親愛的弟兄姊妹平安：
「所以我們不喪膽，外體雖然毀壞，內心卻一天新似一天。」林後四16
『歡迎加入「耆英族」』。這是最近讀經班裡的老姊妹經常對我說的話，原因是我現在的毛病比她們還多。因為疫情的緣故，一位被逼停業的弟兄有空帶領一位老弟兄去看醫生。我說我也有需要，請他也帶我去看醫生。首先是耳朵發炎，去看了耳科醫生，檢查出來聽力下降了，要去配助聽器。然後又約去看牙醫，發現一大堆的問題，要慢慢治療。接著也去看了骨科醫生，開始了電療的療程。與此同時，眼鏡架子無緣無故就斷了，又要去配眼鏡。因此我的醫生約會比她們還多，毛病也比她們早出現。雖然在短短兩個月內發生那麼多問題，但是我還是很感恩，因為弟兄的幫忙，我才會早點去做治療。
在耳科醫生的報告出來之後，下一步就是去找配助聽器的店鋪，心裡還是希望在那裡檢查我的聽力是沒問題的。結果還是與耳科醫生那裡檢查的一樣，需要配戴助聽器。因為要配戴助聽器，就發現身邊有些人也配了助聽器，但是他們都不願意戴，因為覺得不舒服。從我親身的經歷，更加體會他們的感受。但是，他們戴得不舒服，或許也與試戴助聽器有關。我現在才知道我們其實可以配戴到我們滿意為止，不知道他們是否嫌麻煩，就不去試了。拿回家戴得不舒服，就不戴了。我感恩遇到一位很好的服務員，她讓我試戴，現在已經是第四款了，接下去還有一款讓我試戴，直到我找到一對最適合我的為止。當然，它們的價格就相差很遠。
關於牙齒的治療方面，由於疫情緣故，原有的牙醫只處理緊急治療。於是經那位弟兄介紹，找到另一位牙醫，馬上給我治療牙周病和補牙，還要做更長久的治療計劃，報價已經寄給保險公司，現在等候批准才開始處理。
因為疫情的緣故，聚會都在網上，我大部份時間都坐著，因此又多了新的疼痛點。那位弟兄又幫我約去看骨科，他的方法就是電療。每次電療只有十分鐘，不管它的效果有沒有幫助，起碼逼著我每次走路去診所，就多了一點運動的機會。不然，除了偶爾有一位姊妹叫我去散步之外，我就沒什麼運動了，。
我在德國從來沒有去配過眼鏡，因為我聽聞它的價格不菲，所以都等回北美或去亞洲時才配眼鏡。可是現在斷了架子就無法等了，剛好一位姊妹介紹一間比較便宜的店，可惜因為我配的是漸進式的鏡片，最後的價格還是比較昂貴，而且第一次配好的時候，發現還是看得不太清楚，又要再配新的鏡片。
這兩個月來跑來跑去，身上五官三樣都有問題，而且到如今還沒有一樣是可以正式得到輔助，這是神讓我學習忍耐的功課，也讓我讚嘆神的創造是最完美的，而且不花錢。那位弟兄笑我，以後我臉上的配置都是一臉寶。
感恩與代禱事項：
- 感恩在疫情期間有弟兄帶我去看醫生，盡早解決身體上各樣的問題！感恩神的供應是如此及時！由於疫情的不穩定性，與差會商量後決定今年不回去工作匯報，正好留在德國做治療。
- 求主憐憫，藉著外置的輔助（助聽器、眼鏡、牙橋等），使我的身體繼續有能力為主服事！
- 感謝主！一位姊妹去年接受救恩，參加我們網上的查經班。前幾個月她決定回國，但主動提出要接受洗禮。可惜她住的城市附近的教會都沒有洗禮班，於是由我給她上洗禮課程，上週離開前受洗。求主帶領她回去能找到屬靈的家，信心堅固！
- 一位年長的姊妹在讀經班裡被另一姊妹傷害，現在不願意來讀經，但是她仍然願意自己讀經。求主憐憫，使她們能早日復和，好讓姊妹能回到大家庭裡！感恩另一位新成員加入，她前些日子因騎自行車摔倒，鎖骨骨折了，求主憐憫，讓她早日康復！
感謝你們的代禱與支持！願主賜下甘霖，使你們有個涼快的夏天！
主的使女
鄧秀珍
二零二一年七月
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Dear brothers and sisters,
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16
“Welcome to the Senior Club!”. This is often greeted to me by the older sisters in the Bible reading group recently, mainly because I have more problems than they do. Due to the pandemic, a brother had to close his business. So, he had time to bring an older brother to see doctors. When I heard that, I told him that I also had that same need. He therefore took me to see some doctors. First of all, due to my ear infection, we went to see an ENT doctor. She found out that my hearing has dropped and needed a pair of hearing aids. Then we went to see a dentist to find out some serious problems. Later we went to see an orthopedist and started a course of treatments by electrotherapy. During this period, my glasses frame broke for no reason and needed a new pair of glasses. Therefore, I have more appointments than the older sisters have, and my problems appeared earlier. Although these things happened in just past two months, I am still grateful because with the help of the brother, I manage to do the treatments earlier.
After the report from the ENT came out, the next step was to find a shop to get a pair of hearing aids. At first, I was still hoping that I had no problem with my hearing. But the test at the shop gave the same result, meaning hearing aids are needed. Because of the need to wear hearing aids, I discovered some people who also had hearing aids. But they do want to wear them because of the discomfort. Now that I have my own experience, I can identify with them. However, I found out that their discomfort was probably due to their initial testing of wearing the hearing aids. Now I learn that we can try wearing different pairs until we find ones that are most comfortable and satisfiable. I am not sure whether they did not want to take the trouble to try them out. So, they just accept one pair and if not comfortable, they stopped wearing them. I am grateful that I met a nice service lady who let me try different models. I am wearing the 4th pair and will try to wear another pair next time until I find one pair that will be suitable for me. Of course, their price varies a lot.
Regarding the treatment of my teeth, due to the pandemic, my previous dentist only treats urgent matters. Because of that brother who introduced me to a new dentist who started to treat my periodontitis and dental fillings immediately. There will be more long-term treatments and the cost has been sent to my insurance company. We are waiting for their permission to start further treatments.
Because of the pandemic, our meetings were online and I was sitting most of the time, so I had a new pain area. The brother helped me once again to see an orthopedist. His method is by electrotherapy. Each electrotherapy session only lasted 10 minutes, but whether it helped or not, it at least forced me to walk to the clinic each time to get a little more exercise. Otherwise, I don’t get much exercise, except for the occasional walk that a sister asks me to do.
I’ve never had eyeglasses made while living in Germany because I heard that they were expensive. So I always waited until I returned to North America or went to Asia to get new eyeglasses. But now that the frame is broken, I can’t wait any longer. A sister introduced me to a cheaper store, but unfortunately, because I have progressive glasses, the price is still higher. When the glasses were ready to be picked up, I found out that they were not clear. So, they were sent back to make new lens again.
There are problems with some of the facial features on my face. Even though I’ve been running around for the past two months, none of them can be officially assisted till this day. This is a lesson God teaches me to endure, and it also makes me admire God’s creation which is most perfect and does not cost any money. That brother laughed at me, saying that after all the configurations on my face, my face will be a treasure.
Thanksgiving and prayer items:
- I am thankful that the brother took me to the doctors during the pandemic to solve all kinds of physical problems! I am thankful that God’s provision is so timely! Due to the unstable nature of the epidemic, after discussing with CEM, we decided that I will not go back for furlough this year, so I could stay in Germany for treatment.
- Pray for the Lord’s mercy that through external aids (hearing aids, glasses, dental bridges, etc.), my body would have the strength to continue to serve the Lord!
- Thanks to the Lord! A sister received salvation last year and joined our online Bible study. A few months ago, she decided to return home, and asked to be baptized. Unfortunately, the churches near where she lived did not have baptism. So I gave her a baptism class and she was baptized last week before she left. Pray that the Lord would lead her back home and find a spiritual home and that her faith would stay strong!
- An older sister was hurt by another sister in the Bible reading class and now she does not want to participate in the Bible reading class, but she is still willing to read the Bible on her own. Pray for the Lord’s mercy and that they will be reconciled soon so that the sister can return to God’s family! I’m thankful for another new member. She broke her collarbone a few weeks ago when she fell from her bike. Pray for God’s mercy and for her speedy recovery!
Thank you for your prayers and supports! May the Lord bring you rain to cool off your summer!
Serving Him,
Karen Tang
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