林威斌

　　首先，我要感謝神的恩典，讓我有機會和弟兄姊妹分享見證。此外，我也要感謝楊傳道的鼓勵，及內人月華在這見證上的支持和幫助。

　　許多人或許都知道，我們於今年(2007)夏天七月份搬到了長島市。這當中有許多值得感恩的地方。但是礙於有限的篇幅，這篇見證將著重在找房及交屋這兩件事上。

　　六年前，我們從新澤西州搬到紐約市。不出多久，就發生了九一一事件。當時，我們並不想讓自己在經濟上太緊縮，在不貸款的原則下，買了一戶擁有一間大臥房的寓所。剛開始的時候，這間寓所對我們夫妻來說是相當夠住的。直到孩子們一一成家，我們才驚覺空間似乎不敷使用了。當他們來訪時，必須睡在客廳，而我們也沒有足夠的空間可以開放家庭作團契聚會之用。

　　從那時開始，我們就在曼哈頓(Manhattan)、新澤西州(NJ)和威斯特郡(Westchester)等地區看房子，只是一直都沒有著落。後來，又差一點在李堡(Fort Lee)下訂金，不過為時已晚，看中的寓所已經賣出。也是在那之後，我們才發現該棟大樓在建築結構上有一些瑕疵。可以說，是上帝的手讓我們沒有買成。此後，我們又繼續禱告，把這事交在神的手中。

　　2006年夏天，我們幫女兒在紐約皇后區的長島市(Long Island City)看房子，因為一位建築師親戚告訴他們這是個開發中的區域。當我們把車子開到五十九街大橋的對岸時，立即有一棟樓房映入眼簾，我們也進去看看有沒有待售的單位。雖然女兒並沒有找到合適的，我們卻在神的引領之下，找到一個兩房的單位，而且房間的尺寸正是我們理想中的大小。神的恩典總是夠我們用。

　　當我們決定要買下這戶新的寓所時，按照規定我們必須付出15%的訂金，而且這筆錢是能不退還的。這也逼得我們必須作出另一個重大決定──儘快將原來的寓所賣掉。原則上，新寓所的完工時間定在去年(2006)十一月或十二月。於是，我們夏天就把寓所放上了房屋交易市場，只不過在接下來的六個月期間，沒有人出價。買賣過房屋的人或許都知道，時間是很要緊的一個因素。如果我們太早賣出原來的房屋，我們就得搬出去，另外租地方住；如果新房子太快可以入住，我們又得支付兩邊的開銷。

　　長話短說，最後新寓所遲延了。今年一月，在兩位意者的競標下，我們以定價賣掉了原來的寓所。這個價錢足足比六年前我們買它時，多出了將近一倍。不僅如此，買主還讓我們一直住到新屋落成。最後，我們終於在賣掉房子的三個星期後遷進了新居。上帝的道路總是最美好的。祂讓我們在整個過程中經歷到許多許多的奇蹟。而最重要的一課，就是如果沒有上帝親自的供應和帶領，我們絕不可能自己計劃或掌控這一切。祂的供應是不加上憂慮的。願一切的感恩歸於上帝。

　　最後，我要和各位分享個人最喜愛的經節：

箴言書三章5-6節

你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明。在你一切所行的事上，都要認定祂，祂必指引你的路。

Thanksgiving 2007

By Alan Lam

First I want to thank God for all his grace and this opportunity to share this testimony with our Brothers and Sisters.　Thanks to Evangelist Sorina for her encouragements.　Thanks to my wife, Trini for her support and help with this testimony.

As many of you know, we moved to Long Island City in July of this year.　There were so much to thank for during the process but because of limited time, I will give my testimony with the focus on our search and our closing.

We moved to Manhattan from NJ 6 years ago right before 9/11.　We didn’t want to stretch ourselves financially, so we decided not to get a mortgage and purchased a one large bedroom apartment.　It was sufficient for two of us in the beginning.　But as our children got marry we realized that it was getting cramped.　When they came to visit, they had to sleep in the living room.　Also, we did not have room for any kind of fellowship gathering.

We looked at many apartments in Manhattan, NJ and Westchester.　None of them really worked out for different reasons.　There was one in Fort Lee that we almost put a deposit down but the apt was already sold.　We found out later that the building was not constructed properly.　God has somehow prevented us from buying the apt.　We continued praying for this and just leave it to God.

In the summer of 2006, we were helping our daughter to look for an apartment in Long Island City because one of the relatives is an architect who informed them about this up-and-coming area.　As we drove to the other side of the 59th Street Bridge, we saw a new condo building so we went in for the open house.　Although there was nothing suitable for our daughter, through God’s lead, we were able to find a two bedroom unit layout and room sizes that are perfect for us.　We realized God’s grace is always sufficient.

Once we decided to proceed with the new apartment, we had to put down a deposit of 15% which was non-refundable.　Then we had another major concern:　we had to sell our apt as soon as possible.　The new apt was supposed to be finished by Nov or Dec of last year.　We put the apt on the market in the summer of 2006 and there was no offer for 6 months.　This is a known fact that it is very difficult to align both transactions.　If we sold our apt early, we would have to move out and rent a place.　If the new apt was ready too early, we would have to carry two apartments.

To make the long story short, the new apartment was delayed.　We sold our apartment at full price in January of this year with two people bidding.　The price was almost double what we paid 6 years ago.　In addition, the buyers were willing to let us stay until the new place is ready.　We ended up moving in three weeks after we close on our apartment.　God’s way is always the best way.　He let us experienced so many miracles during this whole process.　The important lesson that we learned is:　we would never be able to plan or control any of this without God’s provision and guidance.　His provision does not come with worries.　May all the thanks and glory to God.

In conclusion, I would like to these favorite verses of mine:

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.　In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.