【非洲異國情】買郵票

 

「每封郵費為 1,800 Fcfa 非洲法郎,現收每封 1,600法郎。」一位郵局女員工回答亞美。亞美到非洲一個內陸國家的小市鎮來工作,平日與國內外友人通訊幾乎完全使用電腦網絡和電郵,用不著當地郵局服務。不過,間中有些家書和明信片要寄給家鄉親友,她便要到當地郵局走一趟。那天,亞美首次到郵局,在其中一個櫃台正好遇上一位友善的女職員,亞美用她有限的當地話詢問道: 「寄信每封郵費要多少?」亞美聽後心想,這國家的郵費可真昂貴,約為當地平郵費用的四倍,但無奈地也要接受,而且現有優惠價!


貼郵藝術
那位女職員翻開一本厚厚大簿,其內載有各式美麗圖案和不同面格的郵票,可惜當天大面格的郵票數量無幾,只剩下小面格而體積大的郵票。那女職員還很耐性協助替亞美在每封信貼上郵票。亞美頓時感很恩慰,可是不久她發現有點不對勁,因要貼郵票數量多,信封面地方有限己貼滿了郵票,差點兒連郵寄地址字樣也掩蓋了,剩下要貼的郵票要貼在信封背後,其餘的信件也照樣處理。看來這些要寄出的郵件也成了「非洲藝術傑作。」

郵寄仍通行
全球郵政行業因現代化和網絡發展,使用信郵傳遞消息日漸萎縮,非洲也不免受影嚮。然而,當地仍有許多人使用郵遞服務,如公函往來,不曾使用電腦的人仕,有許多人仍未有經濟力量可負擔起使用電腦和網絡,住貧鄉的多無電力供用和缺乏網絡設備,他們仍依靠基本信件郵遞。在非洲郵局多屬政府經營。他們只是處理郵遞寄運,若要速遞也有國際公司如 DHL 和 Express 等捷運服務。郵局平日工作不算煩忙,所有內務多聘用女仕擔任。派發郵件並沒有使用專車工作,一般郵件和包裹都是由當地的長途巴士協助運送,這確實為郵局省了不少工作和經費,郵局和巴士公司雙方各得益處。城市沒有公眾郵筒設立,住戶並沒有信箱設置來收信。他們若要定期收信,可到郵局申請一個也可供多人共用的郵箱。鄉間郵務多未有發展,小鄉村的村人若要寄信,只可到附近有郵務服務的市鎮辦理。然而,當地人傳遞信件仍用原始方法,就是托友人和專人傳送,當面遞交,可謂既省錢又親切。

信件處理
處理出國的郵件上並沒有大問題。然而,到境的外國郵件和在國內信件運送則成疑問,若不寄失便要感恩。非洲的郵務安全仍是個憂慮,特別外國來的郵包,都為郵局和海關等部門打主意。郵局處理信件仍靠人手,沒有科技協助,因此常有出錯如遲誤,寄失,或信件「遊埠」一段時間才到目的地。每年聖誕節郵件堆積如山,人力資源缺乏下,他們無奈也要將小郵件放在一角稍後才處理。筆者也曾有幾次收到過期的聖誕咭,郵印日期是去年的。寄信前要分外注意填寫郵寄地址。一般常規,郵遞地址寫在信封面上。但為免寄失,也要在信封後寫上回郵地址。有一回,筆者寄出信件後,隔天便收到一封樣貌很相熟的信。嗟!完來都是昨天寄出的信, 但郵票己蓋了印,不知何故寄回來。查究後發現,當地郵局把回郵地址誤作為郵寄地址(原來當地人並沒有寫回郵地址的習慣。)當局還奉勸筆者下次在回郵地址上要劃上井號以示識別。

大而美
非洲郵票圖樣設計很富吸引力,每個體積大而色彩鮮艷,製作以當地文化和歷史為題材,從動物、花奔、民族服裝、樂器、名勝建築、節慶、歷史大事,至政要人物等。每題材都有幾款,很有收藏價植。回憶多年前,筆者曾有幾回接到友人的投訴,因收筆者的信後,發現封面的郵票不翼而飛,也許是落在不知名愛好非洲郵票人仕的手上。在非洲工作多年來,筆者也養成了集郵嗜好。非洲的國家在郵務發展和處理效率上仍在努力,但他們印製的郵票卻吸引了許多外國遊客和集郵愛好者。他們在郵票設計功夫上肯花功夫,目的為該國文化和旅遊大力宣傳。遊客在離境前也會到郵局或旅遊境點,除了明信片和圖冊,也會選購一套當地包羅萬有的郵票集留為紀念。

 

      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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