letter from the director-2010-12

4
December 2010 Dear mission partners, I spent much of November on the road, meeting with our mission friends and supporters in Hong Kong, explor- ing new partnership possibilities in Taiwan, and seeing first hand God’s amazing work in China through His servants over the years. A highlight of my trip was visiting my birthplace in Xian, China. It has been 30 years since I left and the city has changed so much that it was almost unrecognizable to me. But I was able to find the old building where I played with friends as a kindergartener. I also visited the elementary school where I once studied. The children with red scarf reminded me of myself many years ago. How time has passed! When I looked into their faces, I could not stop but wondering what kind of life are they leading to... Another memorable highlight of this trip was visiting China’s earthquake ravaged cities in north Sichuan prov- ince. The economic strength and the strong central coordination of China enabled the country to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the earthquake area with lightening speed. The new town of Beichuan is now ready for occupation merely 2 years after the earthquake. But physical improvement only solves part of the problems. The real long-term need for human being is the matter of the heart. When the trucks and bulldozers leave, the questions for the people are how to live, where to work, who takes care of the family, what the future of their children will be, and where this life will take them? These are the eternal yearnings from the heart. No physical improvement can satisfy that need. The only answer lies in the love of God. Back in the Europe mission field, COCM workers are deeply involved in these matters of the heart. Our Gospel team finished the last event in Nottingham on November 5 th . Praise the Lord for the work of the Holy Spirit among the students and the fruitful partnership with the brothers and sisters from Nottingham Chinese Fellow- ship. Touched by the message of our event – the pursuit of true love, a sister came up to the stage at the end of our gospel meeting. She asked for the forgiveness of another sister in the fellowship and sought reconcilia- tion. The two of them hugged with tears, which had a great impact on many seekers. The life of love and grace is lived out because we have a Saviour, who first loved us. We are now pushing into December with busy preparation for our back-to-back evangelistic events – Christmas Mandarin Camp (for family) from December 24 th to 27 th , and the Year End Mandarin Camp (for students) from December 28 th to January 1 st , 2011. Most of our staff in the Milton Keynes Mission Centre will be involved along with more than 40 short-term mission team members from North America. This year, we also have some Chris- tians from local area universities to help as small group leaders. Many of them are new believers and need nur- turing along the way. But I am excited about this crop of young people. They have a heart for God’s Kingdom ministry and are willing to commit their time for these camps. I pray that as they serve they will learn to be- come a community of God’s servants, committed to serve with time and energy, and most of all I pray that they will become Christ-centred. God has used these camps every year in the past to touch many hearts so they can feel the love of Christ and accept Him as their saviour. We look forward to seeing God’s amazing work again this year. Please pray for all the coordination efforts, the stamina for all involved, and spiritual vigilance. Last but not least, congratulations to Simon Tam and Lydia Chan, who got married in Hong Kong on November 14 th . They are our first pair of missionaries who met and tied the knot whilst both were serving with COCM. As a mission, we are so happy and we pray for God’s continuous guidance and blessing for their future family and ministry with COCM in the Europe mission field. Serving together in Christ, Rev. Henry Lu General Director

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I spent much of November on the road, meeting with our mission friends and supporters in Hong Kong, exploring new partnership possibilities in Taiwan, and seeing first hand God’s amazing work in China through His servants over the years....

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Page 1: Letter from the Director-2010-12

December 2010 Dear mission partners, I spent much of November on the road, meeting with our mission friends and supporters in Hong Kong, explor-ing new partnership possibilities in Taiwan, and seeing first hand God’s amazing work in China through His servants over the years. A highlight of my trip was visiting my birthplace in Xian, China. It has been 30 years since I left and the city has changed so much that it was almost unrecognizable to me. But I was able to find the old building where I played with friends as a kindergartener. I also visited the elementary school where I once studied. The children with red scarf reminded me of myself many years ago. How time has passed! When I looked into their faces, I could not stop but wondering what kind of life are they leading to... Another memorable highlight of this trip was visiting China’s earthquake ravaged cities in north Sichuan prov-ince. The economic strength and the strong central coordination of China enabled the country to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the earthquake area with lightening speed. The new town of Beichuan is now ready for occupation merely 2 years after the earthquake. But physical improvement only solves part of the problems. The real long-term need for human being is the matter of the heart. When the trucks and bulldozers leave, the questions for the people are how to live, where to work, who takes care of the family, what the future of their children will be, and where this life will take them? These are the eternal yearnings from the heart. No physical improvement can satisfy that need. The only answer lies in the love of God. Back in the Europe mission field, COCM workers are deeply involved in these matters of the heart. Our Gospel team finished the last event in Nottingham on November 5th. Praise the Lord for the work of the Holy Spirit among the students and the fruitful partnership with the brothers and sisters from Nottingham Chinese Fellow-ship. Touched by the message of our event – the pursuit of true love, a sister came up to the stage at the end of our gospel meeting. She asked for the forgiveness of another sister in the fellowship and sought reconcilia-tion. The two of them hugged with tears, which had a great impact on many seekers. The life of love and grace is lived out because we have a Saviour, who first loved us. We are now pushing into December with busy preparation for our back-to-back evangelistic events – Christmas Mandarin Camp (for family) from December 24th to 27th, and the Year End Mandarin Camp (for students) from December 28th to January 1st , 2011. Most of our staff in the Milton Keynes Mission Centre will be involved along with more than 40 short-term mission team members from North America. This year, we also have some Chris-tians from local area universities to help as small group leaders. Many of them are new believers and need nur-turing along the way. But I am excited about this crop of young people. They have a heart for God’s Kingdom ministry and are willing to commit their time for these camps. I pray that as they serve they will learn to be-come a community of God’s servants, committed to serve with time and energy, and most of all I pray that they will become Christ-centred. God has used these camps every year in the past to touch many hearts so they can feel the love of Christ and accept Him as their saviour. We look forward to seeing God’s amazing work again this year. Please pray for all the coordination efforts, the stamina for all involved, and spiritual vigilance. Last but not least, congratulations to Simon Tam and Lydia Chan, who got married in Hong Kong on November 14th. They are our first pair of missionaries who met and tied the knot whilst both were serving with COCM. As a mission, we are so happy and we pray for God’s continuous guidance and blessing for their future family and ministry with COCM in the Europe mission field. Serving together in Christ, Rev. Henry Lu General Director

Page 2: Letter from the Director-2010-12

二零一零年十二月 親愛的宣教夥伴們, 十一月的大部分時間我都在各處探訪,在香港跟 COCM 的宣教支持者們會面,在台灣同我們新的宣教夥伴探索未來合作的可能,同時也在中國見證神藉著祂忠心的僕人所成就的奇妙工作。 此次旅行中最令我難忘的就是重訪我的出生地──中國西安。我離開西安已經 30 年, 這個城市在這 30 年中經歷了巨大的轉變,雖然我對很多地方都感到陌生,但是我還是找到了以前與兒時夥伴一起玩耍的那幢房子,也去看了我以前讀書的小學。那些戴著紅領巾的孩子們讓我回想起多年前的自己,時

間真是轉眼即逝!當我望著他們的時候,不禁想,這些孩子們將來會過怎樣的一種生活呢? 另一段令我難忘的旅行就是去中國四川北部探訪了地震破壞最嚴重的幾個地方。中國強大的經濟實力和中央調控使得這些地區的基礎設施以閃電般的速度重建起來。在地震後僅僅兩年的時間,擇址重建

的新北川就已經施工完畢等待新的居民入住。但是硬件設施的完善只能解決一部分的問題,真正長期要

解決的仍然是人心的問題。當大卡車和推土機離開之後,人們真正要面對的問題是要如何繼續生活?要

到哪裡去工作?誰能來照顧他們的家人?他們的孩子未來將會如何?他們的生活將要去向何方?這些都

是從內心發出的永恆的渴望,沒有任何一種物質上的提升和完善能滿足這樣的需要。惟有神的愛是這一

切問題的答案。 回到歐洲的宣教工場,COCM 的同工們正在四處奔走為要解決這人心的問題。11 月 5 日,COCM佈道隊在諾丁漢完成了今年的最後一場外地佈道會。感謝主讓我們看到聖靈在這些年輕的學生心中所作

的工作,感謝主讓我們跟諾丁漢普通話團契的弟兄姊妹有美好的搭配。在當天佈道會的最後,一位姊妹

有感於我們的佈道信息──真愛哪裡尋,主動來到台前請求另外一位姊妹的原諒,這兩位姊妹最終在台上擁抱和解,不論是台上還是台下,都為此動容,更有不少慕道朋友被這樣的一幕所感動而願意更多瞭

解我們的信仰。我們能夠活出這充滿愛和恩典的生命只因為我們有一位救主,是祂先愛了我們,並教會

我們如何去愛。 今年已經進入了尾聲,同時我們也正在積極準備年底接踵而至的兩個營會 ── 從 12月 24日到 27日的聖誕合家歡家庭營以及從 12 月 28 日到明年 1 月 1 日的辭舊迎新學生營。我們在米頓堅 COCM 總部的大部分同工與從美國來的 40 多位短宣隊員將一起參與這兩個營會的服事。今年,我們仍然邀請了很多從英國各個大學而來的年輕基督徒學生們來帶領營會中的小組,他們中的很多人都是第一次參加年

底的營會,因此在這樣的過程中,也需要很多的帶領和學習。但是,看到這樣一批年輕的弟兄姊妹,讓

我十分振奮,他們都有拓展神國的心志並願意委身於這樣的福音營會。我禱告,當這些年輕人在服事的

同時,他們也學習如何與別人同工,學習委身擺上時間和精力,最重要的是,學習以耶穌基督為主! 在過去的很多年中,神都大大使用這些營會來觸摸人心,讓很多人看到基督的愛,並接受祂成為他們生命的主。我們盼望神今年仍將行這奇妙的工作,也請為我們正在進行的一切籌備工作禱告,讓所有

參與預備工作的同工都有充沛的精力和靈里的更新。 最後,我們也要恭喜 COCM 同工譚慶光和陳素英宣教士於 11 月 14 日在香港喜結連理。他們是我們差會第一對在服事期間相識並走入婚姻殿堂的宣教士夫婦。我們差會的全體同工都與他們一同歡喜,

並禱告神繼續指引和祝福他們未來的生活和在歐洲工場上的同心侍奉。 在主裡與你們同工的, 呂子峰牧師 總幹事

Page 3: Letter from the Director-2010-12

二零一零年十二月 亲爱的宣教伙伴们, 十一月的大部分时间我都在各处探访,在香港跟COCM的宣教支持者们会面,在台湾同我们新的宣教伙伴探索未来合作的可能,同时也在中国见证神借着祂忠心的仆人所成就的奇妙工作。 此次旅行中最令我难忘的是重访了我的出生地──中国西安。我离开西安已经30年,这个城市在这30年中经历了巨大的转变,虽然我对很多地方都感到陌生,但是我还是找到了以前与儿时伙伴一起玩耍的那幢房子,也去看了我以前读书的小学。那些戴着红领巾的孩子们让我回想起多年前的自己,时间

真是转眼即逝!当我望着他们的时候,不禁想,这些孩子们将来会过怎样的一种生活呢? 另一段令我难忘的旅行就是去中国四川北部探访了地震破坏最严重的几个地方。中国强大的经济实力和中央调控使得这些地区的基础设施以闪电般的速度重建起来。地震后仅仅两年的时间里,择址重

建的新北川就已经施工完毕等待新的居民入住。但是硬件设施的完善只能解决一部分问题,真正长期要

解决的仍然是人心的问题。当大卡车和推土机离开之后,人们真正要面对的问题是要如何继续生活?要

到哪里去工作?谁能来照顾他们的家人?他们的孩子未来将会如何?他们的生活将要去向何方?这些都

是从内心发出的永恒的渴望,没有任何一种物质上的提升和完善能满足这样的需要。惟有神的爱是这一

切问题的答案。 回到欧洲的宣教工场,COCM的同工们正在四处奔走为要解决这人心的问题。 11月5日,COCM布道队在诺丁汉完成了今年的最后一场外地布道会。感谢主让我们看到圣灵在这些年轻的学生心中所作的

工作,感谢主让我们跟诺丁汉普通话团契的弟兄姊妹有美好的搭配。在当天布道会的最后,一位姊妹有

感于我们的布道信息──真爱哪里寻,主动来到台前请求另外一位姊妹的原谅,这两位姊妹最终在台上拥抱和解,不论是台上还是台下,都为此动容,更有不少慕道朋友被这样的一幕所感动而愿意更多了解

我们的信仰。我们能够活出这充满爱和恩典的生命只因为我们有一位救主,是祂先爱了我们,并教会我

们如何去爱。 今年已经进入尾声,同时我们也正在积极准备年底接踵而至的两个营会── 从12月24日到27日的圣诞合家欢家庭营以及从12月28日到明年1月1日的辞旧迎新学生营。我们在米顿坚COCM总部的大部分同工与从美国来的40多位短宣队员将一起参与这两个营会的服事。今年,我们仍然邀请了很多从英国各个大学而来的年轻基督徒学生们来带领营会中的小组,他们中的很多人都是第一次参加年底的营会,

因此在这样的过程中,也需要很多的带领和学习。但是,看到这样一批年轻的弟兄姊妹,让我十分振奋

,他们都有拓展神国的心志并愿意委身于这样的福音营会。我祷告,当这些年轻人在服事的同时,他们

也学习如何与别人同工,学习委身摆上时间和精力,最重要的是,学习以耶稣基督为主! 在过去的很多年中,神都大大使用这些营会来触摸人心,让很多人看到基督的爱,并接受祂成为生命的主。我们盼望神今年仍将行这奇妙的工作,也请为我们正在进行的一切筹备工作祷告,让所有参

与预备工作的同工都有充沛的精力和灵里的更新。 最后,我们也要恭喜COCM同工谭庆光和陈素英宣教士于11月14日在香港喜结连理。他们是我们差会第一对在服事期间相识并走入婚姻殿堂的宣教士夫妇。我们差会的全体同工都与他们一同欢喜,并祷

告神继续指引和祝福他们未来的生活和在欧洲工场上的同心侍奉。 在主里与你们同工的, 吕子峰牧师 总干事

Page 4: Letter from the Director-2010-12

Big MacDonald in Xian, China 在中國西安的一家麥當勞

Henry's childhood kindergarten 呂子峰牧師兒時的幼兒園

Henry's childhood elementary school 呂子峰牧師以前曾就讀的小學

New Beichuan city 北川新城

Earthquake ravaged old Beichuan city 遭受地震破壞的北川舊城

Gospel meeting in the University of Nottingham

在諾丁漢大學舉辦的“真愛哪裡尋”佈道會

With brothers and sisters in Nottingham 與諾丁漢的弟兄姊妹們

Missionary couple – Simon Tam & Lydia Chan 譚慶光、陳素英宣教士夫婦