Retire? REFIRE!: A Retired Pastor's Journey in Cross-Cultural Missions | 退休？迎風再起！——退而不休的牧師的跨文化宣教之旅

Dear Mission Partners,
Peace!    

Thank God! Since LHGM (Living Hope Global Ministries) initiated cross-cultural missions in Honduras, Central and South America in 2018, the Holy Spirit has started His great work. In just four years, more than 50 Chinese churches in the United States and Canada have sent many short-term mission teams , which have transformed the lives of many young people. Pastors who have been there testified that when the missionary fire of a church is ignited, the whole church is revived. I have witnessed many people who have been there, their lives renewed, their spirits revived. People came to see that they were inadequate in love, and weak in faith, and they recognized that in order to testify the truth of the Bible, one should live it out through one’s own life. The few days engaging in mission work was like experiencing a baptism of life; it was a transformational  outlook on life, values, and the world. People no longer had the desire to waste food, or envy fame and wealth; nor did they want to continue disregarding their spiritual gifts or wasting their time.  For local pastors, our visit brought them comfort and encouragement, so that they no longer felt sorry for themselves as Christian minority. Their dedication is revived, and their ministry becomes more energetic, more positive, and more fruitful. What is delightfully surprising  is that all the people who went there are eager to pass on the missionary vision of Honduras. They are all willing to go again to support the cross-cultural ministry in Honduras, and I am one of them.

It is entirely new terrain for me, from a newly retired pastor of more than 30 years to stepping into a cross-cultural missionary field. I knew that there would be language barriers, cultural dissimilarities, and lifestyle differences, and wondered if I would be able to contribute. Thank God, because of God’s calling once again, I joyfully accepted His sending. I know I am not capable, but I believe in the Lord Who calls me, with Him all things are possible. I cherish everything that God has given me, therefore, I call this "another spring of ministry" that God gave to me.

From January 16 to 21 this year, I joined the "Central and South America’s Shepherd Vision Journey" composed of 19 pastors from Canada, the United States, and Argentina. On the first day, we boarded a second-hand school bus purchased from the United States and bumpily clambered through mountains and ridges. It took seven hours, and finally we arrived at the Indian tribe deep in the mountains. As soon as we got off the bus, we saw adults and children waiting there. They were curious and happy to see unfamiliar faces. On the first night, most of the people who came to the church were women and children. The gathering was led by the newly established youth praise group, and God’s presence was felt throughout the worship. The next day we visited the scattered homes of the tribe and found that most of the houses were small and gloomy, with nothing but a simple kitchen and beds inside. Some houses had no electricity or even water. The sanitary conditions were extremely poor. It was hard to imagine how they lived. It was difficult to see a hopeful future from the poverty stricken, unclean, and helpless faces of the indigenous Indian tribe. I asked God, “Who will help them?”

On January 19, our entire team went to the prison to preach, which was the very first experience for me. Thank God, the gathering in the prison that day was led by a worship group composed of believers in the prison. Their singing was forceful and touching. The members on our team took turns to share their testimonies. Under the stirring of the Holy Spirit,  more than forty prisoners came to the stage to pray to receive Jesus. It was a very touching moment and an unforgettable gathering. On the way back in the afternoon, I saw a group of teenagers waiting for us. When they received the soccer uniforms we ordered earlier and handed them over to them, they immediately changed into their new soccer jerseys and started playing happily. Seeing that many young people were displaced, which created serious social issues, Living Hope Global Ministries established the Soccer Ministry, hoping to attract wandering young people to the church through soccer.  Soccer is the soul of Central and South America, where everyone loves soccer. Some people say that one more soccer jersey in a church means one less prison uniform in the jail. Eight teams have been organized so far, and more teams are expected to be established. May God use this new ministry to drive the church youth ministry and lead them to the Lord.

Thank God, after returning from Honduras, God arranged a 16-day short trip to Peru for me and my wife. Although this time it was to help the Chinese church ministry in the capital city of Lima, I realized the local cross-cultural needs through this short ministry. Chinese started to immigrate to Peru more than 170 years ago. There are about 2-3 million Chinese descendants, most of whom cannot speak Chinese. In recent years, many immigrants from Fujian have started restaurants or grocery businesses. They struggled to make a living and faced many challenges. During those two weeks of short ministry, I led quite a few gatherings and participated in various activities. I was greatly encouraged by seeing the brothers and sisters’ desire for the truth as well as their zeal to serve. When we heard about their immigration pathways and their spiritual journey of believing in the Lord, my wife and I were deeply moved, and our spirits were renewed. There are nearly 3 million people in Peru who identify themselves as Chinese, but there are only two Chinese churches. This is a huge gospel field. There I can strongly feel the “ Peruvian Call", where the Lord Jesus called "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." (Matthew 9:37) Brothers and sisters, have you heard that? Can you say to the Lord, "Here am I, send me!"

I am one of the minority indigenous from Taiwan,  and I can see "indigenous people" everywhere in Peru, per their appearance, skin color, clothing, and personality, they look just like the indigenous in Taiwan. People are kind, optimistic, conservative, friendly, and hospitable. There, the locals didn't regard me as a foreigner. They naturally wanted to communicate with me and were surprised that I couldn't speak their language. They were puzzled, but I was embarrassed. Because of their support and enthusiasm, my wife and I are determined to learn their native language. For the sake of love, and for the sake of the gospel, we have to learn to walk an extra mile regardless how hard it will be. Please pray for our learning.

Thank God for allowing me to see what God wants me to see in Central and South America through short missions. When I stepped out of the church and entered into cross-cultural missions, I became more and more sure that our entire life is God's act, arrangement, and good will. Everyone can reach a point to retire from the church or the workplace, but the heart of serving God should never retire, just like God’s love for us, which never ever retires. God gives us the opportunity to serve, which affirms our value before God. This type of service is like "another spring of service" given by God. Or say "retire but not rest". In fact, the "retire but not rest" is not limited to pastors. Every child of God can continue to serve God after retirement. Service is also not limited to cross-cultural missions. In order for retired people in the church to have a share in the ministry, I call it "retire? REFIRE!”  In fact, after retirement, there are many mission fields and churches that need your help. We are definitely not trying to take over the pastoral responsibility of a church, but becoming an igniter of mission fire or a willing supporter of a church in need.  Does your church have anyone who has retired or is preparing for retirement? If they have a burden for missions, please ask them to contact me, and I will try my best to match their gifts, competences, physical strength, mental strength, and experiences when making the mission trip arrangements, or I will personally accompany them.

Please pray：

1. My wife and I will go to Taiwan on 4/17 and return to the United States on 7/11. During the three months in Taiwan, we will go to many churches, deliver the missionary visions in the  areas of Malaysia, Cambodia and Japan. We are currently arranging our itinerary, please pray for our adaptation, physical and spiritual strength, and safety.

2. Pray for the mission trip from July to the end of this year. Other than the  STM trip to Kenya during Thanksgiving in November, the trips to Peru, Ecuador, and Honduras are still in the planning stages. When we are not overseas engaging in short-term missions, please pray that we may continue to pass on the vision of missions in Chinese churches in North America, and that we continue to recruit people for the "Retire? REFIRE!” vision. We will arrange for retired pastors and brothers and sisters who have such a burden to go on missions. Pray that wherever we go, our deeds will become a blessing to the local people, and that those who go together will also be blessed abundantly by God.

3. Pray for the ten teams that have signed up for the short term mission trips in Honduras from June to August this year. A total of over 200 people will participate. Please pray for each team's safety, good coordination among members, their physical as well as mental health. Pray that the participants’ spiritual lives may be renewed and the local people blessed.

4. Pray for the coworkers of Living Hope Global Ministries to serve well with one another, to grow spiritually, and for those whose family members are in another country to be reunited. Pray also for the ongoing various ministries, and the financial needs. Let our deeds bear witness to the glory of God and carry the Great Commission to win all the nations to the Lord until He comes again.

Thank you again for your intercession. Because of you, we will not be alone on our missionary journey. Your prayers strengthen our hearts for mission work. If you want to know more about our ministry or need our prayers, please contact us. If you would like to support us financially, please use  the online giving method or send it directly to Living Hope by check. Thank you.

Your co-laborers in the gospel mission,

Pastor Paul Shen and Wife

親愛的宣教夥伴，平安！

感謝神！自從2018年LHGM（新希望全球事工）開始了中南美洲洪都拉斯的跨文化宣教以來，聖靈大大動工，在短短的四年內，已經有美國、加拿大50多間華人教會派出許多的短宣隊，改變了許多年輕人的生命。去過的牧者見證說，當教會的宣教之火燃起，整個教會就更新了。我親眼看見許多去過的人，他們的生命大翻轉，靈命更新。有人看到了自己的愛心不夠，自己的信心軟弱，發現聖經真理當以生命來做見證。在宣教那些天里就像經歷了人生的洗禮，人生觀、價值觀、世界觀改變了。不再浪費食物，不再羨慕榮華富貴，不再浪費恩賜，不再浪費時間。對當地牧者來說，也帶給他們欣慰和鼓舞，讓他們不再以少數基督徒為自憐。他們奉獻的心重新被挑旺，事奉變得更積極、更有盼望、更有果效。很驚喜的是，去的人都願意傳遞洪都拉斯的宣教異象，也都樂意再去並支持洪都拉斯的跨文化事工，我就是其中之一。

從牧會了三十幾年的牧師到跨文化宣教的宣教士，對剛退休的我來說是嶄新的事奉領域。明知我到那裡有語言上的限制，文化差異大，生活方式不一樣，我還能作什麼？感謝神，因著神再次的呼召，我就歡然地接受祂的差遣。我明知自己不能，但我相信呼召的主，在祂凡事都能。我很珍惜神給的一切，我稱這是神給我的『事奉第二春』。

今年的一月16-21日，我參加了由19位來自加拿大、美國、阿根廷牧長所組成的《中南美洲牧者異象之旅》。第一天我們坐上從美國買進的二手校車，沿途翻山越嶺，路況顛簸不平，七小時後終於到達深山的印第安部落。一下車就看見大人小孩已在那裡等著，他們見到陌生的面孔又好奇又歡喜。第一天晚上到教會，來的大部分是婦女和小孩，聚會在剛成立的青少年贊美團帶領下，整個敬拜感受到神的同在。第二天我們走訪散居部落的家庭，發現大部分的住家面積小，屋內陰森森的，裡面除了簡陋的廚房和床，什麼都沒了。有的家沒有電，甚至沒有水，衛生條件極差，簡直難以想像他們是怎麼過日子。看到印第安部落的窮困、髒亂、潦倒、和無奈的面孔，很難看出他們的未來。我問神，誰來幫助他們？

一月19日，我們團隊一起到監獄佈道，對我來說是第一次。感謝神，當天在監獄的聚會是由在監獄里的信徒所組的敬拜團帶領詩歌，他們的歌聲嘹亮，震撼人心。接著牧者們輪流見證，在聖靈的感動下，竟然有四十多位犯人來到台前決志，那是非常感人的時刻，也是難忘的聚會。下午在回程的路上，就看到一群青少年等著我們，當他們拿到我們從國內訂購的足球制服整套交給他們時，他們馬上換上球衣高興地踢球。《新希望全球事工》因著看到許多年輕人流離失所，造成嚴重的社會問題，就開創了新的《足球事工》，希望透過足球來吸引無所事事的青少年到教會。足球是中南美洲的國魂，人人愛足球。有人說，教會多一套球衣，監獄就少一件囚衣。現在已經成立了八支球隊，預計將有更多的球隊產生，求神借著這新事工帶動教會的青少年事工，引領他們歸主。

感謝神，從洪都拉斯回來後，祂為我跟師母安排了16天的秘魯短宣，這一次雖然是幫助首都利馬華人的教會事工，但從匆忙的服事里看到了當地跨文化的需要。華人移民到秘魯已有超過170的歷史。約有200-300萬的華人後裔，大部分不會講華語。近幾年來有不少從福建移民開餐館或雜貨店，他們為了生活打拼，也面臨諸多的挑戰。在那兩個星期的匆忙行程，帶領不少的聚會，參與不同的活動，也看到弟兄姐妹對真道的渴慕和熱心服事，自己大受激勵。尤其聽到他們移民的心路歷程和信主的經歷，我跟師母深受感動，靈里從新得力。秘魯全國有近300萬自稱是華人，但只有兩間華人教會，這是一片極大的福音禾場。在那裡我能強烈地感受到從『秘魯的呼聲』，主耶穌在那裡呼叫『要收的莊稼多，做工的人少。』（太9:37）弟兄姐妹，您聽到了嗎？你能否向主說：『我在這裡，請差遣我！』

我我是從台灣來的少數原住民，但到了秘魯到處都可見到「原住民」，不論他們的長相、膚色、穿著、性格幾乎像極了台灣的原住民，人們親切、樂觀、保守、友善、好客。在那裡，當地人沒有把我當作外國來的人，他們很自然地要跟我交流，他們很稀奇我竟然不能講他們的語言，他們很納悶我卻很尷尬。因著他們的認同和熱情，我跟師母決心學當地的語言，為了愛他們，更為了福音的緣故，就是再難，也要學習多走一里路。請您為我們的學習禱告。

感謝神，借著短宣讓我在中南美洲看到神要我看見的。當我走出教會到跨文化宣教時，我越來越肯定我們的一生都是神的作為、安排、美意。每一個人都有從教會退任或從職場退休的時候，但我們服事神的心不應該有退休，正如神對我們的愛從不退休。神讓我們有機會服事，表示肯定了我們在神面前的價值。這樣的服事就像是神賜給的『服事第二春』。或著說『退而不休』。其實，『退而不休』的服事不是牧者的專利，每一個神的兒女都可在退休後繼續事奉神，也不一定只有跨文化宣教才算事奉。為了讓教會里退休的人在事奉上有份，我就稱它為『退休？迎風再起！』（Retire? REFIRE!）其實，退休後有很多的宣教工場和教會需要人幫忙，我們絕不是代替教會牧會，而是成為宣教之火的點燃者或弱小教會的義務幫扶者。您教會有退休的人或準備退休的嗎？若他們有負擔，請他們跟我聯絡，我會盡可能地配合他們的恩賜、能力、體力、心力、經歷來安排他們前往，或我親自陪他們前往。

需要您的代禱

再次謝謝您的代禱，因為有您，我們在宣教的路上不會孤單，也因有您的代禱，我們宣教的心更堅定。若您想更多瞭解我們的事工，或需要我們代禱的，請跟我們聯絡。若您願在我們的財政上支持，請善用電子奉獻或直接寄到 Living Hope謝謝。

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