祈求和感謝
2005 年 3-4 月

南美心、中國情
一行九人(七位來自溫哥華及二位來自哥斯達黎加)的短宣隊，在去年九月廿四至十月四日，前赴厄瓜多爾的瓜亞基爾，與駐當地的宣教士笑梅姊妹同工，協助進一步發展瓜亞基爾的華人事工。以下是部份隊員的心聲：

我不是第一次參予短宣，但到南美卻是第一次。在這次的旅程中啟發了我對新移民及老人家的體會。原來到了一個人生路不熟的地方，內心有如此莫名的恐懼。在每日生活中，我不敢離群，因為在言語和環境上完全陌生。幸好我出隊時，必有一位識途老馬作引路，加上安全方面的提點才不至於在驚恐中渡日。感謝神，也感謝弟兄姊妹的照顧！反思新移民及老人家倘若缺少了自信和強頑的意志，他們必成為孤獨一族及精神受困擾的一群。他們形容自己是「又聾、又盲、又啞、又跛」如今我也親身體會，例如在南美乘坐計程車要懂得問明價錢，說清楚要到的地點才可以上車，否則就寸步難移。乘塔公車更是東西不分，南北亂竄了。從今以後，我會更體貼新移民及老人家的「倚賴」，正視他們的需要，定必加以引導，照顧，讓他們不至因此於失去自信。  -- Jonathan

在今天的探訪中，我覺得特別有趣和喜樂。首先是站在鐵窗前與店主傾談，言語之間，深深感受到她的苦悶，加上她的身體不好，丈夫又有問題，人生就充滿愁煩。後來我們為她禱告，她的心好像被軟化了，願意拋開傳統，嘗試向主耶穌祈求。我真盼望她能早日認識主基督，使祂的心靈得釋放，得安慰。之後又探訪了幾問餐館，他們都很高興歡迎我們，並送上熱茶瓜子招待，更有一家邀請我們一起晚膳，我感覺好像回鄉探親一樣。我們雖然素未謀面，他們卻熱情款待。原來中國人到了世界各地不同地方，能夠相敘真是格外親切，我們不單有同一個祖國，而且更同是神所創造和所愛的。經過這次短宣之後，我感覺人與人之間的距離拉近了，對「愛人如己」的教訓有更深的體會。  -- Michelle

早禱完畢，我們分成三隊繼續出隊派發中信月刊及邀請人出席明晚的中秋晚會，途中看見中國人在這裡多經營鞋店，百貨店，單車店和餐館。我們到了一間單車店，櫃?前用很粗的鐵枝圍著，好像監房一般，有些店舖門口有荷槍的守衛員，使我想起五十年代香港的情況也是這樣。雖然探訪的商店不多，但我體會他們各有不同的心態，有些已適應這裡的生活，可以隨遇而安，有些說這裡生活不易，賺不到錢。當我們向他們傳福音時，他們最著重的還是賺多些錢，將來年老可享福，對信耶穌，永生的福樂覺得不夠實際。求主的靈感動要來參加中秋晚會的人，使他們感受到神的愛。  -- Patsy

今次的短宣讓我聯想到新約時期「凡物公用」的感覺。因在短宣期間，我學習要分享自己的個人空間，個人時間及個人情緒。這是一個挑戰也是一個好機會。當我們同心為這裡的同胞及事工祈禱時，我很受感動，回想數月前，決定搬來厄國時，我是以「因我活著就是基督，死了就有益處」的保羅精神來激勵自己。因為我是被初次到這城市的治安嚇至遲遲不能作決定來此宣教。但今次神的平安在我心中作印證，更是興奮的就是開始了主日祟拜，今天更是在這裡第一次守聖餐呢！  -- 笑梅 (駐厄瓜多爾 - 瓜亞基爾的宣教士)

這天要酬備中秋晚會的事宜，忙了半天然後分別休息一會，以養精蓄銳應付一直到夜深的工作。以南美洲一貫作風，遲到亦遲退，我們估計必在2-3點才了休息。一切就緒，當晚的來賓卻令我們意外，因為除了我們邀請的華人之外，竟然來了為數不少的本地人。幸得梁牧師中西皆宜，令他們能有所投入。看來，這裡的本地人目前仍很尊重華人，看華人的地位相當高，這是我們值得把握傳福音的好機會。想到我們很快會離開，留下笑梅一個人... 我心裡很沉重，也想像到笑梅的沉重。  -- 慧玲

今天有機會帶李姐妹一同行山，她在瓜亞基爾住了四十多年，這還是她第一次爬這山。雖然已過七十的高年，但她越走越比我們快呢！走到半山時便聞到有烤麵包的香味，我們便跟著那香味到了一家小麵包店，買了剛出爐，熱烘烘，香噴噴的麵包和咖啡，坐在石級上，一邊吃一邊看風景，享受著山頂上美麗的小教堂和燈塔。李姐妹今天玩的很快樂，雖然信主不久，但她很追求，是一位和善可愛並總是笑咪咪的。我們過了一個很偷快的下午，李姐妹便忙著要趕回家燒飯給兒孫吃了。  -- 鳳珍 (Theresa)

早上我和慧玲乘坐巴士外出，感覺好像對這地方很熟識，正如當地的中國人，上落巴士都非常瀟灑，只上了一半司機已經開車，我們一點也不怕。到達朱老太的餐館，她沒有回來，我不禁有點失望，怕她身體可能不太健康，不竟已有80多歲了。我們只能離開，一路上分享這次的旅程，雖然不及上次的興奮，反之有很重的擔子。因為經濟好轉，看見要賺大錢的同胞越來越多，恐怕福音這訊息會越來越難被接受。求神憐憫，幫助我在禱告中交托這擔子。  -- Abby

Our Kinsmen in South America
A team of 9 members, 7 from Vancouver and 2 from Costa Rica, went to Guayaquil in Ecuador for a 10-days short-term mission trip from September 24 - October 4, 2004. They worked with the local missionary, Siu Miu, to further the Chinese Ministry in Guayaquil. Here are the sharing from some of the team members:

On this short-term missions trip, I experienced what it must have been like for the New Testament Christians to have "had everything in common". I learned to share my personal space, time and feelings. It was a challenge and an opportunity. I was deeply touched as we prayed together for the overseas Chinese and the local ministries. When I decided a few months ago to move here to Ecuador, I was motivated by the apostle Paul's spirit: "for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain". The first time I visited the city, I was scared by the seeming lack of peace and order; it took some time for me to make up my mind about coming on missions here. This time, God's peace fills my heart and I feel secure in Him. It is very exciting to begin worshipping here and, today, I received my first communion in this place.    --- Sui Mui


In preparation for Mid-Autumn Festival Night, we worked hard for half a day and then took a rest knowing that later we would be working until after midnight. In South America, people usually come late and stay late. We anticipated that we would not be able to rest until 2 or 3 A.M. that evening. When everything was ready, we received a surprise. Not only did the invited Chinese guests come, but quite a number of local people also came. Fortunately, Rev. Leung was able to manage in both Chinese and Spanish so everyone could join in. The locals seem to respect the Chinese and hold us in high social status. It is a good opportunity for us to spread the Gospel. When I think, though, about leaving soon and leaving Sui Mui behind on her own, my heart sinks. I can also imagine that it makes Sui Mui very sad.   --- Wai Ling


Today, we had the opportunity to go hiking with sister Lee. Sister Lee has lived in Guayaquil for 40 years, but this was the first time she had climbed the hill. And although she is in her 70s, she moves faster than we do. When we were half way up the hill, we smelled baked bread and followed the smells to a small bakery. We bought some hot coffee and freshly-baked bread, then sat down on the stone steps to eat and enjoy the view - there was a little chapel and a lighthouse on the hilltop. Sister Lee had a good day. She has not been a Christian for very long but she is very eager. She is kind and amiable, and always wears a smile. After spending a happy afternoon with us, sister Lee rushed home to prepare supper for her children and grandchildren.   --- Theresa


This morning I went out and took the bus with Wai Ling and it felt very familiar. We got on and off the bus just like the Chinese here do. The driver barely waited for us to get on before he started moving again but we were not scared. When we arrived at Mrs. Chu's restaurant, she was not in. I was a bit disappointed, but there wasn't anything else we could do except leave. I worry about Mrs. Chu's health as she is in her 80s. On our way back, we shared our thoughts about the missions trip: it was not as exciting as the last time; in fact, we felt a heavy burden. As the economy gets better, many of the overseas Chinese are eager to make more money. It distracts them and makes it harder for them to be receptive to the Gospel. I pray for God's mercy. Please pray with me for relief from this burden.    --- Abby