Day 4 第四天｜ The Church is the Family of God 教會就是神的家人

By Hannah Tan

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

「所以，有了機會，就當向眾人行善，向信徒一家的人更當這樣。」
——加拉太書 6:10

Our fourth day in Taiwan began with a different plan than we originally expected. At the start of the trip, our Saturday schedule included some free time for a cultural excursion. But Pastor later asked if we might offer some of that time to help a sister named Miki, who is walking through a very sudden and difficult transition in her life and needs help to move out of her house by the end of September. 

我們在台灣的第四天，是從一個與原本計劃不太一樣的安排開始的。 這次旅程一開始，我們原本安排星期六有一些自由時間，可以出去體驗當地的文化。但後來牧師問我們，是否願意將其中一部分時間用來幫助一位姊妹，名叫 Miki。她正面對人生中一個非常突然、艱難的轉變，而她需要在九月底之前搬離自己的家，因此需要一些幫助。

As Pastor shared with us, Miki was a core part of the Aroma team and community several years ago, faithfully serving as the cafe manager. Currently living with her is another sister from the church, Whitney, whom we had the chance to work with for the Friday Coffee Talk event. When this opportunity came to us, we were glad to accept, trusting that this was an opportunity given to us from the Lord to serve His church.

正如牧師與我們分享的，Miki 幾年前曾經是 Aroma 團隊和群體中非常重要的一員，忠心地擔任咖啡店經理，服事教會。 目前與她同住的，還有教會另一位姊妹 Whitney，而我們也很有機會在星期五的 Coffee Talk 活動中與她一起同工。 當這個機會來到我們面前時，我們很樂意接受，並相信這是主所賜給我們的一個機會，讓我們能夠服事祂的教會。

After a morning debrief, we split into two groups: One group went directly to the house to assess what needed to be done and put together a game plan, while the second group stayed behind to gather the appropriate supplies and bring lunch and water for everyone. We faced a lot of uncertainty as we looked at what felt like a mountain of work ahead of us. There was lots to do! However, after lunch, things were in full swing. It eventually began to pour outside, but inside, everyone was hard at work with all hands on deck.

早上的團隊檢討和分享結束後，我們分成兩組：第一組直接前往 Miki 的家，先了解實際需要處理的事情，並一起商討接下來的行動計劃；第二組則留在原地，準備所需要的物資，並為大家帶上午餐和飲用水。 當我們看到眼前那一大堆工作時，心裡其實充滿了很多未知和不確定。看起來就像面對一座「大山」一樣，真的有很多事情要做！ 然而，午餐過後，大家便正式投入工作，現場很快就忙得不可開交。後來外面開始下起傾盆大雨，但屋裡的我們依然沒有停下來，每一個人都全心投入、各盡其力，大家一起同心協力地完成眼前的工作。

By the time we went to eat dinner, the rain had cleared. Praise the Lord! We found a small local restaurant specializing in goose dishes and enjoyed a yummy meal together there. The delicious food gave us a much-needed energy and morale boost! 

到了我們準備去吃晚餐的時候，雨已經停了。感謝主！ 我們找到了一間小小的在地鵝肉專門店，大家一起享用了一頓美味的晚餐。好吃的食物不但填飽了我們的肚子，也為我們帶來了當時非常需要的體力和士氣，讓大家重新得著力量！

After dinner, we continued into the next phase of work: carrying items downstairs from Miki’s home on the fifth floor, and bringing them to the street corners for scheduled trash pickup. It was quite a workout, but what a unique chance to participate in the local experience of chasing Taiwan’s musical trash trucks!

晚餐過後，我們繼續進入下一階段的工作：把 Miki 位於五樓家中的物品一件一件搬到樓下，再運到街角，等候預定的垃圾車前來收走。 這真的是一次很不錯的體能訓練！😂 但同時，這也成為我們一個非常特別的機會，親身體驗台灣獨有的「追垃圾車」文化——跟著音樂響起的垃圾車一起跑！

It was a long and challenging day, both physically and mentally. But by God’s grace, everyone was able to serve wholeheartedly and approach this very difficult situation with compassion, humility, and love. It was a beautiful moment of team unity as we each contributed in different ways, bringing our skills, strengths, and willing hearts.  More than anything, today reminded us of what it means for the church to be the family of God, carrying one another’s burdens. We are blessed that the Lord gave us this opportunity to embrace the unexpected and humbly experience this truth together. 

這是漫長而充滿挑戰的一天，無論在體力上還是精神上，對我們來說都是一個很大的考驗。但感謝神的恩典，讓我們每一個人都能夠全心全意地投入服事，以憐憫、謙卑和愛去面對眼前這個非常艱難的處境。 這也是一個很美好的團隊合一時刻。每一個人都以不同的方式作出貢獻，帶著各自的恩賜、能力，以及一顆願意服事的心，一起完成這項工作。 但比起其他一切，今天再次提醒我們，教會就是神的家人——我們彼此擔當各人的重擔。能夠有這樣的機會去擁抱旅程中原本沒有預期的安排，並且謙卑地一起經歷這個真理，我們真的感到非常蒙福。

Please join us in prayer for Miki and Whitney as they navigate the challenges ahead. Pray that the Lord would give them strength, provide for their needs, and guide them faithfully through this season.

請大家也與我們一起為 Miki 和 Whitney 禱告，求神在她們接下來所要面對的挑戰中與她們同行。求主賜給她們力量，供應她們一切所需，並在這段特別的季節中，信實地引導她們每一步。