Dear Friends and Mission Partners, 

Warm greetings from Goettingen, Germany! 

During our home assignment from mid-September to November 2023, we had the privilege of sharing our experiences and missionary vision with various churches. This time allowed for fruitful discussions on resource collaboration for next year’s programs and provided opportunities to reconnect with brothers and sisters from previous short-term mission teams. 

Our time in Canada was deeply cherished as we reunited with our family and celebrated our mom’s and son’s birthday. Engaging in heartfelt conversations and prayers with loved ones brought us immense joy, reminding us of the grace of celebrating special occasions with our beloved family members as missionaries. Additionally, we prioritized self-care, attending our health check-ups and follow-up treatments, including acupuncture sessions. Our Canadian visit was a blend of work and personal life, offering moments of quiet reflection and active engagement. Though brief, our time in Toronto was filled with gratitude, even as we regret not being able to see all our dear friends, partners, and pastor friends. 

Upon our return to Germany in late November, we seamlessly transitioned back to life on the front lines. After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, short-term mission teams resumed visits. We extend heartfelt appreciation to the team from Markham Chinese Baptist Church for their impactful 10-day service. Through relational ministry and a Christmas celebration, they sowed seeds of love and dedication into the hearts of seekers. Our Christmas outreach event saw 90 participants, both Christians and seekers, coming together to celebrate the season. 

On February 11, 2024, we hosted our annual Dumpling Festival. Despite the absence of a distinct festival atmosphere in Germany, this cherished tradition continues to attract approximately 60 participants who gathered joyfully to celebrate the Lunar New Year together. 

A new core ministry team comprising eight dedicated members has been formed. May God bless this team with unity of heart, understanding of His will, coordination of their gifts, and love for God and one another. We have initiated a four-session team-building series. The first session (February 24) focuses on leadership training and spiritual formation, aiming to cultivate faithful ministry and spiritual growth. 

As we continue our mission work, we humbly request your prayers for our family’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. May Caleb, studying in Canada, and us in the missionary field, remain steadfast in walking according to God’s will, bringing glory to His name and blessings to others. 

The core need of Chinese Christians in Germany extends beyond evangelism. They need regular pastoral care and mentoring. A postdoc scholar moved his family to Göttingen to fulfill two years of research studies. They were fully occupied in the beginning to make arrangements for settling in. After the first three months, they began to lose the busy momentum and noticed hidden personal, marital, and spiritual issues arising to the surface. When God knocks at your heart, if you are willing and have the courage to invite Him in, it will surely be the beginning of your life’s miracles. Below is the testimony of the wife in first-person narrative. 

Our journey through marriage and parenthood took an unexpected turn as we welcomed children into our lives. The image of happily-ever-after began to fade as the weight of parental responsibility settled upon us. Driven by my ambitions, I sought to mold my children into successful individuals, diligently pursuing opportunities for their advancement. Despite my dedication, I found myself grappling with a never-ending stream of challenges, feeling increasingly defeated with each setback. Turning to my husband for solutions, I was met with disappointment as he fell short of my expectations. Frustration and resentment clouded our once-loving relationship, culminating in the decision to part ways through divorce.  

Yet, amidst the chaos of our brokenness, God’s boundless love shone through. He sent His servants to guide and support us. Through counseling and mentorship, I confronted my sins of selfishness, pride, and greed, which had inflicted wounds upon my family. Gradually, I came to understand that my husband’s apparent indifference stemmed from his family background. 

Acknowledging his silent acts of love, I realized that I had misplaced my faith, expecting my husband to fulfill a role that only God could occupy. Through this journey of self-discovery, I experienced the depth of God’s love and grace, humbly surrendering myself, my marriage, and my children into His care. Placing God back at the centre of our lives, I discovered the ultimate parenting strategy: to emulate God’s love and care for our children. God’s presence in our lives is the greatest gift we can offer our children, guiding them on the path to follow Christ. 

In reflecting on my past behavior, I recognized a pattern of hysteria emerging whenever I felt a loss of control. It was during the tumultuous period of my failing marriage that I confronted the root cause of my outbursts. For instance, when my husband’s silence left me feeling neglected, I lashed out in anger, craving attention and validation. These emotional eruptions stemmed from my selfish desires and unrealistic expectations. Acknowledging my sins, I surrendered my self-reliance and pride to God. Through prayer and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I learned to pause and reflect on the source of my emotions. With each practice, I witnessed a transformation within myself, experiencing greater patience and gentleness toward my family. Though challenges still arise, the Spirit’s guidance remains a steadfast reminder of God’s grace. I continue to seek forgiveness from God and extend apologies to my loved ones, striving to walk in His will with humility and grace. 

My life’s purpose has undergone a profound shift. No longer driven by worldly success, my heart now beats to share God’s love and magnify His glory. Over the past two years in Goettingen, my spirit has been stirred, igniting a fervent desire to deepen my relationship with Him and share His love with others. 

The path of love is not without its challenges. Raised in a family marked by emotional turmoil, I found solace and healing through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As I grappled with my father’s past behaviors and my own mistakes, I extended forgiveness and sought reconciliation. Through tearful apologies and heartfelt conversations, God’s love became a bridge, restoring harmony within my family. 

Witnessing the transformative power of God’s love in my life, I am compelled to serve His kingdom. Enrolling in the online Christian Leadership Course, I am eager to equip myself as a faithful servant of Christ, ready to be a beacon of blessing to those around me.

• New Believers: We have welcomed two new sisters who committed to Christ in December. One of them is a professional who has been seeking Christ for two years, and the other is a newly arrived PhD student. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide them directly in their spiritual growth, to be rooted in God’s word, and live a spiritual life filled with influential testimonies for Christ. 

• New Ministry Team: The core ministry team in the new year consists of 8 members. Pray that the Lord would bless the new team with a united heart, understand God’s will, coordinate their gifts, and love God and one another. 

• A German-wide Chinese Christian Discipleship Camp will be conducted March 28 to April 1: Theme – The Freedom in Christ. Please pray for the speakers Dr. (PhD) Wu Xianzhang and Pastor Cao Weitong. We also have serving positions in the camp. Pray that we will receive wisdom and strength from the Lord, and that the Retreat be used by the Lord to rekindle people’s love for Christ! 

• Please remember our family: Please continue to pray for our family’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Pray for Caleb who is studying in Canada, and for us in the missionary field, that we would continue to walk in the will of God, bringing glory to God and blessings to others. 

In His service,
Lewis & Felain