Filling Up That Which Is Lacking of the Afflictions of Christ
The present Xinji Building was formerly Hall Six at the corner of Jilong Road. At that time my late father, Mr. Wu Ziqing (吳子卿), took Brother Wu to negotiate with the neighbors near the meeting hall about the matter of buying out the adjacent properties. There were also neighbors who stuck a sharp dagger into the tabletop, threatening that my father must pay a high price or they would not sell. From the difficult acquisition, to the bidding for the building project, to the supervision of construction and its completion, I believe the ones who took part in the service wore out countless brain cells!
Brother Wu was also my benefactor. In 2003, when my father was taken by the Lord, he was the one who took charge of all the funeral details at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Southern California. He also invited Brother Yu Jielin (余潔麟) to come to the meeting, and Brother Yu quoted Philippians chapter two, verse twenty-five: "But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your apostle and a minister to my need." Brother Yu said that my father was like the apostle Epaphroditus, and that his service filled up that which was lacking of the afflictions of Christ. I believe that Brother Wu was also a present-day apostle Epaphroditus, a fellow soldier together with the responsible brothers, a minister to the brothers' need.
We have this cloud surrounding us; we should lay aside every encumbrance, fight for the Lord's interests on the earth, and run quickly toward that better, heavenly homeland!