Walking in the Lord’s Grace | 主恩与共

"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever." (Psalm29:10)

In today's turbulent times, with rampant evil, wars, plagues, and natural disasters leaving a trail of devastation, some declare that the ending age is near, while others claim that God is dead. Yet, the children of God know that He who was, is, and who is to come is still sovereign, trying to save all nations from distress.

This year, we organized 12 short-term mission teams to evangelize in eight different countries. In early April, six of our coworkers attended the Pan-American Mission Conference in Argentina, held once every five years. At this conference, we learned that Chinese churches in South American countries like Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia are in particular need of support. Thus, after the conference, we planned a short-term mission trip to these three countries in October.

From February to August this year, we sent seven short-term mission teams to Honduras. As in previous years, the teams visited local churches and poor families, distributed food bags to them, held children's evangelistic events in churches, and shared the Gospel in a maximum-security prison in northern Honduras, housing 1,800 gang members. The local pastor made passionate appeals, and our brothers and sisters shared moving testimonies. During each visit, 50% to 80% of the inmates made decisions to repent and believe in Christ. By the end of the mission, many of the youth from our teams were moved to get baptized.

In July, we organized our first joint adult and youth mission team to the indigenous mountain regions of eastern Taiwan. The youth team conducted an English summer camp to share the Gospel with children, while the adult team visited families, senior community centers, and prisons, sharing personal testimonies. The two-week mission had a significant impact on the local people and children, who eagerly look forward to a return visit next year.

In late August, a small group of us traveled to Ukraine to visit the orphans and families of fallen soldiers we support and to meet with soldiers who had lost limbs in the war. We brought winter clothing and hats and shipped a large quantity of rechargeable lamps, flashlights due to power shortages and thermal underwear. At the cemetery of fallen soldiers, we met many grieving family members, listened to their sorrowful stories, and embraced them with tears. We prayed for them, asking the Lord to comfort their hearts and hoping they would accept the Gospel of eternal life, so that one day they might meet their loved ones again in heaven.

Our annual mission trip to Kenya was composed of 18 short-term missionaries from the United States, Canada, Chile, and China. At the Mbooni Children’s Home, we were moved to see the children singing, dancing, and reciting Bible verses. Growing up in such a spiritual environment, these children will undoubtedly be used by God in the future. We witnessed two 21-year-old young men who had grown up in the orphanage return to serve as big brothers to the children, setting an example for others to follow the path of service.

In Nairobi, Kenya's capital, there are seventy to eighty thousand Chinese residents but only two Chinese churches. We have maintained a cooperative relationship with one of these churches for five years. This time, we had the opportunity to hold three spiritual revival meetings there, where many brothers and sisters were encouraged and spiritually nourished.

Our October mission trip to Paraguay, Chile, and Bolivia in South America highlighted the difficulties faced by Chinese churches in reaching out to local Chinese communities. With approximately two million Chinese people in South America, the Christian population is only 0.5%. We realized the long road ahead for evangelistic work among Chinese communities in South America. One local brother who hosted us shared a particularly inspiring testimony. Both he and his wife run their own businesses, yet their actions reflect their motto: "Preaching the Gospel is our main job; everything else is a side job."

In just one year, we have witnessed God's mighty works. He extends mercy and grace, keeping steadfast love for thousands. May more brothers and sisters join in this service, so together, we may witness God's glory!

洪水泛滥之时，耶和华坐着为王；耶和华坐着为王，直到永远。(诗29:10)

当今局势动荡，恶行横扫，战争瘟疫，天灾人祸，满目苍夷。有人说末世就要来临，有人宣称上帝已经死了。可是属神的儿女知道神昔在今在永在，祂仍然掌权，仍要拯救万民于水火之中。

今年我们组织了12批短宣队前往八个不同的国家宣教。四月初，我们六位同工到阿根廷参加了五年一次的泛美宣教大会，在这次大会上，我们了解到南美洲的巴拉圭、智利及玻利维亚的华人教会特别需要帮助。于是大会结束后，我们就着手组织了十月份到这三个国家的短宣。

今年二月到八月，我们组织了七批短宣队到洪都拉斯宣教。像往年一样，短宣队员探访那里的教会及贫困的家庭，并向民众派发食物袋，在教会里举办儿童福音布道，并分八批前往洪都拉斯北部的一个重犯监狱分享福音，在那里关押了1,800名帮派成员。当地牧师激情地呼召，弟兄姐妹也分享了感人的生命见证。我们看到在每一次的探访分享中，均有50%到80%的犯人决志悔改。在短宣结束时，有不少短宣队的青少年感动受洗。

今年七月，我们第一次组织了成人加青少年的短宣队，前往台湾东部的原住民山区。青少年队通过举办英语夏令营，向孩子们传福音。成人队与当地教会一起探访家庭、老年人社区活动中心，并向监狱犯人传福音，分享个人见证。为期两周的短宣使当地的民众和孩子们都受益不少，并热烈的期盼短宣队明年再次回访。

八月下旬，我们几位同工组成小分队，前往乌克兰探访我们所资助的阵亡军人的孤儿及其家庭，并看望在战争中失去手脚的军人。我们带去了防寒衣帽，并分批邮寄了大量因缺电所需要的可持续充电的台灯，手电筒，及防寒棉毛衣裤等等。我们在阵亡军人的墓地与许多他们的家属见面，聆听他们悲伤的故事，我们流着眼泪与他们紧紧拥抱。我们也为他们祷告，求主安慰他们的心，希望他们能接受永生的福音，有一天他们在天堂能够见到他们所亲爱的人。

一年一次的非洲肯尼亚宣教之旅是由来自美国、加拿大、智利及中国的18位短宣队员组成。我们在Mbooni儿童之家见到孩子们又唱又跳，背诵一节又一节的圣经经文， 感到非常欣慰。孩子们在这样属灵的环境里成长，日后定会被神所用。我们看到有两位21岁在孤儿院长大的男孩又回到孤儿院，成为照顾孩子们的大哥哥，这样的榜样会让更多的孩子走向事奉的道路。

肯尼亚的首都内罗毕有七、八万华人，但仅有两间华人教会，我们与其中的一间教会已经有五年的合作关系。这一次我们有机会在这间教会举办了三场培灵会，许多弟兄姊妹都得到激励和属灵的供应。

十月份的南美巴拉圭、智利、玻利维亚三国访宣，让我们了解到南美华人教会向当地华人传福音的艰难。南美洲约有两百万华人，但基督徒比例只占0.5%，我们知道在南美的华人福音事工任重道远。有一位当地接待我们的弟兄，他的见证给了我们极大的鼓励。这位弟兄和他的妻子，均各有自己的企业，他们的行动见证了他们的名言：“传福音是正业，其他都是副业”。

短短一年的时间，我们见证了神的作为和大能。他施怜悯和恩惠，为千万的人存留慈爱。愿更多的弟兄姐妹们能够参与到服事中来，让我们共同见证神的荣耀！