Happy New Year 2021

 

我們在德班祖魯族的日子 2020-12

 

第二波新冠（變種）病毒正強襲南非

就在十天前，南非總統證實了第二波新冠疫情的大流行，每天八千至一萬的確診數強襲了這塊防範意識早已鬆懈了的土地，豪登、西開普、東開普以及我們所在的夸祖魯納塔爾（KZN）共四省占據了百分之五十以上的確診數病例，此刻，全國確診數已來到九十四萬，不日應會突破百萬。然而，因著聖誕以及新年的長假期來到，南非並沒有封城鎖國，僅僅限制了酒精類的販賣營業時間，東開普省在假期內海灘全部關閉，KZN省則是部份日期海灘關閉，全國11PM-4AM實施宵禁，宗教、商業等聚會限制一百人以下，其他幾乎沒變，可以說是「馬照跑、舞照跳」。日前，衛生部長與相關醫院研究人員也證實此次第二波的病毒是新冠的變種株，傳播速度較快，持續強調戴口罩、保持社交距離和勤洗手等預防措施。我們配搭的教會宗派ECSA也在日前宣佈十二月13日主日為最後的實體聚會。求主憐憫和醫治南非這塊土地。

力揚和力妍的成長

我們這一任期，逐漸地從過去多年每個主日都在祖魯教會，轉變成一半時間在白人教會（GBC）與力揚和力妍一同敬拜，一半時間參與GPEC和ICOC的崇拜。上週三至五白人教會（GBC）舉辦了三整天的青年聚會，我們從GPEC邀請了共八位國、高中生一同參加，佳雯參與帶領小組的隊輔工作。在其中，我們有機會比較近距離觀察力揚和力妍在教會的成長和人際關係。佳雯心裡很是感恩的分享說，兩個孩子都學習很主動地去照顧其他教會來的新朋友，力揚參與在司琴、司鼓的敬拜事奉，力妍則是協助播放投影片，空餘時間就穿梭在人群中寒暄問暖。回想2010年十二月3日，我們一家大小四口入境南非至今已經十年，原本在台北的力揚那副嘟著嘴巴捨不得走的樣子；力妍則是有爸媽在，哪裡都好。如今，力揚和力妍在白人教會GBC都有了團契生活，神為他們在異地他鄉預備屬靈的家，我們做父母的心裡甚是喜樂、感謝神。

感恩

1. 為有機會服事和協助約翰牧師，師母一家感恩，因師母的母親突然病逝安息。育靖除了在追思禮拜講道外，由約翰牧師引導，從一開始的蓋棺、到最後安葬禮拜，都由育靖主持。這是十年來的耳濡目染後，第一次育靖從一個外人（非同文化）的身份主持追思禮拜。

2. 力揚順利通過大學第一年的震撼教育，力妍將升十年級。

代禱

1. 為德班聖經學院2021年度的招生代禱，並為預定一月26日開學之前的所有預備、教職會議等順利。

2. 為南非進入新冠疫情的第二波代禱，求主賜下憐憫和恩典，特別進入十二月份後半月的長假期，除了我們所在省份的海灘部份日期以及東開普省假期全部關閉外，所有商業、觀光活動多未限制。我們所認識的人，白人教會的同工、學院的學生，陸續都有確診例。

3. 為力揚申請一份短實習（電子機械相關）工作代禱，求神開路。

我們在德班祖魯族的日子 2020-11

DBC線上畢業典禮

感謝主，德班聖經學院在教職員師生眾人的恆常忍耐、努力、調適以及神的帶領和恩典走完了這非常掙扎的新冠年。即便現在南非鎖國第一級已經允許250人以下的聚會，為了謹慎起見，我們還是決定採取線上虛擬的畢業典禮，今年有九位延伸制結業，八位全修生畢業。為了配合眾人的時間進行事前拍攝並維持社交距離，我們分了兩次拍攝每次兩到三小時，由於多是片斷式的拍攝，講道、禱告、讀經都是另行錄製而非現場，全倚賴後製剪接，除了花了兩倍的時間，畢業生也感到非常不自在，沒有畢業的感覺。此外，每年例行的「畢業生歡送會」也省略了，師生們像是也沒有好好說再見。2020年，對很多人來說，是很奇怪的一年。線上畢業典禮將在十二月6日南非下午2點，臉書觀看影片。此外，學院即將進入新的學年，除了招生以外，三大挑戰即將無法避免，院長夫婦Dr & Mrs Thomas和一對資深的美國宣教士夫婦 Rev. & Mrs Flickner 都將在2021年底榮退，此外，擺在眼前的還有校舍的遷移（土地和校舍將歸屬教會而非學院），以及談了許久的教育部學歷認證。請您為此禱告。半年前，育靖已被邀加入遴選委員之一，參與還在初步階段的未來院長的遴選。

艾迪 (Eddy) 宣教的第一步

如果您讀過九月份的代禱信，您也許有一些印象，信中曾提及一位年青人（東非蒲隆地國籍）Eddy聖經學院的畢業生。在學期間，Eddy就顯出對宣教的關注，頻頻在課堂和私下詢問有關跨文化的問題，因自己即便從東非來也在南非經歷許多跨文化的挑戰，育靖在「未及之民 UPGs」課堂上提供了Eddy宣教的方向。目前他在正透過SIM東非辦公室詢問未及之民的機會，尋求未來加入SIM的未及之民專案進入中、北非。請持續在禱告中記念，求神清楚地帶領他。作為難民，除了簽證的問題外，需要尋求南非的當地教會成為他的差派和支持教會，雖然在當地教會已有幾年，畢業後，也正在當地教會進行實習，然而，每一步都憑信心，都需要神的帶領和開路。

感恩

1. 為德班聖經學院本年度在神的保守下已經結束，線上畢業典禮錄製也已完成，同工正在後製感恩。
2. 為十月底十一月初的開普敦之行感恩，神真奇妙。

代禱

1. 為德班聖經學2021年度的招生代禱。
2. 為GPEC 教會十二月5日某一南韓神學院向約翰牧師致敬禮拜，表彰他在病痛中效法基督的恆常忍耐。祟拜中同時舉行年終「感謝牧師」聚會，請為崇拜進行順利代禱。
3. 為GPEC十二月12日青年團契外出年終聚會的安排代禱。
4. 為ICOC (AFMC)教會的青年團契同工遴選代禱，我們將協助輔導同工Mrs Zungu一起建立同工群。
5. 為十二月16-18日我們邀請一些GPEC高中生參加白人教會舉辦的青年營（不住宿）代禱。

從文化取向看新冠疫情如何衝擊人們的生活

 

當前的情況

當西方國家還為著在公共場所有沒有自由不戴口罩而僵持不下之時，新冠病毒已快速地蔓延至全世界。同時，南非政府已下令全民戴口罩，違者重罰，並配合以1.5公尺的社交距離，宗教、商業等聚會以五十人為上限，追思禮拜只限親人，禁止朋友、家庭間的探訪。然而，還是無法有效抑制病毒的傳播，僅短短數月，南非就以超車姿態，後來居上之勢拿下了確診數世界排名第五的尷尬名次。

以下我們將以在南非祖魯族中間從事跨文化事奉近十年文化取向的觀察，加上一點點西方國家的文化反思和大家分享。

個別性和群體性

在分享之前，先介紹兩個文化取向的名詞：個別性（Individualism）和群體性（Collectivism）。

一般而言，西方世界傾向於「個別性」的社會文化。東方和非洲地區傾向於「群體性」。在「個別性」文化取向的社會裡，最小的組成單元是「個人」：個人的獨立性，自信心是被看重的，同時，個人的自由是被尊重的。個人評論及批判式的意見是被訓練的，也是被看作有價值的。

而在「群體性」文化取向的社會裡，最小的組成單元不是「個人」而是「家庭」：個人的識別在於一個人在所屬的家庭、群體、或工作團隊裡的功能和角色。群體的興盛確保了個人的福祉。所以，在一個群體裡照顧他人的需要和感受是相當地重要。融洽和彼此仰賴是很有價值的文化表達。然而，個人的意見常常需要依著群體的意見作出調整。

 

理解並用他人的文化取向看事情

如果嚐試用人們所屬的文化取向看事情，就不難理解為什麼我們的祖魯朋友，即便不是親人，仍然一如往昔的參加追思禮拜。同時，該場所的社交距離實在令人擔憂，爆棚而超過五十人是常見的，招待人員也不好意思阻止人們進入禮拜會場。有些人可能就會問：「那麼這些規定是用來做什麼的？」我們的祖魯朋友自然地想要照顧所屬群體的他人的需要和感受，即便是鄰居也好，看重向他人表達愛和關懷勝過於遵守規定，特別當有人過世的時候。此時，因為新冠的衝擊，參加次數又勝過先前了。 

有一次，我們問了一個祖魯朋友：「為何在新冠病毒的傳染威脅下，人們依舊的以這種方式來表達他們對失去親人家屬的愛和關懷呢？」「他們不知道這樣做是不遵守規定且可能導致自己和他人受到病毒的感染嗎？」她的回答讓我們不得不承認這文化取向的頑強性，她說：「即便死亡也不能阻止我們用這個方式向人們表達愛護和關懷。」

「文化」- 沒有比較好的

作為一個外來人，也許我們很容易可以指出所在的「群體性」文化取向的缺點，這缺點很可能就是造成南非確診數世界第五的主要原因之一。讓我們再比較「個別性」文化取向的西方社會，在那裡人們還在為了捍衛個人戴不戴口罩的自由，採取反抗州或聯邦政府的決定，整個社會陷入「個人自我」表述的混沌，而病毒早已侵入人們的生活中。即便，世衛已經公告「戴口罩」是抑止病毒傳播的有效方法之一，並要配合常洗手和社交距離的實施。「難道，他們不知道戴口罩可以避免病毒的傳播嗎？不戴口罩反而使他們曝露在感染的危險中嗎？」這個問題簡單到像是說：「難道，有人可以說開車時，我有自由不綁安全帶，而他們不知道不綁安全帶，要是出了車禍，致傷致死率極高嗎？」 

回應之前，先學習欣賞該文化取向的美

回到追思禮拜，在祖魯朋友對於失去親人的家屬的有著非常堅固地文化表達一事上，我們當怎麼回應呢？特別是當這樣的文化表達幫助了病毒的傳播。作為一個宣教師，完全避開不參與和不行動同樣也是文化的不適用，並且失去向家屬表達神的愛和關懷的大好機會。過去十年裡，我們和祖魯的弟兄姐妹一起服事，每當有肢體失去親屬時，有的人就會買些食物送去，有的人會來幫著忙裡忙外，有的人會來家裡待上一整天陪伴，下班後，大夥兒會不約而同聚集到家屬的家裡，唱詩、敬拜神，有的作見證、細數安息者的往事，牧師、傳道人分享神的話語，最後，大夥會從口袋裡掏出一些錢，放在準備好的盤子裡作為支持家屬的一點點心意，每天晚上都是如此，直到追思禮拜為止（南非鎖國第三級規定禁止家訪）。這一切都是為了堅固、安慰，減輕家屬失去親人的痛苦。

取捨兩難的處境化

所以，我們需要深思熟慮地處境化後，才能以祖魯族最能夠感受的文化取向回應，否則，我們會自然地以自己（台北）慣用的或自以為對的方法回應，卻不能有效地讓當地人感受到。一方面，我們需要表達神的愛、關懷和照顧之意。另一方面，不能跨越政府為了抑止疫情所立下的規定（雖然，如前所述，當地人可能不那麼在意規定）。 那麼，我們可以如何回應呢？感謝神，在南非第三級鎖國開啓了一個突破口，予許「宗教人士以關顧之由進行家訪」並配合所有的規定：社交距離、消毒雙手、戴口罩、唱詩歌只能獨唱等等，對某些人來說，這樣還是太危險了。於是，這一項有限性的開放提供了我們以祖魯文化取向表達關懷的機會。我們可以親自前往，去到人們中間，分享神安慰的話語，與人們同哭，同回憶，一起禱告重新得盼望。然後，不得以地要把追思禮拜（限親人，共五十人）留給當地牧師、傳道人來辦理，作為宣教師在「規定」和「與人同在」的兩難中只能取家訪而捨追思禮拜。

宣教處境化是一段需要跨文化宣教工作者長時間觀察，謙卑地向當地人學習、討教，與當地人一同在基督裡成長的過程。目的在於除了宣道者認知到自身傳道方式已被自身的文化取向所影響外，經過處境化的過程，進而以期能夠採取被宣道者（當地人）最能感同身受的方式傳道。就如保羅所說的：「向什麼樣人，我就做什麼樣人」（林前9:22）。

我們在德班祖魯族的日子 2020-10

 

SIM南非董事會

感謝主，在寫代禱信的這個時候，作為三名宣教士代表其中之一的育靖剛剛開完一整天的SIM南非辦公室董事會議。會議中正式宣佈下一任的南非工場主任（明年七月起），由於育靖也被選為工場主任遴選委員之一，回想將近一年的遴選過程，實在是充滿著學習的機會。在神面前，沒有完美的領袖。在最後階段時，幾位委員在極為難得的兩名人選上內心角力和禱告了許久。選擇了此人選，不代表否定了另一人選，而是尋求神，在此時此刻，在當下神為SIM南非辦公室揀選又能夠帶領團隊朝方向前進的人是誰。有時覺得自己像撒母耳一樣只看外表（能力），有時又覺得人的內心在短短和片面的認識下看不準而掙扎作難。感謝主，育靖在其中學習放下，不作獨排眾議的事，讓神工作。為什麼自己覺得看得比人準？是一個學習放下的轉捩點。

不（能）做事，很難嗎？

會議結束了，也是全家休假的時候了。上個月代禱信提及我們家被差會選擇到開普敦享用一週住宿的機會。因此，結合了這次開會，同時也希望去校園幫力揚選擇明年住宿的地方，一魚多吃。這個月起，祖魯教會GPEC開始了實體的主日聚會，我們分別拜訪兩個教會GPEC和AFMC (或Illovo Community Outreach Center, ICOC)，也是我們青年和兒童門訓事工合作的教會。由於兩教會除了主日崇拜外，家庭小組、青年團契，兒童主日學等其他聚會都尚未開張，而我們心裡卻是蓄勢待發，有點心急。多次在個人安靜和禱告中被神提醒要學習等待，以及按照當地教會的步伐。這不是能力的問題，而是因為疫情，我們被迫不能做事，這點很抑制，似乎需要用更大的力量去抑制想做事的動力。不（能）做事，很難嗎？是因為有寫代禱信的壓力嗎？神在禱告中讓育靖看到自已的軟弱以「做事、做了什麼事」來定義和評價自己，把焦點從神轉移了到「事工」、「自己」，求神憐憫啊！持續帶領我們成長。這一週在開普敦的旅行，寫完這代禱信後，好好地把自己從「事工」中隔離，與神聊聊吧！

感恩：

1. 感謝主，育靖的延簽申請已經完成送件，請為審核通過代禱。
2. 為一週的開普敦休假，神賜的恩典感恩，並有人可以幫我們照顧狗。

代禱：

1. 為德班聖經學院第四季即將在十一月結束，請為第三週的期末考，第四週線上畢業典禮錄製和安排代禱。
2. 為GPEC十月份已開始恢復主日崇拜，AFMC則是七月就已開始，半數以上的弟兄姐妹還未「回到」神家中實體聚會，求神帶領堅固眾人的心以及保守南非的疫情。
3. 為青年和兒童事工配合兩教會（GPEC & AFMC）的重啓，和同工們做好準備和因應聚會的調整。
4. 為力揚和力妍都分別要進入期末考，力揚的科系課程科目很挑戰，網路上課不易懂，求主顧念他們，賜智慧。
5. 我們家預計十一月5日返回德班，為我們這一週在開普敦出入平安代禱。

Gogo Gumbi - A Nation Cries for Fathers

A True Life Story 

Narrated by Mdu Gumbi

Written and edited by Rev. Eugene Chuang

SIM SA Missionary

M.A. Intercultural Studies Wheaton

Gogo Gumbi (gogo means granny in isiZulu) was an amazing woman whom I never met in person and only heard from Mdu, her one of grandchildren who is influenced by her great parenthood. 

On 9 June 2020, I walked with Mdu whom I have been discipling for 10 years, and spent some time with him at his temporal house after the sad news came to him, his gogo has passed away on 5 June. I intentionally listened to him by asking, “how do you feel, Mdu?” “I feel so bad”, said Mdu. Mdu spoke with me all along with that his gogo was the one that matters to his life. What about her that makes you so miss her? I asked for debriefing him and allowing him to express himself from the heart. Here I summarize the story and categorize it into four virtues of his gogo.

Gogo as A Parent

Mdu started with this, 

“My gogo was an amazing woman. When I was sent to stay with her, I was less than 4 or 5 years old. Although I once stayed with my mom and my dad respectively in a short period, I stayed with my gogo with the majority of the time. It was more than 25 years with her since I am 30 years old now. My gogo was just like my mother and father. Besides my gogo, there were an uncle, aunties, cousins, we once had 9 in total under one roof. It was crowded but we enjoyed the time. I remembered when the parent's meeting occurred in my primary school, she went up for me to the hill as my parent while my aunt and uncle refused to present for me.” 

Mdu’s sobbing suddenly stopped the flow of the story. The room became silent except for his sound of sobbing.

“She knew how to treat everyone equally.  Since she was a domestic worker to a white family, she usually came home with leftovers. I never mind at all that was leftover, even it was leftover, to me it was delicious, and we together cherished the moment of sharing the leftover. My gogo was a sharing woman. She would divide into 9 pieces if it was a cake, or even it was a drumstick. She would treat everyone fairly and equally, even one or a few of us might not be at home by the time. She would keep that until we came back.” 

Gogo as A Defender

"Life had a tough time, particularly when the family matters arose. 'You (Mdu) are not Gumbi family!’” his uncle once shouted at him. Mdu explained that since his parents never got married, he was only able to be named after his mother’s surname. 

“Being excluded that was how I felt. Most of us, even nowadays, feel excluded, if our parents are not married yet. We are not able to be named after our father’s surname. I feel that I belong to nowhere. Yet, when such time comes, my gogo was the defender of me. ‘He, (Mdu) is one of Gumbi’”, gogo Gumbi defended.

Mdu sobbed again. 

Gogo as A Character Builder

Gogo Gumbi was a domestic worker who did everything with her hands and knew she ripped what she sowed and was the one who motivated everyone at home to do something for their lives. By this influence, Mdu says, “She left the legacy for me to diligently run business.” “I started selling sweets to fellow students when I was only grade 4.”

Although Mdu is still not a businessman by profession, yet I can tell that Mdu is now a true diligent man that surely formed by his gogo’s influence that had made him different from other men in the community. Besides the current job as a worker, he was able to buy a shipping container and open up a tuck shop called “Yona Yethu” (means Our Mister). However, the shop is currently rent out to a friend running.

Gogo as An Intercessor

Gogo Gumbi believed in God and devoted herself to praying to God. Her prayer life that has sustained the entire family as Mdu witnessed. Mdu was encouraged to go to the church as he was still young. Mdu continues to say, “In every Sunday morning, my gogo woke everybody up, and chased us to go to church”. “We had prayer day once a week as a family, gogo always led us to pray. Pray for family and for others who are in need. As we have grown up, most of us lost interest at the time in praying with her, she was frustrated. Yet she closed up the door in her room and continue to pray alone”. Mdu topped and wept again. “She prayed loudly for every one of us by names.”    

Reflection: A Nation cries for fathers

Through listening to Mdu’s precious memories of gogo Gumbi, we may have a brief concept of the formation of a South African Black family that has become a common situation nowadays. In the statistic of 2017 SA, it shows that 61.8% of children are fatherless or live without father (51.7% not stay with father, 10.1% father deceased) (See reference below). Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng once on 30 Sept 2019 was invited by Vuka Africa Foundation in a speech of focusing on healing and stopping the violence, said, “The biggest disease of South Africa is ‘no father’”, “Father is the one who provides leadership to sons and daughters”. 

His societal diagnosis on healing family and stopping the violence is sharp, straight forward, and correct in point of view. It indicates that finding and dealing with the root of the problem is more effective than only stopping the symptoms in appearance – bad behaviours. Some might say, “if there are harsher and stricter punishments in law that might stop and reduce the violence of the gender-based”. Yet my humble thought is, “Law is an act to stop crimes, but not a cure”. Both stopping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and having a responsible, committed father for sons and daughters in communities shall considerably trace down to the root of the problem - dysfunctional fatherhood that has broken many hearts of mother, spouse, or lady, son, and daughter in the nation. It has resulted in a clueless, hopeless, and purposeless generation. Crying out loud from many hearts, “Where are our fathers?” The biblical and godly fatherhood, therefore, shall be uplifted and reactivated by finding what the Bible says. 

Virtues found in a woman such as gogo Gumbi as a parent, a defender, a character builder, and an intercessor to sons and daughters shall too be found in fathers. A lovingkind image of God the Father then shall prevail. To fatherless sons and daughters, pastors, rectors, ministers, missionaries, and workers of communities in South Africa may learn from God the Father who loves his children wholeheartedly with long-lasting commitment and patience even sent his One and Only Son died for our sins. Disciplining sons and daughters for building good characters, coupled with guiding and participating in their life matters by exemplifying his own life that is desperately needed in the communities as well. 

This article is limited to depict the weak point of the formation of a typical South African Black family in communities and not aimed to address its entire causes of the matter. It simply and humbly provides a few thoughts and solutions for faithful workers of children, teens, and young lives in the communities of South Africa. 

Reference: https://ewn.co.za/2018/07/04/fact-check-are-57-of-sa-kids-raised-without-fathers.

Mdu Gumbi (Right with headphones)

我們在德班祖魯族的日子 2015.August

你累了嗎？

這是一個實在忙碌的八月，才寫完上一封(七月份)代禱信，育靖立即就要前往開普敦開會，這兩三年來，每年飛三次到開普敦都是為了開會。這一次(七月底八月初)前往開普敦的行程很不一樣，讓育靖需要喘一喘，以及調整一下腳步，為什麼呢？話說在前往機場的當天一大早，佳雯開車送育靖到距離約60公里遠的德班機場，一如往常，放下育靖之後，佳雯需要趕回家為孩子們預備早餐，並且送孩子們上學。而育靖辦理好Check-in之後，就找了地方坐下來吃早餐，然後通關，到指定的閘門準備登機，和眾人一起排隊，當來到入口要登機時，育靖拿出護照和機票要交給空服人員確認時，才發現拿錯了護照，育靖帶的是佳雯的護照而不是自己的。於是趕緊退回大廳更改較晚的班機，以及打電話請佳雯再將護照送到機場來，為此，當天佳雯開了240公里，來回機場兩次。育靖這個不假思索拿了護照就走，原來想當然耳，卻開了天窗的舉動，讓育靖不禁地深深歎了一口氣問自己說，唉！你累了嗎？

在我們所處的跨文化環境裡，其實是比較慢，而且是慢很多的生活步調。剛剛來到南非的時候，因著語言的有限、文化的不同、家庭的安置、當地人對我們都不認識，信任感也需要建立，所有都是從頭學起，所以除了建立關係、交朋友、學語言，沒有忙碌的行程和服事，原本以為我們已經被南非的文化同化了，步調比較慢了。然而，已經進入第五年的跨文化宣教之後，似乎在許多方面比較上手之時，不知不覺地又「活出」了台北的步調，那個是最根深柢固的自己。你累了嗎？這過去雖然是一個廣告詞，卻是對育靖一個很好的提醒，忠心的事奉不是意味著行程應該安排得很滿，而是在每一項神所託付的事奉裡都使神得榮耀。

Grace Baptist Church @ Amanzimtoti

這是一個為了我們全家大小的屬靈需要，參加了四年的英語教會。起初，主要的用意是送力揚去參加青少年團契，讓他離開台北之後，有個屬靈的家。後來也為了我們大人在神話語的需要，開始參加主日早上的崇拜，於是逐漸地和這個教會有較多的接觸。這是一個有宣教負擔的教會，不僅差派了一位女宣教士前往印度宣教，更特別的是這幾年裡，神帶領超過十位宣教士陸續地來到這個教會聚會，其中一半以上的宣教士們都和我們一樣，需要被餵養！主任牧師Des是一個非常有愛心和樂意幫助人的牧師，當育靖偶然一次和他約談，提到我們在英語崇拜結束後，需要立即趕到祖魯教會參與崇拜和服事，孩子們的安置是一個挑戰。Des牧師話不多說，馬上答應讓力揚和力妍在崇拜結束後留在他家，和他的七個孩子們玩，直到我們從祖魯教會回來，真是感謝主！

八月23日是這個教會的宣教主日，Des牧師邀請了六對宣教士夫婦在早上和晚上兩堂崇拜中分享宣教的事工。很感恩的，我們家是其中一個家庭！在育靖分享結束後的茶點時間，有許多人來向我們表達有興趣，並且說，「我們在這裡住這麼久了，從來沒有進入就在我們隔壁的Township – Illovo (以羅孚) (只有4公里遠)，也不知道這個Township裡的情況，今天卻透過一個你從那麼遠的台灣來的宣教士告訴我們，真的很感動，也很慚愧！」一方面我們對於許多正面的回應很受激勵，另一方面我們很是感恩，是神讓我們可以在他鄉異地裡逐漸地找到屬靈的餵養，以及肢體的關係。

感恩：

1.    八月18日延簽文件已經完成遞交，求主帶領審查過程。

2.    育靖在忙碌中仍蒙神恩待，在服事中都有力量。

3.    八月25日已經完成搬家，並在開箱整理中。

4.    育靖七月底八月初前往開普敦開會及八月底前往約堡行程都平安。

5.    八月23日在英語教會的宣教分享很順利，反應很好。

代禱：

1.     為簽證的審查過程，神親自感動每一位經手的官員。

2.     九月第一週為德班聖經學院考試週，接著是兩週的休息，求主帶領學生認真地準備。九月第三週第四季開學時，育靖要負責教「基督論」，求主帶領有效率地準備教材，以及準確地英文用字。

3.     九月6日育靖在德班平安華人教會講道，求主帶領。

4.     九月18-20日育靖將參加ECSA的年度會議，求主保守。

5.     九月20日前要交出一篇文章，求主賜下亮光。

6.     九月25日SIM KZN省宣教士聚會，求主格外施恩，宣教士們能夠彼此扶持。

7.     育靖將在九月1日家庭小組帶領查經、12日和26日帶領青年及弟兄團契，求主賜力量。

8.     求主醫治祖魯牧師約翰，賜下健康，並保守教會合一與興旺。

9.  我們正在幫助的Nery宣教士，請為她的適應以及年底之後委身事工的安排，求主賜智慧。

我們在德班祖魯族的日子 2013 May

親愛的弟兄姐妹、代禱同伴

Izindaba zikagogo Msabala noPhilani (老媽媽Msabala和Philani的故事)

母獅和小獅子們 (續)

自從上個月和青年團契探訪貧苦的老媽媽Msabala後，神就一直恩待祖魯教會，並且神感動弟兄姐妹樂意的捐贈衣物、毛毯，德班平安華人基督教會也奉獻二手的置物櫃以及外套等等，這樣的救貧工作，其實早在幾年前，就由Khanyile老媽媽開始的，她已經為Msabala開啟了一人房屋的興建構想，且為她預備好了100個磚頭，據有蓋房子經驗的工人表示，大約需用400至500個磚頭，當育靖上台邀請、呼籲之後，直到今日，已經僅差100個磚頭了，感謝主，預備磚頭同時，我們還需要工人和相關的材料，如：窗戶、屋頂、房門等，以及較精確地計算所需要的經費，求主繼續帶領和供應。

感謝主，事實上，上一封代禱信發出去之後，就有些弟兄姐妹回應是否要從台灣寄物品過來。育靖代表祖魯教會和老媽媽Msabala在此謝謝你們在主裡的愛心。育靖在心裡面感動的第一步是應先從祖魯族中間鼓勵自己人幫助自己人，如果你在黑人中間服事過，你一定會同意黑人「依賴心」是很強的，目前看起來，自己人幫助自己人的效果很好，激發弟兄姐妹看到他人的需要，並且學習給出去。有一次，育靖和教會的長老前往贈送物資去給老媽媽Msabala時，就鼓勵老媽媽要再「給出去」！因為這些都是神的恩典，一個人用不了太多的毯子和衣物的，要學習「給出去」！

他很黑，他是我兄弟

這兩週，有一句話一直在我耳邊晌起「他很黑，他是我兄弟」。這個月，在某一天早晨靈修禱告時，神感動了育靖要去探訪青年團契主席Philani，於是邀請了幾位同工一起前往，並且特地去買了Combo Deal，包括了5 kg的馬鈴薯、5 kg的Butter nut、2 kg的紅蘿蔔，外加兩顆高麗菜當作禮物。一行四人開了半小時車程來到Umlazi，一進入住家附近區域時，就明白神為什麼感動育靖要來探望Philani，事實上我們要來探望之前，Philani是拒絕的，因為他羞於讓人知道他的環境(請看圖)，育靖透過詩篇113篇7節「神從灰塵裡抬舉貧寒人，從糞堆中提拔窮乏人」來鼓勵他，不要看自己的背景，而是仰望神的偉大作為。

感恩

1. 祖魯教會發動募捐衣物給老媽媽Msabala，感謝主，神的恩典豐富夠用，許多弟兄姐妹顯出樂捐的心志。

2. 感謝主，新的網路品質比舊有的好了很多，希望可以保持下去。

代禱

1. 祖魯教會樂意地準備為老媽媽Msabala蓋一間一人住的房子，育靖成為總協調，將邀請一些弟兄姐妹協助和討論，求主帶領和開路。

2. 七月初至七月中將接待短宣隊前來祖魯社區中舉辦兒童營、家庭探訪、主日服事、禱告會、青年團契聚會等等，求主保守各樣的預備和溝通。

3. 為車子代禱，育靖經常要出入路狀很差的產業道路，上次探望老媽媽Msabala已經把後保險桿撞斷，因為載人載物資，底盤撞到石頭所致，目前暫時以螺絲釘固定，輪胎也遭鐵釘插入漏氣，已補胎，真是求主憐憫！

4. 六月24至28日我們全家將南下100公里處參加SIM年度退修會，育靖將帶領一天的晨禱，求主保守出入平安，大人小孩都在退修會中得安息和堅固。

5. 為育靖在家庭小組帶領彼得前書的查經、青年團契的查經法，以及佳雯在兒主師資的牧養，求主賜智慧。

I try to memorze this verse

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12

This verse I remember

He has made everything beautiful in its time, and He also has set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end. Ecc 3:11

Leon as a prince.

寄件者 Leon and LeAnn

photo test

061106 綠光森林

In these days

for a long time, I haven't been here.
What am I talking?
Actually, I have no idea so far.
After the Chinese New Year, my family caught cold in these days.
LeAnn was getting heavy. and then, Eva, too.
I and Leon already is getting better now.
How are you?
While the seasons exchange, people usually catch cold easily.
Please take good care of you and family.
If you want to talk something, I'm all ear.
Surly, I'm serious about listening you saying.

In Christ I pray

God bless you - the letter from a missionary who serve in Africa

Dear Eugene:

Warm greetings from South Africa!

It is wonderful to hear that you are interested in cross-cultural mission, instead of reaching out overseas Chinese. There are many missionaries from Taiwan who are involved in overseas Chinese. We are short of people to serve real cross-culturally. But of course, it is much more challenging, yet exciting!

If you would like to do theological training, you may need to major your ThM in OT or NT or Systematic Theology, something which African theological school teacher will not major because it is more difficult. There are more and more trained African theologians, but most of them are major in Christian Education, Counseling, Mission, etc, anyway easier subjects. So, take a difficult one and study hard, because you will be needed in many theological colleges in Africa.

Anyway, what do they really need, it is discipleship. But they will not ask you to come and teach discipleship, because it is not a real "subject". Yet, when you are a teacher there, then you can build up relationship and do your discipleship with students and Eva and help students' wives. They need life example of how to live out the truth, how to connect the faith and daily life. In West Africa especially, they need to learn to carry their cross and follow Jesus instead of following prosperity gospel. Many pastors here live a life like pagans, without moral standard.

It is good to have English tutor to come to your house. He/ she should give you homework as well. Anyway, he should make you "work hard" in your English, especially listening and speaking. By the way, is he/ she an English speaking person? It is important that English is the first language of your tutor.

As regards to the cost, it is the chance to experience God's provision. God will take care of those who serve Him. :-) It is our faith muscle which needs to be stretched. When we are all self-sufficient, how will we depend on God? God is pleased when we trust him and depend on him.

OK. God bless you.

Debbie

I just come back from ChiaYi.

A few days ago, my family went to ChiaYi which my young sisiter live in. Leon already stayed there for a week. I and Eva, LeAnn went to Chiayi and took him back to Taipei. During this a short trip, my family went to Nantou for sightseeing. How amazing it is! In Nantou JiJi train station, it have a activity taking place, they called "Many trains festival" The trains be played with the toys who named "Thomas". Did you know it?
Haa~
My son Leon was exciting for this Thomas train toy.
Anyway, this trip may be summed up in one sentence, God is amazing God!

I'm working hard for the Lord.

I worked hard for the Lord usually.
untill now, I gradually realize the Lord's heart that wouldn't make me working hard till burn out but to lean on His spirit leading and to follow His footprints.
Jesus driven ministry, that is my favor book in these days. in that book, I recover the main point services of Jesus. for example, Jesus reached people, praying alone, healed the sick, compassionated the weak, trainned in small group and worked out with the disciples.
Always, I try again and again to think my priority of many services.
that book made me rejoice and keeping me up.

May my services could respond His willing exactly in this new year.

LaAnn called me BaBa frist time.

The ninth of Dec. night, my family went to bed together.
At that time, my daughter LeAnn first time call me, "BaBa".
Hahaaaaa, I'm so exciting. BaBa is her first word what she can.

I enjoy the situation which I can't handle.

Actually, I enjoy the situation which I can't handle.
Worship service shall make people rich in spiritual life.
Jesus teach us in spirit and in truth we worship Him, but I'm going to face this situation that make me confused. It seems to challenage me to trust Him more than men skills.
Shall we serve the important worship leading without regular weekly, daily traininng and experience?
God trainned Moses for eighty years, even He already know the Israel's huge pains.
Jesus only works on the earth for three years, but he prepared the crucifixion for all people for thirty years.
The twelve disciples followed Jesus for three years the first, then they worked out their powerful services which God empower all around the Greek-Roman world until now.
God give us wisdom to be his faithful servants. We should lean on Him to equip ourselves before we serve.

In faith we serve
Eugene

I ask God

Lord, to give me opportunities to serve the poeple those who possesed by the demons.
and serve the people those who sicked.
In your kingdom, the demons and sicks will be destroyed.
Healing the patients and driving the demons out these are your services when you were living on earth.
Lord, you are the king of kings and the Lord of lords, I preach your Holy words and also compassionate those who you love.

I ask God for....

A few days ago, When I think about what programs are helpful for my family learning English. Today, I met with Mike who the speaker this sunday is. He have been Taiwan for three years. He and his family came from Australia and work in SBS of Ywam (study Bible school) . This noon I asked him about learning English with them. and further asked him what program he take to learn Chinese. He replied to me, Maybe you can teach Chinese to my family and I teach English to your family.
What surprise this is! I know God is listener when I pray.