Thanksgiving Memoir of 2007
“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise him holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Time flies. Soon it is the end of the year again. Looking back, we can hardly describe the loving grace and care God has given us in all aspects during the last year. Ever since we moved back from Philadelphia to New Orleans in the beginning of the year, we have experienced many ordeals and trials. At the time, it almost looked like that the obstacles were too much for us to overcome, but in retrospective, all those hard times were blessings! All was to test us, refine us, and make us experience Him more deeply, know Him better, and trust Him more! The Holy Spirit sent and guided several of our workers, not only in the daily service and work inside Home of Grace, but also, and especially, in the mission field. Although outwardly these workers looked very weak, God demonstrated His Glory and Power through these extremely humble vessels.
At the end of January, M and R set off as the first team. By faith they successfully entered Sudan in Africa, a “closed” country that has suffered long term civil war. What was more miraculous was the way God lead young sister Y. Y lived in China and was denied her visa application. After breaking through five obstacles, which seemed almost impossible at the time, she was permitted to enter Sudan’s capital city Khartoum to join the battle field with M and R (the whole testimony is recorded in CD). After ten days’ mission work, sister Y stayed for two more weeks. God provided a missionary from Hong Kong to stay with her, take her to many places to evangelize, share God’s Word, and be her English interpreter at all times.
After short term evangelical trips to France and Italy, M and R went back to mainland China and did longer terms of evangelistic and training works in a few important locations. Meanwhile, they also visited elder co-workers in various places. In May, the Holy Spirit gathered many workers, old and young, on a mountain. All testified and praised God’s work enthusiastically. Looking back and forward, all the workers counted God’s blessings with faithful hearts, prayed earnestly for the “Unreached land” and sought God’s will continuously. The Holy Spirit refreshed them greatly. At the end of June, M and R took a short term mission trip to four European counties and then they went to Poland to start the procedure of buying the mission house. (From July to Sept. one of the old couple among us went to London for service.)
The other two workers were sent to New Zealand, Australia, and Japan in early February. From April to the end of May, they went to a few European countries including Poland. Every time they returned, they took some time to rest and retreat in the presence of the Lord, in order to regain their strength before setting out again. On August 20th, they set out again. This time, they visited three African countries, Nigeria, South Africa, and Sudan (During that time Brother X also joined their work). Every place they went, they had the opportunity to spread the gospel widely and share God’s Word. Moreover, through God’s arrangement, they were also able to co-operate with local shepherds in workers’ training and share together the visions from God.
Thanks be to God, who led us through long term suffering, waiting, prayer, and searching. Now we can see how God opened for us the evangelical doors at all these places to make a path for God’s will. We were happy to see many young people devote themselves. They forsook everything and started the way of the Cross. They were thirsty for Truth, humble and teachable, and they studied God’s Word very diligently. For all this, we give praise to the almighty and only God with a thanksgiving heart! May God continue His work in them, make them true disciples of the Lord and obedient to our Lord’s commandments: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Math 28: 19-20)
We are also especially thankful that, over the last few years, God touched the hearts of a few brothers to volunteer in helping us make the whole series of Comparison Bible Studies and Single Book Bible Studies into CDmp3 format, which we would like to share with all our brothers and sisters. New revisions are included in the remade 2007 version. Meanwhile, two sisters often helped us translate messages and testimonies into English. May God remember the time and effort they devoted to the Lord and bless them abundantly for their love and work.
For many years we have had the burden to share the precious work (some English version) of the late servant of the Lord, Song Shang Jie, on the internet for all to read. As the Scripture says, “. . . Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. . . . they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”(Rev. 14:13). Welcome you to enter through the link below:
http://hograce.org (Chinese & English)
Wish you all a blessed and happy New Year! Be fruitful and glorify God!
Home of Grace for Christ’s Workers
In New Orleans, USA
12/13/2007