詩篇126:3 「耶和華為我們行了大事，我們就歡喜。」 的確，感謝主！短短三週，神的確為我們成就了許多大事！
首先，神感動國際讀經會台灣總會(台灣讀經會)，安排我們這個成立僅四年的事工團隊巡迴台灣吹號。讀經會吳執行長說得好：我們的吹號路線就好像十字架，首先從東到西（宜蘭到台北），之後從北到南（台北，台中，屏東）。如果沒有台灣讀經會的安排，我們不可能在這麼短的時間內接觸到這麼多教會。
Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Indeed God has done so MANY great things for us in a short three weeks!
First, God moved Scripture Union of Taiwan to arrange for us, a ministry of only four years, to tour Taiwan. Vera, the Executive Director of SU Taiwan, said it well: our tour was in the shape of a cross, from east to west (Yilan to Taipei) and from north to south (Taipei to Taichung to Pingtung). Without SU Taiwan, we would have had no way to reach so many churches in such a short time.
其次，弟兄姊妹的反應遠遠超出我們的預期！我們每個週末的訓練都很密集：週五晚上、週六上午9點至下午4點、週日全家聯合敬拜，最後以下午的論壇結束。但無論在哪個地點，每次活動從頭到尾，參與者的熱情都顯而易見。這是因為同一位聖靈在感動和動員神的子民去「搶救下一代」！
週五晚上的培靈會是向所有人開放；我們總是以「搶救下一代」的呼召開始。在屏東，我們的同工報告說，週五聚會結束後，立即有十幾位報名參加第二天的培訓。
週六的訓練重點在於三個面向：1）心意更新－建立聖經世界觀；2）復興家庭－活出家味；3）奪回教育－培養神國精兵。我們能感受到每位與會者的熱情，尤其令人鼓舞的是那些全程參與每場會議的主任牧師們！他們確實在帶領會眾向前邁進。
Second, the response was far beyond our expectations! Our training each weekend was intense: Friday evening, Saturday 9am – 4pm, Sunday worship, concluded by an afternoon forum. There was a fee to attend in order to help with costs, and yet the enthusiasm of attendees was evident at each event from the beginning to the end, across all locations. This was because it was the same Holy Spirit moving and mobilizing God’s people to “rescue the next generation”!
Friday nights were open to everyone without a fee; we would always kick off with a call to all to “rescue the next generation”. In Pingtung, our co-workers reported that, immediately after the Friday meeting, more than a dozen people signed up for the next days’ training.
On Saturdays, our training focused on three areas: 1) Renew Our Mind – Establish a Biblical Worldview, 2) Revive the Family – Live Out a Godly Aroma, and 3) Reclaim Education – Cultivate Soldiers of Christ. We could see the eagerness of each attendee and were most inspired by the senior pastors who also sat through every session! They are indeed taking the step to lead the people forward.
第三，我們週日的崇拜都是全家一起敬拜。縱觀整本聖經和教會歷史，全家一起在主日敬拜是理所當然的，但如今卻已十分罕見。每次禮拜，情況都如出一轍：在主日之前，大家普遍擔心孩子們能否全程參與；但每次禮拜開始後，所有人都滿懷喜樂地體驗到一起敬拜的美好！聖靈感動了父親的心，也感動了孩子的心，讓兩代人重新連結！特別是當父親和祖父為下一代禱告時，看到老少臉上都洋溢著感動的淚水，有些父母甚至透過手機當場與遠方的兒女連線為他們祝福，我深感榮幸能成為上帝的器皿，讓祂喜悅。一位母親告訴我，在週日禮拜結束後，她特意在教會走廊上盡可能與孩子們交流。當兩代人重新建立連結時，那力量是多麼強大！
Third, our Sunday services were always a combined worship time for the whole family. Throughout the past of human history, worshipping together on Sundays as a whole family has been the given norm but it has now become a rarity. Without exception, each time the script played out the same way: before Sunday, the general feeling was that it was doubtful the children would be able to sit through the entire service and feel they were a part of it, but each time at the actual service, all experienced with joy the beauty of worshipping together! The Holy Spirit turned fathers’ hearts to their children and children’s hearts to their fathers. Reconnection of the generations began to take hold! Observing the tears on the faces of both young and old, I was humbled to be an instrument of God and to make Him smile. One mother told me that after the Sunday worship, she intentionally began to get to know as many children as possible in the hallway of church. When the generations reconnect, the power is tremendous!
第四，令我驚訝的是，包括好消息電視台GoodTV的多家媒體前來採訪報導。而且，他們的記者並非只是為了完成任務而來，而是參加了完整的訓練課程。當我和訪談者一對一交談時，感覺就像和一位老朋友坐在一起，暢談我們共同關心的議題。有一位年輕的記者訪談後眼眶濕潤，我便用神的話語鼓勵她，並為她禱告。在台中，我們也到古典音樂電台FM 97.7錄製了節目；在訪談過程中我們都感動落淚。願神的名受讚美！
Fourth, I was surprised that a number of media outlets, including GoodTV, came to conduct interviews and to report the events. Moreover, representatives did not just come to obtain the minimal amount of material to complete their assignments; they actually sat through entire training sessions with a sincere interest to learn. When interviewers and I talked one on one, I felt like I was sitting with a longtime friend chatting about the same deep concerns. On one occasion, the young reporter’s eyes teared up and I was able to bring encouragement from God’s Word to her and to pray for her. In Taichung, we recorded a radio program for Classical Music station FM 97.7; our discussion also resulted in meaningful sharing and the shedding of many tears. May God’s name be praised!
第五，神賜給我們意外的「紅利」，讓我們得以聚集眾多牧者同工，與他們分享「搶救下一代」的異象和迫切性。我們介紹了專門為裝備牧者和基督徒而編寫的「聖經世界觀」課程，旨在幫助基督徒「通達時務，並知道該如何行」。有些聚會是臨時安排的，但我們仍然看到了牧者們快速的回應。在高雄舉行的「牧者合一協會」的聚會有近60位牧者參加，這對他們的聚會來說是一個異常高的出席人數。此外，牧者們也非常渴望盡快開始後續的培訓。我們也很榮幸有機會參訪台北基督學院，見證了王校長的異象和信心。
Fifth, God gave us the bonus of gathering many pastors together! We were able to share the vision and the urgency with them of rescuing the next generation. We shared about our biblical worldview curriculum which was expressly written to equip pastors and Christians to “understand the times and to know what action to take”. Some meetings were last minute arrangements, and yet we were able to see the heartfelt response of pastors. The United Pastors’ meeting in Kaohsiung included about 60 pastors which was an unusually high turnout for their gathering. Furthermore, there was a great eagerness among the pastors that they should continue the discussion and receive training.
第六，當然，如果沒有接待教會的支持，我們的事工將會寸步難行。我們衷心感謝沿途的每一間教會，特別是那些因著信心，並因著與台灣讀經會的長期關係，儘管之前並不了解吹號者事工，仍然接待了我們的牧者們。每間教會對福音的堅持都深深激勵著我們！許多教會的敬拜團隊成員恰好是台灣原住民，他們美妙的歌聲充滿活力，他們帶領的敬拜讓我們難忘。
Sixth, of course, without the host churches, we would have been able to do nothing. We really appreciate each church on our route, especially the senior pastors who by faith and due to their longstanding relationship with SU Taiwan hosted our meetings despite not previously being familiar with Trumpeter Ministries. We were so inspired by each church’s commitment to uphold the Gospel! It happened that many church praise team members were Taiwanese Aborigines whose beautiful voices were full of life and energy; we were so lifted up by the worship which they led.
楊啟仁牧師(左ㄧ）, 青年牧師
陳志恩牧師(右ㄧ）
第七，這是我們第一次與國際讀經會台灣總會（SU Taiwan）合作開展在台灣的事工，然而我們立刻就如同一個團隊，在各個方面都配合得非常有默契。幕後有很多安排需要處理，例如行程、交通、住宿和聚會流程安排等。我們都意識到，是神將這個夢想放在我們心中，我們也知道，正是神使這一切成為現實！
吹號者事工衷心感謝國際讀經會台灣總會的吳淑玫執行長，她策劃了整個行程，並在每天清晨發布禱告事項。我們深感榮幸，國際讀經會台灣總會劉瑞河理事長全程參加了在台北舉行的三個晚上的聚會，並給予我們極大的鼓勵。我們也非常感謝台灣讀經會的同工們為此活動提供的幫助。教會是黑暗世界中的一盞明燈，吹號者事工的宗旨是幫助教會堅固家庭傳承信仰。能與國際讀經會台灣總會合作，服事台灣的教會，是何等的榮幸！
我們也感謝眾多參與並提供協助的吹號者事工同工。感謝我們的同工Kent和Rose夫婦，他們從華盛頓州西雅圖遠道而來，陪伴我們走遍台灣的每一個城市。此外，我們也要感謝其他城市的同工(高雄的永菁姐妹, 台中的沈醫師夫婦)，他們幫助我們聯繫了當地的牧者們和教會。在整個台灣之旅中，上帝透過我們充滿愛心的接待同工Begonia，給了我們超乎想像的服事。Begonia就像上帝派來的天使，她對我們無微不至的照顧令人驚嘆！
在過去的三個星期裡，我們切實地感受到了上帝的恩典。例如，高鐵是我們常用的交通工具，而且我們經常需要在週末和假日旅行。因此，買到預留的車票並非易事。然而，在一個長週末假期結束的周日晚上，我們驚訝地發現，在最後一刻，我們竟然買了五張同一排的預留座位票！上帝知道我們都很累，都盼望著回到各自的家休息。
Seventh, this was the first time coordinating our ministry in Taiwan with Scripture Union, and yet right away we worked very smoothly as ONE team, in aspects both large and small. There was much to be arranged behind the scenes such as travel and living accommodations and scheduling. We all recognized that it was God who had placed the dream in our minds, and we know it was likewise God who actually brought it all to fruition!
Trumpeter Ministries is indebted to Vera, the Executive Director of SU Taiwan, who organized the entire itinerary and posted daily prayer requests early each morning. We are so humbled and honored that Brother Liu, the Chairman of SU Taiwan, joined all three evenings’ meetings in Taipei and gave us great encouragement. We are also greatly appreciative of SU Taiwan staff who assisted with the events. The Church is a light in this dark world and it is the purpose of Trumpeter Ministries to help and strengthen the Church for the future. What a privilege that we were able to partner with SU Taiwan to serve the churches in Taiwan!
We are indebted to so many Trumpeter Ministries co-workers who participated and provided help. Our co-workers Ken and Rose especially came to Taiwan from Seattle, Washington to accompany us in each city. We are thankful in addition for many co-workers in different cities who connected us with local pastors and churches.
And very importantly, God provided for us way beyond our imagination through our loving host and co-worker Begonia throughout our entire time in Taiwan. We were totally spoiled by Begonia, a Godsent angel whose care for us covering every detail has been amazing!
We clearly experienced God’s favor upon us all the way through these past three weeks. For example, the high speed train was a common mode of transportation for us, and we often needed to travel on the weekends and during holiday times. Therefore it was not always a simple matter to get the tickets we wanted. Yet one Sunday evening at the end of a long holiday weekend, we were amazed that at the very last minute we were able to get five tickets for reserved seats all together in the same row! God knew we were all tired and looking forward to going back to our respective homes to rest.
不得不承認，這趟旅程確實很累。最後的週末，師母身體不適，只好留在台北休息。淑玫執行長立刻安排了一位教會的姊妹來照顧她。之後，在前往屏東的路上，我自己也開始感到腰部疼痛，第二天疼痛加劇，以至於我不得不坐著講道。講道結束後，一位基督徒姊妹為我按摩了疼痛部位，當地教會也安排我接受針灸治療。令我驚訝的是，針灸師不但立刻就給我看了病，整個治療費用竟然只有新台幣300，相當於10美元！週日早上，我感謝上帝，雖然疼痛依然存在，但我還是能夠繼續在台上講道。但在返回台北的途中，上帝奇蹟般地治癒了我！當我走出高鐵站時，我已經能夠像往常一樣行走了。
的確，當我們事奉神時，我們就是在打一場屬靈的仗。然而，靠著神和弟兄姊妹的幫助，我們必能得勝，繼續前行！
整個旅程如同夢境一般。我從未想過會經歷過去幾週的種種。每當我看到孩子的臉龐，我的信念就更加堅定，更加堅定我們的使命！願整個教會──牧師、祖父母、父母、青年、兒童，所有年齡層的人──都動員起來，為下一代和未來的世代同心爭戰！
這趟旅程中，我深受鼓舞，看到許多人特別是教會站出來加入這場戰爭。願神祝福台灣，賜予許多敬虔的後裔！願這股復興的浪潮也蔓延到美國！願從這代到那代，世世代代不停頌讚主的名！
The journey, admittedly, was physically intense. At the start of the last weekend, Shimu did not feel well and had to remain in Taipei to rest. Vera immediately arranged for a church sister to come to care for her. Then on the way to Pingtung, I myself began to feel a pain in my lower back/waist area which worsened the next day, requiring me to be seated as I spoke from the pulpit. After the session, a Christian sister gave me a massage in the area and the local church arranged for me to receive acupuncture. I was amazed not only that I was seen right away by the acupuncturist but also that the total cost of the treatment was 300 TWD which is the equivalent of only $10 USD! On Sunday morning, I am thankful to God that, although pain was still present, I was still able to preach on the stage. But on the way back to Taipei, God miraculously healed me! When I walked out from the high speed train I was able to walk pretty much as usual.
Indeed when we are serving God, we are fighting a spiritual battle. Nevertheless, with God and brothers’ and sisters’ help, we can prevail and continue on!
The entire journey has been like a dream. I had never even imagined having an experience such as we have had over these past few weeks. And every time I saw a child’s face, I would be spurred on with an even stronger conviction concerning our task! May the whole Church – pastors, grandparents, parents, young people, children, all ages – mobilize to fight together for the next generation and the generations to come!
I have been greatly encouraged on this trip to see many rise up to join the battle. May God bless Taiwan with many godly descendants! And may this wave of revival in turn spread back to America. May the name of the Lord be continually praised from generation to generation!
