2016.10 隊員 ‧ 盧居義

自從開始受訓到現在，除了學習了很多關於短宣的知識，聽到當地的需要，我覺得神也在借用這個機會訓練我的信心。

我是一位在華盛頓大學上學的學生。自認為是好學生的我從沒想過有一天會為了去短宣而請假。從小父母就告訴我 “把書讀好是我現在最重要的任務”，這讓我一開始非常怕和父母提起想去英國短宣的念頭。不過感謝神，祂不但給我勇氣，也軟化我父母的心，所以這次就有機會加入宣教的行列。

雖然搞定父母了，但我要怎麼和我的教授們請假呢? 另外，如果我不在的期間遇到考試怎麼辦呢?

因為七月到九月是大學的暑假，許多教授和行政人員都在放假，與我的教授們請假便成為我下一個難題。這個難題分為兩個層面。一面是請假本身的困難，畢竟沒有像病假或校隊之類的正當理由，本來就很難拿到准許。另一面是自己的心理壓力，擔心教授們看我的眼光，擔心被貼上“不用功”的標籤，擔心自己的名聲會因為這次而扣分。在與隊友們一起禱告後，我鼓起勇氣向我的教授們寫郵件。在不久後，我也收到的了回應。不幸的，所有教授都告訴我請假的日期會與考試撞期。這個答案雖然讓我沮喪，但我心裡卻有平安，我知道我的困難在神面前不是困難。神做事的方法不是我能想像的。至於現在，我有兩個教授願意讓我補考，最後一個教授沒有答應。不過，我彷彿感受到這是神刻意安排的。雖然過程中沒有一帆風順，但遇到瓶頸時便成為我禱告求神的機會。雖然結果和期待的一樣，但順服神的安排才能感受神的帶領。

Dear prayer partners:

2016.10 team is wrapping up the training and ready to leave for UK next month. We like to thank you for your prayer support and love to share with you some updates on our preparation in each city:

Bristol:

Student ministry is the hardest ministry for this church in Bristol. The coworkers need to be encouraged and evangelical gospel messages are needed. This church is a tri-lingual church to serve Mandarin, Cantonese and English speaking students.

Bournemouth：

We are going back to Bournemouth this year to continue to help the local Chinese fellowship build up coworkers. Please continue to pray for a vision of a Chinese church in Bournemouth and a place for local Chinese Christians to worship in their mother tongue. Please pray for Gods guidance for local Chinese community.

Coventry：

This is the first time we are partnering with student fellowships in Coventry across its 2 main universities. They are organizing a gospel concert in October, as well as starting an alpha course for seekers. We will be helping them with practical personal evangelism through visitations and ad hoc sharing. Please pray for the incoming students as God prepare their hearts, as well as the student coworkers as they prepare for the upcoming events.

Plymouth：

Many student co-workers had left the city after graduation and went back to their home town. With new students are coming to town for school, there are needs to break the ground and plant gospel seeds in their hearts. Lately, Jehovah Witness came to Plymouth and outreaching students at the city center. With the FREE offering of food and games, new students are being attracted to their territory. The lay person couple need spiritual encouragement and supports to gain spiritual footage for the Lord.

Please pray for the October Selon Mission visit to provide spiritual help as well as building up a strong team to win the battle for the Lord.