【非洲異國情】生命福源

 

在城市生活的你我,每日輕易從水喉便得到清純的自來水,不覺得一會事。然而,在非洲找食水,可能是關乎住屋遷徙的考慮。

城市食水

非洲的人口迅速城市化,造成食水供應的負擔日益沉重。沿海國家自然會利用海水淡化的方法,而在內陸的城市和國家就只得依賴河流,許多城鎮的選址都會盡量靠近河道。輸水設備又是另一重大問題,大城市一直都有基本設備和制度,從鄉鎮遷來居住的人,也要適應交水費的習慣。經常有住戶因多月欠交水費,就要承受節水或除錶的後果。

許多城鎮內的街口都設有公眾水喉,幫助取食水有困難的居民。早晚圍著水喉的有兩條隊龍,一條排滿大小不一的塑膠、鐵水桶,另一條則排滿日間到來取用免費水的人,當中多數為婦女和孩童,場面熱鬧。各人取水後便把水桶水盤摃在頭上,悠然自得地散去。還有經營運水的水販,手推著滿載多個水桶的雙輪車,趕往遠處的住戶。筆者曾住在靠近有公眾水喉的地方,附近沒有水塔建設,日間因公眾水喉長期開動,屋內水壓不足,整天缺水供應,要等至深夜公眾喉寧靜無人,水壓回穩時,才可以裝滿屋內所有水桶。為避免因缺水產生的不便,不少市內住戶在屋頂都裝有水桶蓄水。城市若靠近河流,或建有水塔建設,居民便非常受惠。至於水質處理則有待改進,淨水廠的效能和水管日久失修,都會導致水中帶有異味,一般市民因為缺乏對飲用水衛生的認知而默然接受。

鄉鎮欠設置

在市郊和偏遠鄉鎮,物資久缺,制度發展受限制。水務局為避免虧損,就採用特別對策,對欠交水費者上門節水拆錶。為避免住戶因搬遷而空置住所,申請水錶者必須連同左右牆壁相連的住戶一起申請才符合審批資格。筆者曾因搬遷而遇上同類問題,後來得房東出面協助,才有工作人員來安裝水錶。鑒於種種困難,許多居民情願在屋內空地自挖水井,以節省開支。市鎮靠近河流,挖地五、六公尺深便有水,但因衛生緣故,井水只作家務洗濯和洗衣等之用,居民仍選用街喉自來水作飲用水。

鄉村生活簡樸,許多仍未有像城市的輸水設備。村民都依賴鄉鎮內僅有的公用井。水井的來源,多是村民早年合作建造,也有由外國自願者支助和承建。可是每年遇旱導至地下水不足時,某些水井水源不足,打水婦女只得在井旁等候。近年得外國資助,興建了更深的大型石屎井和科學井,井因深入至百公尺的地下水,需安裝人手或腳踏操作的水泵. 這些水量較為充裕,水質也較純淨。

乾旱之地

對於居住較乾旱地區和半沙漠曠野的遊牧民族,水源更是關乎人畜性命的事。由於居民生計依賴畜牧緣故,不能住近城市,輸水管又未能申延到曠野地,因此居民平日食水是個大問題,還要每天解決牲畜飲用的需要。傳統以來,牲畜要在乾旱地區生存,村民要到水源打水,因此每天他們都在住處與水源間進進出出。每年雨量有限,下雨後某些地方形成水池,使週圍土地變得綠草如茵,人畜也樂得其用。不過,從露天水池打來的水,一來水質混濁,猶如奶茶; 二來水內多有細菌或蟲蛋滋生,飲用後便肚瀉,或染上寄生蟲,嚴重者會導至終生失明。筆者在當地市墟見有出售一堆堆的奶黃色的小石塊,名「Lalang」,是一種當地出土的化學石塊,他們將小石塊在大水缸內磨擦使之溶化,又用口測試,水稍呈鹹味時,將水桶的水存留過夜。翌日水缸混濁的水便煥然清新,雜質全然沉澱,真是神奇。若將露天水池打來的水先用布過慮,也可將細菌或蟲卵隔去,飲用也較為安全。

為解決食水問題,政府和民間組織也繼續邀請外援到來興建水井和水塔,改善了村民生活和健康,大大減輕了村民每天打水的勞累,保障民生健康,減輕政府和居民醫療開支,也減少了村與村為水井發生的衝突。還有因水質良好,婦女發現洗衣的肥皂比前更慳用,而且洗後的衣服氣味芬芳。有村長為新建成的水井而由衷道謝:「我們的村落一直來沒有甚麼光彩可言。今後我們和子孫可以感到自豪,除了我們的祖先,便是有了這個生命福源的水井。」

 

      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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