Looking back at my notes from my 2011 sabbatical study leave, I wrote: “With no set duties or regular responsibilities, the questions of what I should do and how I should arrange them in order to have an appropriate program of study and activities, so that I would ‘not fall short and might let the sabbath truly realize its meaning’ stirred up much anxiety within me.” “Stepping away from the roles given to me by the ministry setting, and facing the challenges of a non-Christian world, I realized that the value, faith, and satisfaction in the Lord I had thought I possessed were still fragile. My life remained far from Philippians 3:8: ‘What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.’”

       After the passing of years, in this sabbatical study leave, I found myself more able to calmly face my true self after laying aside work and responsibility. I accepted my tendency toward idleness, yet through this also grew more certain of and dependent upon God’s salvation. The Lord’s grace not only allows me to live with freedom, but even within my laid-back nature, I saw the special grace God has given me. That enabled me to do something for Him or, more precisely, to receive His blessings. My first sabbatical included a month of ministry at a Chinese church in New Jersey and the travels that followed; in 2018, a journey through Germany and Switzerland retracing the footsteps of the Reformation, along with a later visit to Ireland; and this year, the classic 100-kilometer pilgrimage route in Portugal, together with visits to France and the United Kingdom—all these rich experiences were prepared for me by God through His children!

       Each time, there were also plans that did not materialize. For example, last year I had been preparing and making connections for a trip this year to Florence to visit co-workers serving in Chinese churches there (mostly made up of believers from mainland China). They led youth camps for the central and northern regions with 200 and 300 participants respectively. However, I could not make the trip in the end. Instead, I went to the United Kingdom in August and heard equally joyful news. C Chinese Church was formed a few years ago. It split off from the original church due to the increase of BNO Hongkongers. It became a Cantonese-only congregation. Later, in order to shepherd the English-speaking second generation, the two churches began collaborating in youth ministry, with both English and Cantonese. “Perhaps one day the two churches may even merge.” Some cast doubt on this vision, but who knows what the power of the gospel might bring about?

       In July, I also heard the sharing of Sister L in Taiwan. Years ago, she attended Church G, which, for reasons unknown, saw its worship service attendance drop from more than 200 to about 100. Yet, the pastor continued to support the pulpit of the church that had split off. Two years ago, he announced that those who had left were welcome to return. Now, the number of young people in the church has grown significantly, which is greatly encouraging. Speaking of young people, in this recent trip, I witnessed four families whose second-generation children who are students in secondary schools and universities remained steadfast in their Christian faith despite heavy academic loads and extracurricular activities. They continued to attend gatherings and serve. Though walking a difficult path in an era that mocks and rejects the Triune God, these young people have loving parents and families as well as the shepherding of their church to lead them to experience the reality of God!