News and messages of retired missionaries

who worked in Taiwan

Caring for Retired Missionaries

Pastor Lau, Sui Jin ( 劉瑞仁牧師) began the Committee of Care for Former Missionaries to Taiwan in 1995 as a part of the Taiwanese Christian Church Council of North America to give thanks to the Missionaries in United States, Great Britain, and Canada that has served Taiwan. They gave the people of Taiwan their youth and the best years of their lives to spread the Gospel and to serve the people through medicine, pastoral care, community service, serving native Taiwanese people, translation of the Bible and educating the next generation of pastors and Christians.

In the beginning, Pastor Loa sent these Missionaries a greeting card  and a gift between Thanksgiving and Christmas. When they received this money, some would send thank you cards. Pastor Lau would save these cards to keep as historical documents, because these cards often included stories of their experiences. Pastor Lau eventually turned the Committee to Elder Lu(盧建治長老), who has continued the work. Last year, because Elder Lu was busy, he had to step down from his position on this Committee. This year, I am the head of this Committee and worked with Elder Lai(賴永祥長老). to set up a website called Taiwan Mission Alumni News that includes news and messages of retired missionaries who worked in Taiwan. The website address is www.laijohn.com/MAC/mac-contents.htm. Please refer to this site for the newest, updated information.  

In 2007, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan organized a gathering for former missionaries, which was a success. It allowed a time for the missionaries and the current pastors and leaders of our Taiwanese churches in North America to fellowship. I hope that we can continue to host events with the Missionaries and continue to find ways to support them, allowing them to remember the good time and their hard work in Taiwan. Starting this year, we would like to divide up the former missionaries into geographic locations to be better supported and cared for by the local churches. We hope that you will be willing to participate in this very important work through volunteering your time and your money. 

Thank you.

Sek-Iong Lim          2009/10/10

劉瑞仁牧師於1995年在北美教協 （Taiwanese Christian Church Council of North America) 之下發起設立關懷宣教師基金委員會 （Committee of Care for Former Missionaries to Taiwan）。目的是為了感激加拿大、英國和美國曾在台灣宣教過的退休宣教師，他們將青春奉獻給台灣，並將福音灑在台灣的土地，他們在教派合作之下，進行的事工，包括：牧會工作、醫療傳道、社會服務、原住民事工、聖經翻譯和教學培育的工作。

委員會於每年的感恩節與聖誕節期間，寄發慰問金和卡片給已退休的宣教師們。當他們收到禮金後會寄謝卡給委員會，劉牧師把這些謝卡都整理，成冊留為歷史紀錄，這些書信包含很多感人溫馨的故事，足以讓我們當作歷史永久保存。後來劉牧師因為年紀漸高，把這個重任交給盧建治長老，他也非常盡職地把這工作做好。

去年盧建治長老因為事務繁忙懇辭這個職務，由我接任關懷宣教師基金的事工。接到這個事工之後，我和賴永祥長老談論合作計畫。就是在他的史料庫網站上設一專欄，名稱為退休宣教師專欄 （Taiwan Mission Alumni）收錄：News and message of retired missionaries who worked in Taiwan，網址為：www.laijohn.com/MAC/mac-contents.htm，提供最新、最完整的訊息，便利大家上網查詢。

台灣基督長老教會總會和北美教協於2007年合辦「向在台灣退休宣教師致敬」（Gathering for former Missionary)活動，邀請他們在Boston同聚一堂，表揚他們並讓他們能重溫過去在台灣的美好時光，那一次聚會很成功，讓與會者感到溫馨。希望以後我們能為宣教師多做一些事。從今年起各宣教師將分區，讓各區域台灣教會領養，負責關懷，請教協屬下各教會踴躍參加此事工並奉獻。

林皙陽  2009/10/10