親愛的宣教夥伴們,

去年11月底出現了傳播力特別強的新變種病毒Omicron，一下子整個世界又陷入對新冠疫情無法預測的焦慮狀態裏。本以為可以按照計劃去預備聖誕和新年的慶祝活動，結果卻要不停地擔心政府會不會作出更嚴格的防疫措施，而導致聚會最後被迫取消。感謝神！在各樣的不確定中，我們在宣教中心的同工和義工團隊反而經歷了許多恩典。

根據疫情形勢，我們為宣教中心的活動製定和執行了很嚴謹的防疫測試安排。在聖誕前夜，我們打開宣教中心，邀請剛到英國的港人新移民家庭，前來參加平安夜燭光晚會和享用火鍋晚餐。我們共度了一段溫馨有愛的時光，聆聽聖誕的歌聲，誦讀路加福音的經文，把目光聚焦在為人類降生的嬰孩—耶穌的身上。新來英的港人朋友們是第一次在異國他鄉過聖誕節，或許這個聚會看似平凡，而且缺乏他們以往熟悉的那份在香港的熱鬧，但我相信，這個平安夜有大喜的信息報給他們，我也禱告：有屬天的平安進入他們的生命。

12月底，我們重新啟動舉辦實體的辭舊迎新學生營，把我們的宣教中心變成遊子之家，歡迎新一批在英國的留學生來這裏相聚，迎接新年的到來。一直以來，年底的這個營會是COCM國語學生事工的一個重要環節，因為疫情我們這次必須采取預防和控製病毒感染的措施，包括限製營友的人數，沒想到營會的報名人數很快就爆滿，最後有將近100人來參加營會。我們如同一個大家庭一起生活，領受屬靈的盛宴、流淚禱告、歡笑敬拜，眾人都蒙神的特別保守，安然無恙。我們看見聖靈大大地在營友們中間動工，打開慕道朋友的心，對神的愛發出回應。初信的同學們渴慕認識聖經，學習做主門徒。弟兄姊妹勇敢地敞開他們的內在世界，分享見證神在他們生命中的奇妙作為。

感謝神！有20多位年輕基督徒接受了我們的邀請來營會擔任小組長，他們提前到達COCM的宣教中心，參加小組長培訓。他們願意謙卑自己，效法耶穌的樣式，服侍他們的同齡人。他們在營會的小組中就像小牧人一樣， 細心地關懷、照顧組員們生活和靈裏的需要。他們的勇氣、愛心和熱誠感動了他們的組員，也深深地感動了我。

十幾年前，我和師母就有這樣一個禱告，求神興起新一代的年輕人，願意逆流而上，跟隨耶穌基督，在這個世代裏成為榜樣。每當我看見年輕人甘心樂意地擺上時間和精力來參與宣教事工的時候，心裏就非常欣慰和感恩。願神繼續帶領他們，新的一年裏，能在各自的學校和教會繼續成長，做基督的精兵。

新年之際，我向神獻上禱告，願神繼續使用COCM宣教中心來祝福在英國和歐洲的華人，宣揚耶穌基督的福音，栽培信徒在主裏靈命不斷成長，鼓勵他們走出去，參與普世的宣教工作。也請大家為我們禱告，求神幫助我們的團隊，能有智慧去計劃和安排全年度的工作，有效地管理和維護我們的宣教中心，讓我們的培訓事工更好地服事教會，從而使教會得到建造。

在主裏與你們同工的

COCM總幹事呂子峰牧師

Dear mission partners,

The arrival and rapid spread of the new COVID omicron variant at the end of last November stirred up concerns around the world. Anxieties were creeping in as the direction of the pandemic became unpredictable once again. Events planned to celebrate Christmas and New Year were in danger of being cancelled at the last minute should the government decide to impose further COVID restrictions. Praise the Lord! In the midst of uncertainty, our team of staff and volunteers at the Mission Centre had the opportunity to experience His sufficient grace for us.

In response to the omicron situation, we implemented vigorous COVID prevention measures and lateral-flow test-taking for those attending events at the Mission Centre. On Christmas Eve, we opened the door and invited families from Hong Kong who had just arrived in the UK to attend a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and enjoy a hotpot dinner. It was a lovely evening when we spent time together, listening to Christmas carols, reading scripture passages from the Gospel of Luke, and focusing our eyes on the baby Jesus born for mankind. This was the first Christmas holiday new Hong Kong immigrants had experienced in a foreign land. Perhaps our gathering seemed quite ordinary, lacking the vibrance and glamour they used to find in Hong Kong. But I believe that this Christmas Eve brought them the good news of great joy. I also pray for heavenly peace to come into their lives.

At the end of December, we resumed our Year End Student Camp in person, turning our mission center into a home away from home to welcome a new group of Chinese students in the UK. The Year End Camp has always been a key component of the COCM Mandarin student ministry. The pandemic brought restrictions on how we could run the camp this time. We had taken measures such as limiting the number of people at this camp to prevent the spread of COVID infection. I was surprised by how soon the camp was fully booked, and nearly 100 people attended in the end. It felt like a big family when we gathered inside the mission center to feast on spiritual food, pray and worship, laugh and cry. God’s protection kept us safe and sound. The work of the Holy Spirit was evident among the campers: seekers were willing to open their hearts to respond to God’s love, new believers were eager to read the Bible and learn to be disciples of Jesus. Brothers and sisters were courageous in revealing their inner struggles as they testified of the wonderful things God had done in their lives.

Give thanks to God that more than 20 young Christians accepted our invitation to serve as small group leaders at the Year End Camp. They came to the COCM Mission Centre a day earlier to attend a training session. They came with willingness to humble themselves, follow the example of Jesus, and be servants among their peers. During the camp, they functioned like little shepherds in their small groups, caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their group members. Their courage, compassion, and enthusiasm moved their group members and deeply moved me.

More than a decade ago, my wife and I started to pray that God would raise up a new generation of young people who would dare to go against the current of this world and be examples for others to follow as they follow Christ. Whenever I see young people willing to give their time and energy to take part in mission work, I am encouraged and thankful. May God continue to lead them in the new year and help them to grow as they serve in their respective campuses and churches as good soldiers of Christ.

As we start a new year, I pray to God that He would continue to use the COCM Mission Centre to bless the Chinese diaspora in the UK and Europe, proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, help believers to grow towards spiritual maturity in Christ, and encourage them to step out to participate in global mission. Please pray for our team. May God grant us wisdom to plan our work throughout the year and gifts and abilities to manage and maintain our mission center. May our training ministry equip brothers and sister better for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Serving together in Christ, 

General Director Rev. Henry Lu