| |
|
關戴家慈
由於澳門面積細小，很多時步行也可以來回宿舍、教會、學生中心及不同餐館、商店等地方，非常方便。
兩星期來每天早餐後，一起靈修，輪流帶領分享，除增加彼此認識外，更成為肢體間互相支援、提醒及激勵的好機會。接著大家一同步行往學生中心備課及預備興趣班的材料，每日的「包伙食」非常合大家的胃口，食飽後有充足精神及體力服侍一群中、下階層家庭的孩子。由於之前不太相信澳門祗有三、四千人信基督，故此特別希望深入觀察當地的環境，居民的生活模式等。其後發現原來當地的家庭多是移民自中國大陸，大多家中有上香拜祖先、拜菩薩的傳統習慣。家長非常注重下一代的教育，有些像香港十多年前的生活模式：千方百計也要使子女受教育出人頭地。故此，當地形成一種現象就是父母不分日夜出外克苦工作，子女交由上一輩老人家看管，無人看管的則由家長付錢，讓他們往補習班進修英數。一周六日（暑期也如是），很多學童穿著整齊校服上學，下課後去補習。他們很多是不很愉快，像是壓迫感很重。更諷刺的是，縱然他們努力追求學問，到最後卻多因當地賭場林立薪酬多而放棄理想。可見當地人在物質豐富的背後產生了很多家庭、社會的問題，心靈上的空虛更不用說。
學生中心邀請短宣隊參與的暑期福音外展事工，吸引了街坊，讓孩子來補習英文班、興趣班如：「小小科學家」、「小小廚師」、「手工坊」及「戶外活動」等，使學生們從學習的壓力中可以紓緩一下心情，最主要的目的當然希望能將美好的福音帶給他們和家人。學生中心內的同工及義工們多曾在中心獲益並蒙恩得救，故他們也多以感恩的心回應神的大愛，願意奉獻時間在中心裡服侍，使我既感動又受激勵。
雖然我所教的班級祗有四位學生（其中一位男生已信主），但很感謝神，在最後一天竟讓我像收割工人般收割這些屬靈的果子。除了兩位女生相繼決志接受主的救恩外，其中一位的姐姐（不是這班的學生）也願意信主。神讓我看見祂真是滿有大能，親自吸引小孩子來到祂的施恩座前蒙恩得救贖，而自己祗須謙卑順服盡力配合便是了。
除了在學生中心有機會傳揚救恩外，我們也有機會前往附近公園派單張並作個人佈道，更有機會探訪學生的家庭，之前在中信短宣訓練班所學到的理論、技巧及累積的實習經驗都能大派用場。很感謝神，在公園內讓我帶領一位絕望的賭徒決志信主，並將福音的好消息也傳了給他的好友，願神繼續保守他的信心，並引領他過一個更新的生活，讓他們經歷祂的慈愛及信實。
除了有機會傳福音外，我們也有機會參觀當地名勝，如大三巴、馬禮遜紀念館及墓園，因要領學生課外活動，亦參觀了自來水廠及澳門博物館。當中的團體生活、工作等都擴闊了我的眼光，更加體驗到在主裡要不斷像主捨棄自我，彼此服侍等功課。
Daniel Kwan
When I got baptized, I had no idea that I would, sooner or later, face some hard situations. After two weeks in Macau, I felt pretty fortunate to be living under better conditions in America compared to Macau. As my Mom and I arrived in Macau, we experienced several unexpected events that celebrated our coming, like RAIN.
This was my first time on a short-term mission and my first time teaching kids.
As I began to understand God's plans for our short-term mission, I developed a better relationship with Him than I had before. The class God put me in to help was 4th to 6th grades, which suited me well. I don't think I would have done well if I had been put into the two younger level classes.
I thank Wesley, the teacher of the class, who showed me how to teach and handle little kids. God taught me as the weeks went by to try “stepping-out-of-my-comfort-zone”. I had trouble with one of the little kids who was very naughty. I prayed to God about this issue and God did not let me get away; I had to work with him – the little monster! During my second week in Macau , I took over the lesson for a day while Wesley helped. He knew how to help me and I had a good time serving with him. Besides classes, the field trip with the kids was a good way to understand them and get to know them. The house visiting was another way to understand the kid's situations.
As I think back, after traveling from San Francisco to Macau, I remember I had jet lag, a painful experience when trying to concentrate on teaching a class of twelve. (I arrived in Macau the day before the class started.) During my stay in Macau, I felt more at home and was able to go out of my comfort zone to serve more. Although a bit crowded and dirty, I think Macau is the best place to go during your vacation to do a job for God.
Vivien
Situation in Macao…
Macao , located on the southeastern coast of China , approximately an hour long of ferry ride from Hong Kong , is a city that contains an approximate population of 455,000. About 7% of the populations are Catholics, only about 1% is Christians and the majority believes in Buddhism.
Our mission team arrived Macao on July 11, 2004. A local missionary escorted the team to Toi San, where our 2-week long mission work commences. Toi San is located at the northern part of Macao , near the borderline of China , which is a relatively poorer area than other parts of Macao .
Idols are apparently worshipped at almost every household door entrance and at each block of the street in Macao . Everyday, as I walk from the apartment to the learning center with my team, I could not ignore the lost souls that linger by the gambling stations and people that burn incense to idols that they do not comprehend. I could sense a surge of fear, insecurity and hopelessness among the people. Later, I learned from the local missionary that most people in Macao , especially the teenagers, find neither hope nor growth within their destitute, gamble-oriented city. Although most of them possess audacious spirits to venture and to take on challenges, typically, it is the lack of financial source that keeps them bounded within Macao .
Change in my spiritual life…
Brothers and sisters of the mission team lived in separate apartments. Each morning, the men would bring breakfast to our place and start our day with worship songs, devotion, sharing and prayers. Such routine had set my spiritual life to a different gear. I usually do my devotion and prayers before bed time, frequently feeling exhausted from a full day of work and would sometimes fall asleep before finishing my prayer. This trip gave me the opportunity to start each morning with God's words and prayer and to ask Him to bless each day at a time. Just as He said, ”So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34). The mission trip prompted me to recognize the need to reverse my devotion habit; I shall begin each day focused in God and immerse my spirit into His words so that the rest of the day will be fruitful in glorifying His name.
Challenges…
To take on the role of an English teacher was a challenge to me. I have neither taught nor have served in any children's ministry. In fact, as the first school day approached closer and closer, the more nervous I became, worrying that I would not have the patience, the ability to teach, to connect and to build relationships with any student. Yet, to my surprise, most students were eager to participate and to listen even though I did not teach well. While some of the students could be quite naughty, such as calling us names and talking among themselves while we were teaching. I would say that in general, they paid a lot of respect to us and were not shy about sharing their personal thoughts as long as we were willing to listen.
During the second week of the mission trip, each team member was to make an attempt to spend time with an unsaved student so to proclaim the gospel. Although I managed to offer an invitation to one of my students, whom is a converted Catholic called Priscilla, she insisted on tagging her classmate along, which had made our conversation difficult. Though I was a little disappointed by the outcome of the gathering, I felt that I had built an even closer bond with the two girls. By God's grace, He did not cease His work from there. Later in the week, I learned that the local missionary had assigned the same student to me for home visitation. I was overjoyed by this “coincident”, knowing that God is giving Priscilla and I another opportunity. However, several hours prior to our visitation, Priscilla's parent cancelled the appointment and we ended up visiting a different student of mine. I was once again, disappointed by the hurdle placed before me. But God has His own plan. That same night, I ran into Priscilla and her family at an herb tea store nearby the learning center. We exchanged a couple lines of conversation and the next night, Priscilla's mother finally confirmed our appointment and I was able to speak about my testimony because I was also once a converted Catholic. As for the alternate family whom we visited, it occurred that the father obtains a very open mind to listen to the gospel. Although he did not decide to accept Christ that very night, our team leader felt that we have sowed a good seed within his heart.
Moreover, on the only day of the week that we were able to use Bible materials to teach, a third level typhoon hit Macao , which resulted many absence in each class. We perceived the typhoon as nothing but a hindrance to our work. However, it was because of the reduced number of students in the younger class, the 5 out of the usual 14 children that came were able to listen to the gospel quietly and attentively. All 5 children received Christ that day.
Fore street evangelism, although we experienced sporadic heavy showers earlier during the day, God gave us a wonderful weather during our actual evangelism and one man accepted Christ that night.
How God used the team…
Even though each team member is unique in character and discipline, it is the conglomeration of the uniqueness that made the team so strong and complete. Each team member obtains a gift, whether it is in evangelism, music, craft, teaching, caring or acting; I certainly witnessed how God had used each of those gifts to the full extent during the trip, “from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16) This team was not pulled together by coincident or by random, God truly had hand-picked each and one of us from different part of the country for this mission trip and I thank God for giving me the privilege to be included in this team. Surely, it is God's love and Spirit that is within each team member that we are able to work in harmony.
What I've learned from the trip…
I've learned about the art of teamwork; to respect and to accept each other's differences, to recognize one's merit more than one's fault and that we shall put one's merit into good use. I've learned how to listen and to obey to the leader's direction while being a leader of others. Most importantly, I learned how to be flexible when there is a change in program or schedule. Sometimes, I get obsessed with a lot of planning and would become unyielding to change. But I learned that in a mission field environment, everything is bound to change and no matter how hard we plan, God has a better plan in all circumstances.
Sacrifice I have made for the trip…
Typically, “mission” trips would conjure perceptions of giving, suffering, challenges and sacrifices, which may be the reasons why most people are reluctant to go. To attend this mission trip, I had to make a few financial sacrifices. But the small sacrifices I have made cannot compare to the great joy I received from the trip, the opportunity to work with brothers and sisters of other churches, to be exposed to God's work in other parts of the world and the opportunity to witness His work on others and me. I treasure each moment I spent working with the team and connecting with the students. This mission trip revived my relationship with God, broadened my perspective personally and spiritually and also utilized my undiscovered gifts. Although I realized that I do not teach well, I discovered that I enjoy teaching children very much and will work on this aspect for further growth.
Lastly, I would like to mention that toward the end of the mission trip, the local pastor in Macao once said, “although mission work is always tough, his work for God brings the most wonderful and abundant joy in his life.” And I can certainly relate to his statement and would encourage everyone to go and to experience God's great mission.
Ida
伍叔賢
是我第一次參加短宣隊。在出發前有機會再細讀使徒行傳中保羅的三段佈道旅程，心裡想，這次短宣的行程會否像保羅一樣的遇到種種考驗。
出發前向教會分享我的代禱需要：為我們有體力去事奉及有智慧教導學生。其實心裡非常焦慮，因為自己沒有正式的教學經驗。恐怕不習慣當地的環境。感謝弟兄姊妹禱告的支持，主給我們在生活上有很多的祝福。雖然期間弟兄中有身體不適的，但很快就痊癒了。
我最大的得著是學習依靠主在工場服事。當離開自己的生活方式、服事的規律，和熟悉的教會同工，才經歷到完全依靠神去事奉，而且清楚看到自己的軟弱。其實一抵達，就覺得很不習慣，心裡只想盡快完成所要負責的「工作」就離開。還記得第一個晚餐時，當地接待我們的牧師提醒我們：澳門人的文化與香港人有很多不同的地方。我想他是在提醒我們要對當地的文化多一點留意（ be more culturally sensitive ）。這樣的善意提醒使我更擔心如何與學生們溝通。結果我每天都禱告求主使自己有愛人靈魂的心，能有傳福音的機會。不要因自己的「不自在」而分心。腓立比書一章 15 節更加提醒我傳福音的動機應以愛人為出發點，而不是要表揚自己。
神漸漸改變了我對學生的態度。當我有機會了解到一些學生的背景時，心裡不其然將他們放在我的禱告中。最難忘的是到學生家中探訪，雖然自己不知如何對答，但亦能在探訪中了解家長們的憂慮和他們對主的態度。最初真希望這兩星期快快過去，但後來卻希望能多停留一些時間，可以對一些初信的學生多一點了解。
這次短宣雖然只短短兩星期，卻令我重新檢視自己對傳福音的心志。在短宣期間，生活的每一個環節都是與傳福音有關。這樣專注的服事生活倒是十幾年信主的日子裡首次這樣全人的投入。感謝主給我這個機會去體驗。
Keith
黃紀源
我迅速地走進車內然後急忙轉身揮手。窗外看見的全是一張張天使般的?暖笑臉，他們都同樣向我不斷揮手。我知道我的手搖動再快也無法抹掉這一幕情景。
車很快便離開人群，開往碼頭的快速公路。身旁的太太終於留意到我在車內不發一聲，不禁問了句：「你怎樣？」我很快地回答：「沒甚麼。」事實上，我當時心裡是這樣想的：「我們生命中大多數的日子都好像是在平凡中渡過。可是，有些時刻是很特別，會令我們刻骨銘心，希望時間可以停留下來的。現在就是這樣的一個時刻。」兩星期前我從這個碼頭到達這地，如今回到同一個碼頭預備離開，可是現在的我已經不再一樣。
澳門是一個好像熟悉卻陌生的地方。我相信不少人都覺得澳門應該和香港差不多。是當地的傳道人矯正了我的想法。原來在澳門六十多萬的人口中少過百分之一是基督徒。教會在這裡工作多年，但澳門人對福音的心仍然是一塊乾硬石地。對澳門人傳福音跟香港人其實分別很大。當我走在這個以賭博業為生的都市中，看見一張張沒有喜樂和希望的臉容，心裡就想到以西結書三十七章的情景：「耶和華藉祂的靈帶我出去，將我放在平原中，這平原遍滿骸骨。祂使我從骸骨的四圍經過，誰知在平原的骸骨甚多，而且極其枯乾。」〔結三十七章 1 至 2 節 〕
短宣隊一行八人，主要是在一個教會主辦的補習中心教暑期英語班。學生年齡由小學至中學。我們希望藉?教學去認識及介紹福音給他們。每日下午，中心都會充滿?小孩子的笑聲，他們都很活潑，完全忘我地嬉戲。假如不是中心的同工告訴我一些小孩的家庭背景，我還以為他們是幸福的一群。也許我需要向 他們學習 ，在困境中仍能充滿喜樂。
除了中心的工作，我們也有到街頭佈道的機會。當我在人來人往的公園中大聲分享得救見証時，實在有點緊張，覺得預備不足。我知道神當時跟我一起，因為我從來沒有在公開場合這樣清楚大聲地講說話。我留意到有一位女士停在街邊很留心地聽。我當時心裡想，是否我分享我家裡的一些傷痛經歷也正發生在她身上呢？神要我從遠方來到這裡，是為了她嗎？
在兩星期的工作中，我們有機會跟學生和家長傾談。無論甚麼題目，包括學習、生活、信仰，他們都很願意聽我們這些外地人的想法。我想可能是因為澳門人很多都嚮往到外地生活吧。由我們這些在外國生活的人去傳福音，也許會事半功倍。「焉知你得了王后的位分，不是為現今的機會麼？」〔斯四章 14 節〕有否想過神當日用以斯帖王后的身份救了猶大人，今日也可用我們外地華僑的身份，將福音帶給我們的同胞呢？
Kitty Ma, Macao STM Leader
We truly felt God's presence. The rain stopped and when the evening ended, two accepted Christ that night.
During our two weeks, we reached 25 students and 9 accepted Christ. I thank God for uniting us and enabling us to serve Him and see His grace in Macao. I urge you to join our short-term mission to Macao next summer. May God make you a blessing to the people in Macao and at the same time bring blessings upon you!
Maggie Lo
I wanted to serve God and be a part of the Great Commission for a long time. I had that chance by joining CCM's short-term mission to Macao this summer. While I was there, I realized that if I were willing to give myself to God, He would use me as an instrument to bring others to Him. Amazingly, every meeting with the students was greater than my expectation. Their enthusiasm of who Jesus is and their willingness to accept the Gospel gave me confirmation that God did have a purpose for me in Macao. Whenever a student repented and accepted the Gospel, my heart filled with gladness and joy. It was a beautiful experience.
God is amazing! He used a sinner like me to change other people's lives, and He also changed me! I realized I wouldn't be able to accomplish anything without Him. Everyday God used John 15:4 to remind me to remain in Him. I learned I was in Macao to "bear" fruit and not "produce" fruit. I can't produce anything. I can only bear ever-lasting fruit by remaining in the true vine. I found this to be very encouraging because everything that I did in Macao was for Him and He used our team to glorify His name.
A favorite memory from our time in Macao was the day our team visited an open area with huge bricks and water fountains around them. The environment was beautiful with trees, flowers, and a lake to the side. In the center of the area, we came together to sing praises and hymns to God. Although we didn't have any musical instruments and couldn't remember the exact lyrics, it was a great moment. As we sang, the new faces I met in Macao reappeared to me. With their faces in mind and the friendship of our teammates, I could only give all the glory to God.
Victoria Chu
I remember three distinct messages from God while I was in Macao. First, God used This was my 6th year leading the short-term mission to Macao. Through prayer offered by our CCM co-workers, God brought eight team members from various parts of North America. With different ABC(American Born Chinese) and OBC(Overseas Born Chinese) backgrounds and an age range from 18 to around 50, the team worked in harmony, joy, patience and love for the students and each other. Even with hot weather and cramped living conditions our team complimented each other and prayed for each other. In this way the Lord gave us the opportunity to taste love and unity in Him and His grace to witness for Him. As a team- we lived out Christ's command for us to love one another that others will know we are His disciples (see John 13:34-35).
One evening we did street evangelism where our team presented a skit, gave personal testimonies, and sang praises. This is particularly difficult for our ABC members because they have to do all this in Chinese. I was impressed with their hard work to learn and memorize Chinese for this.
I really felt the oneness of our team on the night of our street evangelism. It was raining that evening when we met to pray. Our prayer time was so touching. We held hands and submitted ourselves to God. Amy, a nine-year-old girl in my English class to humble me. I am usually patient and compassionate, but Amy was outspoken, sarcastic, and rebellious. She sat in class with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes. I became frustrated with her.
One day when Amy was especially upset, I asked her what was wrong. She refused to speak to me. This made me quite angry. After class, I shut myself in the classroom; put my head down on a desk; and did the only thing I could do Ñ pray. I asked God what I was doing wrong. He answered saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). "Depend on Me."
That afternoon, I realized I had been trying to love Amy with my limited human strength. God unveiled my eyes to see my impatience, pride, and inability to love unconditionally. This mission trip was His, not mine. He softened my heart to see that Amy was created in His image, just like the rest of us. I saw how deeply God loved Amy, and I realized that my strength was actually very weak. The patience I needed came from God alone. Only by His power was unconditional love possible.
The second lesson I received from God was a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ. Never have I ministered with a team of brothers and sisters so passionate about sharing God's love and the Gospel. God partnered us together so well Ñ from each member I saw a glimpse of Christ. Our gifts complemented one another, and our work in Macao would not have been the same if any one of us was missing. To see such a picture of unity where God brought us to Macao was awesome.
The third and most profound lesson God showed me was His deep love for the nations. I have always wondered why the majority of Christians today seem to be of Anglo-Saxon heritage. However, by living among people of my heritage in Macao, God showed me He is not done with His vision and plans. In Revelation 7:9, John shares a vision of heaven, "...I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no on could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb..." God desires to see people from all nations and of all lines of heritage to come to know Him.
朱詩韻
踏出擁擠的渡輪，抵達炎熱潮濕的澳門。從淡雅溫和的西雅圖來到地球的另一面，氣候的對比竟是那麼大！
起初申請參加「中信」 2002 年澳門短宣，是基於一個怪念頭 ── 很想向對我呵護備至的雙親証明：我已十九歲了，可以單身匹馬遠赴海外。經過許多祈禱，神在我心中孕育了渴慕到澳門與那些未聞福音的中國同胞分享基督的愛。結果，神讓我滿載而歸！
這次短宣，我很清楚從神領受了三個信息：
一、我一向以為自己是有耐性、具同情心的人；然而，神藉著一個九歲女孩 Amy ，叫我謙卑下來。 Amy 性格反叛，直言不諱，好挖苦人。上課時，常發出傻笑，抓緊每個機會挑戰權威，甚至要求修改課程。總之，她常使我頭痛！
一天上課時， Amy 的情緒特別不穩定，我問她發生了什麼事，她全不理睬。我實在受不了她的輕佻態度，又因自己說的廣東話不流利，未能與她清楚溝通而感到難受；我實在無能為力！
下課後，我唯一可做的是祈禱，我說：「神呀，我做錯些什麼？究竟發生了什麼事？」父神說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力，是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。依靠我吧！」（林後十二 9 ）那天下午，醒覺自己一直只是用個人有限的力量嘗試去愛 Amy 。那一刻，感謝神開了我的眼睛，讓我看見自己不夠忍耐，且有驕傲，未能無條件的去愛。神使我的心變得柔和，看見 Amy 是神照著祂自己的形像造的，就像我們每個人一樣。我看見神是何等的愛 Amy ，明白自己的力量實在有限，我所需要的忍耐，唯有來自神，靠著祂，才能做到無條件的去愛別人。
二、我從神領受了一幅基督身體的美麗圖畫。從未與一隊那麼熱誠傳揚神的愛和福音的弟兄姊妹配搭事奉過。我們短宣隊的隊友來自各地 ── 加利福尼亞州、德克薩斯州、佛羅里達州和多倫多。神將我們配合得那麼美好，從每位隊友身上，我都看見基督的形像：從隊長 Kitty ，看到一個充滿愛和樂於鼓勵人的典範，她是那麼渴望看見人歸向基督。從 Annice ，看到勇敢和喜樂；從 Cyrilla ，看到勤勉、忍耐和關心； 從 Douglas ，看到寬容和好奇；從 Maggie ，看到耐力和向小孩分享基督的熱誠；從 Nancy ，看到智慧和帶領；從 Stanley ，看到樂意服侍和熱心助人；從 Tom ，看到鼓勵並渴慕看到神得著榮耀。我們的恩賜可以互補，缺少了任何一位，我們在澳門的服侍就會不一樣。看到我們都是因著父神的帶領來到澳門，並在聖靈裡合一；如此同心、和諧事奉的圖畫，實在美極了！
三、最奧妙的是，神在澳門向我展示祂那深厚的愛是賜與萬國的。過去，我常奇怪：為什麼大部份基督徒都是歐美族裔？為什麼每個禮拜日，美國不同族裔的人在自己教會用不同形式敬拜？透過這次在澳門，有機會服侍當地同胞，與他們同工，神告訴我，祂的異象和計劃仍未完成。使徒約翰將天堂的異象與我們分享（啟七 9 ）：神渴望看見不同國家、不同種族的人來認識祂。我發現這點時，恰巧有位弟兄靈修時分享詩篇一一七篇 1 至 2 節：「萬國阿，你們都當讚美耶和華；萬民哪，你們都當頌讚祂。因為祂向我們大施慈愛 … 」就更肯定神的愛是賜與萬國的。誠然，神深愛每個國家！
箴言十九章 21 節說：「人心多有計謀，惟有耶和華的籌算，才能立定。」靠著神的能力將期盼和計劃都降服於祂，祂會把這一切變得出乎意料之外的美好。祂開啟你的眼睛，用一個嶄新的眼光去看這世界 ── 從神的角度和心意去看這世界。關鍵在於你願向祂順服！（余黃國凱譯）
Annice Kwong
鄺討雅
遠赴外國教英文，跟一些全不認識的人同住，讓自己進入一個不太認識的文化環境，是一件不可思議的事；然而，因著神的恩典，我參加了「中信」2002年澳門短宣，所經歷的比想像中的多！
我們在兩週內提供英文班、烹飪班、小科學家實驗和剪紙手工班等課程，藉以接觸當地的小朋友和青少年。不用上課的日子，更準備作簡短的街頭佈道。
連我九位弟兄姊妹，來自北美不同的地方，彼此認識不夠；然而，我們不但可以在澳門教導小朋友，神更透過新建立的友誼教導我們寶貴的功課：在主裡卻能彼此同感一靈，同心合一地事奉神。
澳門給我印象最深的，不是食物和風景，而是人。例如當地教會和「中信」同工們，用了很多時間為小朋友展開一個短期宣教計劃。無疑地，他們愛基督、事奉神的心遠超過愛自己。對我來說，他們的生命感動我心，實非筆墨所能形容。雖然我們只停留了兩星期，同工們竟覺得我們幫了不少忙；我們作的是那麼少，但他們仍流露出感謝之情，實在令我慚愧！
無論我們感到自己如何不足，能做的有限，感謝神，祂總有辦法使用我們。在澳門兩星期，清楚看見大家如何用不同的恩賜配合成隊工事奉神，互補長短，攜手合作；就如每人是拼圖中的一小塊──這是神早為我們設計的，現在就將祂計劃好的工作完成。
澳門小朋友對父神偉大的愛認識很少，甚至全無認識；所以無論何時，只要有機會，上課前後或去麥當奴的路中，我們都會向小朋友傳福音。他們的反應叫人驚奇，實在很感動！很多青少年接受耶穌基督為個人的救主，願一切讚美、榮耀歸於真神！
整個旅程對我最大的挑戰是語言的能力，實在感到不足！雖然父母都是華人，但說流利廣東話仍是一大障礙。當我知道街頭佈道要全用廣東話講個人見證時，就很努力的學習。縱然隊友就講見證一事，每天鼓勵我，幫助我；但最能安慰我心的，是一個我從沒見過的人，就是使徒保羅。他忠告我說：「應當一無罣慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求…」（腓四6）他提醒我，神是那位最終控制一切的主。當我知道祂會看顧一切，就真的不憂慮，只要盡力而為，神會負責一切。這是何等安慰人心啊！感謝神，我在台上平安渡過8至10分鐘的時間，且得著一個畢生難忘的寶貴經驗。
在此，我願鼓勵那些一直盼望事奉神而又從未作過承諾的人，踏上前去！作為一個基督徒，我們都應負上作得人漁夫的責任，不只限於自己平日所處的環境，更要跨越熟悉的地域到外面去。一點點的不舒服，怎能與主耶穌為我們釘十架所受的苦相比？至少我們可以做的是，把這奇妙的好消息傳給那些飢渴又急需神愛和關懷的人。（余黃國凱譯）
Douglas Ma
For a long time I was reluctant to commit myself to serving in such a great capacity as a short-term missionary. Thus, I saw myself in many ways similar to Jonah. Like Jonah, instead of going to Nineveh as God commanded, I chose to focus on my studies and serve myself. However, it soon became apparent that those were all excuses I made to keep me from serving God. Though I didn't think much of myself, I realized that God will do great things through anyone who has faith as small as a mustard seed.
Leading up to the trip, I spent much time in prayer, fundraising, asking for support, and travel preparations. Despite the fact that I had prepared a great deal for the trip, the people of Macao still seemed unreal to me. Before I left they were merely a five letter word that existed somewhere in China. It wasn't until I arrived in Macao and saw the great need for the Gospel there that I developed a heart for the people of Macao. Getting to know them and witnessing their lifestyle gave me a whole new understanding of what it means to love people.
The children especially touched me. I am reminded of Jesus saying we must have faith like a child to receive the kingdom of heaven. My time in Macao allowed me to witness how true those words are. I am privileged that God chose me to share the message and plant seeds in the Macao children's hearts.
Practicing for the street evangelism was particularly difficult for me. Several of the ABCs, including myself, did not speak Cantonese as their first language. At first, the prospect of doing an entire skit in Cantonese seemed impossible. This experience definitely gave me an appreciation for OBCs who have to learn English and adapt to North America. Without a doubt, the skit and communication with the children would not have been possible without God's help and the love of our teammates. They were there to give us strength and overcome any uncertainties or fears. It was their love that truly showed that God is good all the time even during times of difficulties.
Since I've returned from our trip, God continues to bless me more than I could ever expect. Today, I am considering what else I can do to further God's kingdom. Knowing that I'm doing His work gives my life joy and real meaning. My hope is that God will provide me with many more opportunities to tell people overseas about Him.
I am now far from the person who resembles Jonah a short time ago. I encourage others to listen to God and to seek His will. He may be beckoning you to serve him overseas in a place such as Macao. There isn't anything in the world that can compare to the happiness of serving our almighty God. |
