7. Manna issue 66 - Impressions of Zambia An Apostolic Journey 尚比亞的感想：使徒的旅程
Impressions of Zambia: An Apostolic Journey 尚比亞的感想：使徒的旅程
Andy Wang—Irvine, California, USA 美國加州爾灣 Andy Wang
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify.
In June 2011, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a missionary trip to the nation of Zambia.
I accompanied Preacher FF Chong of London church (UK) and Preacher Tae-Hoon “TJ” Jung of El Monte church (USA).
The purpose of the trip was two-fold
—ministering to the Zambian members
and evangelizing in remote regions and to members of other Christian denominations.
奉主耶穌基督的名作見證。
2011 年六月，我有幸得到機會，參加尚比亞的宣教之旅。
我陪同倫敦教會（英國）的 FF Chong 張福華傳道和 El Monte 艾爾蒙地教會（美國）的 Tae-Hoon “TJ” Jung 鄭泰勳傳道。
此次旅行的目的有兩個面向，
—牧養尚比亞的信徒，
並到偏遠地區，向其他基督教派的信徒傳福音。
Our first stop was Kitwe where there were two places of worship
—Chimwemwe and Chamboli.
Since I spent most of the time in these two locations,
they left the deepest impression on me.
I stayed at a member’s home in Chimwemwe
and made frequent excursions to both places of worship.
My assignment was to teach religious education to the children,
lead Bible studies for the young adults,
and generally to build a bond with the members.
我們的第一站是基特韋，那裡有兩個禮拜所
— Chimwemwe 社區 和 Chamboli 社區。
由於我大部分時間都在這兩個地方度過，
他們給我留下了最深刻的印象。
我住在 Chimwemwe 的一個信徒家中
並經常前往這兩個禮拜所。
我的任務就是教導全部孩子宗教教育，
帶領年輕人查考聖經，
並且通常與成員建立連結。
SIMPLE BUT HAPPY 單純快樂
Throughout my interaction with the members,
I found that they are the simplest people I have ever met.
They live their lives in a self-subsistent
and resourceful manner and are very good at making the most of what they have.
在我與信徒的互動中，
我發現他們是我見過的最單純的人。
他們過著自給自足的生活，
有足智多謀的方式，非常善於充分利用他們所擁有的。
For example, on weekday mornings,
members of the household woke up as early as 4 am to make use of the daytime
to complete a deluge of chores.
They would also take advantage of the well water
that is only available at certain times of the day.
Little children as young as three were adept at washing clothes by hand.
The brisk motion of the wet cloths wringing against their wrists
was a testament of the rigorous efforts they put toward their daily endeavors.
They demonstrated vigor and willpower.
I believe God has blessed them with a thankful and cheerful heart
amidst what seems to be adversity.
例如，在工作日的早晨，
家庭成員早上 4 點就起床以利用時光，
先作完一大堆的家務事。
他們還會利用井水，
那口井一天中，僅會在特定時間有水可用。
年僅三歲的小孩子，就已經很熟練用手洗衣服了。
用手腕擰乾濕布的輕快動作，
就見証他們為日常工作付出的嚴苛努力。
他們展現出很有活力，充滿意志力。
在看似逆境的情況下
我相信神祝福了他們，有感謝開朗的心。
Although I have attended many fellowships in the US,
the experience in Zambia was especially simple and warm.
Often, members would gather together after sunset,
and sing soulful praise tunes and native folk songs a cappella.
At first, I was hesitant to join
since the lyrics and melodies were foreign to me.
However, their voices were so beautiful and harmonized,
I felt compelled to join and quickly caught on.
As we sang with all of our hearts by the evening fireside,
I immediately felt a spiritual camaraderie with these brethren
even though we had just met.
雖然我在美國參加過很多團契活動，
在尚比亞的經歷特別的單純溫暖。
常常，信徒會在日落之後聚集在一起，
可以無伴奏合唱出令人感動的讚美曲調和鄉土民歌。
一開始我還很猶豫要不要加入，
因為歌詞和旋律對我來說都很陌生。
然而，他們的聲音是如此美麗和和諧，
我覺得無法拒絕就加入，並且很快就跟上了。
當我們在傍晚的爐火旁，全心歌唱的時候，
我立刻就感受到這些弟兄的屬靈情誼，
即使我們才剛剛認識。
I also enjoyed bonding with the young members
through intense football games and invigorating runs on shoddy, uneven dirt roads.
A small round mound of crumpled garbage bags served as the official “FIFA” ball.
These members’ soles were toughened with calluses,
yet they ran with ease and were as swift as gazelles.
There was a true sense of freedom
that I could not find in my world of technological advancement in the US.
我也很享受與年輕信徒一起建立親密的關係，
通過激烈的足球比賽，在破爛又起起伏伏的土路，進行令人振奮的跑步。
一小圓團皺巴巴的垃圾袋，視作正式的“FIFA”足球。
這些信徒的腳底都長滿了老繭，
然而他們跑得輕鬆，像瞪羚一樣迅速。
這裡有一種真正自由的感覺，
這是我在美國技術進步的世界中，所找不到的自由。
AFRICAN BEREANS 非洲的庇哩亞人
Apart from their simple and unassuming lives,
our Zambian members also have a pure heart of worship and willingness to accept the truth.
除了他們簡單樸實的生活，
我們的讚比亞的信徒也有一顆純潔的敬拜樂意之心，來接受真理。
During a seminar on the Minor Prophets and essential church doctrines,
I observed that the members listened intently.
They studied the Bible passages with great diligence
and focus just as the Bereans did in Paul’s time.
One evening when Pr. Chong was discussing the revival of the apostolic church as prophesied in Isaiah,
the members eagerly raised their hands and asked many questions.
After the discussion, they agreed that it was indeed God’s grace
that had allowed the gospel to spread from East to West, all the way to Zambia.
They rejoiced and thanked God in loud applause.
在一次主題小先知和基本教義的研討會上，
我觀察到許多信徒都很認真的聽講。
他們非常努力的學習聖經章節，
就像保羅時代，庇哩亞人以前很認真的那樣專注。
有一個晚上，當 Pr. Chong 張傳道正在討論以賽亞書預言的使徒教會復興，
許多信徒踴躍舉手，提出了很多問題。
經過討論之後，他們同意，這確實是神的恩典，
這讓福音從東方傳到西方，一直傳到尚比亞。
他們歡欣鼓舞，用熱烈的掌聲感謝神。
More importantly, my experiences of street evangelism were quite memorable.
I have always been quite reluctant to proclaim my faith and preach the gospel boldly.
In America, citizens follow all different types of religions and philosophies,
from atheism to Islam to mainstream Christianity.
Sometimes, it was hard to figure out how to speak to the target audience and what topics to touch upon.
更重要的是，我街頭佈道的經歷很令人難忘。
我一直很不願意公開我的信仰，並且大膽傳福音。
在美國，人民都遵循所有不同類型的宗教和哲學，
從無神論到伊斯蘭教，再到主流的基督教。
有時，很難弄清楚要如何與目標聽眾交談，以及討論要觸及哪些話題。
In Zambia, the citizens are predominantly Christian,
ranging from Jehovah’s Witnesses to Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, and even Seventh Day Baptists.
For the most part, the Zambian people generally agree on common Christian beliefs
that one must call upon the Lord to be saved and that baptism removes sins.
在尚比亞，公民主要都是基督徒，
從耶和華見證人，到基督復臨安息日會、浸信會，甚至是安息浸禮會。
在大多數情況下，尚比亞人民普遍同意共同的基督教信仰，
人必須呼求主才能得救，以及洗禮除去罪孽。
During one of my afternoon evangelism excursions,
I met a pastor from a Pentecostal church who was unaware
that the correct mode of baptism is crucial to its saving power.
I explained to him that we must bow in the likeness of Christ and be fully immersed during baptism.
At first, these seemed to be mere symbolic details to the pastor.
However, by the grace of God, he was able to understand the importance of following Jesus’ example.
有一次我下午出去的佈道旅行中，
我遇到了一位五旬節教會的牧師，他並不知道，
正確的洗禮方式對洗禮有沒有拯救的能力，是至關重要的。
我向他解釋說，我們必須以基督的形象彎下身體，並且洗禮完全浸入水中。
起初，這些對牧師來說，這些似乎只是象徵性的細節而已。
然而，靠著神的恩典，他能夠理解效法耶穌榜樣的重要性。
Zambia is a rather God-fearing nation.
Once the people hear the truth of the gospel,
there is not much that will cause them to relent
for they know that
“the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”
(Heb 4:12).
尚比亞是一個相當敬畏神的國家。
一旦人們聽到福音的真理，
很少有東西會讓他們心軟，
因為他們知道
“12神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，
比一切兩刃的劍更快，
甚至魂與靈，骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，
連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。”
（來 4：12）。
RESPONDING TO THE MACEDONIAN CALL 回應馬其頓的呼聲
In Solwezi, Preacher TJ, Brother Dilema (a local church worker), and I
met a pastor from the New Life Church at the inn where we were staying.
He asked whether we belonged to the troupe of itinerant evangelists staying at the inn, and we nodded.
This pastor thought it would be a good idea to discuss our church doctrines with him
in efforts to merge our church with his.
在索盧韋齊 Solwezi，TJ 泰勳傳道，Dilema 迪勒瑪弟兄（當地教會工人），和我，
在我們下榻的旅館，遇到一位新生命教會的牧師。
他問我們，是不是住在旅舍的巡迴佈道團，我們點了點頭。
這位牧師認為，可以與他討論我們教會的教義很好，
可努力將我們的教會與他的教會合併。
Knowing that this would not be our intention,
we were not sure if it would be worth our time and effort to evangelize to him.
However, we agreed that
we would meet the pastor in our living quarters later that evening for further discussion.
Brother Dilema insisted that it could be a path,
which God was trying to open because the pastor was from Kabompo,
a region in Zambia that has no place of worship.
We then prayed together for one hour, asking God to guide us according to His will.
了解到這不是我們的想法，
我們不確定，是否值得自已花時間精力去向他傳福音。
然而，我們同意，
那日夜間晚些時候，我們會在自已的生活住處與牧師會面，以進一步討論。
Dilema 迪勒瑪弟兄堅持認為，這可能是一條道路，
神試圖打開它，因為這位牧師來自卡邦波 Kabompo，
卡邦波是尚比亞一個沒有禮拜所的地區。
然後我們一起禱告了一個小時，求神按照祂的旨意引導我們。
Shortly afterwards, the pastor met us in our room.
We began to recount our ten basic beliefs, one by one,
as we gazed at the pastor’s face, wondering if he was receptive to God’s word.
Surprisingly, he agreed to everything we said and showed a great deal of interest.
At the end, he was inspired to learn more about the word of God
and insisted that our preachers visit Kabompo.
He immediately got up in excitement and made a phone call to his clergymen,
inquiring of the idea to hold a spiritual seminar.
Preacher TJ, Brother Dilema, and I were deeply touched by God’s grace,
as we knew this could only be the start of something incredible.
不久之後，牧師過來到我們房間找我們。
我們開始一一講述我們的十大基本信條，
我們注視著牧師的臉，想知道他是否能接受了神的話語。
令人驚訝的是，他同意我們所說的一切，並表現出極大的興趣。
最後，他受到感動，想要要更多了解神的話語，
並堅持讓我們的傳道訪問卡邦波 Kabompo。
他立刻興奮地起身，打電話給他的神職人員，
詢問舉辦靈恩會的想法。
TJ 泰勳傳道、Dilema 迪萊瑪弟兄和我，被神的恩典深深感動，
正如我們所知，這只能是不可思議事件的開始。
A few days later, Preacher FF Chong arrived in Kabompo and,
with the help of Brother Chisala from Chimwemwe,
he delivered several days’ worth of basic belief classes.
The members of the New Life Church were fully moved by the word of God and came to accept the truth.
A couple of days later, a special baptism was held in Kabompo
and as a result, six leaders of the New Life Church were baptized.
幾天後，張福華傳道抵達卡邦波 Kabompo，
在 Chimwemwe 的 Chisala 弟兄的幫助下，
他上了大約幾天的基本信條課程。
新生命教會的教友，被神的話語大大感動，並直到接受了真理。
幾天之後，在卡邦波 Kabompo 舉行了一場特別的洗禮，
結果，新生命教會的六位領導者接受了洗禮。
When Preacher TJ and I had heard the good news,
we knelt down and praised God with pure joy and thanksgiving.
We were humbled by God’s amazing power and will.
Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit was working all along!
當 TJ 泰勳傳道和我聽到好消息的時候，
我們跪下來，以純粹的喜悅和感謝讚美神。
我們因為神奇妙的能力和旨意而感到謙卑。
毫無疑問，聖靈一直在作工！
This experience reminded me of Paul’s response to the divine call to preach in Macedonia.
這次經歷讓我想起了，保羅聽到異象呼求聲的回應，就到馬其頓傳道。
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night.
A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him,
saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’
Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia,
concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
(Acts 16:9–10)
9在夜間有異象現與保羅。
有一個馬其頓人站著求他說：
請你過到馬其頓來幫助我們。
10保羅既看見這異象，我們隨即想要往馬其頓去，
以為神召我們傳福音給那裡的人聽。
(徒 16：9-10)
I learned that it is the Spirit of God,
which enables the gospel to be preached to places and in ways man cannot fathom.
Through His design, wherever a seed is sown, a harvest will be gathered.
我知道就是神的聖靈，
聖靈使福音能夠傳播到各處，以人類無法理解的方式傳播。
通過神的設計規劃，只要在哪裡撒下種子，那裡就可以有收穫。
RELYING ON GOD 依靠神
During the trip, I also realized that most of my struggles in Zambia were mental and personal.
I felt like my own worst enemy.
I had always lived a life of comfort in America
and never had to worry about basic necessities.
Sometimes, I would even complain about the food I ate
or the things that I have or want.
But in Zambia, I was suddenly thrust into a world
of no electricity, no running water, no laundry machine, no toilets, and no favorite meals.
I felt as though I was living in a different world that I had to adapt to quickly.
在旅途中，我也意識到，我在尚比亞大部分的掙扎，都是偏向精神和個人方面。
我覺得自己就像是最大的敵人。
我在美國一直過著舒適的生活
並且從未擔心基本的必需品。
有時候，我什至會抱怨自已吃的食物，
或是我擁有或想要的事物。
但在尚比亞，我突然被推入了一個世界，
沒有電，沒有自來水，沒有洗衣機，沒有廁所，也沒有最愛吃的飯菜。
我覺得自已好像生活在一個不同的世界裡，必須要迅速適應。
Every day, we were constantly on the move, traveling between places of worship,
trekking for hours along starlit roads,
and walking briskly while members escorted us through the hustle and bustle of downtown.
During the first few days,
I was anxious about each day’s itinerary
and worried about my health and tolerance under these “austere” conditions.
All these thoughts developed into a mental struggle
that even caused me to lose sleep at night.
I knew I had to turn to God to deliver me from my inner enemy.
Our hour-long prayers in the mornings and afternoons
really helped me to calm my heart and rely fully on the Lord in all my cares.
Gradually everything became smoother, my fears diminished, and joy and peace filled my heart.
每天，我們都一直在遷移，四處在禮拜所之間來回穿梭，
沿著星光燦爛的道路跋涉數小時，
有幾個信徒護送我們穿過熱鬧喧囂的城市中心時，輕快地走著。
在最初的幾天裡，
我很擔心每天的行程，
並煩惱自已在這種“嚴峻”條件下的健康狀況和容忍度。
所有這些想法，都集合成一場精神上的掙紮，
這種情況甚至導致我夜晚失眠。
我知道，自已必須尋求神，才能救我脫離內心的敵人。
早上和下午，我們進行長達一小時的禱告，
真的幫助我平靜自己內心，將我所有的操心的事完全交託主。
漸漸地，一切都變得順暢了，我的恐懼減少了，喜悅與平安充滿了我的心。
FINAL THOUGHTS 最後的感想
Overall, the missionary trip was an eye-opening experience
and taught me a lot about God’s great commission to spread the gospel to the end of the earth.
Living in America has caused me to become complacent with the usual church rigmarole
and lose sight of what is really important
—the spirit of passing on His word
that can only be fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit and His abidance.
As I was relying on the Holy Spirit to preach in these foreign lands,
I really felt His power.
It gave me great encouragement to continue to preach back at home.
總而言之，這次宣道之旅真是一次大開眼界的經歷，
並教導我很多關於神的偉大使命，要將福音傳到地極。
生活在美國，已使我對平常教會無聊冗長的瑣事感到自滿
卻忽略了真正重要的東西，
—要傳遞神話語的精神，
這件事只能依靠聖靈，以及有神同在，才能使福音如火挑旺。
當時我依靠聖靈在這些異國宣道的時候，
我真的感受到神的力量。
這給了我很大的感動，可以繼續在家鄉傳道。
In addition, the members in Zambia reminded me how we are one big happy family in Christ.
I will always remember their generosity in preparing delicious and hearty meals for us,
their hospitality in hosting us in their humble abodes,
and their genuine love in praying for us as we pressed on to our next destination.
此外，尚比亞的信徒提醒我，我們是一個基督裡幸福的大家庭。
我會永遠記得他們的大方好客，為我們準備美味豐盛的飯菜，
他們盛情款待我們，同住他們簡陋的居所，
當我們繼續前往下一站目的地時，他們很真誠的為我們禱告。
Outwardly, I may look different from the Zambians,
but when we dig deeper, we see that the same blood flows in our veins
—the blood of Jesus Christ that has washed away our sins.
It is extremely humbling
to know that we are united through the blood and Spirit of Christ,
as we fight the spiritual battle.
If God meant for us to find a piece of heaven on earth,
then He must have placed it in the fellowship with our brothers and sisters around the world.
外表上看來，我可能看起來與尚比亞人外貌不同，
但是當我們深入挖掘的時候，就會看到相同的血液，流淌在我們的血管中，
—就是耶穌基督的寶血，並同時洗淨了我們的罪。
實人令人感到羞愧的是，
我們才知道，大家是藉著基督的寶血和聖靈，才合而為一，
由其是我們要進行屬靈爭戰的時候。
如果神想讓我們在世上找到一片天堂之地，
那麼，神一定是把這地，放在我們世界各地兄弟姐妹的團契中。
Praise God for His wondrous blessings.
May all the power, praise, and glory be unto His holy name.
Amen.
讚美神奇妙的祝福。
願一切權能、頌讚和榮耀歸於祂的聖名。
阿門。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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