親愛的弟兄姊妹平安，
「看啊，弟兄和睦同居，是何等地善，何等的美！」詩篇133:1
感謝神保守帶領一位長者來到我們教會，她來了德國已經超過半世紀，自從有了華人教會，便忠心耿耿的來參與聚會。今年教會為她慶祝90大壽，她的一子一女因不懂普通話，從來不參加教會活動。這次卻與母親一起慶祝，看到弟兄姊妹對他們母親的敬愛，深受感動！老姊妹也很開心，在私下和公開場合，過了五次生日慶祝。老姊妹的生日日期是以農曆年算的，因為在德國居住，也以德國的方式慶祝生日（德國人慶祝生日的傳統是以生日當天或以後的日子來慶祝的），同樣的日期，兒女就以新曆開始給她慶祝！她農曆生日的第二天剛好是洗禮主日，有弟兄邀請弟兄姊妹們慶祝他的員工受洗，也順便再給她唱生日歌！
感謝神在一位餐館老闆弟兄的生命中作工！他自從受洗之後，生命有很多改變，很願意傳福音給身邊的人。他對待餐館那七十多歲的員工，如同對待自己的父親一樣，在生活上提供很多幫助。原來那位員工很早就離婚，在德國一個人生活幾十年，有錢都拿去賭了，連自己剩下只有幾顆牙齒都不去處理。因為弟兄愛心的關懷，幫他把錢積攢起來，帶他去看牙醫，辦理退休手續；甚至為了他能上洗禮班，每週日提早安排餐館的工作，開車幾十公里載他去教會上課，講道結束才回去工作！弟兄花了很多心思和時間在這位老弟兄身上。但是，弟兄也發現服事一個人也很不容易。就在受洗前幾天，老弟兄因為與餐館另外一名外籍員工發生衝突，主要是他們語言無法溝通，當外籍員工針對他的時候，他就無法忍受，選擇自動消失。害得老闆夫婦為他擔憂，不知道他出了什麼事，這次受洗或許會耽誤了。不過，感謝神的帶領，過兩天他就回去了，老闆再次跟他詳談，他還是願意接受洗禮。感謝主讓他看見弟兄對他的愛心，他的信心沒有動搖！老闆因此特別開心，邀請弟兄姊妹到他餐館一起慶祝老弟兄的受洗！在他受洗那天，我第一次看到他有那麼燦爛的笑容！
最近接觸一位弟兄的父親，是早年來德國做餐館業的，轉眼已幾十年，因為身體健壯，七十幾歲還給餐館做幫工。因一次的見面，他居然願意把他的WhatsApp給我，主要是他覺得我可以幫他管教兒子。因此，有機會與他溝通，了解他對教會的看法、他的信仰等。雖然他正在研究佛經，但是他還是比較開明，也願意接觸其他宗教信仰。可惜他住得很遠，無法參加我們的聚會。只好先與他建立友好關係！
這幾個星期，因著老姊妹和自己，吃了不少蛋糕！感謝弟兄姊妹的愛心，讓我們在海外成為一家人，一起彼此慶祝生日！感謝主，讓我踏入人生的另一個年齡層！昨天教會為我慶祝生日，有幾位弟兄很驚訝我的年齡。感謝神的保守，雖然裡面的肉體衰敗，外表與心靈還是保持年輕！但願主繼續加力，使用這個身體為祂奔跑！
感恩與代禱事項：
- 感謝主！為老姊妹慶祝生日，藉此向她的兒女作美好見證！求主成全姊妹的心願，讓兒女能夠切實的認識真神！
- 感謝主保守餐館老弟兄的信心，在洗禮前雖遭遇不如意事，但仍然不放棄洗禮！求主感動他繼續渴慕認識 神，帶領他年老的日子！感謝主感動餐館老闆弟兄，繼續關心身邊年老的弟兄姊妹，將會帶領他們參加教會的生活營！
- 感恩有機會接觸來德幾十年的餐館業人士！求主藉著新科技的方便，可以與他認識，有機會向他傳福音！
- 求主保守我的身體，雖然有疼痛，仍有力量到各處服事！
- 求主帶領這週的兒童主日學老師培訓，讓更多的弟兄姊妹有感動投入「兒主」的服事！昨天母親節，有三十多位小朋友上台獻唱！
- 求主感動弟兄姊妹踴躍參加6月20-23日教會的生活營！求主帶領籌備的同工！
雖然剛過了母親節，在此為各位母親感謝主，因為有你們的付出，家庭蒙福！
主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零一九年五月十三日
下載PDF格式（中文）
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Dear brothers and sisters,
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
Thank God for bringing an elder sister to come to our church! She came to Germany over half a century ago. Since the establishment of the Chinese Church in Frankfurt, she has been faithfully worshipping in our church. Our church just celebrated her 90th birthday a few weeks ago. Her son and daughter don’t know Mandarin and therefore they never joined any church activity. But they came to celebrate their mother’s birthday and were touched by the love shown by our brothers and sisters. Our elderly sister was very happy. She went through 5 celebrations privately and openly. Her birthdate was according to the lunar calendar. Since she has lived in Germany, her children celebrate according to the German way (German celebrates on the same date or after). So, they celebrated her birthdate according to the western calendar. It happened that her lunar birthdate fell on the day before our baptismal service. So, when our brother invited brothers and sisters to his restaurant to celebrate the brother who was baptized, we celebrated her birthday once again!
Thank God for His work in the life of the brother who owns a restaurant! After his baptism, he has changed a lot and is willing to share the gospel to those surrounding him. He has treated his 70+ years old worker like his father and helps him a lot. The worker was divorced long time ago and has been living by himself for several decades. He has spent most of his money on gambling and would not even spend any money on his teeth. He has left with only a few teeth. Because of the care of this brother, he helps him save the money and bring him to see dentist and applying for his retirement. In order for the old worker to attend the baptismal class, the brother would arrange his work early so that he could drive him to church to attend the class and return to work after sermon is finished. The brother has spent much care and time on him. But he also found out that it was not easy to serve a person. Just days before the baptism, the old worker had a conflict with another foreign worker. They both do not understand each other’s language. So, when the foreign worker picked on him, he decided to disappear! The restaurant couple was worried and wondered what would happen to him. We thought that he might missed the baptism this time. But, thank to God’s leading, he appeared two days later. After talking to his boss, he was still willing to be baptised. Thank God that he has seen the love of the brother and his faith has not been shaken! The brother was very happy and invited brothers and sisters to his restaurant to celebrate the old brother’s baptism. It was the first time I ever saw his big smile on that day!
Recently I was able to meet a brother’s father. He also came to Germany for many years as restaurant worker. Because of his good health, he would still help out in some restaurants at 70+. After the first meeting, he was willing to let his son to add me to his WhatsApp. He probably thought that I might be able to teach his son. Because of the social medium, I was able to talk to him and listen to his thought on church and his belief. Though he is studying Buddhism, he is also open to listen to other religions. It is unfortunate that he lives far from me and cannot attend our meeting. I try to build up a friendship with him first.
Because of the birthday celebrations of the 90-year-old sister and myself, I ate a lot of birthday cakes for the past weeks! Thanks to the love of brothers and sisters, we become a family and celebrate each other’s birthday together. Thank God for keeping me and allow me to step up to another level of age! Yesterday, our church celebrated my birthday. Some brothers were very surprised after hearing my age. Thank God for His keeping so that even though my inner body is decaying, my outer appearance and inner spirit is still young! My wish is that God will continue to give me strength so that He will use this body to run for Him!
Thanksgiving and prayer items:
- Thank God for celebrating the elder sister’s birthday so that we had an opportunity to witness to her children! Pray that God will fulfil her wish that her children really know the true God!
- Thank God for keeping the older brother’s faith! Even though he encountered a conflict, he did not forsake the opportunity to be baptised! Pray that our Lord will continue to touch him to desire to know Him and lead his life ahead! Thank our Lord for touching the brother to continue to care the older brother and sister whom he will bring to participate our church camp!
- Thank God for the opportunity to know the restaurant worker who has been in Germany for many years! Pray that through new technology, we get to know each other and have opportunity to share the gospel to him!
- Pray that our Lord will keep my body, even though pain persists, He will give me strength to serve Him!
- Pray that God will lead the training of the children Sunday school teachers this weekend so that they will commit to serve in this ministry! Yesterday Mother’s day, there were over 30 children who went up on the stage for the singing!
- Pray that God will touch more brothers and sisters to participate our church camp which will be held 20-23 June! Pray that God will lead the co-workers preparing for the camp!
Though Mother Day has just passed, I’d still like to thank God for all the mothers. Because of your efforts, families are blessed!
Serving Him,
Karen Tang
