Saturday, September 20, 2014

Thanksgiving Prayer letter

你們要先求他的國和他的義,這些東西都要加給你們了。
馬太福音6:33


早在2013年初的一月,我們就確定設立幼兒園的異象。即使如此,仍不時有懷疑的意念閃過腦海,只是很快我們就認出那些並非來自神的、而是敵人的攻擊。大多時間我們感覺 神強烈的同在,而且只要我們依靠祂,我們就真實的經歷祂的信實和慈愛。過去幾年內,我們歷經許多不同的艱難困苦,它們讓我們體會 神允許這些事發生,目的是讓我們的團隊更加堅強。

2014三月份,幼兒園的建築硬體部份基本上已經完工,我們只需要繼續軟體部份的工作,確定我們正為孩子的學習,營造一個詳和溫馨的環境。事實上,我們已經達到這個目標,在這個安全而且令人愉快的地方,加上訓練有素、充滿愛心的老師的學校裏,我們可說是完全就緒,可以開始在Tokmok第一個,也是令人期盼以久的幼兒園,可說是「萬事俱備,只欠東風」—就差了一張學校執照。

根據過去的經驗,只要滿足所有官方規定,再加上文件齊備,等待執照核發的時間通常是一個月,頂多不超過三個月。我們聯絡一位與教育部來往甚密、曾經在那兒工作多年的人,請教如何正確地申請幼兒園的許可證 (Charter)和執照並迅速過關,她建議我們找相關人士,包括律師,以加速審核過程。我們也找了一位幫手,好讓為我們的行政主任Sophia可以更專心一意地在這件「最緊要」的事上效力。

時間就這樣一週一週、一月一月地過去了,我們耐心地等候,也聽到一些模糊不清的理由,告訴我們為何事情無法進展。我們被要求要做這做那,Sophia在一週裏,至少有二三天的時間必需往返於Tokmok Bishkek兩地,奔波於不同的部門之間,卻無所得。她幾乎每天都在打電話給承辦人(這兒大多的公務員並沒有電子郵件),但得不到答案。好幾月就這麼過去了,我們毫無頭緒。後來很幸運地找到Camilla幫忙,才知道問題的癥結所在。她聯絡並發現包括教育部的所有部門,在政府防腐肅擊貪的嚴厲監管和稽查下,許多的公務都受到延遲。他們必需停下手上的業務去配合調查。我們得知包括我們和數以百計的執照都因此懸而未決。當然他們也不會向申請人說明原因,只是任憑我們在不明就理的情況下癡癡等待。回顧這事,我們得知神允許事情發生。祂大可說句話,就事情即刻成就,但祂沒有,因為祂希望我們學會真實在這個不完美的世界裏,人生中存在的無耐事實,我們因此也要更加專注在上面的事和永恆的國度。

我們原希望能和本地的學校一樣在九月份開學。因此我們設定了九月五日作為新幼兒園的開學典禮,並邀請CEM的朱博士 (Dr. Calvin Chu ) 希望屆時他能抽空前來。朱博士告訴我們,無論執照是否如期核發,他一定會前來拜訪我們。這對我們而言是一個極大的鼓勵,也是處身在諸多失望挫折中,我們能領受從神而來的肯定,這也使我們能繼續手上的工作,並全心信靠神仍掌權作主。

開學慶典就這麼來去匆匆,至今我們仍然沒有拿到執照。僅管如此,我們仍然堅定向前,因為許多教育部的長官和Tokmok巿的貴賓,朋友和家長蒞臨我們的開學慶典,他們都公開表示對我們工作的肯定,而且看樣子是相信支持的。我們感到極大的安慰。

2014九月17日是一個值得紀念的日子,讚美主我們的許可證終於被批准了,我們被正式登記註冊。現在我們就等著隔日,也就是9/18,這天教育部將核發我們的執照。彩虹幼兒園終於正式上路了。主啊,我們只想全心感謝祢,因為祢聽到我們所有世界各地代禱者的禱告,祢依照自己的時間和方式應允我們!我們向祢曲膝來讚美敬拜祢!

此外,本地新聞報導我們開學典禮也給予我們極佳的評論。他們提及在吉爾吉斯僅有三家Montessri教學法的幼兒園,而其中兩家都位於首都的Bishkek,該地人口現為一百萬人,而人口僅有六萬人的Tokmok也開創了第一家。他們恭喜Tokmok 居民能擁有一家如此優秀的幼兒園供他們的孩子就讀。

請各位持續為我們禱告,讓我們在每天生活中都能尊主為大,並且順服祂的旨意。求神賜福你們,因你們如此託住我們的事工並為我們的服事代禱。我們的服事都是為祂的國度,與祂同工,也是靠著祂。

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Another Urgent Prayer Request

Dear all,

John and I have to confess that we are so tired and physically weak. Please do pray for us to lift us up. We know that God is there for us, but the endless issues (both things and people relationships)  are just weighing us down. 

We gave thanks for what has been accomlished, but the fact the we have not got the license is affecting the staff. We already lost one translator because of her physical condition and now we are about the lose the second one because she needs to make more money and also want to go for advanced study. We may also lose the cook (who has worked with us since March) also because of financial issue - need more money. Our administrator who is only 35 years old but have to handle all these people issues but she is at the edge of burnt-out. 

We desperately need God's mighty hand be upon all of us to deal with the challenges we are facing. It is hard to maintain unity when we are so into our individual problems. Everyone feels that they are hurting and no one understand and need to be understood though each one has no time to listen to others.Do help us with prayers so God heals us and correct our wrong notions. Or else before we get the license, we may lose all the staff who are somewhat trained. If we are not licensed soon they will leave us for other jobs so they have an official records for their work experience, which is crucial for their career. Their work book records is crucial for their pension.

All people are already expecting this coming winter will be even harder than the previous because of the energy shortage caused by water shortage which will also affect the generation of electricity. Our natural gas supply is supplied by neighboring country - Uzbekistan, who recently cut her supply in July due to political reasons. Such lack of stabilit yand failure to meet the basic needs really creates panic among the poor people who have every year need to fight against the rising of prices which really hurts the families.

We can't blame the people who want to make more money to support their family, but all these sure make our work almost humanly impossible. Pray that we are wise enough to draw strength from our God and not give up. How often I really think about quitting and I beg for God's forgiveness for being such a person of "little faith"!

May God grant us additional wisdom, mercy and greater faith in Him. 

Love in Him,
Christa & John
 
 
Christa Tsai
408-518-2019 (C) USA
996-556-744-286 (C) Kyrgyzstan
skype: christatsai

Saturday, August 9, 2014

蔡柏林,何長樂七月份代禱信(2014年)

感謝各位為我們七月份台灣之行代禱,使我們平安返回。今年六月五日我發現尿血的現象,立即看了吉爾吉斯的本地醫生,她要我馬上尋求境外就醫,進行手術切割。我們作了很快的決定,也不得不為突然的離去安排同工就緒。剛開始我們根本不知道會走開多久,但必需確定幼兒園的同工在沒有我們的情況下,仍能保持工作順利進行。千頭萬緒的雜事,如聯繫台灣醫療機構和醫生、安排飛機和住宿、透過中國辦理簽證等等都是行前必需完成的。感謝神的恩典,我的情況不致惡化,我們在六月十二日平安抵達台灣。長樂在台的表姐Dorothy已經和醫生作好事前的聯繫。我們主內的好姐妹 Fiona,即使在她住處早已擠滿其他宣教士和一些姐妹的情況下,仍然竭誠地接待我們。書田醫院的陳醫生是個很親切的人,當他得知我們是宣教士時,立即給我們開了方便之門,免了我們等侯的時間。攝護腺的手術割除耗時三個小時,陳醫師堅持我必需在台灣休息至少一個月,以便術後觀察。每週的定期檢查,第三週後,我們終於被允許得以返回吉爾吉斯。

感謝神,我們幼兒園的孩子在我們缺席的一個月居然從三個人增加到九個人。雖然尚未取得學校執照,我們仍然在五月二日開始試辦。這提供了同工和老師一個練習的機會,也提供我們在九月五日正式開學前一個暖身的機會。

目前我們有二位全職的教師和二位來自 IUCA的暑期助理。這樣的安排使我們同工能在暑假時有休息的機會。一旦進入九月份,我們將全面開放,也需要更多的老師和助理。

感謝主,Tokmok團契在Mercy Foundation 的所在地重新開始。有一群中國基督徒願意每週從相距一個半小時車程之遙的Bishkek 前來,與我們一同敬拜。這給我們需要的靈裡的餵養。

緊急代禱事項如下:

1. 我們在三月份就開始申請執照,但仍然面對許多官僚作業的阻撓。這種情況在此早已司空見慣,我們在申請天然氣一事上就花費了半年的功夫,申請有線電話居然花了一年多時間。請為順利獲得執照一事代禱,求神挪去所有攔阻。

2. Sophia 的代理人Zena目前仍臥病醫院—原因是膀胱發炎疼痛,以及可能致病的膀胱結石。實際的病情仍然有待釐清,這也是我們工作所面對的最大挫折,因為在這兒的醫療系統是相當落後的。

3. 我們Montessori的培訓老師 Shirley因母喪必需趕回新加坡。就在她臨行的前一天,被一部計程車撞到。由於擔心延誤回去的航班,連就醫的時間都沒有。她有骨折現象,也傷及大姆指。由於沒有及時就醫,引發了很多的問題。在宣教的工場,許多攻擊層出不窮,請為此代禱,求她能在新加坡得到的治療,並且能夠早日回到我們這兒。

4. 目前我們老師培訓都是針對 3-4歲齡層的幼兒,他們同時也必需受訓來照顧 5-6歲的學齡前兒童。求神幫助我們帶來適當的培訓員到我們當中。

5. 長樂的哥哥 Robert由於健康情況惡化,目前被轉至一所老人院。在美國這樣的機構所費不貲,求神為他家庭預備如此龐大的關照開支。

主內
何長樂, 蔡柏林

CEM Missionaries
Email: Jc.kg.mission@gmail.com
Blog: Christajohnmission.blogspot.com

如果神感動您支持我們的事工,請寫支票給CEM(China Evangelistic Mission, Inc)備錄 “吉爾吉斯斯坦”, 或要特別支持柏林長樂, 備錄 ‘John and Christa’,寄到以下住祉:

China Evangelistic Mission, Inc.
2400 Old Crow Canyon Road, Suite A6,
San Ramon, CA 94583-1214
USA

Tel: (925)552-8088
Website: cemusaonline.org

Urgent prayer request

Dear all,

We need urgent prayers on the following:
1. Zena, Sophia's backup person is in the hospital - in pain with bladder infection and possibly bladder stone too. Not clear what else could be involved. Major setback for our ongoing work. (Please remember the condition of our medical facility).
2. Sophia has a great deal of pressure to handle all these- our ministry and her family needs as well as financial burdens.
3. Our team spirits - new people who are yet to work well with one another and learn to trust each other. Each worker of course has her own set of overwhelming problems at home.
4. License still unsettled but we are going to have the open house on 9/5.
5. Wisdom to handle Emily's visit from HK. Pray that we get along well and her visit is mutually beneficial and not an additional distraction or burden on our already overwhelming time.
6. God's healing, provision and protection during this challenging time.

Love in Him,
Christa & John
 
Christa Tsai
408-518-2019 (C) USA
996-556-744-286 (C) Kyrgyzstan
skype: christatsai

Saturday, June 14, 2014

June 2014 Urgent Prayer Letter of John & Christa

Give Thanks

We praise God that in spite the sudden finding that John is bleeding internallyand he needs a surgery and preferably outside Kyrgyzstan, we were able to:

1. Buy a one-way ticket to Taipei on 6/12 and arrive there within 12 hours.

2. Make reasonable arrangements with our team that all works may proceed as planned without too much delays. This is only possible because even though not all team members are believers but the faith we have in our FATHER is sufficient to carry all, knowing He is always in charge.

3. Christa’s cousin sister in Taiwan made the critical contact to a private hospital - Shu-Tien which is well known for Urology Treatment and we could do registration on Sat. 6/14 on John’s birthday. We got to see the head of the hospital in the morning. After a short chat with him with the result of ultrasound, he made a decision for us that he can operate on John’s very enlarged prostate (180+ cc vs. the 25 cc normal size) Monday morning 6/16/2014). He informed us that the surgery may take up to 3 hours and the proper recovery time should be 1 – 1 ½ months. We asked if it is possible for us to return back to Kyrgyzstan in 2-3 weeks.

4. We are most thankful the Sister Fiona again allows us to stay with her on such a short notice, even though she already has quite a few others sisters in Christ staying with her. Her house is very close to the hospital and has easy access to all things. We praise God for putting angels around us for our need. Indeed He is our provider and His provision is more than we can imagine.

5. We praise God for Taiwan’s medical effective services. Even though the laser surgery is not covered by the insurance (told by the surgeon /president), but we can tell he is touched by what we are doing in Kyrgyzstan. Thank God that He gave us an opportunity to talk about Him during the brief check-up.

Prayer Request:

1. May John’s surgery be straight forward without unnecessary complication.

2. May John’s initial recovery be shorter so we may return to our team in 2-3 weeks and may God heal him and forbid additional bleeding in Kyrgyzstan. May our faith grow by leaps and bounds by this experience.

3. May we still be able to witness for Him in Taiwan for the people He put sin front of us.

4. May God personally oversee all work in our team and put all of staff, students and their parents under His wings.

5. May God bless all our supporters, families and friends for their love and concern for us.


Love in Him,
John & Christa

Monday, June 9, 2014

Pray for us

Dear Prayer partners, Families and Friends,

Due to unplanned circumstance we are traveling to Taiwan June 12. I am going there for medical checkup and surgical operation.

Two days ago suddenly I was urinating a lot blood out. There was no symptom of any problem before. Checked with the doctors here and had ultrasound done. They said I have polyps in my bladder and need operation to cut off the polyps in order to stop the bleeding. They recommended me to go to Taiwan for operation because they do not have good equipment here in Kyrgyzstan. They think it is not cancerous. But I need to have thorough check to make sure before operation. Please pray for me. Christa's cousin arranged us to visit 書田診所for check up. We have booked flight to Taiwan on June 12. We give thanks that Fiona will accommodate us in her house that is quite close to the hospital. Pray that everything will go smoothly. 

We only booked one way tickets because not sure how long it will take.

In the meantime there are a lot of issues that need your prayers.
A. We still have not gotten our kindergarten license yet. We were told that we should get it soon. In Kyrgyzstan we can never be sure how things work. Something look simple may take months to complete. We can just patiently wait.
B. We still need more teachers for the kindergarten. They also need training for the Montessori method and will not disrupt our current teachers' teaching.
C. Shirley, our trainer is back in Singapore for the funeral of her mother. Pray for her.
D. Jenny, a trainer from Singapore plans to come, but we will  be in Taiwan. Pray that God will lead to make the right decision and timing.
E. I am attached the pictures of our workers and the eight lovely children. The workers are John, Christa, Sophia (Administrator), Anna (Translator), Kasbek (Building manager),, Shirley (Trainer), Gulmira (Cook), Eleaner (Music teacher), Nurzada (Teacher), Sanura (Teacher). The children are Amil, Aiya, Timur, Lika, Ruffa, Nika, Samat and Islam. May we have opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

In God we pray.

John and Christa




Saturday, June 7, 2014

Urgent: Please pray for John

Dear All,

I just receive a letter from John:

This morning I found out I was urinating blood and went to doctor who asked me to have ultrasound done. The ultrasound indicates that I have floating polyp in my bladder that is bleeding and need to be surgically removed. The doctor here recommends me to go to Taiwan for the operation. She also think this is not cancer. 

So we are preparing to go to Taiwan while there are so many things to do here. Pray that God will be in charge of the situation and give us peace. Please ask our prayer partners to pray for us.

In His Name.
 
John P Tsai