近況和感恩
九月裡我們加了一些新生，現在已有25個小孩。看見他們來到幼兒園學習感到非常喜樂。這時我們又要預備寒冷的冬天即將來臨。買煤，清理熱水鍋爐，預備天然氣供應，電力加成三相電才能支持冬天的暖氣。隨時都要準備好停電、停天然氣的準備。
這時市政府也要來檢查我們的設備、文件。像清潔、防火安全、孩子的文件、教學大綱、稅收等。不知為什麼這個國家需要這麼多的手續章程。在這落後的國家越是彼此沒有信任。
今年三月我們知道中福團要在泰國清邁舉行40週年慶典，時間是十月中旬。我們既然是中福團的宣教士，可以見到來自各地的宣教同工，當然預備參加。再安排之後可以回台灣身體檢查，再參加一個夫婦營。沒想到七月長樂得了小中風，我們特地要在八月趕回台灣醫病，這時我們還在考慮長樂中風後能不能飛泰國，因為我們已經累得精疲力竭。
雖然沒有力氣，但我們還是決定照著原來的計劃去泰國。見到從世界各地來的宣教士，給了我們很大的鼓舞。中福團40年的工作結了許多果子，有許多少數民族接受主，建立教會、神學院、孤兒院等。我們讚歎這些結的果子，但是朱老師提醒我們，他們頭十年也沒有看到多少果子，要長時間才可以看到。讓我們相信這三年在吉爾吉斯幼兒園的工作，雖然沒有看見果子，但也不會是白費的。
夫婦營對我們很有幫助，我看見自己一直都是獨居，雖然跟長樂已經結婚41年了，應該改變自己對人的心態，不要再自以為是，不要活在自己的框框裡。
離開吉爾吉斯沒有多久，我們就聽到同工意見不合，為了一點小事，彼此沒有信任。在電話裡無法解決，真是讓我們傷心。都是基督徒卻不能放下自己的驕傲，看別人比自己強。我們怎能表現出對穆斯林的愛呢？祈求神賜同心合一的心。2015是艱難的一年！感謝神，我們現在已經回到美國了，願我們抓緊神，相信祂必定是我們的力量，讓我們穩行在高處上。
「雖然無花果樹不發旺，葡萄樹不結果，橄欖樹也不效力，田地不出糧食，圈中絕了羊，棚內也沒有牛；然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的神喜樂。主耶和華是我的力量；他使我的腳快如母鹿的蹄，又使我穩行在高處。」（哈3：17–19）
代禱
- 願神帶來更多適合的孩子進入我們的幼兒園，讓我們能夠影響他們，也帶來願意學習的老師，我們可以給予適當的培訓。
- 幫助我們的團隊有合一的心，彼此相愛順服。
- 繼續有培訓的老師來教蒙式教育、領袖訓練、品格訓練。
- 核心同工：Elena, Sophia, Peter 與 Kasbek能夠和諧配搭。
- 其他同工、孩子及家長。
- 給我們順服的心。
- 長樂和我身體及靈命，堅固信心事奉祂，能一天新似一天。
＊如蒙感動為蔡柏林、何長樂宣教士夫婦在吉爾吉斯的事工奉獻，請用劃線支票，抬頭請寫「中華福音使命團」，或可直接存入香港的匯豐銀行014-014625-001之戶口，然後註明「吉爾吉斯事工」後擲回本團。歡迎每月以銀行自動轉賬，請與本團聯絡。
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Kytgzstan – John & Chrisita Tsai Prayer Letter 2015/12
Update & Give Thanks
As of September we are getting a few more enrollment of children. Now there are 25 of them. It was such joy to see them coming to the kindergarten and learning. This is also the time we need to prepare for the cold winter to arrive shortly. This means buying coal, getting heating boiler cleaned, making sure natural gas can be used, replacing the electric meter to three phase to handle the heating load. We can never be prepared enough when no electricity or gas can come any time.
This is also the time when the city officials want to come to inspect our facility and documents, such as sanitation, fire safety, children documents, curriculum, social tax, income tax, etc… We do not understand why there are so much bureaucracy required. In this backward country there are just no trust to people.
March this year we already knew that there will be a special 40 year anniversary of CEM celebration in ChiangMai, Thailand in Oct. As missionaries of CEM we would like to join this celebration and get to meet with many of the CEM missionaries in the field. We planned our trip to attend and then to Taiwan for medical checkup following with a marriage enrichment workshop before coming back to US. Christa got a minor stroke in July and we had to go to Taiwan in August. We were wondering after the stroke whether Christa is strong enough to make the trip to Thailand. At this time we were physically and mentally tired from the struggle of the whole year.
Despite being exhausted we still decided to stay with our original schedule. Traveling to ChiangMai was rather exhausting, but the one week meeting with all the CEM missionaries from various different countries lifted us up. CEM’s 40 years work with many missionaries produced much fruit. There are many converts of minority tribes, new churches were built, and there are orphanages built and even seminary with dormitory etc. We made a remark that it is so wonderful to see all these fruits. But Pastor Chu said that the first 10 years there it was not so visible. Only time will show. Last 3 years it was really hard working in Kyrgyzstan with the kindergarten with no apparent fruits, but we know our efforts are not wasted.
Marriage enrichment workshop was very helpful for us. I realized that I have always been living as a loner even though I have been married for 41 years with Christa. It is time to correct my attitude and not be so self-centered. I am living inside my box.
Not long after we left Kyrgyzstan we heard the news that our workers are struggling with each other over minor issues. The main problem is that there is no trust between them. Over the phone we cannot resolve the problem. This saddens us. As Christians we cannot put down our pride and see others as better than us. How can we then demonstrate our love for the Muslims? We pray to God for unity in our coworkers to serve together. It has been a difficult 2015. We are back in US now and give thanks to God. He is our strength, he enables us to tread on the heights.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Hab 3:17-19
Prayer Requests
- May God bring appropriate children to our kindergarten so we can make a difference in their lives. May He also bring interested candidates for training to be preschool teachers.
- Pray God lead our efforts in our team building and character building through daily practice.
- May God bring suitable trainers to us, on Montessori, leadership, character building.
- Do pray for our core team members working well together – Elena, Sophia, Peter and Kasbek.
- Pray for other staff, our children and their families.
- May God bless all that are obedient to Him.
- Pray for Christa and John’s spiritual and physical health. May we be strong in serving Him. May we be renewed day after day.
Email: [email protected] Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com
If God touches your heart to support our ministry please write check to CEM (China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.) with memo “for His Ministry in Kyrgyzstan”
China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6, San Ramon, CA 94583-1214, USA
Tel: (925)552-8088 Website: cemusaonline.org