【非洲異國情】討錢

 

向人討錢,我們自然想到街頭行乞的叫化子,或是一些無賴以低賤的商品或服務向顧客兜售 ─ 志在取錢。文明社會裏有法律保障,對這些不法份子寸步不容,在法律懲處的威嚇下,使他們知難而退。但對貧困無助而要行乞的人深表同情。在非洲人生活裏,討錢又是一會什麼的事?

莫特是個年謹十歲的小孩,幾年前他父母從鄰國將他送來這個城市,在一位年老的宗教老師門下學習可蘭經。他與幾十個孩童受安排住在一個擠迫的 Daara, 即是學生宿舍,每天早上必須與同學到街上行乞,每天要取得約美金一元交給老師,不然就會受責罰。莫特多年來與同學手持鐵罐在街上流漣,有時還在路上汔車間穿梭,險象環生,或向紅綠燈前停車等候的人仕伸手,口中還唱著幾句行乞歌,大意是「施捨窮人,福有攸歸,安拉庇佑.. 」云云。在交通燈前停車的一位「土白」(Touba, 意指白人)司機很友善向幾位小子給了些錢幣,卻引來了更多小子走來,司機久久被他們纒擾而感不耐煩,更想到他們年紀小小便學習不勞獲,還製造混亂,忍無可忍下,他氣奮地開了車窗,大聲教訓他們一頓:「你們小子早上不去作工上學,想不勞而獲。要作工,作工,你們不可白吃飯。」咆哮了一會便駕車而去。這群「街頭從業員」呆了一會,滿面莫名奇妙地問:「為何這個白人如此燥氣和無人情味?」

這些名叫 Talibe (亞拉伯文意指「學徒」) 的小乞丐,在西非許多國家很盛行,由宗教的團體管理,學徒多非自願又無選擇餘地參加,直到他們滿十六歲才可以停止學習,返回老家或選擇投入社會工作。另一類名叫 fakhman,他們是遭遺棄的孩童,在街頭或海灘棲身出沒,多數墮入毒海,靠偷竊和行乞維生。還有一類名叫 Boediouman,他們常到垃圾堆找寶物和食物。這兩類孩童背後都沒有組織操控。

此外,還有其他行乞人仕,他們從外鄉到城市來謀生,不少是婦女帶著子女在街頭作業,也有年老無依的人單獨出動到各店鋪去求賙濟。還有殘障者如瞎子和坐輪椅的傷殘人仕,他們常連群結隊在超市大商店或油站旁聚集,向辦完貨的顧客伸手求助。更有一些從鄉遷居城市,因生活入不敷支,子女多無上學,不少家長要求子女出外行乞以幫補家計。

有一個「丐幫」團體名為 Bay Fall,是依斯蘭神秘派內的一個分支,成員是健壯男丁,外表奇特,頭上捆有長而結扎的髮辮,戴著黑色絨製的帽,身穿用多塊異樣花樣布塊縫成的長袍,全身圍著皮造的符身符,腰束有長皮帶,其上掛有一條滿有皮和鐵製的護符的長棍。他們出沒在旺市人群中向人行乞時,手拿著半邊大葫蘆的碗,裝有一些貝殼類或銀幣,邊唱著輕鬆的歌,邊搖著手中樂樂嚮聲的葫蘆碗,向人募捐,多少不拘。

行乞者多因貧窮失業、年老無助,殘疾而缺乏社會照顧,也有文化和宗教因素,他們人倫關係很緊密,在生活物質需求上互相維繫。近世紀因貨幣出現漸取代了以物換物的方式,有助人們間互助和傳送利益。宗教因素方面,許多非洲國家依斯蘭盛行,教規中「捐施」是信眾必須遵守五項信德之一,認為此舉「安拉」神必賜福,因此,許多穆斯林落力捐施。受助或行乞者面無半點戒意,還感自豪。當然,他們向外國人更為方便。上述小丐子 Talibe 的個案,據聞在這國家內人口有近十萬,多來自鄰近國家。反映該國關口有漏洞,懷疑兩國邊境有利益勾結,縱容人口非法流動過境,也有作案者以宗教領袖為名,請求妄開一面。父母出於宗教虔誠和受領袖慫恿下,將他們子女獻給神,委托宗教領袖以到「可蘭經學校」學習為由而被利用。

「有朋自遠方來,不逆樂乎」。他們外遊回鄉必帶許多禮物金錢送禮,所以全村人都風擁而至,再追溯遠因,非洲有百多年在歐洲人統治下帶來許多影嚮,改變了他們傳統生活和經濟生產形式,可是他們變得被動,總以為有外國人(特別是白人在場)依靠才可有發揮所長。這種心態促使他們向到訪的外國人呼籲資助當地的建設發展。個人而言,他們也不厭其煩去求,「因為你有的,就應多給我啊。」

 

      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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