarten management restructuring and aim for better allocation of human resources. John and Christa will remain as founders and also the interim directors and working alongside with us there will be two heads. One head is heading the academic area overseeing the teachers and interns, she will also with trainings directly related to early child education. The other is the business head who will oversee the staff such as building manager, cook, nurse, cleaners and help to coordinate the training activity especially related with foreigners etc. We will continue to work out the details in the next 2-3 months. May God grant us wisdom, strength and discernment from Him so we make good decisions according to His will only.
• We must give thanks to two special people (our wonderful partners) – Shirley and Patrick who had been instrumental in helping us with the kindergarten work for the last year. They are continuing to help us in the critical training of our young teachers. Without their assistance, our work cannot advance. Please pray with us that our Lord will bless them for their efforts and protect and guide their service for Him in all areas.

Prayer Requests

• Brings us good trainers for teaching teachers in Early Child Education.
• Bringing to us potential teachers who love children, learning, and willing to be trained to be excellent teachers.
• Pray for the stability of this country and provide decent living for the people of this country.
• Pray for the unity of our “newly” formed team, may we be spirit filled and totally obedient to God’s will.
• Protect the young people from lies of the ISIS influence and protect the children from all kinds of disease including the outburst of measles.
• Pray for our family who supports us endlessly that they are protected from evil and blessed by God in every way.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19Lord, we have so many partners (in finance, prayer, advice, in encouragement etc.), you know who they are. Thank you, Lord, for your love for us and for putting them in our lives. Please bless them accordingly as they have been such blessings for us. We just want to ask all these in the name of our precious Lord, Jesus!

Amen

 

Email: Jc.kg.mission@gmail.com     Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com

 

If God touches your heart to support our ministry please write check to CEM (China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.) with memo “for His Ministry in Kyrgyzstan”

 

China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6, San Ramon, CA 94583-1214, USA
Tel: (925)552-8088     Website: cemusaonline.org