This summer, I traveled to Kenya, Africa, for my first mission trip. At first, I was hesitant to come. Selfishly, I was slightly disappointed that I would be missing my VBS, church camp, and sports commitments that I attend every year. I was also unsure of what the conditions would be like and came in knowing only one family on the team. Nevertheless, I was excited to join this mission trip because it was something I had always wanted to do. I have always had a strong passion for serving, especially when it involves working with children. When I was younger, I looked up to my counselors and youth leaders because of how much they loved and cared for me. Now that I am older and have become a youth leader myself, I strive to carry that same dedication and impact to those around me.

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in Kenya, but I came with the mindset that I was going to help the children. By God’s grace, that idea was completely backwards. Throughout those eight days, I experienced God’s love in a way I never had before. I realized that this trip was never about me or what I was able to do for these children. It wasn’t about coming home with some amazing story to tell people or proving that I had made a difference. Instead, my perspective shifted. I began to see how God was using these children to change my heart and soften it. I witnessed a deep and steadfast faith in God that was present in so many of the children. Their devotion, discipline, and joy inspired me and grounded me in where true joy comes from. So many of the things I had once valued suddenly seemed insignificant.

When I spoke with many of the older teens, I saw their responsibility toward the younger children, their curiosity, and their commitment to their studies and goals. Working alongside some of them, I found myself enjoying things that I normally wouldn’t, like scrubbing floors. Seeing the children run up to me and become excited just by my presence made me feel incredibly valued. I began to understand that experiencing God’s love does not always require something extraordinary. It can be found in the simplest moments. Playing hand games, doing silly dances, or messing up phrases in Swahili (one of the major languages spoken in Kenya) just to make the children laugh were moments that seemed so small at the time, yet they became the moments I missed the most when I returned home.

Throughout the trip, I felt God transforming not only my heart but the hearts of those around me as well. I saw how God meets people exactly where they are and places them in situations that draw them closer to Him. It was incredibly meaningful to watch God slowly open the hearts of the people I traveled with and see their perspectives and intentions shift throughout the trip. By the end, I could see how Jesus had awakened something in them that had not been there before.

This trip allowed me to experience the power of prayer, God’s grace, and His purpose, even when circumstances were difficult. His presence was evident in so many moments and in ways I never could have expected. The trip was far from perfect, but every unexpected event, twist, and turn reminded me that God’s timing is greater than my own. Looking back, I can see how He provided for us every step of the way.

I think that’s what I carry from Kenya. Not that everything was perfect, or that I came back with everything figured out, but just a greater awareness of God’s presence in my life. I thought I was going to teach them about God’s love, but instead, they showed me what it looks like to live in it. This trip changed the way I see the world, the things I value, and I can confidently say that my relationship with God is much stronger. And I am so thankful that I can be a witness of God’s goodness. 

I also discovered that this is something that I enjoy doing a lot, and I really hope that God will instill more opportunities for me to do more missionary work in the future.

今年夏天，我前往非洲肯尼亚，展开了我人生中第一次宣教旅程。一开始，我其实有些犹豫要不要去。说实话，我心里有点自私地感到失落，因为我将因此错过每年都会参加的暑期圣经学校（VBS）、教会营会和体育活动。我也不确定那里的生活条件会是什么样子，而且出发前，团队里我只认识一个家庭。尽管如此，我仍然对参加这趟宣教旅程感到兴奋，因为这一直是我很想做的一件事。我一直以来都对服事有很强烈的热情，尤其是和孩子们一起工作的时候。小时候，我很仰慕我的辅导员和青年团契的领袖们，因为他们对我付出了那么多的爱与关怀。如今我长大了，自己也成了一名青年团契的领袖，我努力想要把同样的委身和影响力，带给我身边的人。

抵达肯尼亚的时候，我并不知道会遇见什么，但我带着"我是来帮助这些孩子"的心态而来。感谢神的恩典，这个想法完全被颠倒了。在那八天里，我以前所未有的方式经历了神的爱。我意识到，这趟旅程从来都不是关于我，也不是关于我能为这些孩子做些什么。它也不是为了带着一个精彩的故事回去和别人分享，或是证明自己带来了什么改变。相反，我的眼光转变了。我开始看到，神正是藉着这些孩子来改变我的心、软化我的心。我在许多孩子身上，见证了一种深沉而坚定不移的对神的信心。他们的委身、自律和喜乐激励了我，也让我更加清楚，真正的喜乐究竟从何而来。我曾经看重的许多事情，突然间显得微不足道。

当我和许多年龄较大的青少年交谈时，我看到他们对年幼孩子所承担的责任感、他们的好奇心，以及他们对学业和目标的委身。和他们当中一些人一起工作的时候，我发现自己竟然喜欢上了一些平常不会喜欢的事，比如刷地板。看到孩子们跑向我，仅仅因为我的出现就兴奋不已，让我感到自己被极大地珍视。我开始明白，经历神的爱，并不总是需要什么惊天动地的事情，它其实可以在最简单的时刻中被找到——玩拍手游戏、跳些傻乎乎的舞蹈，或是故意把斯瓦希里语（注：肯尼亚的一种主要语言）说错，只为逗孩子们发笑，这些在当时看来微不足道的时刻，却成了我回家后最想念的时刻。

整趟旅程中，我感受到神不仅在改变我的心，也在改变我身边同行之人的心。我看到神如何照人们的本相与他们相遇，并安置他们在能与祂有更加亲近的环境中。看着神一点一点地打开我同行伙伴们的心，并看见他们的眼光和心意在这一路上逐渐转变，真的特别有意义。到了旅程结束的时候，我能够清楚看见，耶稣在他们心里唤醒了一些从未有过的东西。

这趟旅程让我经历了祷告的能力、神的恩典，以及祂的旨意，即使在处境艰难的时候也是如此。祂的同在在许多时刻都清晰可见，也以我从未预料到的方式彰显出来。这趟旅程远远算不上完美，但每一个意料之外的事件、每一次转折，都提醒我，神的时间安排远远超过我自己的安排。回顾这一切，我能看见祂是如何在每一步都供应我们的。

我想，这就是我从肯尼亚带回来的东西。不是因为一切都很完美，也不是因为我带着把一切都想明白了的答案回来，而是对神在我生命中的同在，有了更深的感知。我原以为自己是要去教导他们神的爱，结果却是他们向我展示了活在这份爱里是什么样子。这趟旅程改变了我看世界的眼光，改变了我所看重的东西；我可以很有把握地说，我与神的关系变得更加坚固了。我也非常感恩，自己能够成为神美善的见证人。

我也发现，这是一件我非常享受去做的事，我真心盼望，神未来能赐给我更多的机会，让我能够参与更多的宣教事工。

This year has been a challenging one for the world. The Russia–Ukraine war continues, tensions in the Middle East remain high, oil and living costs have risen, and the rapid advancement of AI has filled the future with uncertainty. Yet, for God’s children, crises often create new opportunities, and challenges are frequently accompanied by God’s grace and blessings. Over the past year, God has continued to lead us in ministry around the world. Nearly 200 brothers and sisters signed up to join nine short-term mission teams.

In Honduras, six churches are now participating in our sponsorship program for vulnerable and impoverished children. Through this ministry, many families have been introduced to the Gospel, joined local churches, and have been baptized into Christ.

In Ukraine, through our support program for children who have lost parents in the war, we have partnered with a local church to care for orphans and widows. Through camps, counseling, and outreach activities, we are bringing love and hope to lives affected by conflict, while also preparing the way for future post-war rebuilding efforts and mission work.

In Kenya, an orphan who was once a recipient of care returned to the orphanage as its director after completing his theological training; others who were also once cared for there have joined the ministry team, all continuing to serve the next generation — a beautiful testimony to lives renewed and the gospel passed on.

Across Asia, dozens of churches in 18 regions have reached out to hundreds of families facing hardship. In addition to providing child sponsorships and educational assistance, they have brought the hope of the Gospel—helping children return to school and enabling families trapped in despair to see hope once again.

Although many faithful supporters in North America are unable to witness these stories firsthand, God is using your generous giving and the dedicated service of ministry partners around the world to open the hearts of countless orphans, widows, and families. Through these efforts, more people are coming to know Jesus Christ and are receiving the hope of eternal life.

May we continue to walk together and be vessels of God’s blessing to the world in this generation.

今年，对世界而言是充满挑战的一年：俄乌战争持续延烧，中东局势紧张，油价与物价上涨，AI的兴起也让未来充满未知。然而，对神的儿女来说，危机往往孕育新机，挑战常伴随神的恩典与祝福。过去一年， 神带领我们在世界各地继续服事，近200位弟兄姐妹报名参加九支短宣队。

在洪都拉斯，已有六间教会参与孤贫儿童助养事工，许多家庭因此接触福音，加入教会并受洗归主。


在乌克兰，我们通过阵亡军人遗孤救助项目，与当地教会持续关怀孤儿寡妇，开展营会、辅导与关怀活动，将爱与盼望带进战火中的生命，并为未来战后重建与短宣服事预备道路。


在肯尼亚，曾受助的孤儿完成神学装备后，回到孤儿院担任院长；还有的当了同工，继续服事下一代，见证生命被福音更新与传承的美好。

在亚洲，18个区域的几十间教会走进上百个困境家庭，不仅送上助养金与助学金，更带去福音的盼望，让失学的孩子重返校园，让陷入绝望的家庭重新看见希望。


虽然北美许多奉献的弟兄姐妹无法亲眼见证这一切，但神正藉着大家无私的摆上，以及各地忠心同工的服事，打开无数孤儿寡妇和家庭的心门，让更多人认识耶稣基督，得着永恒的盼望。

愿我们继续携手同行，成为这个时代祝福世界的器皿！

Over a decade ago, I started a ministry in one of the prisons in southern Honduras with the purpose of sharing the gospel of the kingdom, bringing hope and freedom to the inmates. We soon understood that they also had other basic needs, since many of them had no one visiting them. Therefore, we made an effort to provide personal hygiene kits and some food for each inmate. It was then that, during a visit to my country, Honduras, by Pastor Fang of Living Hope, I had the joy of him accompanying me to the prison where he could see and share with the inmates. From that moment, the initiative arose of how Living Hope could join the local church effort to bring hope and restoration to inmates. Living Hope has since sent 30+ teams of brothers and sisters joining us, visiting 7 different prisons to bring hope and restoration to the inmates in Honduras.

Given our partnership with Living Hope, we promoted visits to other prisons with the focus of continuing to bring hope and freedom in Christ to inmates. Thanks be to the Lord Jesus Christ, who once again touched Living Hope, encouraging us to develop a discipleship program that would produce a greater impact of restoration and transformation.  Since 2023, we have started inmates’ weekly discipleship classes in three different prisons; many inmates have made a decision to follow Jesus, and new spiritual leaders keep emerging within the prison Christian fellowships. We are very grateful that former inmates now living with their families, with new lives in Christ, are serving as leaders in their local churches.

We bring hope, the Word, food, and the love of Christ. Our comprehensive ministry includes evangelization and preaching, discipleship, Bible studies, baptisms, pastoral counseling, Bible distribution, a feeding program, hygiene kits, and a barbershop. Our desire is to continue expanding the ministry to other prisons, supporting other pastors who develop and implement discipleship that drives transformation in the lives of more inmates.

I want to express my gratitude to Living Hope and the different groups that have visited and accompanied us in this great ministry, which has generated a positive impact in the lives of inmates. All of this has been possible by the grace and favor of our God, to whom we give all the glory and honor.

十多年前，我在洪都拉斯南部一所监狱开始了一项事工，目的是传扬天国的福音，为狱友带来盼望与自由。但我们很快意识到他们还有其他基本需要，因为他们当中许多人无人探望。因此，我们努力为每位狱友提供个人卫生用品包和一些食物。就在“新希望”宣教机构的方牧师访问我的祖国洪都拉斯期间，我有幸邀请他一同前往监狱，让他能够亲眼看见并与狱友们交流。从那一刻起，便萌生了本地教会与“新希望”合作，为监狱中的狱友带来盼望与复兴的构想。 此后，"新希望"差派超过30多批弟兄姊妹队伍，与我们同工，探访了7所不同的监狱，为洪都拉斯的狱友带来盼望与复兴。

由于与“新希望"的合作，我们推动了其他监狱的探访，继续为狱友带来基督里的盼望与自由。感谢主耶稣基督再次感动了”新希望”，激励我们开展门徒培训，以产生更大的复兴与生命的改变。自2023年起，我们已在三所不同的监狱每周开设了狱友门训课程；许许多多的狱友已决志跟随耶稣；而且在监狱中的基督徒团契不断涌现新的属灵领袖。 我们也十分感恩，如今有前狱友与家人团聚，在基督里过着崭新的生活，并在本地教会中担任领袖。

我们全面的事工包括：布道与讲道、门徒训练、查经、施洗、牧者辅导、圣经发送、供餐计划，以及卫生用品包与理发服务。我们的心愿是继续将这项事工扩展到其他监狱，支持更多牧者发展并推行门徒培训，为更多狱友的生命带来改变。

我要向"新希望"以及曾探访并陪伴我们参与这项伟大事工的各个团队表达感谢，他们为洪都拉斯监狱中狱友的生命带来了积极的影响。这一切都因着我们神的恩典与厚爱才得以成就，一切荣耀与尊贵都归于祂。

Dear Uncles and Aunties, Greetings! This is Renee, a student who has received your help.

This Spring Festival was a particularly warm memory on my journey of growth. It made me more grateful and strengthened my resolve to move forward.

This Spring Festival, it was still just me, my grandparents, and me at home. Although my parents weren't here with me, we made the most of our time. Before the festival, I helped my grandma clean the house, put up Spring Festival couplets, and tidied the yard spotlessly. I even drew a family portrait and pasted it on the wall. The picture showed my grandma smiling as she cooked, my grandpa helping to add firewood to the stove, and me diligently sweeping the floor. My grandparents said the painting was even prettier than the New Year pictures we bought, which warmed my heart.

On New Year's Eve, the village's leaders came to visit us, bringing rice, flour, and oil. They also helped us put up "Fu" characters and hang lanterns. My teacher also sent me a message encouraging me: "Renee, keep up the good work in the new year! We all believe in you!" At that moment, I felt I wasn't alone; so many people cared about me. That evening, the three of us sat around a small table for our New Year's Eve dinner. Grandma made my favorite pork ribs, and Grandpa gave me a small red envelope, saying, "This is the lucky money for my granddaughter. May you be happy and healthy in the new year." Clutching the red envelope, I almost burst into tears—it wasn't just money, but also the love and expectations of my grandparents.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I volunteered to help Grandma wash the dishes and sweep the floor. I even taught Grandpa how to use his cell phone to send New Year's greetings to distant relatives. Watching Grandpa clumsily swipe the screen, I suddenly realized that I had grown up and should become a pillar of this family. In the afternoon, I took out my sketchbook and drew the red lanterns in the yard, Grandpa and Grandma's smiling faces, and also my dream—to study painting well, to record more heartwarming moments with my brush, and to warm others like you who helped me.

This Spring Festival, there were no lively gatherings, but there was the most sincere companionship; there were no lavish gifts, but the most precious warmth. In the new year, I must study hard. I also wish you all good health and success in your work in the new year!

亲爱得叔叔阿姨你们好！我是Renee，是接受你们帮助的学生。

今年的春节，是我在成长路上格外温暖的一段记忆，它让我更懂感恩，也更坚定了前行的方向。

今年春节，家里依旧是我和爷爷奶奶三人。虽然没有父母的陪伴，但我们把日子过得格外有滋味。节前，我跟着奶奶一起打扫屋子、贴春联，把院子也打扫得干干净净，还画了一幅“全家福”贴在墙上，画里有笑着做饭的奶奶、帮着添柴火的爷爷，还有认真扫地的我。爷爷奶奶说，这画比买的年画还好看，我听了心里暖暖的。

除夕那天，村里的帮扶干部带着米、面、油来看我们，还帮我们贴了福字、挂了灯笼。老师也发了信息鼓励我：“Renee，新的一年要继续加油，我们都看好你哦。” 那一刻，我觉得自己不是孤单的，有这么多人在关心着我。晚上，我们一家三口围在小桌旁吃年夜饭，奶奶做了我最爱吃的排骨，爷爷给我包了一个小小的红包，说：“这是给我大孙女的压岁钱，新的一年要开心健康。”我攥着红包，眼泪差点掉下来——这不仅是钱，更是家人的爱和期盼。

大年初一，我主动帮奶奶洗碗、扫地，还教爷爷用手机给远房亲戚拜年。看着爷爷笨拙地滑动屏幕，我突然觉得，自己长大了，该成为这个家的小支柱了。下午，我拿出画本，画下了院子里的红灯笼，画下了爷爷奶奶的笑脸，也画下了我心中的梦想——我要好好学画画，用画笔记录更多温暖的瞬间，也像帮助我的人一样，去温暖别人。

这个春节，没有热闹的聚会，却有最真挚的陪伴；没有丰厚的礼物，却有最珍贵的温暖。新的一年，我一定要好好学习。也祝你们在新的一年里：身体健康！工作顺利！

Hello, uncles and aunties! My name is David. I am 12 years old and in the third grade of primary school.

This year, during the New Year, I was very happy because my mother, who works away from home, came back. We all celebrated together happily and had a reunion dinner. When it was time to slaughter the New Year pig, I helped too—I carried the pork into the house for my mother and grandmother. I also helped my grandmother smoke the cured meat and assisted both my mother and grandmother with cooking. My favorite foods are potatoes and noodles, and I can cook both by myself. I also usually cook for my older sister and younger sisters.

The saddest thing for me was when my father passed away—I didn’t get to see him one last time. When I grow up, I want to join the army.

I am very grateful to the uncles and aunties who support my education. In the future, I also want to become someone who can help others.

叔叔阿姨们，你们好！我叫David，今年12岁，上小学三年级。

今年我家过年的时候，我很开心！因为在外面打工的妈妈也回来了，大家开开心心地在一起过年，吃年夜饭！在杀年猪的时候，我也帮忙了，我帮妈妈和奶奶，把猪肉端到屋里去了。我还帮助奶奶熏了腊肉，还帮忙妈妈和奶奶做饭。 我最爱吃的是土豆和面条，这两样我自己都会做。平时我还会给姐姐和妹妹们做饭吃。

我最难过的一件事情，就是爸爸去世的时候，我没有见到他最后一面。我长大以后想要去当兵。

我很感谢帮助我上学的叔叔阿姨们，我以后也想成为一个能帮助别人的人！

In March 2026, our Asia team traveled over mountains to personally deliver donations to the homes of impoverished children. The communities they visited are tucked in the mountains — remote, difficult to reach, and shaped by deeply rooted traditional beliefs. These are places where the gospel has yet to penetrate. Our team seized every opportunity to share the good news, encouraging the children and their families to trust in the Lord and be born again.

To date, 16 local children have joined our program. Several have already committed to faith in Christ, and at such a young age have already set their hearts on a purpose: "When I grow up, I want to carry on your work and share the gospel." The children's families, too, have witnessed God's love firsthand and are increasingly open to welcoming missionaries into their communities and homes.

During this visit, one Living Hope-supported evangelist and two local missionaries shared testimonies from years of ministry. We were deeply moved, and once again witnessed the wonderful work God is doing in this land.

As Scripture promises: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) These three co-workers are living proof of that promise:


We are grateful to every sponsor who has prayed and given — your love walks alongside us, carrying the light of the gospel into the heart of the mountains. May God continue to open the way, drawing more children and families living in poverty and hardship into the embrace of His grace.

2026年3月，我们亚洲团队的同工们翻山越岭，亲赴贫困孩子们的家中，将捐款亲手交到每一个家庭的手中。当地的居民身处偏远山区，山高路远，交通不便，部分传统观念和文化根深蒂固，是福音尚未深入的未得之地。同工们把握每一个机会传讲福音，鼓励孩子们和他们家人信靠主、得重生。

目前共有16位当地的孩子加入了我们的助养计划。其中多位孩子已决志信主，小小年纪便立下心志："我长大了要接你们的班，传福音！" 孩子们的家人也亲眼见证神的爱，日益开放，愿意接纳宣教士进入他们的部落与家族。

此次探访中，我们资助的传道人及两位当地宣教士分享了他们多年来的事工见证，令我们深受感动，也再次见证了神在这片土地上的奇妙作为。

正如圣经所应许："我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。"（腓立比书4:13）三位同工正是这应许的活见证：


我们感谢每一位代祷与奉献支持的捐助者，是你们的爱心与我们同行，让福音之光得以照进大山深处。愿神继续开路，带领更多身处贫困与困境中的孩子与家庭，走入神恩典的怀抱。

Dear Sponsor,

Hello. It’s me. How are you? I hope you are fine. I’m healthy and fine while God’s blessings are raining on me. Are you imagining that here in Kathonzweni we got a new year and month? I thank God because he is very great and good for me.
 
I’m grateful because God has gave me knowledge so I’m working hard in studies to achieve my goals. I am grateful because God has helped me pass in my opener exams, given me the breath of life and living in this world because I have a purpose. I’m also grateful because I’m healthy and strong and helped me to make a new step to join grade 7 in Junior School.

I would like to learn and know more about field events, athletics, academics and more information about the universe. I will work hard in my studies and achieve all my goals. Have nice time at your place.
 
Your faithful daughter,

Jemmimmah Kamanthe

亲爱的捐助者：

你好。是我。你好吗？希望你一切安好。我身体健康，一切顺利，上帝 的恩典如雨般降临在我身上。你是否觉得，在这里——卡松兹韦尼 (Kathonzweni)，我们迎来了新的一年和新的月份! 我感谢上帝，因为他对我而言是如此伟大且仁慈。

我心怀感激，因为上帝赐予了我知识，所以我正在努力学习以实现我的 目标。我心怀感激，因为上帝帮助我通过了开学考试，赐予我生命的气 息，让我活在这个世界上，因为我有自己的使命。我也心怀感激，因为我健康强壮，并且帮助我迈出了新的一步，升入了初中的七年级。

我想学习并了解更多关于田径项目、体育运动、学术知识以及宇宙的更多信息。我将在学业上努力奋斗，实现所有目标。祝您在那边一切安好。

您忠实的女儿，

Jemmimah Njeri Kamanthe

Dear Sponsor,

I hope you are fine with your family.  My name is Winfred Nthambi here at Kathonzweni Children’s Home.  I am so happy because of you.  You have done much a lot to me.  May God bless you.  I would like to talk to you about my education.

I am so very grateful because our teacher’s teach us very well and they always take care of us.  To my dear sponsor I am even grateful because I work hard in class like doing teacher’s work and I aways cooperate in class.  I wanted to thank you for paying for me school payment.  God bless you and gives you more and more.  I am even grateful because you have standed by my side.

I promised you that I will study until when I do my best.  I could go to university to learn so as to take care of my parents and cousins. To my sponsor I want to learn so as to achieve my goals and to become a good leader in our country.  I wish that when I will learn more one day I will become a good leader.  Amen.  So my dear sponsor I thank you for what you done to me.  Thank you.  Bye Bye my lovely sponsor.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Your faithful,

Winfred Nthambi

亲爱的捐助者：

希望你和家人一切安好。我是卡松兹韦尼 (Kathonzweni)儿童之家的温弗雷德·恩坦比。因为有你，我感到非常开心。你为我做了很多。愿上帝保佑你。我想和你聊聊我的学业。

我非常感激，因为我们的老师教导有方，而且总是照顾我们。亲爱的捐助者，我更是感激不尽，因为我在课堂上努力学习，积极协助老师，并且总是配合课堂活动。我想感谢您为我支付学费。愿上帝保佑您，赐予您更多福分。我更是感激您一直站在我这一边。

我也向您承诺，我会尽我所能地努力学习。这样我就能上大学深造，将来照顾我的父母和表兄弟姐妹。

亲爱的捐助者，我渴望通过学习实现目标，成为我们国家的一名优秀领导者。我祈愿有一天学识更丰富时，能成为一名优秀的领导者。阿门。所以，我亲爱的捐助者，感谢您为我所做的一切。谢谢您。再见，我亲爱的捐助者。愿上帝保佑您。阿门。

此致，

Winfred Nthambi

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Those of you who have traveled to Kenya or sponsored a child through our ministry partner, Kenya's Kids, may recognize this verse at once – it is the promise verse etched into the heart of their mission. For over 20 years, they have worked to “provide care for the forgotten children of Kenya by meeting their physical, emotional, and educational needs while sharing the love of God with them.” 

The kids at both Kathonzweni and Mbooni homes are happy, healthy, and growing in every way that matters. The children’s homes have never looked better, and much of the credit belongs to the local leadership. Rev. Joshua Kioko and Elijah Mwanthi are outstanding managers whose dedication shows in every corner of these homes. Many recent improvements were accomplished by the staff and children themselves, a wonderful sign of ownership and stewardship taking root on the ground.
   
For years, supporters have prayed for clean water and proper sanitation. Those prayers are being answered: Mbooni's long-awaited bathroom and shower facility is nearly complete, with a modern plumbing system that recycles wastewater into clean water for irrigation.  Kathonzweni is growing more self-sufficient through income-generating projects — greenhouse farming, poultry, and dairy. Solar power is running well, and new guest houses at both homes are nearly finished. We are grateful for all who support the Kenya children's ministry, and we hope that in the not-too-distant future, you will be able to witness firsthand the wonderful works God is doing there.

“我所怀的意念是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望。”——耶利米书 29:11

你们当中曾前往肯尼亚宣教或通过我们的事工伙伴Kenya’s Kids 资助儿童的弟兄姐妹，想必对这节经文并不陌生——这正是他们事工使命的核心应许。二十多年来，Kenya’s Kids 致力于"为肯尼亚被遗忘孩子们提供关怀，满足他们身心灵与教育需求的同时，并与他们分享上帝的爱。"

Kathonzweni 和 Mbooni 这两个儿童之家的孩子们都快乐、健康，在各方面都在茁壮成长。儿童之家从未有过如此美好的状态，这在很大程度上要归功于当地的负责人： Joshua Kioko牧师和Elijah Mwanthi，他们是出色的管理者，对工作的投入体现在这两个家园的每一个角落。许多近期的改善工作都是由员工和孩子们自己完成的，这是当地主人翁意识与管理责任感扎根生长的美好见证。

多年来，许多人一直为儿童之家能够拥有洁净水源和卫生设施祷告。那些祷告得到了应允：Mbooni 儿童之家期待已久的浴室与淋浴设施已近竣工，配备现代管道系统，可将污水循环处理为灌溉用水。  Kathonzweni则通过温室种植、家禽养殖和乳业等创收项目，逐步实现自给自足。太阳能系统运行良好，两处儿童之家的新客房也接近竣工。我们为资助肯尼亚儿童事工的弟兄姐妹感恩，希望不久的将来，你们能亲眼见证上帝在那里的奇妙作为。

Hello, my name is Maria (Masha), I am 15 years old, and I am in the 10th grade. I am happy to take part in various projects and events. I am currently a member of the school business project, flower_lab_lviv, where we grow flowers. These days, there was a competition between schools, and we passed the selection for the second round.

Since childhood, I have always taken care of homeless animals, so it was with great joy that I became a volunteer for a home for rescued animals. I love reading books; I can't imagine my life without them. I dream of going to a summer language school abroad, where I can study and improve my English during the summer holidays. I want to become a diplomat, to be the voice of our country, and for this, I have to develop and learn more than one foreign language. I am currently studying English and German.

The most joyful holiday for me was Christmas; it is warm, cozy, and full of gifts. Now, school and additional classes with tutors are important to me, because in a year I have to take the National Language Test and enter a higher educational institution. With God's help, I succeed in many things; sometimes I think that I won't succeed and that everything was in vain, but God knows best in heaven. I would also really like to go to a sports club and develop my sports abilities. When I have a hard time, I always believe that behind the black stripe there will definitely be a white one. The main thing is not to despair, not to give up, and not to lose yourself. I ask God for a positive solution to my questions and dreams; I ask Him to help. I thank Him for every day, for everything He does for me, especially thank Him for always being there.

I want to ask you to pray for my entire family, so that everyone is healthy and at home. And if possible, I can pass the selection for the summer language school. Thank you ?

Note from Masha’s mother:

⼤家好，我是Maria (Masha)，今年15岁，正在读⼗年级。我⾮常⾼兴能够参与各种项⽬和活动。⽬前，我是学校商业项⽬flower_lab_lviv的⼀员，我们在这⾥种植花卉。前⼏天，学校之间举⾏了⼀场激烈的⽐赛，我们成功晋级到了第⼆轮。

从⼩我就⼀直喜欢照顾流浪动物，所以我⾮常开⼼能成为⼀家救助动物收容所的志愿者。我热衷于阅读，⽆法想象没有书籍的⽣活。我梦想着能够去国外参加暑期语⾔学校，利⽤暑假学习英语，提升⾃⼰的英语⽔平。我希望成为⼀名外交官，代表我们的国家发声。为此，我需要学习并掌握多种外语。⽬前我正在学习英语和德语。

对我⽽⾔，最快乐的节⽇是圣诞节，它带来了温暖、舒适和满满的礼物。如今，学校和辅导班在我⽣活中占据了重要的位置，因为⼀年后我将参加国家语⾔考试，才能迈⼊⾼等院校的殿堂。在上帝的指引下，我完成了许多事情；有时我会感到⽆能为⼒，觉得⼀切努⼒似乎都没有意义，但我深信，上帝在天上⾃有安排。我也渴望加⼊⼀个体育俱乐部，提升我的运动能⼒。当我⾯临挑战时，我始终相信，⿊暗之后必有光明。最重要的是，永远不要绝望，不要放弃，也不要迷失⾃我。我向上帝祈求，希望祂能为我的疑惑和梦想带来积极的答案；我恳求祂的帮助。我感激他赐予我的每⼀天，感谢祂为我所做的⼀切，尤其感谢祂⼀直与我同在。

我想请您为我的全家祷告，愿每个⼈都健康、在家中都平安。也请您（如果可以的话）为我祷告，愿我能通过暑期语⾔学校的选拔。谢谢您。? 

Masha ⺟亲最近的来信，写道：

Our dear Sponsors! 

Greetings from Volodymyr and our family. Thank you for your support and care. Now my greatest joy is brought to me by my family, communication with friends, and volleyball training. When I play, I feel strength, team spirit, and support. I dream of becoming a good person so that my family will be proud of me. I love helping my mother around the house, supporting my sister, and being a support for my family. I try to study well and not give up. Now the most important thing for me is that my family is healthy and that peace comes to Ukraine. I believe that God helps me in difficult moments. When it's hard, I pray and ask for strength and patience. I am most grateful to God for life, for my family, and for the people who support and help us. The faith of my family helps me not lose hope; the thought that my father would want to see me strong and brave also helps me not lose hope. 

Please pray for peace in Ukraine, for the health of my family, and that God will give us the strength to move forward. Thank you for your kind hearts, for your help and warmth. May God bless you for all that you do for me and my family.

亲爱的捐助者们！

来⾃Volodymyr Voitiuk和我们全家的问候。⾮常感谢你们的⽀持和关⼼。现在，我最⼤的快乐来⾃于我的家⼈、与朋友的交流以及排球训练。当我在场上打球时，我能感受到⼒量、团队精神和彼此的⽀持。我梦想成为⼀个好⼈，让我的家⼈为我感到骄傲。我喜欢帮妈妈做家务，⽀持我的姐姐，也乐于成为家⼈的依靠。我努⼒学习，永不放弃。现在对我来说最重要的是家⼈的健康和平安，以及乌克兰的和平。我相信上帝会在我遇到困难时给予我帮助。当我⾯临挑战时，我会祈祷，寻求⼒量和耐⼼。我最感激的是上帝赐予我⽣命，赐予我家⼈，以及所有⽀持和帮助我们的⼈。家⼈的信⼼帮助我不⾄失去盼望，也让我常常想到：我的⽗亲⼀定希望我坚强、勇敢。

请为乌克兰的和平祈祷，也为我家⼈的健康祈祷，求上帝赐予我们继续前⾏的⼒量。感谢你们的善良、帮助和温暖。愿上帝保佑你们，感谢你们为我和我的家⼈所做的⼀切。

On May 2 and May 23, 2026, our women's ministry team held two meetings with the wives of fallen soldiers, the wives of soldiers who are missing in action, widows, and other women facing difficult life circumstances. The meetings took place in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
 
These were the meetings after which the heart remained warm for a long time. Our friends had the opportunity to meet new women and chat with each other, while tasting the food we prepared for them. We played a game where we asked each of them different questions that were fun and light at first, and then became increasingly serious. The game ended with questions about forgiveness. Then Pastor Pavlo led all of us in thinking about this topic. Altogether, we discussed what we heard and then sang several songs of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
We gathered in the church not to find simple answers to complex questions, but to be there for each other in difficult times. Together we prayed, listened to each other, shared experiences, cried, and smiled. In an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and sincere support, each woman could feel that she was not alone in her pain, that God loves her and is waiting for her in His arms.

During this time, the children were taken care of by the Skyland team, and the women could calmly think about important issues without worrying about their children. After the meeting, many women still talked and did not want to go home. 
 
Thanks to Living Hope, with your help, we can serve, support, pray together, and give hope to broken hearts. May the Lord bless all of you and every woman who finds the strength to come to the meetings, and may His peace and comfort strengthen hearts day by day.

2026年5月2日和5月23日，我们妇女事工团队分别举办了两场关怀聚会，邀请阵亡军人的妻子、失踪军人的妻子、寡妇以及处于艰难处境中的妇女参加。聚会在温馨、友爱的氛围中进行。

相聚总令人久久难忘。姐妹们彼此认识、交流，在轻松愉快的环境中享用我们精心准备的餐点。我们还设计了互动游戏，从轻松有趣的问题开始，逐渐进入更深层的话题，最后围绕“饶恕”展开思考。随后，Pavlo牧师带领大家分享圣经教导，一同交流心得，并献唱赞美主耶稣的诗歌。

我们来到教会，不是为了用简单的答案去回应人生复杂的问题。 而是为了在艰难时刻彼此陪伴。大家一起祷告、倾听、分享生命经历，有泪水，也有笑容。在充满爱、接纳与真诚支持的氛围中，每位姐妹都感受到自己并不孤单，知道神深爱着她，并以慈爱安慰着她。

聚会期间，Skyland团队细心照顾孩子们，使姐妹们能够安心参加活动，专注思考生命中的重要课题。聚会结束后，许多人仍依依不舍，继续交流，不愿离去。

感谢“新希望”宣教机构一直以来的支持，使我们能够持续服事这些经历伤痛的姐妹，与她们同行、祷告，并把从主而来的盼望带给忧伤的心灵。愿主赐福每一位支持这项事工的人，也坚固每一位勇敢前来参加聚会的姐妹，愿祂的平安与安慰天天充满她们的生命。

Hello, my name is Allison Zerón Silva, and I am 9 years old. I live in Santa Ana and participate in the children's program at my church. At school, I like to learn when they talk about God, and my favorite activity is studying the Bible. Something good that happened to me recently is joining the Living Hope Child Sponsorship Program. In church, I have learned about God and the Bible. Something I learned recently is how good God is. A prayer request I have is that God helps me to keep moving forward. I want to tell you that I am grateful for the support I have received from Living Hope.

你好，我的名字是 Allison Zerón Silva，我 9 岁了。我住在 Santa Ana，参加教会的儿童项目。在学校，我喜欢听关于上帝的教导，我最喜欢的活动是学习圣经。最近发生在我身上的好事是加入了新希望儿童助养项目。在教会里，我学习了关于上帝和圣经的知识。我最近学到的是上帝是多么的美好。我的代祷请求是希望上帝帮助我继续前进。我想对你说，我很感激从新希望那⾥得到的⽀持。

Hello, my name is José Daniel Valle Espinal, and I am 8 years old. I live in Altos de Santa Ana and participate in the children's program at my church. At school, I like to learn about vowels and reading, and my favorite activity is playing on the swings with friends. A good thing that has happened to me recently is that I have started speaking. Before, I could not speak, but now I can talk, write, and play. At church, I have learned about God and the Bible.  

Recently, I learned how to draw, make friends, overcome shyness, and socialize with others. My prayer request is that I will become fluent in reading and writing and grow into a kind and intelligent person. I would like to ask you to help me complete my education—elementary school, high school, and university—because that is my dream. By doing so, I hope to become a useful member of society and be able to help others.

你好，我的名字是 José Daniel Valle Espinal，我 8 岁了。我住在 Altos de Santa Ana，参加教会的⼉童项⽬。在学校，我喜欢学习元⾳和阅读，我最喜欢的活动是和朋友们⼀起玩秋千。最近发⽣在我⾝上的好事是我开⼝说话了，因为我以前不会说话，现在还能写字和玩耍。在教会里，我学习了关于上帝和圣经的知识。

我最近学到的是画画、与朋友交往、克服羞怯并与⼈相处。我的代祷请求是我能读写流利，成为⼀个善良且聪明的⼈。我想对你说，请帮助我完成学业（⼩学、中学和⼤学），因为那是我的梦想，这样我才能成为⼀个对社会有⽤的⼈并能帮助他⼈。

When people ask me about Honduras, I always say it changed me in ways I never expected.

One of the most powerful moments of the trip was watching my husband share his testimony inside a prison. Knowing his own journey, and seeing him stand before men who had stories so much like his, was something I'll never forget. As we worshipped together, I realized that the freedom we have in Jesus isn't limited by prison walls or our circumstances. In that moment, those men were just as free as we were because true freedom is found in Christ alone.

Another moment that will stay with me forever happened on our final day. Our medical clinic wasn't very busy. We were told it was going to be the busiest day of all, with FEMA, local helpers, and many others expected to be there. But no one came. So Pastor Andrea and I, along with a few members of the Compassion team, decided to walk through the community with a megaphone, inviting people to come.

Along the way, we met the sweetest families, children who greeted us with joy, and a deaf man whose friends simply told us, "He doesn't have a name." My heart broke, but I was immediately reminded that every single person has a name to Jesus. He knows us, sees us, and loves us deeply. I've continued praying for that man ever since we came home.

When we returned to the clinic, something incredible happened. People began arriving—many of them the very people we had met while walking through the village. The last family to come was a father and his young son, whom we had personally invited, and the little boy had a dangerous high fever. In that moment, I realized that if we had stayed where it felt comfortable, if the day had gone as planned, we never would have met them.

It was a powerful reminder that God's plans are often different from our own, and our role is simply to be willing to follow where He leads. God had a purpose for every step we took that day.

Honduras taught me that being the hands and feet of Jesus isn't about having all the answers; it's about saying "yes," trusting where He's leading, and believing that even the smallest act of obedience can become part of His greater plan.

当人们问起我对洪都拉斯的感受时，我总是说，这次经历以我从未预料到的方式改变了我。

这次旅程中最触动我的时刻之一，是看到我的丈夫在监狱里分享他的见证。了解他过去所走过的道路，再看到他站在那些经历与他如此相似的人面前，这一幕将永远铭刻在我的记忆中。当我们一起敬拜时，我深深体会到，我们在耶稣里所拥有的自由，并不会因监狱的高墙或我们所处的环境而受到限制。就在那一刻，那些弟兄和我们一样自由，因为真正的自由唯有在基督里才能找到。

另一个让我永远难忘的时刻发生在我们行程的最后一天。那天，我们的医疗义诊点并不是很忙。原本有人告诉我们，那将会是最忙碌的一天，因为预计会有FEMA工作人员、当地协助者以及许多其他人来到现场。然而，最后却没有人来。于是，Andrea牧师和我，以及「怜悯事工」（Compassion Team）的几位成员，决定拿着扩音器走进社区，邀请居民前来参加义诊。

一路上，我们遇见了许多亲切的家庭，也遇见了满怀喜乐向我们打招呼的孩子们。我们还遇见了一位聋哑人，当我们询问他的情况时，他的朋友只是简单地告诉我们：「他没有名字。」那一刻，我的心都碎了。但同时，我立刻想到：在耶稣眼中，每一个人都有名字。主认识我们、看见我们，并且深深地爱着我们。回到美国后，我一直持续为那位弟兄祷告。

当我们回到医疗站时，不可思议的事情发生了。人们开始陆续前来，其中很多正是我们刚刚在村里探访时遇见的人。最后来到的一家人，是一位父亲和他年幼的儿子——他们正是我们亲自邀请来的。那个小男孩当时正发着高烧，情况相当危急。就在那一刻，我意识到，如果我们一直待在自己舒适的地方，如果那一天完全按照原计划进行，我们就永远不会遇见他们。

这让我深刻地明白，神的计划往往与我们的计划不同，而我们的责任，只是愿意顺服并跟随祂所带领的道路。那一天，我们所走的每一步，神早已有祂的目的。

洪都拉斯教会了我，成为耶稣的手和脚，并不意味着我们必须拥有所有的答案；而是愿意向神说「是」，相信祂的带领，并相信即使是最微小的顺服，也能成为祂伟大计划中的一部分。

This past May, I had the privilege of returning to Honduras for my second missions trip through Living Hope. During my first trip in 2025, while we were at the work site. On Day 1, a child was speaking to me in Spanish, and I couldn’t tell what he was saying. Someone nearby told me he was telling me the Gospel story. That rattled me; that someone could be telling me the story that has shaped the foundation of my life and I didn’t recognize it. So, the next day during our bus drive, I processed every bit of Spanish I had learned through school and taught myself how to tell the Gospel story with those guided colored bracelets. Throughout that week, I’d share the story with a handful of the children. 

Going into this year, I didn’t know what to expect. I was prepared to serve in any of the groups, VBS or not. And it turned out God was going to keep me right where he had me last year. I learned unexpectedly on Day 1 that not only would I be part of the VBS program, but that I would be leading the program in place of my pastor. “Okay God; let’s see what happens.” So again, on another long bus ride, I processed many different phrases in Spanish of things I could say to coordinate a large group of kids, because leading a group in a different language is way different than telling a single child a story in a different language. 

I thank God for throwing me into the unknown and unexpected, underqualified but willing. What a humbling blessing it is to be able to stand in front of a handful of people leading a program in their language, when they could 100% do it better than me. And they graciously give me this opportunity to grow, serve, and do my best. 

There aren’t many opportunities at home where I’m thrown into a position where I feel wildly under-qualified. But what a necessary experience it is to realize that God simply uses the willing. He doesn’t need us to have any special skill set. He simply needs us to say: 

“Yes!”

今年五月，我有幸第二次参加了通过 “新希望”宣教机构组织的洪都拉斯短宣之旅。在2025年的第一次短宣中，第一天我们在施工工地时，有一个孩子一直用西班牙语对我说话，而我完全听不懂他在说什么。旁边的人告诉我，他正在向我讲述福音。那一刻，我深受震撼——那个塑造了我一生信仰根基的信息，有人正在对我讲述，而我竟然没有意识到？！第二天，在前往工地的巴士上，我努力回想自己过去在学校学过的每一点西班牙语，并且学会了如何借着那些彩色福音手环，用西班牙语讲述福音。那一周，我把这个福音故事分享给了好几个孩子。

今年出发前，我完全不知道神会怎样带领。我已经准备好在任何岗位上服事，无论是不是儿童圣经夏令营（VBS）都愿意。结果，神再次把我安排在去年所在的服事团队。更令我意想不到的是，第一天我才得知，不仅我要参与VBS，我还要代替牧师带领整个课程。我心里说：“好吧，神啊，我们就看看你要怎样做。” 于是，在又一次漫长的巴士旅程中，我开始反复练习各种西班牙语表达，思考有哪些话可以用来组织、带领一大群孩子。因为，用另一种语言带领一整个团队，和用另一种语言向一个孩子讲故事，是完全不同的挑战。

我感谢神，把我带进未知和意料之外的环境中。虽然我觉得自己资格不足，却愿意顺服神能够站在一群人面前，用他们的语言带领整个聚会，是一份何等谦卑又宝贵的恩典。其实，他们每一个人都百分之百比我更适合、更有能力来做这件事。然而，他们却满有恩典地给我这个机会，让我尽自己最大的努力去学习、去服事。

在美国，我几乎没有机会被放在这样的位置，一个让我如此明显感觉自己能力不足的位置。但我发现，这正是一个非常必要的经历。因为它让我明白：神所使用的，只是那些愿意回应祂的人。祂并不需要我们拥有什么特别的技能或过人的能力，祂只需要我们愿意对祂说一句：

“我愿意（Yes）。”

This year was my 2nd time going on our church mission trip to Honduras. I remember early on asking God to send me there with no expectations; as my mind thought of a few, I soon felt God’s peace, and instantly my mind was feeling settled.

Upon arrival, I felt like I was home. We were greeted by Living Hope and Honduran friends, it was an amazing first few minutes that immediately filled my heart with joy.  We started right away serving the people of Honduras as God called us to do. Each day we brought the love in our hearts along with medical supplies, doctors, contractors to restore, art & crafts, praise & worship, and evangelizing to all who came. 

We had a day of prison ministry as we did last year and along with last year, this part of our mission had a profound impact on my soul. My visit last year impacted me in a way that I found myself just sobbing at the sight of God’s presence and thinking wow, “God is here, He is everywhere.“ I found myself sharing my testimony again to about 300 male inmates. This time I was speaking to these men of life, not what I had necessarily gone through in the past but how God has come into my life, He has taken it over and completely changed me. I remember looking the men in their eyes and speaking God’s words of power, redemption, and His love for us. The few minutes that I was up there were the most profound few minutes of my life as I felt like my words were heard, that someone out there would accept Christ to come into their life and allow for an amazing transformation.

As I said earlier, Honduras is home, the people there are family and if it is in God’s plan, I will 100% go back next year!

今年是我第二次参加我们教会前往洪都拉斯的短宣之旅。出发前，我记得自己早早就向神祷告，求祂让我带着一颗没有任何期待的心前往。虽然脑海中曾浮现过一些自己的想法和期待，但很快我就感受到神所赐的平安，内心立刻安定了下来。

当我们抵达洪都拉斯时，我竟有一种回到家的感觉。Living Hope 的同工和洪都拉斯的朋友们热情地迎接了我们，那短短几分钟就让我的心充满了喜乐。随后，我们立刻开始了神呼召我们去做的服事。每天，我们带着基督的爱，连同医疗物资、医生、建筑施工团队、艺术与手工活动、赞美敬拜，以及福音信息，一起服事每一位前来的人。

和去年一样，今年我们又前往监狱开展福音事工。与去年一样，这段服事深深触动了我的灵魂。去年的监狱探访让我感动得泪流满面，因为我真切地感受到神的同在，并不断在心里惊叹：“神就在这里！祂无处不在！” 今年，我再次向大约300位狱友做生命的见证。这一次，我所分享的不再只是自己过去所经历的一切，而是神如何进入我的生命，如何完全掌管我的人生，并彻底改变了我。我记得自己望着这些弟兄们的眼睛，向他们宣讲神满有能力的话语，讲述祂的救赎，以及祂对我们的深爱。站在那里分享的那几分钟，是我生命中最深刻的时刻之一。我感到自己的话被听见了，也相信，在那些听众当中，一定会有人愿意接受基督进入他们的生命，并经历那奇妙而彻底的生命更新。

正如我一开始所说，洪都拉斯对我来说就是家，那里的人就是我的家人。如果这是神的计划，我百分之百愿意明年再次回到那里！

Over the past 16 years of my life, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Honduras around 30 times.  It has become a place that is super near to my heart.  Outside of God and my parents, it’s been the thing that has shaped my life the most.  Each time I lead a team, God teaches me something new that carries out into the rest of my life, and it is beautiful.  I’ve also created lifelong friendships with the people of Honduras, who are now my extended family.

This year, we had the opportunity to work with Living Hope AND the Church of the Nazarene.  One of the Pastors, Pastor Ignacio, whom I met many years ago, has a heart and vision to reach people in all the surrounding villages.  Over the years, I’ve gotten to be on many trips with him, and he is like a second Dad to me.  In fact, my own Dad and I have worked closely with him, and both have helped me become a better Pastor.  As I’ve watched him lead, the thing I’ve appreciated the most is how much he pours into and believes in the Next Generation.  He never takes the spotlight and always helps platform young people into positions to lead…and it is beautiful.

This trip, I wound up spending the majority of my time in a dental office, as one of our young team members needed a root canal.  In some ways, as the leader, I felt like God kind of “benched” me.  However, because I couldn’t participate in most of the ministry days, I had to empower the younger leaders around me to lead the things I usually lead.  While it was hard to step out, what I ended up experiencing was beautiful.  I was able to watch what happens when you empower the Next Generation.

On the last day of our trip, I had the opportunity to walk around a village with a young adult who is a new Christian and a few of my Honduran friends, inviting people to our clinic.  It was in those moments that I had a front row seat to all the work our young people had been doing without me there for most of the week.  They led, they gained confidence, and they became significant difference makers for the Kingdom.  That’s when I realized it.  God was allowing me, in my middle-aged years, to do what Pastor Ignacio and my Dad had done for me many years ago…teach and empower the younger generation to lead.

My life has been radically changed because of leaders that allowed me to lead.  And now, I get the privilege of passing that on to the Next Gen.  I am so grateful that God took me to my favorite place on earth (Honduras), sat me in one of my least favorite places (the dentist's office), to remind me just how important it is to let our young people lead.  

And it was beyond beautiful.

在我过去16年的人生中，我大约有30次机会前往洪都拉斯。那里已经成为我心中无比珍贵的地方。除了上帝和我的父母之外，它是塑造我生命最深刻的一件事。每一次带领团队前往那里，上帝都会教导我一些新的功课，而这些功课也会延续并影响我生活的每一个层面，这一切都无比美好。同时，我也与洪都拉斯当地的人们建立了终生的友谊，他们如今已经成为我生命中的大家庭。

今年，我们有机会与“新希望“ 宣教机构以及当地的拿撒勒教会（Church of the Nazarene）一同服事。其中有一位牧师——Pastor Ignacio，我在很多年前就认识了他。他怀着一颗火热的心，也拥有清晰的异象，希望将福音带到周围所有的村庄。多年来，我曾多次与他一同服事，他就像我的第二位父亲一样。事实上，我的父亲和我都曾与他紧密合作，他们帮助我成为更好的牧师。在观察他带领团队的过程中，我最欣赏的一点，就是他是如此愿意投入并相信下一代。他从不把聚光灯留给自己，总是把年轻人推到前面，给他们机会站上领导的岗位。这一切，真的非常美好。

这次短宣期间，我大部分时间都待在牙科诊所，因为我们团队中一位年轻成员需要接受根管治疗。从某种意义上来说，作为领队，我觉得上帝好像让我成为了替补队员。然而，也正因为我无法参与大多数的服事，我不得不把平时由我负责的工作交给身边年轻的领袖们去承担。虽然退到幕后并不容易，但我最终所经历的，却是无比美好的。我亲眼见证了，当你愿意赋予下一代机会和责任时，会发生怎样奇妙的事情。

在行程的最后一天，我有机会与一位刚信主不久的年轻人，以及几位洪都拉斯的朋友，一起走遍村庄，邀请村民来参加我们的义诊。在那段时间里，我仿佛坐在了最佳观众席上，亲眼看见了这一整周以来，那些年轻人在没有我陪伴的情况下所完成的一切。他们勇敢带领，他们越来越有信心，他们成为了天国里真正带来改变的人。就在那一刻，我终于明白了：上帝正在让我，在自己步入中年的时候，去做当年Ignacio牧师和我父亲为我所做的事——教导年轻一代，并放权让他们去做，让他们成为领袖。

我的生命之所以发生如此巨大的改变，是因为曾经有一些领袖愿意给我机会去带领。而如今，我也有这样的荣幸，把这份托付传承给下一代。我满心感恩，上帝把我带到了这个世界上我最爱的地方——洪都拉斯；却又让我坐在我最不喜欢的地方——牙科诊所，只为了再次提醒我：让年轻人站出来带领，是何等重要的一件事。

而这一切，都美得超乎想象。

When I first heard that my parents wanted to bring me to go on a mission trip, I was okay with serving; however, my heart wasn’t committed to the trip nor excited to serve the Lord. Furthermore, upon hearing that I would be the oldest kid with few other people my age, my personally invested interest dropped further. I knew going on mission trips and serving the Lord was the right thing to do, but I had no motivation to do so. In the weeks leading up to the trip, my father repeatedly urged me to prepare. Given that we were serving in medical, children's, and prison ministries, I knew I needed to practice my Spanish, learn the children’s songs, and prepare my testimony, yet I was lazy.

I had previously served on a short term mission trip in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and both before and during the trip, I simply listened to instructions, with no personal initiative required from me since my youth pastors and leaders took charge. With this mission trip, I was no different in my initiative. I pushed off practicing Spanish completely, hoping that my previous four years in school would be enough, without any real use of Spanish in a whole year. I completely ignored both my testimony and the children’s songs, listening to the songs for the first time a mere two days before the trip started as a result of my father forcing me to do so. Going into the trip, I was in no way spiritually or mentally prepared for the week. 

Upon arriving, I was pleasantly surprised to see that our mission base was quite clean, with full amenities. Familiarizing myself with the other three teens there, I was fortunate to quickly strike up conversations, finding similar interests with all of them. While I had made a few connections, I believed that the trip would simply be one where I went through all of the motions of service without any change in my own heart, both towards the Lord and towards service. Fortunately for me, the Lord intervened and softened my heart. 

Since my Spanish was passable, and I had listened and memorized the children’s songs beforehand, I was tasked with the children's ministry. Working alongside members of the local church and their Compasíon young adult group, I was greeted with the smiles and laughter of children in grades one through six. Despite my incredibly basic Spanish and poor listening comprehension skills, simply greeting children with “Hola!” or “Buenos Días!” resulted in them going absolutely crazy, coming up immediately for hugs and greetings. While this may have partially been a result of my mission team being the first Chinese people the children had ever seen, I was immediately touched by the overwhelming joy and gratitude that the kids expressed both during the ministry that we conducted and afterwards, when providing arts and crafts and medical assistance. Encountering this extreme gratitude immediately made me want to serve the Lord more, allowing more to see the love and joy that God provides when one puts their faith and trust in Him. 

While seeing children’s smiles may seem small, it completely changed my heart and attitude towards serving the Lord, shifting from an attitude of passive obedience to active engagement. This new attitude was only further reinforced throughout the week as more and more people were served, saved, and blessed by both the Lord’s compassion and our medical ministries. Seeing the physical states of young mothers, children, and elderly as they walked in and the joy and thankfulness they expressed as they left the missions locations, newly transformed by the Word of God with a bag of medicines in their hands, was quite simply, a life-perspective-changing experience for me. 

On the final day, we visited a national medium security prison, witnessing and serving around 700 men. On that day, my newly found compassion for serving was further reinforced, as many of the prisoners were extremely excited and grateful for both the caring words we shared with them regarding Jesus’ love and forgiveness, and the supplies we distributed to them.  

Throughout the week, while I expected to simply serve, I was gifted with a new attitude and gratefulness for what I have. In the future, I wish to serve within many more mission trip groups, faithfully serving the Lord just as my namesake did. I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and I hope to be blessed with many more.

当我第一次听说父母要带我去参加这次短宣时，我并不反对去服事，但我的心既没有真正投入，也没有期待能够服事神。后来得知我是团队里年龄最大的孩子，与我年龄相仿的人很少，我对这次旅程的兴趣又降低了不少。我知道参加短宣、服事主是一件正确的事，但我就是没有动力去准备。在出发前的几个星期，父亲一再提醒我要做好准备。因为我们将参与医疗、儿童和监狱事工，我知道自己应该练习西班牙语、学习儿童诗歌，还要预备自己的得救见证。然而，我却一直懒散拖延。

我以前曾参加过宾夕法尼亚州 Johnstown 的一次短宣。当时，无论是出发前还是宣教期间，我都只是照着带队牧师和青少年负责人的安排去做，他们负责一切，我几乎不需要主动参与。这一次，我依旧是同样的态度。我完全没有练习西班牙语，只想着在学校四年学过的内容应该够用了，尽管我已经整整一年没有真正使用过西班牙语。我也没有准备见证，更没有学习儿童诗歌。直到出发前两天，在父亲不断催促下，我才第一次认真听那些歌曲。可以说，在踏上这次短宣的时候，无论是属灵上还是心理上，我都没有为接下来的一周做好准备。

抵达目的地之后，我惊喜地发现我们的宣教基地环境整洁、设施齐全。很快，我也和另外三位青少年熟悉起来，发现彼此有许多共同的兴趣，因此很自然地建立了友谊。虽然交到了新朋友，但我仍然认为，这只不过是一趟按部就班完成服事、却不会改变我内心的短宣。我以为自己会照着流程做完所有事情，然后回家，一切照旧。然而，神亲自介入，柔软了我的心。

因为我的西班牙语还算能够沟通，加上临出发前总算把儿童诗歌背熟了，所以我被安排参与儿童事工。与当地教会和他们的 Compassion 青年团队一起服事，我们面对的是一至六年级的孩子们。虽然我的西班牙语非常基础，听力也不太好，但每当我只是简单地说一句“Hola（你好）”或“Buenos Días（早安）”，孩子们就会兴奋地围过来，主动拥抱我们、向我们打招呼。也许，我们的团队是他们见过的第一批华人；但更重要的是，他们所流露出的喜乐和感恩深深触动了我。无论是在儿童聚会中，还是后来一起做手工、接受医疗服务时，他们脸上的笑容都让我难以忘怀。孩子们真诚的感恩，让我第一次真正渴望去服事主，希望能帮助更多人认识神，领受神所赐的爱与喜乐，并经历将信心和盼望放在祂里面所带来的恩典。

也许，在别人看来，看见孩子们开心地笑只是件小事，但对我来说，却彻底改变了我服事神的态度。我不再只是因为“应该去做”而服事，而是真正愿意主动投入、甘心参与。随着这一周不断过去，这样的心志也越来越坚定。越来越多的人因着神的怜悯、我们的医疗服事和福音分享而得到帮助、蒙受祝福。我看见年轻的母亲、孩子和老人拖着疲惫、病痛的身体来到服事地点，离去时却是带着药品和满满的喜乐。更重要的是，他们因着神的话语得着新的盼望，那一幕彻底改变了我对人生的看法。

最后一天，我们来到一所国家级中度戒备监狱，向大约七百名服刑人员传讲福音并服事他们。那一天，我对服事人的怜悯之心再次被神坚固。许多囚犯都非常激动，也十分感恩。他们感谢我们告诉他们耶稣的爱与赦免，也感谢我们送给他们的生活用品。

整整这一周，我原本以为自己只是去服事别人，却没想到神赐给我的，竟是一颗全新的心，也让我更加珍惜自己所拥有的一切。感谢神赐给我这次宝贵的机会。未来，我盼望能够参加更多宣教队伍，忠心服事主，正如我名字所纪念的圣经人物迦勒一样，始终忠心跟随神。

Dear Brothers and Sisters, peace be with you. All glory belongs to God!

Today, I stand before you not to share what I have done, but to testify to how God has used two mission trips to Honduras to open my eyes and transform my life, step by step. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to return to Honduras for a second time to serve on a short-term mission team. Some people asked me, "Wasn't the second trip less exciting than the first? Didn't the sense of freshness wear off?"  My answer is exactly the opposite.

The first trip opened my eyes; the second trip strengthened my steps.

During my first visit, I felt completely overwhelmed. I didn't know what I could do, nor did I understand why God had brought me there. I simply followed the team, watching, listening, and experiencing everything around me. Yet in just a few days, God slowly began to open my eyes.

I saw many single mothers carrying the heavy burden of raising their children alone. I met countless children growing up without fathers. I saw thin, hungry stray dogs wandering the streets searching for food. I also saw churches whose buildings still stood, yet where little spiritual life remained.  At the same time, I witnessed something beautiful. I saw the workers at Nazarene Church faithfully serving despite their limited resources. Their love for the Lord, their passion for the Gospel, and their deep burden for lost souls profoundly moved me. During those few days, it seemed that everything I saw brought tears to my eyes.

The moment that impacted me most deeply came on the day we ministered at a maximum-security prison. There, I shared my personal testimony. As I looked at men whose lives had once been bound by sin and stripped of hope, I listened as Pastor Luis gave the invitation to receive Christ. One by one, dozens of inmates stepped forward to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Once again, tears filled my eyes. But those tears were more than emotion. They came because I witnessed a powerful truth: there is not a single soul that the Lord is willing to give up on. Even behind prison walls, Jesus Christ can bring true freedom and new life. At that moment, only one thought filled my heart:

"Lord, I came to the right place."

That was also the moment I finally understood why God had brought me to Honduras. A mission is not about completing a task. It is not simply about helping others. Nor is it about proving what we are capable of doing. The mission is about personally experiencing the self-giving love of Christ. That love does not come from human enthusiasm or temporary emotion—it comes from Christ Himself. Because of that, when I returned to Honduras for the second time, my heart was completely different. This time, I didn't cry. Not because I no longer saw the needs, but because the Holy Spirit reminded me: Don't just weep for them—become an instrument in God's hands.

I began learning to see people through my Heavenly Father's eyes, to feel what breaks His heart, and to embrace those He loves with His compassion. Every morning before we went out to serve, our mission team and the local church workers would stand together in a circle and pray. Then together we would boldly declare: "We are His feet! We are His mouth! We are His hands!" Every time I heard those words, I was deeply moved. They reminded me that we were not going out representing ourselves—we were representing Christ. We were not serving in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. This time, believers from different countries and different churches served together to minister to local churches and surrounding communities. Doctors provided medical care. Volunteers checked blood pressure and body temperature. Pastors prayed over people. Meanwhile, two sisters from a church in Canada and I were responsible for dispensing medications. At first, I could barely recognize the names of the medicines and often had to double-check everything. But by God's grace, after only a few days, I was able to read the prescriptions, locate the correct medications, and place them into the hands of each person who needed them.

Whenever I handed someone their medicine and softly said in Spanish, "Jesús te ama" — "Jesus loves you," the smiles on their faces filled my heart with indescribable joy. I knew they were receiving far more than medicine. They were receiving God's love through us. Another blessing that deeply touched me was seeing believers from different countries and cultures—people who had never met before—come together because of the same Lord. Though we spoke different languages and came from different backgrounds, we encouraged one another, supported one another, and respected one another because we shared one common purpose:

To glorify God and proclaim the Gospel.

It reminded me that the Church is not a building. The Church is God's people—those who willingly answer His call and faithfully carry out His will together. During those seven days, we endured intense heat and humidity, long hours of travel every day, unfamiliar food, difficult sanitary conditions, and physically demanding ministry. If we had relied only on ourselves, it would not have been easy. But when you know why you have come, and when you know that you are working alongside God, every hardship becomes worthwhile. The joy of serving together with God far outweighs physical exhaustion.

This mission trip also strengthened my conviction that obedience brings peace. Following Christ does not remove difficulties. Serving on a mission does not eliminate challenges. But whenever we are willing to answer God's call, He never sends us alone. Those whom He calls, He equips. Those whom He sends, He sustains. The work He begins, He Himself will bring to completion. At first, I thought I was bringing God's blessings to Honduras. Later, I realized that God had used Honduras to bless me. After these two mission trips, I know my Heavenly Father's heart more deeply. I understand the value of every soul more clearly. And I am more determined than ever to spend my life responding to His calling. I thank God for allowing me to experience the sweetness of partnering with Him. I have learned that the truly blessed person is not the one who possesses the most, but the one who is willing to lay down his or her life for the Lord. I do not know where God will send me next.  But I do know this: Wherever He sends me will be the most beautiful place to be. So wherever the Lord leads me in the future, my prayer will remain:

"Here I am, Lord. Send me."

Before I close, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every brother and sister who gave financially, prayed faithfully, and personally supported me for this mission trip to Honduras. Although you did not physically travel to Honduras, your generous giving, earnest prayers, and quiet encouragement made it possible for us to go without worry and bring the Gospel to those in need. Every gift, every prayer, and every act of support is an indispensable part of God's Kingdom work. May the Lord remember every cheerful giver and bless each one of you according to His abundant grace.

Finally, I would like to close with John 12:26:


May God place within each of us a heart that loves souls. Our mission field may not be Honduras, but it is certainly wherever God has placed us today. May we all become people who are willing to follow Christ, answer His call, and bring the Gospel to every place and every person He loves.

May all glory be to God!

弟兄姐妹们，平安！ 一切荣耀都归给神!

今天站在这里，不是想分享我做了什么，而是想见证神如何借着两次洪都拉斯短宣，一步一步打开我的眼睛，改变我的生命。感谢神，让我有机会第二次踏上洪都拉斯这片土地，参与短宣服事。有人问我：“第二次去，会不会已经没有第一次那么新鲜、那么激动了？” 我的答案正好相反。

第一次去，神打开了我的眼睛；第二次去，神坚定了我的脚步。

第一次去的时候，我整个人都是懵的。我不知道自己能做什么，也不知道神为什么要带我来到那里。我只是跟着团队走，看着、听着、经历着。然而，就是那短短几天，神一点一点打开了我的眼睛。

我看见了许多单亲妈妈，为了孩子独自承担生活的重担；看见了许多从小没有父亲陪伴的孩子；看见了街上骨瘦嶙峋、四处寻找食物的流浪狗；也看见了一些教堂虽然还在，却缺少聚会和生命的气息。与此同时，我也看见了拿撒勒教会的同工们，虽然生活条件有限，却依然满有热情地服事、他们对主的爱、对福音的火热、对灵魂的负担，深深震撼了我，那几天里我看到什么我都在流泪。

真正让我生命被触动的，是我们前往重刑犯监狱服事的那一天。在那里，我分享了自己的见证。当我看见那些曾经被罪捆绑、失去盼望的生命，听见路易斯牧师发出呼召时，几十位狱友一步一步走上前来，愿意接受耶稣基督成为他们生命的救主的那一刻，我的眼泪再次流下来。但那眼泪不只是因为感动，更是因为我真实地看见：没有一个灵魂是主愿意放弃的！即使他们身在监狱，耶稣基督仍然可以赐给他们真正的自由和新的生命。那一刻，我心里只有一个声音：

“主啊，我来对了。”

也是从那一天开始，我终于明白，神为什么把我带到洪都拉斯。原来，宣教不是完成一项任务，不是去帮助别人，更不是证明自己可以做什么，而是让自己亲身经历基督舍己的爱。那份爱，不是出于人的热心，也不是一时的感动，而是来自基督自己的生命。所以，当我第二次踏上这片土地的时候，我的心已经和第一次完全不同了。这一次，我没有再流泪。不是因为没有看见需要，而是因为圣灵提醒我：不要只是为他们流泪，更要成为神手中的器皿。

我开始学习用父神的眼光去看祂所看见的，用祂的心去感受祂所心疼的，用祂的怜悯去拥抱祂所深爱的人。每天出发服事之前，当地教会的同工和我们都会围成一个圆圈，一起祷告，然后高声宣告：“我们是祂的脚！我们是祂的口！我们是祂的手！”每一次听见这句话，我心里都非常感动。因为这提醒着我，我们不是代表自己走出去，而是代表基督走出去；不是靠自己的能力服事、而是靠着圣灵的能力去服事。这一次，我们和来自不同国家、不同教会的弟兄姐妹，一起服事当地教会和社区居民。有医生为他们看诊，有同工为他们量血压、测体温，有牧师为他们按手祷告，而我和两位来自加拿大教会的姐妹负责分发药品。刚开始的时候，我连药品名称都认不全，常常需要反复确认。但是感谢神，几天下来，我已经能够根据医生开的药方，准确地找到药品，并送到每一位需要的人手中。

每当我把药递给他们，并用西班牙语轻轻说一句：“Jesús te ama——耶稣爱你。”看到他们脸上的笑容，我心里充满了说不出的喜乐。我知道，他们领受的不只是药物，更是神借着我们传递出去的爱。更让我感动的是，我们这些来自不同国家、不同文化、原本互不相识的人，因为同一位主聚集在一起。虽然语言不同、背景不同，但我们彼此鼓励、彼此扶持、彼此尊重，因为我们有同一个目标：

“荣耀神，传扬福音”

这让我真实体会到，教会不是一栋建筑，而是一群愿意回应神呼召、一起遵行祂旨意的人。七天的服侍，我们经历了炎热发闷的天气、每天漫长的车程、不习惯的饮食，还有不是很好的卫生条件，以及每天高强度的服事……如果靠自己，这一切都不容易。但是，当一个人知道自己为什么而来，也知道自己是在与神同工的时候，这一切辛苦都变得微不足道。因为，与神同工的喜乐，远远超过身体的疲惫。

这次短宣，也让我更加确信：顺服，就有平安。困难不会因为信主而消失，挑战也不会因为宣教而减少。但是，当我们愿意回应神的呼召，神从来不会让我们独自前行。祂所呼召的，祂必亲自装备；祂所差遣的，祂必亲自负责；祂所开始的工作，祂也必亲自成全。

我原以为，是我带着祝福来到洪都拉斯；后来才发现，是神借着洪都拉斯祝福了我。两次宣教之后，我更加认识天父的心，更加看见灵魂的宝贵，也更加坚定自己愿意一生回应神呼召的心志。感谢主，让我经历与神同工是何等甘甜，也让我明白，真正蒙福的人，不是拥有最多的人，而是愿意为主摆上的人。我不知道神下一次会带我去哪里，但我知道：只要是祂差遣的地方，就是最美的地方。所以，无论将来神带领我去哪里，我都愿意回应祂的呼召：

“主啊，我在这里，请差遣我！”

最后，请允许我特别感谢所有为这次洪都拉斯短宣奉献、代祷以及对我个人财务上的支持的我亲爱的的弟兄姐妹们，虽然你们没有亲自踏上洪都拉斯这片土地，但因为你们忠心的奉献、迫切的祷告和默默的支持，使我们能够没有后顾之忧地走出去，把福音带给有需要的人。每一份奉献、每一句祷告、每一次关心，都是神国度事工中不可缺少的一部分。愿神亲自纪念每一位甘心摆上的弟兄姐妹，照着祂丰盛的恩典赐福你们。

最后，我想用《约翰福音》12章26节作为结束：“若有人服侍我，就当跟从我；我在哪里，服侍我的人也要在那里；若有人服侍我，我父必尊重他。”愿神也把一颗爱灵魂的心放在我们每一个人的里面。也许我们的禾场不一定在洪都拉斯，但一定就在神今天所安排给我们的地方。愿我们都成为愿意跟随主、回应主呼召的人，把福音带到神所爱的每一个角落。

愿一切荣耀都归给神！

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings!

My name is Jerry.

I came to the United States when I was nine and a half years old, and I came to the Chinese Christian Church when I was ten. Although I wasn’t raised in the church like most of my church friends, the church was still a big part of my childhood.

When I first came to church, I honestly just wanted to make friends. Here, I met some of my best friends. They were all very warm and welcoming, and they quickly accepted me and included me in their group. At that time, my English was very poor, so every time I went to Sunday school, I couldn’t understand the sermons at all. But honestly, I was just there to have fun, so it didn’t really matter to me whether I understood or not.

When I got to high school, I don’t know if it was the Holy Spirit guiding me or if I simply became more mature, but I started thinking, “I’ve been at church for five years already. Shouldn’t I try to understand this faith more deeply?” From then on, I paid much more attention during sermons and genuinely wanted to understand this God everyone was talking about.

During my freshman and sophomore years in high school, I thought about getting baptized many times. But my dad once told me, “If you believe, then believe wholeheartedly.” Because of that, I never fully made up my mind.

The moment I truly began taking my faith seriously was during the Honduras mission trip I went on last summer (Read Jerry's Honduras STM Trip Testimony here). In Honduras, all of us youth bonded closely with the local children. We visited prisons, poor communities, rundown houses, and very small churches. Yet everywhere we went, people were deeply devoted to God and completely dependent on Him.

I remember during VBS (Vacation Bible School), there was a very adorable little girl. After the activities ended, we played with her together, and we even visited her home. Although it was very run-down, it was still a home. But then they told me they could no longer afford the rent, and within a week, they would become homeless and have to sleep on the streets.
I was shocked. When we were playing with her, she smiled so brightly without a trace of worry. That is something very difficult to experience in America, yet they were still able to have such joy while having almost nothing. I believe that is the love God gives them — not material, but from the heart.

After returning home, I could not stop thinking about that mission trip. Although it impacted me deeply, and I told myself many times that I would get baptized after coming back, a month later, I became hesitant again. I knew I already believed in God, and I understood that baptism is simply a public declaration that I am God’s child. A person does not need baptism in order to become a Christian. For a long time, I felt there was no real need to get baptized.

But recently, the gospel retreat changed my perspective. This Blue Mountain retreat was my last time attending the gospel camp, and I felt very emotional about it. What impacted me the most was on the final day, when my good friend Justin brought me into the prayer room. He looked at me and said, “Let’s pray together.”

As we prayed, it felt as though time had stopped. We talked to God about the past, the present, and the future. Just like that, we prayed together for an hour and a half. Afterward, I felt as if I had been born again. From now on, I want to live for God and glorify His name. I also want to become a Christian like Justin — someone who helps brothers and sisters who are struggling in their faith.

That is my testimony. Thank you!

亲爱的弟兄姐妹们大家好，

我叫Jerry。

我是九岁半来到美国，十岁来到中华基督教会。虽然不像我的大多数的教会朋友，在教会里长大的，但是教会还是陪伴了我一大部分的童年。

刚来教会的时候，我是单纯过来找朋友的。在这里，我结识了我最好的朋友们。他们都非常热情友好，很快就接纳了我，并且让我加入了他们的朋友圈。当时我的英语非常差，所以每次去主日学，我都听不懂讲道的内容。反正我当时就是来玩的，听不听得懂对我来说都无所谓。当我上了高中后，不知道是圣灵给了我指引，还是我的心理变得更加成熟，我就自己想过：“我好歹在教会待了五年，我是不是应该更进一步了解一下他们的信仰。”所以从那时候开始，我会在讲到的时候更加专心去听，更加想去理解他们所说的这位神。

从高一到高二，我都有过受洗的想法。但是我爸爸说过：“要信，就要信的彻底，”所以我一直都没有下定决心。我真正开始认真对待信仰，是因为我去年夏天去的那次洪都拉斯短宣（阅读Jerry的洪都拉斯短宣见证）。在洪都拉斯，我们青少年跟那里的小孩打成了一片。我们去过监狱，去过贫穷的社区，去过邋遢的房子，也去过非常小的教会。但是那里的所有人都对神非常的执着，非常依赖着这位神。

我记得做VBS（ Vacation Bible School）的时候有一个非常可爱的小女孩， 活动结束我们一起跟她玩。我们还去了她家参观。虽然非常破旧，但是也还算是一个房子。可是他们告诉我说他们已经付不起租金，一周以后他们就必须开始流浪，睡在街上！我当时就震惊了：我们跟她一起玩的时候她笑得那么灿烂，没有一丝的担忧。这是我在美国很难体会到的，可是他们却能在一无所有的情况下还有这样的喜悦。我相信这就是神给他们的爱。不是物质上的爱，而是精神上的爱。

回来之后，我对这次短宣念念不忘。虽然这次短宣给了我很大的冲击，我也很多次告诉过我自已，回来之后就受洗。可是一个月以后，我又变得犹豫不决。我知道我已经相信神了，我也理解受洗只是公开声明我是神的孩子，人不需要受洗来变成基督徒。很长一段时间，我觉得没有受洗的必要。

但是最近的福音营改变了我的想法。这次blue mountain是我最后一次参加福音营。我非常不舍。让我印象最深刻的是在最后一天，我的好朋友Justin把我带到祈祷室。他看了我一眼，对我说：“Let’s pray together.”

当我们祈祷时，时间仿佛停止了。我们跟神谈起了过去，谈起了现在，也谈起了未来。就这样，我们一起祷告了一个半小时。结束后，我仿佛经历了重生。我以后要为神而活，并且荣耀他的名。我也想变成像Justin那样的基督徒，帮助正在信仰中挣扎的弟兄姐妹。

以上就是我的见证。谢谢各位。

说到短宣，各方评价不一。有人认为，短宣时间短，来去匆匆，很难看到明显的宣教果效，容易流于形式，甚至给接待方带来负担。的确，与长宣比较，短宣起点不一样，装备也不一样。

长宣需要长期的准备和训练，以及资金上的充分支援，培养一名长期宣教士也极其不容易。愿意献身长宣的基督徒也非常缺乏，以北美为例，基督徒大多是在职人员，愿意加入长宣的人少之又少——所以在这种情形下，笔者认为，作为不可或缺的宣教方式之一，短宣在当下的北美行之有效，且有很大的发展潜力，值得大力推广。

笔者从事短宣已经五、六年。通过自己的经历，我看到，对基督徒来说，短宣是灵命成长不可替代的途径之一；对教会来说，短宣是灵命复兴的方法之一；对于禾场来说，短宣的意义也是非常重要的：无论是短宣队队员的恩赐，还是短宣队给予经济上的资助，都能成为当地福音扩展的重要助力。

作为生活在北美的基督徒，我虽然有规律的教会生活，但仍然觉得亏欠主的大使命。而参加短宣，给基督徒提供了参与主耶稣大使命的机会。虽然参与者的恩赐和灵命水准参差不一，但是短宣队作为一个团队，其能量不可低估。笔者参加由新希望全球事工组织的短宣活动五年，看到洪都拉斯的儿童事工和监狱事工规模越来越大，影响范围越来越广， 在当地的福音推广中起到了重要的作用。

此外，由新希望提供的宣教平台六、七年来，一共吸引了近千人次参与，这个平台向千余名洪都拉斯普通群众和儿童以及千余名犯人传福音，其果效不可低估。此外，新希望构建的宣教平台还辐射至非洲肯尼亚、欧洲乌克兰、亚洲等地区，支持几百名孤贫儿童，并使他们听到福音教导。

总之，短宣队和与当地教会的合作配搭，使得两股力量凝聚在一起，让福音得以广传。

记得第一次参加校园短宣，我加入了诗歌敬拜团队。我们唱完7首歌后，同工有简短的布道，然后呼召学生决志信主，出乎意料之外，有许多学生愿意接受主耶稣。这是我参加其他营会没有见过的。其实当天传讲的资讯非常简单，我想背后一定是神悦纳了我们的赞美敬拜，圣灵运行在我们当中，神感召这些同学信主，这是我第一次在服事中经历与神同工。

之后，在洪都拉斯的监狱布道，更是震撼，让我真实感受到神的同在。当天敬拜结束，我们做完见证，牧师简短的布道后，当他呼召犯人信主的时候，我们看到一批批的犯人走向台前，跪下接受主耶稣做他们的救主，此情此景就是圣经中得人如得鱼的真实写照。许多短宣队员都流下激动的眼泪，那是经历神的喜悦。

在短宣中，每一次看到这种景象，我们都知道，这是圣灵同在的见证，不是我们的见证有多好，也不是牧师的布道多精彩，而是圣灵自己的作为。这种情形，有时很难在教会生活中看到，但当我们走出自己的舒适圈，去更广大的禾场，我们就能经历到与上帝同在的美好，这也是让许多基督徒一次次愿意参与短宣的动力。

曾多次参加短宣的景昆弟兄说：“不是洪都拉斯监狱的犯人需要我们，是我们需要他们，不是儿童助养中心的孩子们需要我们，而是我们需要他们；也不是吉尔吉斯家庭教会的宣教士需要我们，而是我们需要他们……”。每次他看到正在经历属灵挣扎的弟兄姐妹去到宣教的禾场，神能使其从不冷不热的状态振作起来。

许多参加过短宣的弟兄姐妹，都有同样的感受。此外，无论是早上的灵修，还是晚上的分享，都会潜移默化地造就大家。记得第一次参加短宣，我遇到了马里兰哥仑比亚华人教会张瑞新牧师（他们教会组织了多次短宣），我问牧师为什么要出来短宣，他说是为了“充电”。这些年，他坚持每年都带领弟兄姐妹岀来短宣，因为短宣启动了他的教会，教会的灵命有很大的复兴；自从开始短宣，教会人数也增长了近一倍。

对我来说，参加短宣也是一个奇妙的经历。一开始，我坚信自己不会加入短宣队，因为工作很忙，更别说抽出一周时间。没想到神用了一个特殊的方式（我失业了），让我没了不参加的理由。为了试练自己的信心，那时我想，我要先去短宣，后找工作。没想到短宣回来，神赐给我一份工作，不用从早干到晚，周末也不用加班，这使得我后面有更充足的时间加入宣教。从一年一次，到一年几次，我十分感激神给我参与短宣的机会，使我的信心和灵命有了飞跃的成长。

在北美教会长大的孩子，往往是学校、教会、家庭三点一线，他们虽然参与教会活动，但常常分不清他们信的是父母的神，还是他们自己的神。在离开母会进入大学后，不少孩子就在信仰上流失了。让孩子们参与短宣，虽然有时只有一个星期，但当他们离开熟悉的环境，来到一个陌生的地方，与其他陌生弟兄姐妹相处，参与服事，这使得他们有机会来思考自己的信仰。

张瑞新牧师的孩子在教会长大，但迟迟没有信主。他父亲邀请他加入短宣时，他百般不愿意，去到禾场，开始的几天，他这看看那看看，临走前一天，他突然放声大哭，愿意受洗，并且为当地的孩子祷告——张牧师喜极而泣。这样的故事在短宣队时时发生。

2022年，我们全家去洪都拉斯短宣，女儿当时是大学生，儿子是高中生，尽管他们都已受洗，但其实我们也无法知道他们信仰的真实情况。在之前，女儿挑战我们说：你们把路费、以及短宣的开销捐给有需要的人群，不是比你们自己去更有用吗？

但之后，她的态度有了一百八十度的改变。她告诉我们，她去探访了一个印第安部落的家庭，她走进他们的家，与他们交流，走之前她牵手为他们祷告，拥抱每个人。那主人对她说，过去也有人去探访他们，但没有进门，只是把一包衣服丢在门口，我女儿是第一个走进他家与他们说话的人。

女儿听了非常感动，她才明白，真正的爱不是给钱，是让人感受到神的爱。这次短宣对我女儿的信仰产生了极大的促进作用，后来，她不仅资助了一位印第安部落的儿童，而且毕业时，她参加了所在教会的两个短宣，一个是服事父母弃养的孩子，另一个是服事无家可归人群。如今，女儿在新的教会也积极服事。

大多数基督徒的奉献，一般都是针对教会，很少会愿意资助宣教士或其他宣教活动，因为没有身临其境的感受，就很难有负担。但当短宣队员来到服事的禾场，他们看到真实的需要，神在他们心中动工。

比如我们教会，如果不是身临其境地看到那些孩子的需要，很难想像，我们会愿意用金钱支援那些跟我们没有关系的儿童事工。再比如洪都拉斯的监狱事工，一开始当地宣教士因为没有经费的支持，传福音的果效有限，但后来新希望团队看到他们的需要后，他们的经济支援成为监狱事工发展的重要助力。

即便在同一个教会呆了十几年，兄弟姐妹也很少朝夕相处超过一周，然而短宣却提供了这样的机会。大家朝夕相处，一起服事，彼此交流、分享，通过这种近距离的接触和相处，弟兄姐妹在宣教中结下了友谊，这友谊非常特殊，有极强的凝聚力，有人说，他们在教会几年的交往，还比不上一次短宣的交往能更增进彼此的友情。

总之，短宣是一个富有生命力和创造力的宣教活动，它依靠的是团体而非个人的力量。短宣有多种方式。在我参与短宣这些年的经历中，我看到神的禾场巨大，单靠少数长期宣教士来开拓和牧养，是非常困难的。

许多的案例也充分证明，短宣队与长期宣教士的有效配合，可以让福音的传播和发展更有成效。因此，希望有更多的基督徒能走出自己的舒适圈，踏上宣教的道路，去到禾场，去探访宣教士，去学习宣教士的奉献精神，协助他们的事工，为神的国度共同打那美好的仗。

We live in a world full of brokenness. At times, we are wounded by the sins of others; at times, we stumble because of our own weakness. Yet it is through these cracks that the grace of God shines in, illuminating our darkness, and revealing that His power is made perfect in human weakness.

For thirty-six years, Living Hope Global Ministries has been serving in places of brokenness. There, we have witnessed both pain and miracles—the hungry being fed, the weary shepherds renewed in strength, and the forgotten finding hope and new life in Christ.
This summer, one of our short-term mission teams served at a small church in Honduras. They helped with children’s ministry, provided medical care, and helped the church build a protective wall. That day, the courtyard rang with the laughter of children. Among them was a boy named Isaac, whose radiant smile lit up the whole place. It might have been the happiest day of his life.

Yet two weeks after the team left, we received heartbreaking news— Isaac’s father, under the influence of drugs, had violently beaten him. When our local coworkers rushed to visit, they found him hiding under the bed, trembling and too frightened to come out. With tears in their eyes, they told us, “Isaac’s story is only one among countless children suffering in this land.”

It is for children like Isaac that God has called Living Hope Global Ministries to serve. He has entrusted us with a mission—
 
     To Care for lives, comforting the wounded and strengthening the weak;
     To Change lives, proclaiming the gospel of redemption and hope;
     To Commission forth lives, carrying God’s love and truth to the ends of the earth.

May the Lord who has called us into His mission strengthen our faith with His love, and renew our vision with His light. Whatever lies ahead, may we walk together in unity, continuing to serve with faith and hope— until the day His glory fills the earth.

With gratitude and blessing,

Rev. Dr. Samuel Fang

Living Hope Global Ministries Founder, President

我们生活在一个破碎的世界里。有时，我们因他人的罪而受伤；有时，我们因自己的软弱而跌倒。然而，正是那些破碎与裂缝，让神的恩典有了渗透的空间，祂的光从缝隙照进来，让我们看见祂的能力，正是在人的软弱上显得完全。

三十六年来，新希望全球事工走入世界的破碎角落，在那里，我们看见泪水与盼望并行，听见叹息与赞美交织。我们见证饥饿的孩子得饱足，疲惫的牧者重新得力，被遗忘的灵魂在基督里重新找到生命的意义与希望。

今年夏天，我们的一支短宣队来到洪都拉斯，在一间小教会中服事。他们带领儿童活动、提供医疗支援、帮助教会建起围墙。那一天，院子里回荡着孩子们纯真的笑声——其中一个名叫以撒的小男孩，笑得特别灿烂。那或许，是他短暂生命中最快乐的一天。

然而，两周后传来的消息，却令人心碎——以撒的父亲因吸毒失控，回家殴打了他。当我们的当地同工赶去探望，只见他蜷缩在床底下，浑身颤抖，不敢出来。同工含着泪告诉我们：以撒的故事，只是这个国家无数受苦孩子的缩影。

正是为了这些像以撒一样的孩子，神呼召新希望全球事工前行。祂托付我们去——

        关怀性命，安慰受伤、扶持软弱；
        更新生命，宣扬救赎与盼望的福音；
        差派使命，将爱与真理传递到地极。

愿那呼召我们一同参与祂使命的主，以祂的爱坚固我们的信心，以祂的光更新我们的异象。
无论前路多艰难，愿我们同心前行，在信心与盼望中继续服事，直到那荣耀的日子来临。

怀着感恩与祝福，

方牧师 敬上

新希望全球事工 创办人、会长

Looking back on this year’s mission trips to Honduras, our hearts are filled with gratitude. We thank God for His abundant grace, and we thank every coworker, intercessor, and supporter who has walked with us in unity on this journey of missions. The path of missions is not without challenges, yet we have witnessed faith, courage, and love shining through difficulties—testifying to God’s wondrous works.

During this summer’s mission in Honduras, we saw with our own eyes how God’s hand was at work. Six short-term mission teams visited 23 churches, serving alongside local brothers and sisters reaching about 2,750 children and adults. We carried out a variety of ministries: we held Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs for children, helping them know Jesus through games, songs, and Bible stories, and experience the love and joy that come from God; we provided medical services, offering basic health checks and medicine to meet physical needs and demonstrate Christ’s compassion; we visited families in need throughout the community, praying with them and bringing God’s comfort and hope through our actions; we also helped with the repair and renovation of local churches, strengthening places of worship so they can continue to serve as beacons of spiritual renewal and hope in their communities; and throughout it all, we kept sharing the gospel, bringing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to every seeking heart. In addition to visiting seven prisons—where we shared the gospel with more than 2,000 inmates and witnessed over 300 decisions for Christ.

Every smile, every prayer, and every moment of service was a living testimony of God’s love and grace. These experiences remind us that missions are not only about “going out,” but about “living out” our faith. Every participant—whether serving in person, giving financially, or praying from afar—plays a vital role in proclaiming the gospel through action. God does not call the perfect, but those who are willing to obey and serve. Because of your faithfulness and passion, we have seen His glory revealed throughout the world.

Looking ahead, may we continue to walk with joyful and humble hearts, allowing God to use every step of obedience to bring His light and love to the nations. Together, let us witness each life that is touched, each heart that is renewed, and every story transformed by the power of the gospel.

回顾今年洪都拉斯短宣的服事，我们的心中充满感恩。我们感谢神的丰盛恩典，也感谢每一位同工、代祷者与支持者在这条宣教之路上的同心同行。宣教的旅程并非没有挑战，但我们看见，信心、勇气与爱心在困难中闪耀，见证着神奇妙的作为。

在今年夏天的洪都拉斯宣教中，我们亲眼见证了神的手如何动工。六支短宣队走访了 23 间教会，与当地的弟兄姐妹一同服事了2750位儿童与成人。我们开展了多样化的事工：我们举办了儿童 VBS（假期圣经学校），让孩子们在游戏、诗歌与圣经故事中认识耶稣，领受从神而来的爱与喜乐；我们进行了医疗服务，为当地居民提供基本的健康检查与药物援助，在身体的需要上彰显基督的怜悯；我们走进社区，探访贫困家庭，为他们祷告用行动传递神的安慰与盼望；我们也协助当地教会的修缮工程，使敬拜的场所更稳固、更温暖，成为社区属灵与生命更新的灯塔；同时，我们也在各个角落持续分享福音，将耶稣基督的救恩信息带给每一颗渴慕的心。除了服事教会，我们探访了七次监狱，向超过 2,000 位狱友传讲福音，并见证超过 300 位决志信主。

每一个笑容、每一次祷告、每一个服事的瞬间，都是神爱与恩典的真实见证。这些经历提醒我们：宣教不仅是“出去”，更是“活出”。每一位参与者——无论是亲身服事、奉献支持，或是在远方代祷——都在以行动传扬福音。神并非拣选完美的人，而是拣选那愿意顺服、愿意付出的人。正因你们的忠心与热情，我们得以看见祂的荣耀在世界各地显明。

展望未来，愿我们继续带着喜乐与谦卑的心同行，让神使用我们每一个顺服的脚步，将祂的光与爱带到世界各地。让我们一同见证每一个被触动的生命、每一颗被更新的心灵，以及因福音而改变的故事。

My experience in Honduras completely overturned my previous understanding. I came to realize that a person's happiness is not determined by what kind of job they have, what kind of house they live in, or how much money they make, but rather by their relationship with God—by how much they set their eyes on heaven, how much hope they have, and how deeply they trust in Him.

I saw the adults and children serving with us there, praying with such focus and reverence. When they talked about God, their eyes lit up. Their dependence on and trust in God were so genuine, and an invisible power struck and moved me deeply. It’s really hard to describe clearly with words or just a few sentences.

My time in Honduras also made me understand that only those who have experienced suffering truly realize how limited their own strength is—and thus rely more fully on God. They come to grasp how precious salvation is. Everyone on earth will experience suffering, but because of God's love, we are no longer alone and can be full of hope.

I shared my testimony as a believer for the very first time in the largest prison in Honduras. To this day, I still can't remember exactly what I said. I just remember that the inmates listening to me would start clapping from time to time. I saw their eyes soften; some were secretly wiping away tears in the corners.

There was an old man clutching a Bible to his chest, repeatedly saying "Amen." I also remember that a pipe burst in the prison that day, and one man held a towel tightly around it to keep the sound of spraying water from disturbing our sharing.

When we were about to leave, those inmates crossed the yellow line that separated us from them to come shake our hands. After that experience, I realized that sharing our testimony is not just about telling our own story—it’s about telling God’s story. And any story that belongs to God is worth sharing and proclaiming.

在洪都拉斯颠覆了我之前的认知，人活得幸福与否真的不在于你做着什么样的工作，住着怎样的房子，赚多少钱，而是更在于你和神的关系如何，你把多少的眼光放在天上，有多少盼望，有多么的信靠神。

我看到当地与我们一起服事的大人和孩子们祷告时专注虔诚的样子，他们谈论到神时候眼睛都在放光，我看到他们对神的仰望和信靠是无比真实的，有一种无形的力量给我带来冲击并感染着我，我真的无法通过文字或三言两语可以描绘清楚。

洪都拉斯的经历也让我明白，经历苦难的人才能知道自己的能力是多么有限从而更加信靠神，才能明白救恩是多么重要，地上的人都是会经历苦难，但是因着神的爱我们不再孤单，并满有盼望。

我人生第一次讲自己信主的见证是在洪都拉斯最大的监狱里，到现在也想不起当时自己都说了些什么。只记得听我讲话的狱友时不时就开始鼓掌，我看到他们的眼神变得柔软，有人在角落里偷偷擦着眼泪，把圣经抱在胸口的老爷爷一遍一遍说阿门，我还记得那天监狱里的水管爆了，有一个人为了不让喷水的声音影响我们的分享，他用毛巾死死的把水管按住。

当我们要走的时候，那些罪犯跨越了分割我们和他们的黄线，过来和我们握手。在这件事之后，让我意识到我们分享见证不只是在讲我们的故事，更是在讲神的故事，只要是神的故事，就是值得分享和传讲的。

From the moment we landed in Honduras, something special started to happen. Even though many of us came from different church branches and didn't know each other well, we quickly bonded. It was amazing to see how our shared faith in God brought us together. By the end of the trip, these strangers had become brothers and sisters to me; people I truly won’t forget.

We served in areas that might seem dangerous or even intimidating. Some of the neighborhoods were known to be controlled by gangs, and I had heard stories that made me hesitant before coming. But while we were there, I experienced a deep sense of peace and protection. Whether we were walking through the streets, helping in local churches, or even just buying snacks at the supermarket, I felt God’s presence, and He covered our team every step of the way.

The churches we also went into were also very far away, but that didn’t matter if we had God on our side. No one got tired throughout the week, and everyone was so happy to do their job. What I learned is that our role isn’t to convert hearts; that’s God’s job. Our job is to show up, to love, and to share the gospel boldly and faithfully. And in that, I learned to trust God more deeply. I learned that even in unfamiliar places, even when the conditions aren’t ideal, God is still in control. He’s working through us, even when we can’t see the full picture.

Honduras changed me. It reminded me of the power of unity in Christ, the strength of faith in action, and the beauty of trusting in God’s plan, especially when things are out of our control. I’m so thankful I got to go, and I’m even more thankful for what God did while we were there.

从我们一落地洪都拉斯开始，就感觉有些特别的事情在发生。虽然我们当中很多人来自不同的教会分堂，彼此并不熟悉，但我们很快就建立了深厚的感情。令人惊叹的是，是我们对上帝的共同信仰把我们紧紧连结在一起。到旅程结束时，这些原本陌生的人，已经成了我真正的弟兄姊妹，是我永远不会忘记的人。

我们服事的地区，从外表看，可能会让人觉得危险甚至有些吓人。有些社区据说是由帮派控制的，我在来之前也听说过不少令人犹豫的故事。但当我们实际到达那里时，我内心却有一种深深的平安与被保护的感觉。无论是我们走在街道上、在当地教会帮忙，还是仅仅去超市买点零食，我都能感受到神的同在和对我们团队的看顾。我们去的许多教会也非常偏远，但只要有神与我们同在，路途的遥远根本不算什么。整个星期没有人感到疲惫，每个人都非常喜乐地完成自己的服事。

我学到的是，改变人心的工作不是我们的责任，那是神的工作。我们的责任是去到那里，去爱他们，去勇敢而忠心地传讲福音。在这个过程中，我学会了更加信靠神。我明白了，即使是在陌生的地方，即使环境并不理想，神仍然掌权。即使我们看不到全貌，神也在透过我们做工。

洪都拉斯的这次经历让我改变了。它让我再次看到基督里的合一有多么强大，看到信心的行动有多么有力，也看到信靠神计划的美好——特别是在我们无法掌控的时刻。我非常感恩我能够参与这次旅程，更感恩在我们在那里时，神所做的一切。

I had the pleasure of serving on the short-term mission trip to Honduras in July. I can't express the emotions that I experienced on this mission.

I am older than most of the people who go on these trips, and I have seen poverty in many areas of the world. I was amazed at how all members of the team came together to work in Christ for those less fortunate. This was my first mission trip, and I wasn't sure what to expect. It was great to see a team of total strangers come together to do God's work. By the end of the mission, we were working together like a well-trained team. Most of us knew how to set things up when we arrived.

I felt the spirit of the Lord moving in me several times while there. I wanted to help everyone I saw. The children made a large impression on me. The joy they got from simple things, and the joy they had when they were being taught songs, and learning about Jesus was very touching for me. They showed their gratitude in the most simple and honest of ways. I remember a little boy who I had not even interacted with, came up to me and hugged me. This told me that we were making a difference to these children. 

I was taken back when we visited the prison. All those young men live under terrible conditions. It was obvious that many of them were starved for the word of God. Most of them are just happy to have someone new to see. I was reminded of Matthew 25:36, "When I was in prison, you came to see me". Christ does not want these people forgotten, and I think it is an important part of this trip. It reminded me of how God has been active in my life. Had it not been for his blessings I could have ended up in a similar situation.

Praise the Lord!

我很荣幸在七月参加了前往洪都拉斯的短期宣教之旅。在这次宣教中，我许多的感受都是难以用言语表达。

我比大多数参加这类宣教的人年纪大，而且我也曾在世界上许多地方见过贫困的状况。但让我感到惊讶的是，团队中的每一位成员都齐心协力，在基督里一同服事那些不幸的人。这是我第一次参加宣教活动，一开始我并不知道会经历什么。然而，看到一群原本互不相识的人，能够聚在一起为神的工作而努力，实在令人感动。在宣教结束时，我们已经像一个训练有素的团队一样合作无间。大多数人一到达就知道该做什么、怎么做。

在那里，我几次深深感受到主的灵在我心中的动工。我看见短宣队的每一个人都想去帮助那里的民众，当地的孩子们给我留下了深刻的印象。他们从简单的事物中获得的喜乐，以及在学习歌曲和认识耶稣时所表现出的快乐，令我非常感动。他们用最简单、最真诚的方式表达感谢。我记得有一个我并未与之互动过的小男孩，主动跑过来抱了我一下。这个举动告诉我，我们确实在这些孩子身上带来了改变。

当我们参观监狱时，我感到十分震撼。那里面的年轻人生活在极其恶劣的环境下。很明显，他们中许多人极度渴望听到神的话语。对他们来说，有新的人来看望他们就是一件开心的事。我想起马太福音25章36节：“我在监里，你们来看我。”基督不希望这些人被遗忘，而我认为这也是此次宣教中非常重要的一部分。这让我想起了神在我生命中的作为。若不是祂的恩典，我也可能落入类似的境遇。

赞美主！

Everything is by God’s grace. In 2023, when our church launched a short-term mission to Honduras, I didn’t expect to go. Work made it impossible to take time off, but after an unexpected surgery and recovery, God opened the way. Though physically weak, I experienced the truth of His promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

Traveling with my two children through mountain roads and rivers, I saw lives that deeply touched me. The local children slept on cement floors, without clean clothes or proper beds, yet their faces shone with joy and their hearts overflowed with a hunger to worship. My daughter, Anita, normally quiet and reserved, began hugging those dusty children. I knew it wasn’t her—it was God’s love flowing through her.

During a prison ministry visit, my son, Cody, collapsed from heat exhaustion. The inmates immediately gathered around him, fanning him with cardboard and offering cold drinks and ice packs—precious things in prison. Through tears, he whispered, “Mom, they don’t seem like prisoners. God’s love has changed them. I want to change too.” That week, both Anita and Cody were baptized on Tiger Island, joyfully declaring their faith in Christ.

Miraculously, my chronic back pain eased during the trip, and peace filled my heart. Returning to New York, we cherished God’s blessings even more. Our church elders were amazed by my children’s transformation—only the Gospel can truly change a life.

Later, at a gospel conference, I dedicated myself to full-time ministry training, and my children also committed to live for Christ. By 2025, they helped lead more youth to join the Honduras mission. Though from different congregations, the young people served with one heart, learning the truth of “Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

In the prison ministry, we witnessed hardened men repent and embrace one another. Even the toughest hearts among our youth were softened as they saw God’s love at work. The Gospel’s light shone brightly in a place the world calls hopeless.

Now, our hearts are ready to go again. Many forgotten corners still await the touch of Christ’s love. We invite you to join us—to carry God’s light and hope to the ends of the earth.

一切都是神的恩典。2023 年，当教会推动洪都拉斯短宣时，我原本并没有打算参加。因工作无法请假，但在一次意外的手术与康复期间，神为我开了道路。虽然身体软弱，却真实经历祂的应许：「我的恩典够你用，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。」

与两位孩子同行，我们翻山越岭、涉水前行，见到许多令人感动的生命。当地孩子睡在水泥地上，没有干净衣服，却充满喜乐，对敬拜神满有渴慕。女儿 Anita 平日害羞内向，却主动拥抱那些满身灰尘的孩子——那是神的爱在她心中运行。

在2023年监狱事工中，儿子 Cody 因中暑晕倒。狱友们立刻围上来，用纸皮为他扇风，买来饮料和冰袋——这些在监狱里是极珍贵的物品。Cody 含泪对我说：「妈妈，他们不像犯人，是神的爱改变了他们，我也想改变。」那一周，两姐弟在老虎岛受洗归主，公开宣告信仰。

奇妙的是，我多年的腰痛在短宣期间得了医治，心中充满平安。回到纽约后，我们更加珍惜神的恩典。孩子生命的转变令教会长辈惊叹——唯有福音的大能，能带来如此真实的更新。

后来，我们参加福音大会，我将自己奉献，全职装备神学课程；孩子们也立志为主而活。今年，他们鼓励并带领更多青少年重返洪都拉斯。虽然来自不同分堂，但同心事奉、彼此相爱，并明白真理：「保罗栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有神叫他生长。」（林前 3:6）

在监狱事工中，我们见证罪犯悔改、彼此拥抱；连青少年最刚硬的心也被融化。福音的光照进人以为绝望的地方，改变了一切。

如今，我们预备再次出发！世界上仍有许多被遗忘的角落，等待神的爱临到。邀请你与我们同行，将祂的光与盼望带到地极。

I was adopted from China through Living Hope at 11 months old. The first 11 months of my life is essentially unknown, but I realize that the life, family, and culture I could have grown up with in China would have looked much different than the way my life looks today. The nature of being adopted can lead to thoughts of feeling like I was unwanted and unloved, at least at one point in my life. The idea of being lovable is definitely something I have struggled with in the past, along with other uncertainties that relate to identity, but I know those are all lies from the enemy. I was loved and chosen by my adopted mom, but more importantly, I have always been loved and chosen by God, and my identity is found in Him and who He says I am.  

I am currently attending a church that I love and am surrounded by a church family that I am proud to be a part of. I have served in many different ministries at church, and I was even recently elected to serve as a member of the church board, which is a huge honor. It is so cool to be a voice that helps guide the church in the way the Spirit is leading. I have actually found myself in a lot of leadership positions recently, which is ironic, because I never saw myself as a leader, but God has a funny way of using you in ways you may not have thought possible. While I am loving where God has me right now, it has been a long journey to get to where I am today. Past me would not have believed that current me was even a possibility.  

The single greatest and most loving thing my mom did for me was introduce me to Jesus. Even though I grew up going to church, I did not take my faith seriously or even really grasp what that meant until more recently. My family was attending a different church for a while, but returning to Immanuel Church helped me develop and grow in my faith and grow socially in ways that were not possible without God. I was the extremely shy girl who did not really speak to anyone but still showed up because deep down, I desired community. I just didn’t know how to get there. God placed the right people in my life; people who were patient with me and kind and loving enough to show me how to be a good friend by modeling that to me. These are also people who live out their faith well, and it is a blessing to get to learn from them. They were a big contributing factor to my decision to get baptized in October 2023. The transformation that God has done through me over the past few years is truly a miracle.  

At Immanuel, I learned the beauty of community and what a church family is, and God sure has blessed me with a great one! I am one of those people that has a hard time saying “no,” but I truly love serving in the church and helping wherever and whenever I can. I do get busy, but the time and effort put in is meaningful to me. We were made for community, and God places people around us that we get to do life with; people we can encourage, love, serve, and support as we walk with Christ and grow towards Christlikeness.  

The beauty of serving as the body of Christ is seeing all the different gifts and talents God has given to each individual and utilizing them to complement each other and serve Him together (1 Corinthians 12:18-26). Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to see the unity of the body of Christ in action on an international level in Honduras by being a part of my first mission trip. I couldn’t pass this opportunity up as I knew God was calling me to serve in this way and challenging me to take a step outside my comfort zone. The decision was further solidified as I knew the trip was co-led by Samuel Fang (Living Hope) and Andrea Sawtelle (Immanuel Church), both of which have played pivotal roles in my life.  

While it has been a long and messy journey at times, I know God had a plan for my life from the start. He continues to walk with me each step of the way, and I am excited to see what He has for me next.  

我是在11个月大时通过 Living Hope从中国被收养的。我生命最初的11个月基本上一篇空白。但我意识到，如果我在中国长大，我的生活、家庭和文化都会和现在完全不同。被收养的身份有时会让我产生一些想法，比如被遗弃或不被爱的感觉。这些年，我也曾怀疑自己是否值得被爱，还有一些关于身份认同的困惑，但我知道这些都是来自仇敌的谎言。我的养母深爱着我、选中了我。更重要的是，上帝一直爱着我，祂拣选了我。我的身份在于上帝，是祂定义了我是谁。

我现在正在参与一个我非常喜欢的教会，并且被一个我引以为荣的教会大家庭包围着。我在教会里参与了很多不同的事工服侍，最近甚至被选为教会执事会的一员，这是一个极大的荣誉。能成为一个在圣灵带领下，为教会指引方向的声音，真的很奇妙。其实，我最近发现自己在很多领导岗位上，这是我完全没想到的，因为我以前从来不认为自己是个领导者，但上帝就是会以你意想不到的方式来使用你。虽然我很享受上帝如今带领我所在的位置，但一路走到今天真的经历了很多。过去的我若是看到现在的自己，根本无法相信这是可能实现的。

我妈妈为我做过最伟大、最充满爱的一件事，就是把我带到耶稣面前。虽然我从小就去教会，但其实一直没有认真看待我的信仰，也不太明白那意味着什么。我们家曾经去过另一间教会，但回到 Immanuel Church后，我的信仰才真正开始成长，我的社交能力也在上帝的帮助下有了突破。曾经的我是那个非常害羞、几乎不和任何人说话的女孩，但我还是会去教会，因为内心深处我渴望有一个属灵群体，只是我不知道该如何融入。上帝把合适的人带到我生命中——那些对我有耐心、充满善意、有爱心的人，他们用自己的榜样教会我如何成为一个好朋友。他们的信仰也非常真实，我从他们身上学到了很多。他们在我2023年10月决定接受洗礼的过程中起到了非常重要的作用。过去几年，上帝在我身上的改变真的是一个奇迹。

在Immanuel Church，我学到了属灵群体的美好，明白了什么是真正的教会家庭，而上帝真的赐给我一个很棒的教会！我是那种不太会说“不”的人，但我真的很喜欢在教会服侍，愿意在任何有需要的地方尽力帮助。虽然有时候会很忙，但我知道我的时间和努力都是有意义的。我们是为群体而造的，上帝也把我们放在一个群体中，让我们可以彼此鼓励、相爱、彼此服侍、互相支持，一起走在通往基督样式的路上。

作为基督的身体，我们一起服侍的美好在于能看到上帝赐给每个人不同的恩赐和才能，彼此配合，共同事奉祂（哥林多前书12:18-26）。今年上半年，我有幸第一次参加宣教之旅，前往洪都拉斯，亲眼见证了基督身体在全世界范围上的合一。我无法错过这个机会，因为我知道上帝呼召我以这样的方式来服侍祂，并挑战我走出自己的舒适圈。这个决定也因为Samuel Fang（Living Hope）和 Andrea Sawtelle（Immanuel Church）共同带队而更加坚定，他们两位在我生命中都有非常重要的影响。

虽然这是一段漫长又有时坎坷的旅程，但我知道从一开始，上帝就为我的生命定下了美好的计划。祂一直都与我同行，我也满心期待祂接下来要在我生命中做的事。