Congratulations on your Tenth Anniversary Celebration                           2008/01/22

恭喜大家慶祝東華十週年

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pastor Lin, all church leaders and to every member of the Dong-Hwa Baptist Church in Hualien on your celebration of the tenth year anniversary. We commend you on the way you have loved God. You have been faithful to follow God's leadership in functioning as a church body by loving each other in Christ's love. You have demonstrated your love for your neighbors by sharing the Gospel of God's love with them as you ministered to their needs. You have welcomed those whom God has added to His church. 值此東華慶祝建立十周年之際，我們向林牧師,教會同工與所有會有獻上誠心的恭賀。我們因為你們愛上帝的緣故誇讚你們,你們忠心的跟隨教會長執帶領,成為一個教會身體,在基督的愛裡相親相愛。在社區的服務上,你們也藉著福音展現出對鄰舍的愛,你們也歡迎接納了上帝加給祂自己教會的新人。

I remember well those first months as the church began to come to life. Some of the things that stand out in my mind include the three churches - Mei Lwen Baptist Church, Bwo Ai Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church - working together to provide leadership, support and encouragement to birth the church and care for her growth. Three churches working together to start a new church is not commonly practiced. However, I feel that God blessed us all in that endeavor.

我記得非常清楚東華剛成立的那些日子。最特殊的是有三間教會:美崙浸信會,博愛浸信會,以及以馬內利浸信會共同在東華誕生上互相配搭同工,三間教會共同努力創立一間新教會的事件並不多見,我感覺上帝在這件事上對我們有特別的祝福。

I fondly remember the three church leaders - Brother Chen, Preacher Lee, and Pastor Lin - who were used by God according to their own personal experience, training and skills to lead the church through her respective stages of growth. I learned from each one of these servants of God and praise God for our relationship and service together in the ministry there.

我很窩心的記得三位東華最早的帶領者:陳弟兄,李傳道以及林牧師。他們每個人根據他們的個人經歷,訓練和技巧帶領教會度過成長中不同的階段,我從每位當中都有學習,並因著我們能夠彼此同工而感謝讚美上帝。

I remember each new brother and sister who came to the first two locations at which we met for classes, Bible study, prayer and worship. I remember the first baptismal service in which three new believers were baptized. I remember the training sessions we had that helped to equip new church leaders enabling them to serve our Lord and advance His church. I remember the outreach to the Dong-Hwa National University students seeking to share the Gospel with them and lead them to faith in Christ. I remember the English classes. Many seeds were sown and we continue to trust that many will be harvested for the Kingdom of God in the future. We personally know of some who have trusted in Christ for salvation.

在東華最早的兩個聚會地點,我記得來到東華參加英文班,查經及崇拜的每一位新的弟兄姊妹,記得爲三位新會友施浸,爲教會新同工舉辦的訓練課程,帶領東華大學的學生信主。許多的種子已被撒下,我們相信他們中間未來將有許多成為上帝國度的收穫,我們知道他們當中已經有人決志信主。

We now rejoice in the reports we have received about bigger meeting places to provide for the new members and the small groups that reach out to family and friends so they can be loved into the family of God. We rejoice in the vision you have of even bigger and better things in the future. God is pleased as you by faith attempt great things for Him and expect great things from God.

我們非常高興的聽到你們如今有更大的聚會空間,發展小組可用來對家庭及朋友們傳福音,使他們能在被關懷下進入神的家庭。我們也很歡喜你們有異象在未來追求更大與更好的事情,上帝喜悅你們因著信心求而期望從神獲得的大事。

We pray for God's very best blessings for you in the months and years to come. Thanks for letting us share your joy at this very happy time in the life of Dong-Hwa Baptist Church.

我們為你們向上帝禱告,在不久的未來祂能賞賜你們最大的祝福。謝謝你們能讓我們與你們一同分享在東華浸信會的生命裏這快樂的時光。

With abiding affection,

長存的親密關懷
Chuck and Betty Gardner

葛牧師與葛師母