Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 3 月【非洲異國情】售貨健將 - 流動小販

【非洲異國情】售貨健將 - 流動小販

 

談起小販,便聯想到那些在露天地方以擺設地鋪、推車,或以「朝行晚拆」的攤位來從事售賣用品、食品以至熟食等工作的人仕。小販生意的經營成本低和結構簡單,顧客對貨質的要求不高。這行業在先進國家對市場經濟發展起的作用或許有限;然而,在非洲許多發展中國家,小販對當地經濟影嚮很值得關注。在非洲各國的大城小鎮,小販生意既普遍又影嚮當地民生和經濟發展。他們的經營方式各異,大者以木板鐵鋅支搭為基地,小者只有一個圓鐵盤放在小木凳上,販賣小包花生等以助生計。當地還有一門很興旺,而成本低的生意–流動小販。

辛勞的一天
亞達是個 16 歲農耕出身的小伙子,月初從家鄉到小城來投靠叔父,盼望找份工作,賺些積蓄後,既可匯錢回鄉,又可學習創一番事業。但因他出身農耕,此外便一無技能,要白手興家,談何容易。亞達想了一會,加上好友亞密的鼓勵,便到店鋪找他的老闆幫助。翌日他與亞密走到老闆經營的日用品商鋪,老闆為他們準備了一箱貨品,如毛巾、洗溂用具、衣物用品等。亞密與亞達各帶來一塊大木板,他們與老闆議好售貨和攤分利潤默契後,便將箱內的小貨品逐一掛在木板上,然後各人攜著那掛滿貨品的木板上路,他們走到街頭巷尾隨走隨叫賣,直到晚黑才回店鋪交賬結算。

行業的動力
流動小販在西非國家是普遍的行業,除了部份由女仕售賣一些自家製作的簡單食品或飲品外,其他小販全是青壯的男子。他們部份是新移民,或從鄉間轉到城市謀生的青年小伙子。他們每天清早到店鋪向老闆取貨,天晚便回店鋪交貨結賬。這類生意對城市經濟注入動力,佔全城總收入可達三成。流動小販對貨主和售貨員兩者間各有益處。老闆不愁店鋪或貨倉內貨品屯積不流,顧用流動小販可使積貨流動出售。而小販的謀生工具簡單,不用找地方儲存貨物,即日清點貨品和結算。他們因到處經營,不受店鋪限制,不用交稅或薪俸稅等;更可時常接觸眾多不同的客人,對工作煩忙的城市人而言,貨品在眼前便可隨手而得。流動小販可走遍全城,腳蹤可達街市、油站、店鋪門前,甚至在街道紅綠燈前停車的乘客。流動售貨可助長當地的經濟活動。非洲多國漸趨城市化, 新一代青年人成千上萬湧進城市,他們的就業問題成為城市的壓力,這行業可大大舒緩失業問題。人口增長,開店鋪經商的申請屯積,政府建築有限,有關店鋪供不應求,流動小販也起了莫大的作用,使城市經濟不至因上述短缺而停滯不前。

蹤橫全城
筆者駕車出門時有多次與流動小販交易的經驗。因筆者的膚色與當地人有別,開車所到之地,很快便吸引許多流動小販到車窗前。他們有用頭頂載兜售冰水、食品和水果,有手攜大木板售賣日用品、電話咭,更有手執著的電器用品、電鐘、回教飾品如宗教領袖圖像、祈禱氊和念經珠鍊,還有抬著富有波斯國特色大地氊的小販,真是無所不賣,應有盡有。當遇上有意購買的客人時,小販便要在下一輪交通燈轉換前,機智地費盡唇舌議價、找續錢幣,以儘快完成交易;要不然,顧客開動車子後,便得尾隨車子追跑一番了。他們常在路面與車子穿插,旁邊車輛見狀也要讓路。

有出路一天
這些青年小販的謀生出路很有限,他們的收入微薄,緊夠每天餬口而已。城市生活百物騰貴,且因隻身在外而旁無親友支援。每天他們都出外辛勞,手停口停,真是「餐搵餐食餐餐清」。流動小販的生意結構雖較店鋪簡易,然而他們的謀生保障成疑,因工作屬自負盈虧,出入日曬雨淋,遇風險要各自承擔。若要改善生計走出困局,又或計劃成家立室,他們便要下定決心和節衣縮食,通常也要花上幾年時間,才有足夠的積蓄,考慮轉行。如考取的士車牌,轉投的士行業,或找友人相助,尋找適合地點開設小貨攤子,作為經營店鋪生意的雛型等。

流動小販的謀生路雖然艱辛,但對於抱有一股熱血,而缺乏人生經驗和性格磨煉的青年小伙子,這門行業是一個寶貴的場所。

 

      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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