His Mercy - development in the mission field around
Mar, 98
"...,always
giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20 )
An experienced missionary said, "After you've gone back for a home visit
and then returning to the missionary field, that's when "accidents" can
easily happen. Thanks to God, through his guidance and your prayers, support
and encouragement, we have safely passed this period of temptation.
~ 1. God's grace in Hong Kong ~
When we were staying in Hong Kong, we had opportunities to share at a few
churches and in some meetings. We also got to see brothers and sisters
we had not seen for a year. While there, the most touching thing was seeing
that a brother's father-in-law who had cancer, still visited Iris' father
and tried to cheer him up. His caring attitude was a big encouragement
to us. Iris' father's surgery went very well. Before we left, he seemed
very energetic. He wore a smile and told them that he should be out of
the hospital before Chinese New Year. Through this surgery, Iris' father
experienced God's care and mercy. His faith has been strengthened as a
result.
~ 2. A strange theft ~
Before we returned to "Hah-Hah Land", our colleague in "Hah-Hah Land" sent
us an electronic mail making us aware that our apartment was broken into.
We arranged for a friend to live in our apartment after we had left. Unfortunately,
our neighbors immediately below us started complaining about water leaking
after our friend's shower. A little later, our electricity supply in the
apartment was cut off. Our friend had to move out of the apartment. The
thieves then came into our apartment at this time. They even had our house
keys and claimed to our neighbors that Filbert invited him to come move
our stuff. Well, it seemed that the thief knew us. We decided not to pursue
in finding out who did it. Fortunately, we didn't lose too much.
Through this incident, we remembered a verse which our teacher taught
us in our training session: "Consider him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your
struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding
your blood." (Heb. 12:3-4)
Later, we discovered a thick climbing robe in our balcony, pegged from
the roof. We were concerned that the thieves would either kick open our
front door or climb down from the roof again, we then spent considerable
effort in cutting this climbing robe. Please pray that we'll get a more
suitable place to move to.
~ 3. The warmth we received when we returned ~
When we stepped out of the airport, colleagues were waiting for us. When
we reached home, other colleagues had supper ready for us. They also purchased
a new phone for us so that we could call our families in Hong Kong immediately
upon arrival to report of our safe landing. Thanks to God for very nice
coworkers.
~ 4. Humming with news, activities ~
During the month and a half stay in Hong Kong, the news did get us feeling
a bit dizzy, such as the bird's flu, closing out of financial companies,
etc. Amazing enough, even at the mission field, many things happened, too.
One colleague announced his engagement. Another was dating, now. (In the
mission field, OM organization require an application?!! for dating to
avoid misunderstanding.) Also, the local language's children bible was
interpreted and arrived at last. Other colleagues were invited to a Muslim
school to organize some functions/programs. As for us, we also got a verbal
agreement from the mayor of a village to do social work there, in an abandoned
kindergarten.
The most unfortunate incident was one East Indian colleague was beaten
up on his way home. He had to stay in the hospital for a week to recover.
Now that he recovered physically, mentally he was still hurting. He's now
afraid of going out alone. Please pray for his full recovery to overcome
this fear.