Mobilize a whole village for service
There is an African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." It means that to raise a child, not only the parents need to contribute, but also the resources of the whole village (community) need to be used. In my opinion, magazines must mobilize the power and resources of the "whole village" before they can be delivered to readers.
The "Kingdom of God" magazine has published its 71st issue. With the experience accumulated in the past, it should be compiled more smoothly, but it is not the case. The editing process of issue 71 has experienced unprecedented challenges. When I received the article, it was just after the editorial interview camp, and my computer unfortunately crashed. I brought my computer back to Taiwan, hoping that someone would bring it back to life. Unexpectedly, when I arrived in Taiwan, my luggage didn't arrive with me, and I got sick too!
Computers are broken, people are sick, manuscripts don’t come in on time, and the body, mind and soul are under extreme challenges. But God is the hidden editor of Kingdom of God magazine, and every aspect is in His planning. He sent me a brand new computer at the right time and healed me so that I could still be "full of energy" after my illness! Through all this, God made me realize that the feeling of "getting better and better" means that I am more dependent on His time and plan; "the boat has passed through ten thousand mountains", it is Him who carries my burden, and it is easy to work with Him. of.
Issue 71 mobilized people and resources from “the whole village” around me. Copy editor Lin Minwen, who not only edited the manuscript, but also sorted out my handwritten publication list; art editor Ruan Xuanmei patiently waited for the finally collected units and sent them along with the edits; the prayers and co-work of the editorial team; the efforts of the author and interviewees And be patient. The “village” also includes the expert who helped me find a computer; the driver who took me to pick up my groceries but didn’t calculate my fare; and the Uber Eats delivery person who delivered chicken soup to me when I was sick. Even if they do not know that they are in God's plan, they are still "mobilized" villagers.
Now, we dedicate the magazine that the whole village worked together to complete to readers. The housekeeper unit interviewed Gao Lili, the founder of the Association〈The totally beautiful Lily of the Valley〉, talking about her business as mission philosophy. There are many excellent articles on culture and relationships in the Knowledge and Action unit:"Jezebel and Hitler"Remind us that righteousness is in God’s hands;"The author and his uneasiness"Discuss your and my beliefs in service from a literary perspective;"Take off in love, go home in love"Encourage parents of adult children to communicate love in trust.
In the family section, an article by Chief Editor Pastor Su Wen’an〈Welcoming the dawn of life with Hosea〉, giving hope that life will be wrapped up after being torn apart and rebuilt after being demolished, which is in line with the annual theme of KRC. also,<Your eyes have already seen it! 〉, interviewing Su Wenzhe who experienced extraordinary grace in an ordinary life, and the neighbor unit"Flowers of grace bloom from brokenness"Visiting Gao Lina to preach, using the changes in her parent-child relationship as motivation, she is committed to serving her parents and building a happy family.
The keyword linking this issue's articles - "letter". Even though I felt very "Oshin" (the ill-fated heroine in Japanese dramas) during my illness, when I was editing the article, God allowed me to read the coherent message of this issue.I hope you can also read it, God’s “letter” to us.
Executive Editor of this Journal 