Always Following God in Prosperity or in Adversity

Last week many people were wondering what happened to C-Mo and me as both Following God and Mama’s Kitchen were hosted by our disciples. The reason behind was that I was infected by COVID. Thank God for keeping us for the past three years during the pandemic and I was infected only after the pandemic had become less severe and the quarantine measures had been relaxed. So I stayed at home while C-Mo went to the Hiding Place in Cheung Chau.

In my sickness I felt really bad as my health was unwell and my wife was not with me. At my saddest moment I was even unable to swallow food. One evening I was having congee with olives for dinner and I couldn’t feel any taste. Being sentimental, I was in tears. Looking back now, I know it’s a special experience that God has given me in order that I will understand the struggles and feelings of pandemic patients and sick people in greater depth and will know more how to console and walk with people who mourn.

The day I was confirmed positive was exactly the day when C-Mo was accompanying Pastor Izuru and his wife of our Osaka branch to visit Garden of Eden. So I stayed at home and C-Mo stayed in Cheung Chau for 11 days. As she was born and raised up in Cheung Chau, she was quite at ease even alone. Thank God for giving her the chance to exercise her being while resting. Her rest was to connect with people and the earth. She went to the outlying islands and the nature and got connected with many new friends and brothers and sisters there. She also handled the furnishings of the Hiding Place and had good discipleship and exchanges with Pastor Baruch and his wife Susanna of Whole Whole 611 in Cheung Chau. God has used her to bless pastors and brothers and sisters even when she was at rest.

Thank God that on February 14, as my fever was gone and my health was recovered, I went to Cheung Chau to spend the Valentine’s Day with C-Mo. I was grateful to meet my wife at Cheung Chau pier to enjoy the day on the first day of my recovery. On our last day in Cheung Chau, we spent all the time at Garden of Eden, sunbathing with our dog Favor and the little turtle Apple raised in the Garden. We toasted bread on a small charcoal stove and enjoyed rest in nature, counting God’s blessings.

This period of time reminds me of Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Whether at height or in the low, we should trust God, believing that He is real and good, and a Rewarder of us. We should choose to follow Him and He will surely lead us and let us enjoy His blessings.

Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to always follow God regardless of prosperity or adversity. May each of your experiences become a wonderful blessing in life.■【2023.02.26】