Harvest Haven Newsletter September 2025

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Dear Friends of Harvest Haven,

As we step into September, our hearts are filled with gratitude. Thank you for your faithful participation and support! We hope you had a refreshing summer—many of our members are now returning from vacation, and we’re excited to welcome a new season of meaningful programs and community connection. From all of us at Harvest Haven, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival filled with peace, reunion, and joy!

This month, we’re launching a variety of enriching events and classes. One highlight is our brand-new Practical Chinese Language & Pinyin Class, perfect for all levels—whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your skills. Taught by Mr. Zhang Zhaocheng, a seasoned educator with degrees from Nanjing Normal University and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, the course covers useful Pinyin typing skills, simplified vs. traditional Chinese, and even Chinese literature.

In our Mandarin Senior Group , we’re also hosting a Fall Health Seminar on Thursday, September 4 and October 2 at 11:00 AM, featuring Professor Jenny Niu, a nationally recognized expert in nutrition and public health. She’ll share practical insights on aging gracefully, building immunity, and essential first aid knowledge. Professor Niu holds master’s and doctoral degrees from National Taiwan Normal University and brings over 30 years of experience in behavioral science and health promotion. Her approachable, faith-integrated teaching style has made her a beloved speaker across communities.

As we move into September, we also begin our Annual Giving Month—the most important time of the year for Harvest Haven Community Service Center . Every service we provide depends on your generous support. Our goal this year is to raise enough funds to fully support Harvest Haven’s 2026 operations. All donors will be honored on our “Wall of Gratitude”, with different levels of recognition (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Love). Every gift matters and is deeply appreciated. We especially want to thank the family of our late volunteer Sister Jane Murate, who generously donated a piano in her memory. Her faith and service continue to inspire us.

Beyond classes and events, our weekly senior programs remain strong and welcoming. Whether it’s Tai Chi, line dancing, knitting, karaoke, or ESL & computer literacy, there’s something for everyone. If you’re a newcomer, try a class and bring a friend!

Let us never grow tired of doing good. As Proverbs 3:27 reminds us: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” May we continue being vessels of His love, hope, and kindness in our community.

Thank you for walking with us. Your presence, prayers, and partnership make all the difference.

With warm wishes for a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival,

The Harvest Haven Team

Harvest Haven Community Service Center

11812 South Street, Ste.#200
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562)860-8601

www.harvesthaven.org

喜禾通訊
2025年九月

親愛的喜禾之友：

隨著九月的到來，我們的心中充滿感恩。感謝您一直以來的參與與支持！我們希望您度過了一個充實又放鬆的夏天，許多喜禾的會員也紛紛從假期中歸來，我們很高興迎接這個充滿新意與連結的季節。值此時節，我們謹向您和家人獻上最誠摯的祝福——勞工節快樂與中秋節愉快！願您的日子充滿平安、團圓與喜樂。

本月，我們推出一系列豐富精彩的活動與課程。其中一項亮點是全新開設的《實用中文課程》，適合各種程度的學員，無論您是想學手機拼音輸入法，還是想提升語文應用能力，都非常歡迎加入！

由國語長者週會主辦的秋季健康講座將於10月2日（週四）上午11點舉行，講員是備受敬重的國家級營養與公共衛生專家牛玉珍教授。她將分享有關成功老化、免疫力提升與基本急救知識等實用內容。牛教授擁有台灣師範大學碩博士學位，在健康促進與行為科學領域已有30餘年教學經驗。她以親切、深入淺出的教學方式，融合信仰與實際生活，深受不同年齡層社區聽眾的喜愛。

進入九月，也代表我們迎來了一年中最重要的時刻——喜禾年度籌款月。我們所有的營運與服務都仰賴大家的奉獻與支持。今年的目標是籌足2026年度全年經費，以確保事工持續穩定運作。所有捐款者將根據奉獻金額被榮列於我們的「感恩金榜牆」，分級為 Diamond、Platinum、Gold、Silver 和 Love 等級。每一份奉獻都是愛的表現，無論金額大小，我們都真心感謝您！特別感謝我們已故志工馬玉珍女士的家人捐贈鋼琴一架，以紀念她對喜禾的愛與服事，她的榜樣至今仍深深激勵著我們。

除了課程與講座外，我們每週的長者活動依然持續進行，包括：太極、排舞、編織、卡拉OK、英語與電腦課程，歡迎新朋友加入我們，一同學習、運動與歡笑！

願我們不灰心行善，正如《箴言 3:27》所勉勵：「你手若有行善的力量，不可推辭，就當向那應得的人施行。」讓我們一同成為神愛與盼望的流通器皿！

再次感謝您與我們同行。因著您的參與與奉獻，喜禾能夠成為社區中的祝福之地。願您擁有一個平安的勞工節與喜樂的中秋節！
— 喜禾團隊敬上

活動照片

一無所有的滿足

馬主恩

中學畢業後，喜歡烹調的我有機會到外地受訓當西廚，之後四十年分別當過廚師，經營過餐飲業、酒店、卡啦 OK，生意幹得風生水起……

高低跌宕的淬鍊
　　小時候我隨媽媽上過教會，但搬家後我就再沒去了。中學畢業後我獲天馬艦取錄當廚師訓練生，受訓後被派到不同戰艦的廚房工作，最終晉升至廚師長。四年合約結束，我辭職回港，計劃開辦餐廳。

　　當時只會煮西餐的我日間在半島酒店工作，晚上到酒樓學煮中菜，五年後儲足資金便開茶餐廳。那時我已婚，育有三個孩子，一晃十數年。之後我跟朋友合資買店開了香港首間燒臘茶餐廳；因鋪位升值一倍，賣鋪後賺了第一桶金。適逢大陸開放，我們便承包珠海一商場的美食廣場經營權，生意暢旺。

　　當時我三十來歲，魄力充沛，遂開賓館又經營卡拉 OK，錢源滾滾至欲進軍地產，經引薦向銀行借貸蓋樓。可是建到一半，宏觀調控驟臨，介紹人因受賄被抓，連累我們的地盤被查封，所有資產遭凍結！

　　股東們都損失慘重至一無所有，我惟有回港重操故業。上帝沒有忘記我。未幾，友人找我合作開餐廳，並出資讓我營運，給我分紅。餐廳生意很好，引來國際集團邀請到上海合作開食店。生意異常順利，月月盈利；隨後兩三年我們在上海、杭州開了八九家餐廳，有些在假期期間一天可達十萬營業額，奶茶賣到二千杯，電視台也來採訪。

　　我順勢開設工場造糕點、燒臘等供應各分店。一天工商局突然來說我們沒報稅要罰款千萬，後經調解降至五萬。在內地經營生意殊不簡單，每開一店都要跟各方人員打通關係，又吃又喝又發紅包；我極疲累且不安，晚晚應酬更影響我跟太太的關係。賺到了錢卻擔驚受怕；我情緒日漸低落，生意每況愈下，屢被追稅或貨款。我想結束生意，但因是中外合資，註銷手續繁複，且沒錢遣散數百員工，令我灰心絕望！

召我「回家」得恩福
　　屢次失敗叫我十分沮喪，抑鬱至想自殺了結，卻忽然聽到聲音叫我「回家」。那時我在杭州，難道要回香港？回港後媽媽對我說：「我為你禱告四十年，望你重返教會。」我這才恍然大悟，原來「回家」是回教會。我便陪媽媽「回家」，在安靜中祈求天父助我渡過難關；禱告後頓感安寧，並深切體會教會是我心靈的家，感悟：「人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有甚麼益處呢？」（馬太福音十六26）

　　稍息後我回上海打理生意。獲業內人士推薦，有內地人來找我協助他們在內地多個機場開辦餐廳、訓練員工。經商議後，我把自家品牌轉讓對方，亦為他們每間餐廳策劃，他們則接收我所有員工，不用遣散。我順利結束公司。深信這全是上帝的安排！感謝主，我終於可以放下一切，安心退休回家了。

奉獻餘生最精采
　　以前我努力拼搏，到頭來一貧如洗。聖經說，上帝要恩待誰就恩待誰，主權全在於祂。我樂意接受主的安排，並向祂認罪悔改，戒掉煙酒，回港後認真學習聖經。我 2014 年受浸，立志把餘生獻給主。

　　約兩年後有宣教士邀我到海外培訓年輕人經營咖啡室，我便前往開班教煮中、西餐。他們受訓後由原來每天三四千元營業額上升十倍，實在感恩！工場也因此活躍起來，福音被傳開。後來他們更買了家酒店來開拓福音工作，我遂再去教他們如何經營。如是者愈發多機構和教會邀我培訓同工從事餐飲業。原來上帝讓我在「曠野」四十年是要先培訓我，讓我今天可培訓祂的工人。

　　雖然我回港時一無所有卻從沒缺乏，生活更是滿足、喜樂。尤其感激上帝願意使用我，所以服侍時我總多想一步，比如煮餐時會多預備點，好讓來聚會的基層朋友不單能吃一頓，還可外帶回家。深願他們能藉此更深刻體會基督的愛！

（葡萄籽整理）原載《中信》月刊第753期（中國信徒佈道會）。

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RE: 2025 Annual Fundraising Appeal

喜禾社區服務中心
Harvest Haven Community Service Center
11812 South St., #200, Cerritos, CA 90703
www.harvesthaven.org admin@harvesthaven.org
Tel: (562) 860-8601

July 2025

Dear Friends,

RE: 2025 Annual Fundraising Appeal

Harvest Haven Community Service Center, founded in May 2004, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to serving our community with compassion and faith. For over two decades, we’ve provided free and impactful services to seniors, immigrants, families, and anyone in need.

From translation and tax assistance to health seminars, weekly senior meetings, cancer support groups, homeless outreach, and senior outings, our services touch hundreds of lives each year. We also provide over 2,000 free lunches annually at Harvest Haven.

We offer enriching classes in English, computer skills, citizenship, line dancing, knitting, Tai Chi, and Tai Chi sword—supporting wellness in both body and mind. Our new after-school care program provides children with a safe, nurturing, and faith-based environment to grow and thrive. Our E-World Digital Workshop empowers seniors to confidently use technology and stay connected in today’s world. Visit www.harvesthaven.org to learn more.

Thanks to generous supporters like you, Harvest Haven remains a place of connection, joy, and healing. Whether it’s karaoke, praise dance, or simply a caring conversation, every moment here reflects God’s love in action.

In order to cover expenses for the coming year, we would like to invite you to participate as one of our sponsors, and would be greatly honored if you would accept this invitation. Our sponsorship levels are: Diamond ($5,000), Platinum ($3,000), Gold ($1,800), and Silver ($900). There will be special recognition on our website and on the Donor Board at our Center.  If you are not ready to be one of our sponsors, you can be our special Love Donor ($300).  Please mail your donation checks to our center, or send your donation via Zelle to Harvest Haven at admin@harvesthaven.org. All donations are tax-deductible.  Donation receipts will be sent out in January 2026. We also welcome any amount of donation.

Thank you for standing with us to make a lasting impact. May God bless you richly in the year ahead.

With heartfelt thanks,

Harvest Haven Board of Directors

喜禾社區服務中心
Harvest Haven Community Service Center

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主旨：2025年度募款邀請函

喜禾社區服務中心
Harvest Haven Community Service Center
11812 South St., #200, Cerritos, CA 90703
www.harvesthaven.org admin@harvesthaven.org
Tel: (562) 860-8601

親愛的朋友們：

喜禾社區服務中心成立於2004年5月，是一個註冊的501(c)(3)非營利機構，致力以信仰與愛心服務社區。二十一年來，我們持續為長者、新移民、家庭及有需要人士提供免費且實用的服務。

我們的服務包括翻譯、報稅、健康講座、長者週會、癌症關懷小組、關懷露宿者、郊遊等，每年喜禾免費提供超過2,000份愛心午餐。喜禾也提供多元課程如英語、電腦、入籍準備、排舞、編織、太極與太極劍，幫助社區人士提升身心靈健康。我們最近推出了兒童課後照顧計畫，讓孩子在安全、健康、有信仰的環境中成長學習。廣受歡迎的 E-World 數位工作坊，幫助長者掌握現代科技，與世界保持聯繫。更多詳情請見我們的網站：www.harvesthaven.org。

感謝您一路的支持，使喜禾成為社區中充滿連結、歡笑與醫治的地方。無論是卡拉OK、讚美操，還是溫暖的陪伴，每一個瞬間都是神愛的流露。

為了應付未來一年的開支, 我們誠意邀請閣下參與，成為「喜禾」的贊助者之一。如若閣下接納同意，我們將深感榮幸。今年的贊助者共分四種：鑽石贊助者 ($5000) 、白金贊助者 ($3000)、金贊助者($1800)、銀贊助者($900)，贊助者在「喜禾」網頁及會址的贊助商銘謝板上全年銘謝。如果閣下今年不擬做贊助者，可以做 $300愛心捐助者，亦可隨意捐助支持, 數目多少不拘。 所有捐款支票請寄本中心或可用Zelle捐款給Harvest Haven (admin@harvesthaven.org)，年底將寄上收據，以便閣下作扣稅之用。

感謝您與我們一同在社區中播下希望與愛的種子。願神在新的一年大大賜福您與您的家人。

謹此致謝，

喜禾社區服務中心董事會 敬上

Download 2025 Annual Fundraising Letter /下載籌款信