親愛的教會及弟兄姊妹:
3 讚美我們主耶穌基督的父上帝!祂在基督裡賜給了我們天上各樣屬靈的恩福。 4 早在創造世界以前,祂已經在基督裡揀選了我們,使我們在祂眼中成為聖潔無瑕的人。(以弗所書1:3-4)
我以「呼聲」為題,原因是在過去一個月,彷彿我一合上眼就聽到許多呼聲。有來自我服侍的非洲人,也有來自社區中的鄰舍。
聽見呼聲,便放下腳步。願意回應呼聲,與更多人一同上路。
有趣的是,我想起約瑟求救的呼聲:
「但你得好處的時候,求你記念我,施恩與我,在法老面前提說我,救我出這監牢。」創世記 40:14
創39:1 - 40:23記載約瑟被賣到埃及後,耶和華與他同在,但他卻在波提乏的家被陷害,以致下監,最後在監裏為法老的酒政和膳長解夢,然而他又被人忘記,留在監裏。
約瑟被賣的時候,大概是 17 歲,到了監獄為臣僕解夢的時候,大概是 28 歲。再要等多兩年,到了約瑟 30歲的時候,法老需要人為他解夢之時,酒政才記起當年約瑟曾經為他解夢。由被陷害到離開監牢,共有十多年的日子。
自疫情過後,陸陸續續有非洲難民經不同的安排,重置到美加兩地。他們較多是來自中非、東非。這些國家的宗教和政治都比較複雜。可是,有許多得到重新安置的非洲人在離開香港後,突然變得像陌生人一樣。他們不再與滯留在香港的難民群體聯絡,甚少分享如何得到重置的機會。這個現象一直令我費解。
他們重置到另一個國家,生活及身份都提升了。得好處的時候,卻忘記了那些仍然困在香港的同路人。這個景況有點像經文的酒政忘記了約瑟一樣。
早前我們在香港建立了重置團契,除了分享重置到收容國的資訊,也鼓勵大家互相禱告守望。正正藉此抗衡本地非洲群體對重置配額稀缺的恐懼(fear of scarcity),重新宣告我們能夠共同在主裡經歷豐盛。
在這團契裡,我所見的是神沒有忘記他們。
Last October, I made an appointment to meet with an L from Country C at a subway station. Unexpectedly, our conversation lasted for two hours. He shared with me the situation in his country under Muslim rule and revealed his little-known background. I am grateful that he, who has always been introverted and isolated, is willing to become proactive and seize the opportunity for resettlement. This month, we received good news that his resettlement application has been preliminarily accepted.
During the process, I also had the opportunity to come into contact with several refugee families from the M community. For over a decade, no one remembered them, and no one provided any help.
This month, through the connections I made, I had the opportunity to reach out to some church groups in Canada, which has enlightened me regarding resettlement ministries within Canadian churches. Additionally, through a group of Africans I met in Canada last year, I gained insight into the situation of their family members in African refugee camps. What surprised me was that through the case of the A family from Country Y, I saw the potential for collaboration with M organizations and churches in Canada, which I believe would enable us to engage in gospel work among the African M population more extensively.
All of this was beyond what I had ever imagined.
Coincidentally, this month we met with members of the Canadian Mission and began the process of applying to join the mission, officially becoming members of the mission. Everything has fallen into place, allowing us to see more clearly the city we need to go to. There, resources are more concentrated, and we can continue developing the ministry of resettling African refugees while engaging in gospel outreach.
Sham Shui Po Center
Recently, the Sham Shui Po Center has also become the "office" for resettlement ministry, allowing me to get to know even more M individuals. One of the volunteers from a partnering organization, who is also from the M community, has joined us, and I am grateful that she can participate and witness the progress of the ministry together.
In getting to know them, they shared fragments of their lives, especially mentioning the helplessness they felt from being separated from their families. Tears often flowed from their eyes. During the asylum-seeking process, some of their elderly family members back home passed away one after another, and they were unable to return to their homeland for the funerals. Some old friends who sought asylum in Hong Kong were forcibly repatriated and innocently killed on the streets upon their return. These experiences have deeply saddened them.
By guiding them through the steps of resettlement, I have the opportunity to "pretextually" connect with M individuals, caring about the progress of their cases, praying for them, and even praying with them.
Reading Club
Earlier, I had hoped to lead L in a prayer of affirmation, but due to various issues with her living situation, we had to abruptly halt. As a result, I put in some effort to help her resolve her immediate problems.
Thank you for continuous prayers. This month, we finally resumed our Bible study group! During this period, we have studied three chapters of Scripture. In the process, I have noticed a heightened sense of acceptance while reading. Moreover, there is no longer any questioning of the miracles performed by Jesus. Instead, she confidently told me, "Jesus always helps the poor."
Homework Tutoring Class
In reality, this is not a homework tutoring class. From beginning to end, I have never actually tutored them in their homework. Seeing their weak foundation, with no ability to do their assignments, I have focused on building a solid foundation in their Chinese and math skills.
One of the children, D2, attends an English-medium school but cannot understand English at all. So, I contacted the Bible League and used their literacy-enhancing materials to teach him English reading skills.
Every week, I would contact M mother K, the mother of these children, to share their learning progress. She also takes the initiative to share with me the progress of their family's refugee application. I am grateful that we continue to build friendship and have time to pray for one another.
感恩及代禱事項
親愛的弟兄姊妹,感謝你們在基督耶穌裏有忠心的人,一直守望與支持。願恩惠、平安從神我們的父和主耶穌基督歸與你們!
感恩事項
重新安置 (Resettlement) 團契:見上文,感恩上主奇妙的帶領,深信一切都在上帝的時間裏呈現出來。
讀書會:感恩讀書會又開始了!
功課輔導班:感恩現在有更清晰的方向,我可以使用 bible literacy 的課程,接觸小孩子。請在禱告裡記念,願我們能夠有更多義工輔導小孩子的功課。
宣道會加恩堂:感謝母會讓我在出工場之前,加入教會,成為部份時間的同工,專責籌備英文崇拜事工,回應社區中的英語群體需要牧養的呼聲。求主帶領。
代禱請求
重置團契:記念當中服侍的家庭,願他們在過程中,堅持、忍耐、不要放棄。
讀書會:請繼續為 L 認識穌哥而禱告,盼望好繼續成為穌哥的跟隨者。
JS 的病情:JS 返回非洲後,需要繼續接受癌症治療,醫療費用昂貴,求主憐憫她身體的苦楚,以及繼續供應給他們。
探訪 M 民:請記念他們,願主的愛感動他們,讓他們的生命得到更新。
媽媽 I:因為生活貧困,引致她覺得處處被人欺負。請記念她的苦況。
T 國的媽媽 M:仍然未能聯繫她,請記念她。
Cecilia:Cecilia 盡量每天抽30分鐘做帶氧或負重運動,腰痛情況有明顯改善。每天會花 10 分鐘自學阿拉伯文。
家人:
記念未信主的父母、Albert 的姊姊及姊夫。
記念大仔 Alvin 3月21-29日跟學校的研習課程去美國佛羅里達州的太空中心上課。
三仔 Aden 在兒時曾經患上腦膜炎。成長過程中,經常面青口唇白。早前,更面青口唇白到老師要他回家休息,請記念他的身體。
靈命塑造:期望與 Albert 有更多同工的服侍。三月頭我們有退修活動,祈求有美好的休息。
Fuller 神學院的課程:請記念3月中要交功課。
感謝您們禱告和支持,一同參與宣教使命!
關於差會
奉獻方法(香港)
郵寄支票
• 支票抬頭請寫「非洲內地會(香港)有限公司」或 "Africa Inland Mission International (Hong Kong) Limited")
• 然後,請郵寄支票至「觀塘郵政局郵箱62324號」
• 來函請註明:「支持宣教士名字:Cecilia / 事工:本地非洲人宣教事工」並附閣下的姓名、地址及聯絡電話,本會將發回收據作免稅申請。
銀行存款 / 自動轉帳
• 請直接存入本會於香港上海滙豐銀行戶口 (004)「149-683385-838」
(戶口名稱:「非洲內地會(香港)有限公司」或 "Africa Inland Mission International (Hong Kong) Limited")
• 然後,請將入數紙 Whatsapp 至 +852-5117-9243 (wa.me/85251179243) ,或郵寄或電郵 admin.hk@aimint.org ,並註明:「支持宣教士名字:Cecilia / 事工:本地非洲人宣教事工」並附閣下的姓名、地址及聯絡電話,本會將發回收據作免稅申請。
轉數快
• 請直接轉到 FPS :+852-51179243
• 然後,請將入數紙Whatsapp 至 +852-5117-9243 (wa.me/85251179243) ,或郵寄或電郵 admin.hk@aimint.org,並註明:「支持宣教士名字:Cecilia / 事工:本地非洲人宣教事工」並附閣下的姓名、地址及聯絡電話,本會將發回收據作免稅申請。
奉獻方法(海外)
信用咭 / DEBIT CARD / APPLE PAY / GOOGLE PAY
• 請進入加拿大辦事處的網站:https://cagiving.aimint.org/member/unlisted-member/
• 請填上宣教士名字:Cecilia Yeung (DR - Hong Kong )
願主賜福予您們!