AWANA服事同工

Walking with God at Awana

For over two years now I have been serving in our Awana Cubbies Club. Started as a part-time leader, I transitioned into full-time after one year of service. It hasn’t been very easy but was full of God’s grace. Serving children at Awana not only opened up my heart and connected me with them, but also impacted my walk with God in a more meaningful way.

Initially, my daughter was in Awana Cubbies and she has gotten so much out of it as a preschooler. I felt the importance to get involved and give back to this wonderful program. That had motivated me coming to learn, explore and be an extra helper.

Started as a rotating leader, I came in to serve occasionally. I enjoyed helping, hearing kids laugh and playing games with them. The most impressive part was to see Cubbies stand up to say the entire Bible verse out loud without any help, and with a smile on their faces. It became my favorite part of Awana, because I can witness how God plants His words deeply into children’s hearts.

After some time, I was asked to consider becoming a full-time leader. At first, I did not think that I was qualified. Moreover, I was not even sure if I could commit to serve every week. But then the Holy Spirit reminded me that God does not look at what we have, but how much we are willing to do. Even though I still had questions and felt unsure of myself, I chose to walk by faith.

I prayed to God if this is God’s will, I am willing to take a step of faith. But God knows how limited I am, He will equip me and help me to seek Him. In the past, I had always prioritized many other things before God that nearly took up all my time. Until now, I still have no clue how I manage time and make time for Awana. But I believe that God will never leave me alone for He walks by my side. He is going to help me and provide a way out for me. For when I am weak, He is strong!

I started my new role. The first few weeks were exciting. I felt my passion, energy and joy that came out from serving. But it didn’t last quite long. I got sick, along with the stress from switching jobs, I felt I was weak spiritually. Surely God knows my frustration, and He is faithful as He has always been. He reminded me that His grace is sufficient for me. So, I continued to serve Him as I knew that He will carry my burdens and grant me peace. Amazingly, Cubbies cheered me up with their cute smiley faces. I was filled with peace and joy in my heart after Awana.

It has been extremely rewarding to watch kids growing up in church. I ended up learning from them all the time, which I am very grateful about. The excitement of seeing how kids love to be in church is very encouraging to me. It always touches me to see them growing in faith and showing love to others.

Being in Awana is part of my family routine. I will not forget the Awana night when my daughter told me that her favorite place in the world is CHURCH. I knew that it is not only because of the snacks, exciting games or friends at the church, but also because of the incredible leaders. They are showing Christ-like love with their faithful service, which is making an eternal impact on children’s lives. It is such an honor to be part of the Awana family! Glories to God in the highest!

韓肖青姊妹

各位弟兄姊妹們平安！

聽到過去幾週，各個弟兄姊妹的生命見證分享，真的都備受感動。

從以文姊妹的放手交託給主，並且緊緊跟隨主，到倩芬師母的我們“都是大富翁”，因為主耶穌已經賜給我們豐盛的屬靈資產；而我們也都得到了“出獄許可證”，使我們不再被罪轄制，因信耶穌而成為天父尊貴的兒女。我看見聖靈在我們每個人的身上，藉著不同的方式和視野，藉著不同的環境和人事物，在改變我們的生命。

雖然改變不一定馬上就看得見果效；就像我其實是個脾氣暴躁易怒的人，信主後知道這樣不好會提醒自己要控制，但是一旦碰到累了急了，就會像炸彈轟的一下血氣上衝

本性馬上露出來…

心想『改變好～好難』，弟兄姊妹們，『改變』是不是真的好難？那就不要改了吧！就睜一隻眼閉一隻眼放任它吧！ 我看自己這個也不算什麼大缺點，

是我的親朋好友就忍一忍～神不是按我們的本相愛我們嗎？我們不是因信稱義嗎？就這樣常常為自己的怒氣找藉口，那“老我”生出的歪瓜劣棗已經像惡性腫瘤那麼大，我卻假裝沒事，沒看見。

所以當寇牧師提出的這個生命更新見證分享，仔細一想，是聖靈在提醒我：

腐爛的地方要割掉，才能長出新肉。

那該怎麼辦呢？我想來想去只有三個字：『倚靠神』。那怎麼倚靠神呢？

首先當然是要每天來謙卑讀神的話語，咀嚼默想；就像是吃藥治病，不能間斷；我讀到箴言裡說到『愚妄人怒氣全發，智慧人忍氣含怒。』(29:11) 我當然想做智慧人去掌控怒氣，誰想做愚妄人反被怒氣玩弄啊？ 所以我告訴自己，在發怒之前， 先想想神的話，求神幫助我冷靜下來，不要讓任何人事物成為啟動我怒氣的板機指。更何況嚐過無數的主恩滋味的我，在他裡面的大喜樂，難道比不過這一點小事嗎？

我又讀到雅各書說：『聽道卻不行道，是自己在欺哄自己。』(1:22)

所以想改變生命，在領受神的話語之後，就一定要生活實踐，不斷操練。

這就像做美容手術，可不是一次就到位喔。

最近天父又提醒我，妳整天有事沒事都在我跟前對我禱告說話，那妳對妳的媽媽呢？ 我嚇了一跳，天父沒事幹嘛提起我媽啊？

我母親人在台灣，雖然我們常常用通訊軟體line來line去，但是真正講到話交流的時間並不多。從小到大因為種種原因，母女感情也越來越疏離。

那我想天父既然這麼提醒我，我決定馬上打電話回家，愛就要付出行動，對吧？結果沒想到人家一早正在菜園忙種菜，不知道是我手機有問題呢，還是因為她在戶外，所以她聽不清楚我說話，她就一直蛤？蛤？蛤？真是急死人了！我火氣又起來了。隔天我再打，她依然在忙碌，而且還是說聽不清我說話。其實她接到我電話挺驚訝的，就猜想我到底有什麼目的，竟然接二連三給她打電話，害她心裡有點毛毛的，她就問我：『妳要幹嘛？』我說：『沒什麼事啊，我只是想要跟您問候一下 ，話話家常還真難，因為您～太忙了！』

她馬上就回我一句，『是妳自己電話不清楚。』我當時震驚了，感到傷心和憤怒了。一來我心裡本來就有點不情願打電話回家，因為已經感覺是屈就自己去承歡她，竟然被潑冷水，二來我發現我媽也不是不願意跟我說話，我為了推卸責任反倒賴起她來了，她被我怪罪，會不高興也是理所當然的，我就覺得我太笨了真是不會說話啊！這個『說話的藝術』 就像聖經所說的，「一句話說得合宜，就如金蘋果落在銀網子裡。」(箴言25:11)

我真的需要學習如何說話，但是更重要的是這『說話』的心態是不是正確的？我是不是真的打從心底願意順服神的旨意來行事呢？我是不是真的願意謙卑放下自己，以基督的心為心來愛人呢？

求聖靈繼續光照我，提醒我擺正心態，不要老是心裡作難，也要繼續學習管理自己的怒氣，尊重他人，與人和睦相處。因為所做的都是為榮耀主，所行的也都是為了展現神的愛。希望我和我媽媽的關係，能夠藉由神的愛拉近，不再有隔閡。也希望能透過我持續愛的行動和溫柔的話語，能感動我媽媽接受主耶穌的救恩。

谷慶華弟兄

    大家知道，一个人刚从国内来美国生活，除了语言上的困难，就是出行非常的不方便了，相信我们中有人就有这样的经历。

   上个月，从国内重庆来的李先生，考到了美国驾照，65岁的他和一家人都十分高兴。我的分享也就从帮人考驾照、传福音开始说起：

   传福音是每一个基督徒的大使命，我们教会也曾把“人人广传恩惠福音，家家迎接基督作主”作为了标竿。作为我个人很想传福音，也在寻找一切机会去传福音，但效果却不好。

   于是，我学习安静的向神仰望交托，求神保守开路，当我按着圣灵的提醒，把眼光放在住家附近的公园时，发现这里每天来来往往的人群中，有很多的华人。特别是国内六、七十岁年纪的老两口来探亲，帮着儿女带孙子的更多。他们，是需要得着福音的。

   这些老人，本来想给孩子们多帮些忙，可是不会开车，就彻底限制住了他们的脚步。无奈之下，家里有车的人，就试着学开车考驾照了。我当年就是这样的，因此对他们的现实处境有着感同身受的理解。

   这不正是一个亲近他们的切入点吗？从此，只要在公园遇到这种打算考美国驾照的人，我就主动上前先交朋友，然后帮着找资料，笔试考过了，再陪着上路练车，最后再请专业教练来把关。

   在他感谢你每天帮着练车的时候，再来传福音，他也能从心底里接受了，就连他的家人也一起知道了耶稣，认识和来到了教会。刚才那位重庆的李先生，就是公园里几个这样考到驾照中的一位。

   用这种方式传福音，也带动起了弟兄姊妹们事奉的热情，就有教会新的弟兄加入进来（在坐的弟兄中间就有），我们一同继续在这样的传着福音，为主做见证。

   现在，公园有来探亲的人想考驾照，会打听过来找我们咨询帮忙。我们的背包里，经常装着福音单张、中文模拟考试题、《加州驾驶手册》，还有打印的英文路考常用词语，随时向人提供。

   这几天，江西的罗先生和成都的金先生考过了笔试，每天上路练车，我们打算就在这个月里，路考把考官拿下，开车把驾照拿上。

   我体会到，如果停一下忙碌的脚步，观察我们身边，会发现周围一定有传福音的倾听和接受者。只要依靠神，用自己的好行为，是可以影响身边其他人的。有时候反而是我们自己，走在了神的前面，主观地认为谁行谁不行。求神赐给我们智慧和力量，帮助我们打破自己划定的圈子，迈出每个人的那一步。              

   今天，我站在这里的同时，想起了五年前的昨天：2014年9月14日，我也是在这里第一次作受洗的见证分享，如果真实的问自己，五年来的灵命长进了多少？感到很愧疚！省察自己，进步和成长的空间实在是很大很大。

   因此，我将这第二次分享，当做学习和鞭策，求圣灵光照带领，让我越来越活出光盐的见证。就如那首赞美诗唱的：“耶稣的爱激励我，敞开我的胸怀，让自己成为别人祝福”。我愿和弟兄姊妹们一起努力，继续一同成为别人的祝福！