This month at CPC, we are celebrating Family Month—a time to get to know a family who serves among us. David, our caretaker, with his wife Amy and daughter Corrina, have served for over seven years. They often work quietly and faithfully behind the scene. I invited David to share about his family life and God’s faithfulness.
Dorothy (D), DL (David Lau)
D: Weekends are usually the busiest time for you and Amy with church duties. How do you still make time for family life?
DL: Our days off are Monday and Wednesday in lieu. We sometimes go out for family dinner. Sometimes on Saturday night when all is done and there is no church activity, we are free for family activities such as joining our monthly Home Fellowship.
D: Recently, you saw God’s miraculous protection over our church family. Would you tell us what happened and how it encouraged your faith?
DL: August the 4th remains forever one of the unforgettable days of our lives. A small fire broke out in the Auditorium because of rainwater dripping down from the roof, directly sipping into the electrical junction box located below the front row of pews which is directly opposite the piano.
It was 7:20 pm and Monday was supposed to be our day off. We would have gone out for dinner had it not been a special booking by the Cantonese Student Fellowship camp worship practice in the Worship Hall. I happened to be working in the main kitchen when the drummer asked me if he could go into the Auditorium to fetch drumsticks. Now, usually there are a few in the worship hall but none was found.
INCREDIBLE TIMING OF THE FIRE:
As we walked in, the fire just started. I immediately put it out with the fire extinguisher. Had the fire happened earlier or later, the consequence is not hard to imagine, for there is no fire alarm in this heritage building.
Given the circumstances (water seeping into the very old junction box), a fire was bound to happen. Likewise, because of the sinful nature of my self, my future was bound for hell. But our church was spared from doom through God’s protection, and I too was saved by His grace.
D: Looking back over the years, please share how your see God’s hand guiding your family.
DL: The answer is through prayer. Both individually and the family as a whole, we were amazed in how our prayers been listened to and answered. Individually, I learned if I let go my ego, and seek for God’s wisdom, I could be assured of stepping in the right direction. And above all, glory be to God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit too.
We are grateful for David, Amy, and Corrina, and for the many ways they bless our church family. May God’s presence and love always be with their family.
在長老會中，八月份我們慶祝「家庭月」- 藉此介紹我們當中參與侍奉的一個家庭。看堂工友、劉仲元弟兄及妻子宋美华姊妹、女兒劉澄宜在教會服務已有七年多。他們默默地和忠心地在幕後工作。我邀請他分享他們的家庭生活及神的信實：
D: 週末是教會最忙碌的時候、你們如何安排一家的活動時間？
DL: 教會以星期一、三填補週末的法定假期。我們有時會在外出用膳。有時星期六晚一切準備工作做好後，若沒有活動在教會，我們亦可以自由活動，譬如參加每月一次的家庭聚會。
D: 最近你親眼目睹神奇妙地保護了我們教會的大家庭。你可否告訴我們發生了甚麼事，它如何鼓勵你的信心？
DL: 八月四日是我終生難忘的一天，教會正堂裏由天井牆邊滲入的雨水滴入了最前一排座位、近鋼琴的地方，令地面的一個「電接線盒」因而起火。那時是晚上7: 20分。星期一本是我們的休假日，很大可能我們會出外用饍。但一個粵語學生團的敬拜隊為九月的營會而在敬拜中心練習。負責打鼓的弟兄因在敬拜中心找不到打鼓棒、要求我一起去正堂拿取代用。
奇妙起火的時間: 正當我們步入正堂時、發覺火勢剛剛開始。於是我立刻以滅火筒撲熄它。如早些或遲些才起火，那後果真是不堪設想。因正堂被列為歷史建築、所以沒有安裝煙霧報警器。
對我來說這次能及時發覺起火，絕非偶然。使我相信神的看顧，無論是對教會或我自己，都是無可置疑。
由於情況所致（積水滲入非常老舊的接線盒），火災其實是無可避免的。同樣地，因着我本性裡的罪性，我的結局本是注定滅亡。但因着神的保守，我們的教會能逃過一刧，而我也因着祂的恩典得蒙拯救。
D: 回顧過去的歲月，請分享你怎樣看見神親自帶領你和你的家庭。
DL: 答案是藉著祈禱。無論是我個人或家庭，都很感恩經歷神聆聽我們的禱告。個人來說，我學習到要用心去捨己，反而求神的智慧來帶領；而祂必領我走那義路。但要為藉神的名，並願榮耀、頌讚都歸祂。
我們為著David、Amy和Corrina，以及他們在我們當中許多的付出、帶來的祝福與而感恩。願神的同在與愛常與他們的家庭同在。
