Dear mission partners,
親愛的宣教夥伴們
Mission in Europe and UK is not easy. On the surface, we seem to enjoy the so-called religious freedom in countries that are by and large “Christian” historically. But Christian workers do encounter difficulties in many areas when we want to be bold and openly share the gospel. Oppositions can come from unlikely sources such as government regulations in their effort to ensure fairness towards all religions. Obstacles may be encountered because of immigration control, which sets up unnecessary hurdles for travelling from one country to another for the sake of the gospel ministry. As COCM expands its mission work, we need to be mindful of the unforeseen oppositions from all sides. At the same time, Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 16:9 rings true to me that even though there are many oppositions, a great door for effective work has opened to COCM.
如今在歐洲宣教並非易事。從表面上看，這些歐洲的國家因着過去的“基督教”傳統而保有所謂的宗教自由。可是在這裡的宣教士同工們也確確實實在公開傳福音方面遭遇難處。有時，這些難處來自於政府所制定的一些政策，為的是維繫宗教平等；有時，從一國到另一國的旅行佈道也因為政府緊縮移民政策而阻礙重重。COCM一邊正在不斷擴大佈道的範圍，另一邊我們也需要警醒來自於靈界的爭戰。但是，保羅在哥林多前書十六章9節中的話仍然千真萬確，雖然反對的人也多，但是有寬大又有功效的門已經為我們打開了。
This February was an unforgettable month as I lost two people who were so dear to me and had wholeheartedly supported my family to embark on our missionary journey. On the 8th of February, I heard over the phone that my father went to be with the Lord peacefully in his sleep. Even though I did not get a chance to say goodbye to him before his passing, I am grateful to the Lord for giving me a wonderful earthly father who loved me and was my best mission partner through encouragement and support. On the 25th of February, an email informed me that our beloved Ms Ellen Giebel finished her work on earth and went to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Paradise. Having been a missionary to China and Taiwan for more than 40 years, Ellen knew how important it was to pray for God’s people. I still remember her parting words to us when Ling and I left Amherst Massachusetts to join COCM as missionaries: “I have followed the Lord for a long time and sure there had been difficulties. But when I look back, it is all joy! There will be tough times for you down the road, but trust in His provision. I will pray for you!”
今年二月我失去了兩位至親的人，他們都在我們全家踏上宣教旅程的時候全心全意地支持我們。二月八日，我在電話中得知我父親在睡夢中平靜地歸回天家。儘管我沒能有機會在他離世之前跟他道別，但我還是感恩神在地上賜給我一位愛我的父親，他從始至終都在我宣教的道路上鼓勵和支持我。二月二十五日，我通過電郵獲悉Ellen Giebel歇了她在地上的工回到天家與主同在了。Ellen在中國和台灣宣教四十年，她知道如何要用禱告來托住神的兒女。我仍然記得當我和鍾凌即將離開美國安城踏上英國宣教之旅的時候，Ellen對我們說的話：“我大半輩子跟隨主，知道其中各樣的艱辛困難。但是當我如今回頭看的時候，真可以說，一切都是喜樂。你們一定會在這條路上遇到難處，但是一定要相信神的供應。我會為你們禱告。”
The older generation of mission partners is passing. As I give thanks for their life and legacy, I earnestly pray that God will raise up a new generation of mission partners to take their places and pray for the work of the gospel ministry in UK and Europe. Please pray for me and the COCM team to stand firm and fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
老一輩的宣教夥伴們漸漸逝去，當我感恩他們的生命和所留下的寶貴遺產之際，也盼望神在這個新的世代中要興起一批新的宣教夥伴們，來繼續支持和為歐洲和英國的福音事工禱告。請為我和所有COCM的同工們禱告，求神幫助我們可以站立地穩，繼續放膽開口來講明這福音的奧秘。
Attached please find my March thank you letter. If you would like to support our ministries or one of our missionary staff financially, please click the following link for online donation or other relevant information.
附件中是我三月的感謝信。如果您有感動支持我們的事工或是我們其中的一位宣教士，請點擊以下”奉獻支持“鏈接直接在網上刷卡奉獻或是獲取相關奉獻的詳細資料。
Donate to COCM by cards 奉獻支持（網上刷卡）
Donate to COCM by bank transfer or cheques 奉獻支持（其他方式）
Serving together in Christ
Rev Henry Lu
General Director
在主裡與你們同工的
呂子峰牧師
總幹事
EC-Mar-2015.pdf