mission trip highlight: thailand 2

By Shih-Tang Cheng

A Lesson of Faith

Scripture: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

With the heartfelt blessings of our church family, our group of seven, led by Pastor ChingMei, embarked on a 30-hour journey from San Francisco, eventually arriving at the Student Center of New-Life Drug Rehabilitation Center in Chiang Khong, Northern Thailand. This was the starting point of our short-term mission trip and the first station of our journey of faith.

經文：「所以我告訴你們，凡你們禱告祈求的，無論是什麼，只要信是得著的，就必得著。」（馬可福音 11:24）

帶著教會弟兄姊妹的深深祝福，我們一行七人，由青梅師母帶領，踏上了從舊金山出發、歷經30小時的長途跋涉，最終抵達泰北昌孔的新生命主恩堂學生中心。這裡，將是我們短宣的起點，也是信心旅程的第一站。

Reflecting on our layover in Bangkok, one of our team members lost her passport and boarding pass, plunging the entire team into an anxious search that yielded no results. Helpless, we had no choice but to board the plane in dismay. As the flight prepared for takeoff, Pastor ChingMei prayed fervently for her, while I was consumed by worry—how could this mission continue without a pianist and teacher ?

回想在曼谷轉機時，一位姊妹的護照和登機證不翼而飛，整個團隊陷入焦急的尋找之中，卻依然一無所獲。無奈之下，我們只能黯然登機。飛機即將起飛，師母帶著迫切的心為她禱告，而我的內心卻被憂慮所吞噬——少了一位司琴和老師，這次短宣該如何繼續 ？

As my thoughts wrestled within me, her familiar figure suddenly appeared at the cabin entrance! God had heard our prayers, and both the passport and boarding pass were found. She boarded just in time, and as soon as she sat down, the plane began to taxi. My eyes welled up with tears. God’s faithfulness reminded us once again: He is never late, and He is always in control ! 

就在我思想交織的時候，那熟悉的身影突然出現在機艙入口！原來，神垂聽了我們的禱告，找到了護照以及登機證。並在最後一刻趕上了航班。她剛坐下，飛機便啟動滑向跑道，那一刻，我淚目。神的信實再次提醒我們：祂從不遲到，祂永遠掌權！

Lord, when my faith falters, You strengthen me. This assurance gave me confidence that we would witness even more of Your wonders on this mission trip.

主啊，當我的信心不足時，祢加添了力量！更讓我確信，這次短宣必定會見證更多祢的奇妙作為。

Witnessing God’s Mighty Power
神大能彰顯的見證人

Scripture: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)

經文：「萬軍之耶和華說：不是倚靠勢力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的靈方能成事。」（撒迦利亞書 4:6）

The Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand—a land scarred by history and human struggles—bears witness to countless souls yearning for the light of the Gospel. In 1997, missionary couple Zhang Yu and Zhuo Yingxue came here in faith and founded the New-Life  Drug Rehabilitation Center. They offered addicts a path to new life and a future of hope for forgotten children. Today, the Student Center focuses on Chinese education, training the next generation to be messengers of the Gospel. Among the 126 boarding students on campus, every soul is being transformed by the Gospel’s light. I am grateful to have participated, stepping into this land in need of hope and becoming a witness to God’s mighty works!

泰北金三角，這片充滿歷史傷痕與人性掙扎的土地，見證了無數靈魂渴望福音的光明。1997年，張雨與卓映雪宣教夫婦憑著信心來到這裡，創辦了「新生命福音戒毒中心」。他們帶給吸毒者一條通往新生的道路，並為那些被遺忘的孩子們開創了希望的明天。如今，這裡的學生中心專注於中文教育，致力於培養下一代成為福音的使者。在校園內，126名寄宿學童，每一顆心靈都在福音的光中被翻轉。我慶幸能夠參與其中，走進這片需要盼望的土地，成為神大能彰顯的見證者！

A Journey That Stirred My Soul
震撼心靈之旅

Scripture: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

經文：「疲乏的祂賜能力，軟弱的祂加力量……但那等候耶和華的，必從新得力。」（賽亞書 40:29-31）

At the start of this mission trip, I thought it would be a simple act of service, but it turned out to be a soul-stirring journey. Through the lives of these children, I saw how God transforms hearts. Through the ministry of local pastors, I learned the essence of true dedication, trust, and dependence on the Lord. This was a journey of learning and an encounter with God.

短宣之旅的開始，我以為這只是一次簡單的服事，但事實卻超越了我的想像，它更是一場震撼心靈的旅程。透過這些孩子的生命，我看到神如何翻轉人心；透過當地牧者的事奉，我學到何為真正的委身、仰望與倚靠主。這是一場學習的旅程，也是一場與神相遇的旅程。

During meals, I most enjoyed casual chats with pastor, preachers, and teachers. Those moments revealed the extraordinary sacrifices hidden in their ordinary lives. When I shared my reflections, I saw tears in their eyes. At that moment, I realized that the significance of short-term missions is not only in helping the children but also in offering love and encouragement to the pastors and coworkers serving silently. A simple word of care, a sincere thank-you, and heartfelt affirmation can be their source of strength in times of exhaustion.

每天用餐時，我最享受與牧師、傳道及老師們的閒話家常。那些片刻的交談讓我深深感受到，他們在平凡中的付出竟是如此偉大。當我將短宣感受與感悟分享時，牧師與傳道的眼中泛起淚光。那一刻，我忽然明白，短宣的意義不僅在於幫助這些孩子們，更在於向那些默默服事的牧者和同工傳遞愛與鼓勵。一句簡單的關懷、一聲誠摯的感謝、一份由衷的認同、就足以成為他們疲憊中的力量源泉！

The Stage in the Morning Light
晨光中的舞台

Scripture: “Praise the Lord. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)

經文：「你們要讚美耶和華！凡有氣息的，都要讚美耶和華！」（詩篇 150:6）

At 5 a.m., a familiar figure often graced the campus—the ever-diligent Sister Ma from the rehabilitation center. Sweeping the grounds while singing hymns of praise, her voice filled the morning air. One day, she warmly invited me to join her in praising God. Her pure joy profoundly touched my heart.

This brief encounter led me to reflect: Where is the true stage of life ? Is it the grand performance under the spotlight or the quiet dedication in the morning light ？ Here, every pastor, preacher, teacher, and coworker carries a song in their heart and love in their soul. Though they may not stand at center stage, their lives shine with eternal light.

清晨五點，校園中總有一位熟悉的身影——戒治部(戒毒中心）的馬面姐。手持掃帚的她，一邊清掃校園，一邊高聲歌唱讚美詩。在一次晨曦中的偶遇，她熱情地邀請我與她一起歌唱讚美神，那份純粹的喜樂深深觸動了我的心。

這短短的相遇，讓我重新思考：生命的舞台究竟在哪裡？是聚光燈下的華麗表演，還是晨光中默默的奉獻？在這裡，每一位牧師、傳道、老師和同工，他們的心中有歌，胸中有愛。他們的生命，雖然不在舞台中央，卻發出耀眼的光芒。

Frontline vs. Guardians of the Supplies
上陣 vs 看守器具

Scripture: “The share of the one who stays with the supplies is to be the same as that of the one who goes down to the battle. All will share alike.” (1 Samuel 30:24)

經文：「上陣的得多少，看守器具的也得多少；應當大家平分。」（撒母耳記上 30:24）

This mission trip was filled with the abundant love and support of our Bible study group, accompanied by constant prayers and intercession. I diligently recorded everything I saw, heard, and felt, hoping that the group could also participate spiritually in this marvelous journey and witness God’s wondrous deeds together. At the end of November, I received a letter of gratitude from local coworkers. They shared that part of the Bible study group’s love offering was used to enhance their Thanksgiving meal, allowing the children to feel the warmth of God and their distant family.

This deeply moved my heart! As the Scripture says, whether it is the warriors on the frontlines or the supporters guarding the rear, when we join hands to share gratitude and blessings, that love and sense of responsibility truly reflect the essence of God’s family!

這次的短宣之旅，滿載著查經小組弟兄姊妹們滿滿的愛與關懷，也伴隨著不斷的守望舆禱告。我每天忠實記錄著所見、所聞、所感，希望能讓查經小組的弟兄姊妹，也能以心靈參與這段奇妙的旅程，共同見證神的奇妙作為。11月底，我收到了當地同工的一封感謝信。他們提到查經小組的愛心奉獻部分所得，被用於感恩節加菜，讓孩子們能深深地感受到那份來自神以及遠方親人的溫暖。

這深深地觸動了我的心！正如經文所說，無論是站在前線的勇士，還是守護後方的支援者，當我們攜手分享感恩與祝福時，那份愛與擔當正是屬神家庭的真實寫照！

A Response
回響

Scripture: “Lord, what shall I do?” (Acts 9:6)

經文：「主啊！我當作甚麼？」(使徒行傳 9:6)

Currently, the rehabilitation center houses 17 members, the youngest being only 14 and 16 years old. In this drug-ravaged region, they are often the forgotten ones and not the primary focus of our mission efforts.

I hope to return to this place, spending time in devotions and worship with these forgotten lives. In the mornings, we could work on the farm together; in the afternoons, I could listen to their stories and encourage them with God’s Word. This land needs hope, and our mission is to be vessels used by God when we see the need.

戒毒中心目前有17位成員，其中最年輕的僅14歲和16歲。在這毒品橫行的地區，他們往往是社會遺忘的一群，也是短宣隊容易忽略、以及沒有服事的對象。

我盼望能再度來到這裡，與那些被遺忘的生命一同靈修、敬拜。清晨起在農場勞作，午後聆聽他們的故事，並用主的話語彼此激勵。這片土地需要盼望，而我們的使命，就是在看到需要的時候，成為那被使用的器皿！