Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 3 月【非洲異國情】夢想水井 - 成真(上)

【非洲異國情】夢想水井 - 成真(上)

 

沙漠郊野的晨曦是很令人心曠神怡。剛睡醒的紅日從遠處沙丘爬出來,他將開火紅的眼睛,將漆黑驅走,把溫暖和亮光送到清冷孤寂的野地上,還為百物還帶來生氣和動力。亞密與他一家在這地方的一個鄉村過著畜牧生活,那天清早他如常起來,行了清晨祈禱後,便到涼棚內吃早餐。他妻子花桃更早起來預備好早點:有粥(是昨晚吃剩的小米和水混和再煮而成),和一些烤肉等。他們兩個小孩子也團團圍一起而吃。

大家正津津品嘗時,亞密感到那天有異於平日,因為隔鄰村長的住所清早己來了許多父老,聽說聚集要等候一些Tuba訪客 (Tuba是當地人稱呼白膚色的外國人),是與兩週前村內一位深受村民敬重而久病垂危的馬拉布Marabout (意即法師)有關的。上月恰巧有些白人路經該村,願意將他送往附近小鎮診治。不到一週,這馬拉布的病奇妙地治好,身體健壯地與友人返回家鄉。他的家人和父老見後感到震驚和歡樂,並派人致信邀請這些白人到鄉村來表示道謝。


當天稍後,亞密從遠處看到一輛越野車隨隨來到村口。這些白人遠客下車後,村長父老和村民都拍掌迎接,還有病癒的馬拉布和他的全家老少也前來,在早前架起的白色大帳篷下,他們一塊兒坐在鋪有毛毯的大草蓆上喝茶,彼此問候。村長父老們為他們在這位馬拉布身上所作而表示謝意,還預備了幾條長長的白頭巾,由村長為每位白人遠客戴上,表示從當天起接納他們便成為村內的家人,並歡迎他們隨時來訪。

亞密看到這位曾惡病纒身的馬拉布奇妙得醫治,從而想到他和村眾人久盼未成的水井夢想能否成真呢?於是他與村長父老趁機會向這群「白人近親」分享建井的需要,指出村口有兩個水井,一個日久失修而廢棄了,另一個是用人手以傳統方法發掘,也因失修和井深不足而水量有限,村人口和牲畜日增使水井不勝負荷,看來建井之需己逼在燃眉,在村民逼切請求下遂蒙答允。

往後幾個月,這些白人朋友先後帶工程隊到來作地質堪察,亞密與幾位村民被選入建井委員會,與外援隊進行磋商,分享掘井工程計劃和合作條件等。經多次接觸和各方資詢,得出幾個議題有待解決:合作條件、建井選址、籌款、和工程開啟擇日等。

合作條件。外援隊負責購運建築材料,聯絡成建商,及與政府部門溝通。 村民委員會負起村民和外援隊間的溝通,具體上是處理工人膳食和住宿,看管物料和籌款等,由政府部門代表訂定和監察外援隊與村內委員會的簽約,確保工程進行安全和村民間不會鬧事生亂。

建井選址。亞密與村代表請了一位堪察師用特殊地道方法 (包括取用一些樹枝和觀察法),在一處大空地中決定水井發掘的最佳地點。,因亞密的村(稱甲村)原與其餘四個村落同出一源,村代表因此有感應把建井的利益與他們各村分享,亦可曾加捐款人數。然而,地點訂定仍有爭論,因其中一村(乙村)村長對上述地點極力反對,並主張新井應興建在他住所的旁邊空地,因他自視自己的村歷史遠較其餘四個的村悠久,是他們之首和有話事權。此外,他們更為十年前曾有外援組織到來為該五個鄉村選了一處空地興建鄉村學校,事成不久,甲村全村戶遷址到學校附近定居,明顯有意自居為首之嫌。故此今回乙村全體反對地點見議。亞密與其他委員為此深感遺憾,曾派代表前往乙村游說。可惜事與願違,這次造訪挑起了年前兩村曾發生衝突和命案,事後兩村沒有來往,今回怨家路窄,情況幾乎失控。

開工日期。五個村的村代表和各村戶曾齊集一處舉行公聽會,當天在大帳蓬下聚集,由他們敬重的宗教依曼代為傳話。外援隊派代表到場介紹水井的圖樣和工程和合作的條件等,最後關鍵事項是開工日期和繳交籌款訂金。有關籌款對村民是個信心挑戰,而且他們全年的經濟力量並非均衡,各戶的財力受制於全年農產季莭後和宗教節期等開支,最後一致表決於年底展開工程是對大眾最合宜不過了。

建井籌款。外援隊有例,工程受惠鄉村在限期內要先籌繳工程全費總額十分一款項後才可進行。自開會宣告後至限期為止,四個鄉村反應冷淡而無行動,因當中不少人因十多年前村內掘井工程見棄事件的暗影所阻礙,信不個十多年後這些白人工程可有成功之日。只有甲村村民繳交籌款現金,和一張列有該村各戶的認獻金額及向遠親借款數目。故此,建井的選址和事務也因甲村的積極回應,工程因此只歸他們管理。亞密與建井委員會和村民想到籌備多時的建井工程即將展開而感到興奮異常。(待續)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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