祈求和感謝
2004 年 7 月

梁耀文牧師，梁黃國儀師母 專訪

梁耀文牧師及師母是加拿大中信首對宣教士，被差往中南美洲哥斯達黎加，至今已十六年。筆者很高興趁著他們回加述職，訪問了這對走在福音前線上的夫婦。現藉以下篇幅與讀者分享這段對話。

筆者：你們當日如何踏上長宣路？

梁牧師：有幾個原因驅使我成為宣教士。首先，我羡慕做宣教士。我曾參加全美青年差傳大會，看到很多西教士，他們隱姓埋名，在世界不同角落，回應神的大使命，去將愛及福音帶給落後國家中有需要的人。他們的行為令我很震撼，我很希望能像他們一般地事奉神。

梁師母：在原居地已有很多人力資源，反觀落後偏遠的國家工人少。故此，我們願意作宣教士，到這些需要更大的地方去。

梁牧師：我曾參與短宣，領人信主。但他們信主後，短宣隊便要離開，初信者沒有人繼續牧養，令我心中很難受。另一方面，短宣接觸面始終有限，但其實散居海外的同胞，他們困苦流離，只有神的愛和福音才可給他們出路。從短宣的參與漸漸將我帶入長宣路。若沒有神的印證，我們也不會成行。神的其中一個印證來自我家庭。我是家中獨子，有四位姊姊及二位妹妹，父母希望我光宗耀祖，但神親自改變他們，使他們願意讓我們一家離鄉別井，到陌生地方傳道，實在是神蹟的印證。母親更在我們離國的時候，在機場的閘口信耶穌，這更確定了祂的印證。母親自我踏上長宣開始，直至今天，一直以禱告支持我們。我感謝神雖然我不在家母身旁，但有主親自照顧，使家母心中有平安及滿足。我每遇氣餒的事情，總會想起神的呼召及眷顧，便有力量繼續下去。

梁師母：由我們出發往工場那一天起，有一位年老姊妹每星期兩次，透過電話，與我的婆婆讀聖經及祈禱，十六年來從無間斷。她在屬靈上一直的栽培，使婆婆靈命不斷成長。

筆者：請分享一下在宣教工場的喜與憂。

梁牧師：作宣教士到今天，一直看到神蹟不斷出現，而我有機會參與其中，令我感到很興奮。因著福音的緣故，我看到破碎家庭被重建；受傷的生命得到醫治；也看到信徒能成長成熟去愛神，不再凡事依賴牧者，主動幫助人及傳福音；更有弟兄姊妹委身讀神學。這些都令我很快樂。
我所「憂」的，相信也是一般牧者的心聲。就是見到幼稚的基督徒，卻停滯在自滿自高的光景，實在叫我很憂心及難過。

筆者：你們覺得宣教士對家庭有何影響？

梁牧師：無可否認，宣教士是往來奔跑，時常面對環境的轉變，家庭及孩子們都時常有不能安定下來的感覺。孩子們就讀的是宣教士子女學校，同學因為要隨父母往其他宣教工場，故此每一年都不同，以致難於建立很深的情誼。

梁師母：述職前，要將家事先處理好，加上執拾行李，安排住宿等，往往都令我很疲累。記得有一次在述職期間，兒子問我當天晚上會在那位叔叔家留宿，可見「搬來搬去」對孩子的影響。

梁牧師：但很特別地，這些好像是負面的事情卻為孩子們帶來正面的影響。我們的孩子對環境的適應能力較高；在多種語言中成長，對世界、生命的視野更廣闊；更曉得珍惜友情和人際關係，對週遭的人更有同情心。

梁師母：在落後國家中成長，他們喜愛大自然。物質生活雖不豐富，卻培養出他們的創意，懂得廢物利用，創出小玩意。也因為沒有先進玩意，他們有更多時間一起跑步及踢波。生活簡單，卻很滿足。

筆者：對考慮投身長宣者，你們可否給一些意見？

梁牧師：其實在人生每一個階段，都會有攔阻我們做宣教士的障礙，無論是孩子、父母、經濟等。若我們清楚神要我們做宣教士，我們已盡上責任作一切安排預備，就應擺上信心，讓神帶領，立即起行，不要猶疑拖延。

筆者：你們覺得教會應如何支持/關懷宣教士？

梁牧師：關心宣教士的本人和家庭比關心他們的工作果效更重要。若宣教士站立得穩，他們的工作便帶有神的能力。教會的牧者長執若能到工場親身探望宣教士，必能更容易了解宣教的工作和生活，比較起藉著閱讀宣教士的報告更有效。

梁師母：我知道有教會不間斷地在崇拜，祈禱會中輪流為著所支持的宣教士代禱，這樣，宣教士不會被遺忘和感到陌生。

梁牧師：弟兄姊妹來工場，不一定作短宣，可以探望並支持宣教士，為他們?頓飯，做一點家庭瑣事，談談天。調劑一下宣教士疲累及緊張的生活。

Interviewing Rev. & Mrs. Stephen & Connie Leung

Rev. & Mrs. Stephen Leung, CCM Canada's first missionary couple, have been serving in Costa Rica for over 16 years. We had the great privilege of interviewing these front- line gospel messengers during their furlough in Canada.

(For the following, the writer is referred to as "W", Rev. Stephen Leung as "SL" and Mrs. Connie Leung as "CL".)

W: What motivated you to set your path on long-term missions?

SL: There were several motivations for me to become a missionary. First of all, I had great admiration for missionaries. I attended a Youth Missions Conference in the United States where I saw many western missionaries responding to God's Great Commission. They went to serve in many parts of the world, bringing God's love and gospel to people in developing countries. Their commitment thrilled me and I wanted to be one of them.

CL: We live in a country with vast human resources; however, few people choose to serve in developing countries. But we are willing to go and serve as missionaries where the needs are greatest.

SL: I used to join short-term mission teams and was able to lead people to Christ. But when our teams inevitably left the fields, it was very difficult for me to see that there was no one to follow-up with the new converts. In fact, the contact made by short-term missions team is relatively brief. Our kinsmen who are scattered throughout many countries live difficult and unsettled lives and only God's love and the Gospel can give them hope and life. My short-term missions experience gradually led me to a long-term commitment.

Yet, were it not for God's confirmation, we would not have left for the mission field. One of God's confirmations came through my family. I am the only son in my family-I have four older sisters and two younger sisters. Without a doubt, my parents hoped that their only son would stay close to home, be a success and honour the family (and the "ancestors"!). God changed my parents and they permitted me to bring my own family to a strange and foreign land for the sake of the gospel. Their change was truly a miracle for me. My mother accepted Christ at the airport boarding gate just before we left for the mission field-that further confirmed God's calling for us. Since that time, my mother has prayed for us everyday and her support means a great deal to us. I thank God that even though I cannot be at my mother's side, God is with her and takes good care of her. Mom has peace and contentment in her heart. Whenever I am discouraged, I remember His calling and care and it gives me strength to press on.

CL: From the day we set off as missionaries 16 years ago until today, there has been elderly sister-in-Christ who reads the Bible and prays with my mother-in-law on the telephone twice a week without fail. My mother-in-law's spiritual growth is the result of the efforts and nurture of this elderly daughter of Christ.

W: Please share some of the joys and worries that you encounter on the mission field.

SL: Being a missionary, I have often witnessed God's miracles and I have been so excited to be a part of them. Because of the Gospel, I have seen many broken families being rebuilt; shattered lives being healed. Brothers and sisters in my church have become more spiritually mature and no longer rely so heavily on their pastor. They show their love for God by helping others and spreading the gospel: some have even responded to God's calling to become full-time theological students. Those are part of the many happy moments that we have had.

My main worry is one that is commonly experienced by most pastors. I am sad and concerned to see the lack of growth in some Christians who are not aware of their own immaturity and stay in a state of self-righteousness and self-confidence.

W: How has your missionary life affected your family?

SL: Missionaries are constantly on the move and frequently experience changes in environment. Our family continues to seek a sense of settlement. My children study in a school for missionary kids and each year their classmates change because they must move with their missionary parents to other fields. The children do not have the opportunity to build deep and long-term friendship with other kids.

CL: There were many household matters to settle before our furlough including packing and arranging for alternate accommodations. All those preparations were very draining. I remember once, during furlough, my son asking me in which uncle's home we would stay that evening: it made me realise how the "frequent moving" affected our kids.

SL: Surprisingly, though, seemingly negative situations have impacted our children in positive ways. They have developed a great ability to adapt to their environment. Having been raised speaking three languages, they are able to view the world and life from wider angles. They treasure friendships and have exceptional interpersonal skills. They are able to have great empathy towards other people.

CL: Being brought up in a developing country, they love nature. Our material life is not rich but their creativity has been enriched. They create unique "toys" by recycling trash and, not having advanced "technological" games, they spend quality time jogging and playing soccer. Their lives are simple but content.

W: What advice do you have for those thinking about becoming missionaries?

SL: No matter what age we are, we can think of something that can potentially hinder us from committing ourselves to full-time missions: children, parents, finance ... But if we have a clear calling from God and have made all the necessary arrangements, then we must step out in faith and trust in God for the rest. Don't hesitate. Let God guide your path.

W: What kind of support should churches give to missionaries?

SL: It is more important to show your care and support for the missionaries and their families rather than for their "works". If the missionaries stand firm in God, their work will be filled with God's power.

Pastors and church leaders should visit the mission field themselves. They will then have a better understanding of the missionaries and their ministries than what they can gain from reading reports and newsletters.

CL: I know of some churches that pray for the missionaries they support by name, one by one, at Sunday worships and prayer meetings. That ensures that the missionaries are not forgotten and that they and their families will be familiar to all the church members.

SL: Brothers and sisters-in-Christ can go to the mission field themselves. It may not necessarily be for short-term missions trips but simply visits to the missionaries to show their care and support. They can help cook a meal, do some chores, and have some good chats with the families. Such a visit certainly eases the stresses and tiredness of their daily lives.