∼澳洲／楊美莉校友／2008年四月代禱信
中文 英文
親愛的弟兄姐妹們, 新年平安!
雖然最近我們被車子頻頻出的狀況所困擾, 但一點也沒能阻擋保羅往西邊的Kintore和Kiwirrkura去接那裡的牧者和傳道人到東邊的Haart’s Range參加明天(4/21)開始的野外牧者訓練課程, 因為等待此刻已等了一年了!
不知大家是否還記得我們在二OO五年底和二OO六年初的代禱信中提到, Kintore教會因現任牧師出了問題, 禮拜天不主持崇拜, 信徒抱怨連連, 保羅原本想和這牧師先好好談一談, 然而可能因為心虛, 那時他對保羅不是擺臉色, 就是故意躲避, 於是保羅在寫給差委會的報告上, 請求信義會的”權威”給予處理意見, 可惜沒有人回應, 一位原住民傳道人說: 「這事若發生在白人的教會裡, 那人豈不早就要接受懲罰了, 而為什麼這人卻不用? 難道因為他是原住民嗎?」然而不管保羅如何的對差委會反應工場的情況, 就是沒有反應.
當時保羅想, 為了Kintore教會能繼續運作, 也許可以和曾經有意成為牧師的Joe Young和Lindsay Corby兩位弟兄談談, 只是當時他們工作忙碌, 我們總是無法見到他們, 然而不巧的是, 不久這兩位弟兄的兄弟相繼去世, 帶給他們很大的衝擊, 於是主動要求保羅給予神學教導, 特別是Joe表現出堅定的決心, 終於, 去年的這個時候, Joe在牧者訓練課程中通過了信義會神學院老師的按牧資格口試, 大家為此高興不已, 就等著信義會通知何時按牧了!
差委會並不是不知道這事的急迫性, 然而一個月等過一個月, 沒有任何音訊, 我們不斷地接到原住民弟兄姐妹的關心詢問, 保羅無論是經電話, email或見面交談, 與差會負責人, 差委會負責人, 神學院老師, 信義會領導人問了又問, 講了又講, 得到的就是說會在下一個會議中幫忙提出, 只是那一個才是下一個呢? 各位可能以為原住民做事慢, 是可以等候的, 如果這樣想就錯了, 當他們覺得該有的事情沒發生時, 那種集體施壓的力量是很可怕的, 保羅就夾在他們與信義會權威中, 實在不好受.
然而, 想想Joe豈不更糟, 這種拖延讓社區的親友、教會的弟兄姐妹對他是否真有資格成為牧者感到懷疑, 但等越久就越讓人肯定那樣的想法, 也許Joe的壓力是太大了, 漸漸避不和我們見面, 也聽說主日崇拜開始斷斷續續, 教會領導人間起了衝突, 後來, 講Pintupi語(Kintore, Kiwirrkura)的教會領袖們和講Luritja語(Mt Liebig, Papunya, Haast’s Bluff)的也開始爭執, 原因都是Kintore教會還沒有牧師, 造成兩邊在溝通和服事上失去平衡, 這使得早已以各種的理由推託, 不參加各樣聯合福音活動(更別說差會舉辦的牧者訓練課程)的Pintupi人, 更不願合作.?
這嚴重的意外衝突, 保羅放在他二月的英文代禱信中, 沒想到突然間差會領導人有了反應, 通知我們六月二十二日按立Joe為牧師, 並且如果Lindsay在這次的牧者訓練課程中再次通過口試, 也可和Joe一起被按牧. (Lindsay其實在2001年就通過按牧口試, 但因後來發生了一些事而取消.) 這是一個怎樣的轉變!
我們的心向來等候耶和華; 他是我們的幫助, 我們的盾牌.
我們的心必靠他歡喜, 因為我們向來倚靠他的聖名.
耶和華啊, 求你照著我們所仰望你的, 向我們施行慈愛!
詩三十三: 20-22
我們還要大大的感謝 神, 還好只等了一年, 要不然不知還會有什麼衝突要發生?!
最後 頌
以馬內利
美莉&保羅敬上
2008/4/20
感恩與代禱事項:
- 感謝讚美 神, Joe Young的按牧時間(6/22)確定了!
- 請為4/21(一)-4/25(五)在Haart’s Range的野外牧者訓練課程代禱, 使講的、聽的、翻譯的同蒙造就, 特別求 神祝福禮拜三(4/23)的會議, 沒有個人的私念, 而是 神的意念主導.
- 請為Lindsay Corby弟兄的按牧資格口試順利代禱, 求 神加添他對傳福音的使命感和對教會的牧者心. 也請為Kintore教會的現任牧師代禱, 雖然他決定在這次的訓練課程中宣佈退休, 求 神光照他, 使他願意認錯悔改, 仍可成為教會的幫助.
- 請為保羅東奔西跑3000公里的行車平安與體力代禱, 除了Pintupi/Luritja語外, 他可能還要幫忙翻譯Pitjantjatjara語, 求 神增添他智慧與口才.
- 請為美莉這十天一人在Papunya家的平安, 工作能順利完成, 還有能好好休息代禱, 過去這一個月她又忙又生病, 希望最近做的身體檢查結果能平安.
- 也請各位在禱告中記念美莉的母會-天母感恩堂, 願 神照著教會所仰望 祂的, 施行慈愛!
P.S. 若要更詳細為這裡的事工禱告, 請看英文代禱信, thanks!
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Paul and Mei-Li’s Prayer Letter for March/April 2008
Sunday Kintore Joe Young’s ordination has at last been OKed by the church authorities! Hallelujah! Pray that he would not be discouraged by the delay in this decision, and accept it nonetheless as God’s call upon his life. The ordination has been set for June. Pray that all the arrangements for this great day would come together. And pray that Joe would readily understand, and happily accept, the eighteen month probationary period following his ordination.
Also, Lindsay Corby has been provisionally approved for ordination! It all depends on how he goes at an interview set for the end of April. Pray that he would be well-prepared for the questions asked of him (so that he and Joe can be ordained together).
Give thanks that the news of these pending ordinations has helped soften the tension between Kintore and the three eastern settlements. Pray that Lindsay and Joe might co-operate well with Pastor Reggie Baldock and evangelist Lance Abbott, especially in the next few months.
Finally, and most importantly; pray that a former Kintore church member who is being unfaithful to his wife, would experience the godly sorrow that leads to repentance.
Monday Staff ?The next staff meeting will be held on 27/3, at which aboriginal Pastor Simon Dixon is expected to attend for the first time. Pray that he would feel welcome, and fully understand the proceedings. Pray and give thanks for new FRM workers, Pastors Peter Pfitzner and Robert Borgas, as they minister in their respective fields, i.e. Arrernte and Pitjantjatjara. Pray that any opportunities for combined Pitjantjatjara and Pintupi-Luritja ministry would become clear. (The two languages are mutually intelligible.) And pray for Pastors David Kuss and Basil Schild as they work out how best to minister to the large numbers of aboriginal people at the Alice Springs church each Sunday. Pray for Dr Jeff Silcock (from Australian Lutheran College), as he prepares to lead some studies on the gospel for FRM staff during the first few days of April. Lastly, please pray that Pastor Ron Buchold would return to us refreshed after several weeks’ annual leave.
Us Pray for Mei-Li’s work with the women; especially for clear gospel communication and good relationships. Also, please pray for Paul’s language learning and revision.
Tuesday Haast’s Bluff ?Haast’s Bluff is such a pleasant community that people here (including churchgoers) could easily substitute civic or social righteousness for Christ’s imputed righteousness. Pray that this might not happen; rather that on Good Friday Jesus Christ might be “clearly portrayed as crucified”. Also, a mass baptism is planned for this Easter. Pray that no parent or grandparent would regard the occasion as just a civic or social duty. And pray for all who attend the Easter weekend’s worship at the missionary memorial east of here. Pray that all would go away knowing that God himself has been present among them.? Pray and give thanks for Pam Moll, the long-serving whitefella nurse, who works with Pastor Trevor at the local clinic. Pray for Trevor’s devotions at the school on Wednesday mornings. Pray that these devotions might be well-prepared, yet still possessing all of Trevor’s characteristic pastoral warmth. Pray for the young men who have been coming to church recently, as well as for the Larry and Dixon families.
Wednesday Papunya Pray for Morris Major and his family. Pray that Stanley Roberts might not place overly-much store in the wisdom of traditional healers. Pray for us as we work out how to proceed with the training of Morris and/or Stanley or both. Pray too for evangelist Justin Allen and the people of Five Mile Outstation. Give thanks that Graham is preaching quite well; pray that he would continue to be strong in church leadership. Pray that church offerings would continue to be given out of overflowing thankfulness – despite the recently-introduced Federal Government’s income management measures. Pray that the impact of one or two “super-apostles” (see 2 Corinthians? 12?), who have visited this area recently, would be minimal. Pray that aboriginals and whitefellas would communicate well at the school. Above all, pray for harmony among all the residents of this disparate community, particularly among those who confess Christ.
Finally, retired Pastor Murphy Roberts is having difficulties in caring for his slowly-dying wife. Pray that he would understand his role of being beside Kutungka (and of cleaning the house etc.) to be holy, God-appointed and masculine.
Thursday Mt Liebig On 16/3 old Ginger Tjakamarra passed away. He had worked alongside Ken Hansen in Bible translation quite some years ago. Please pray for the members of his extended family as they mourn for him.
At this time of year the nights can become suddenly, surprisingly chilly. Please pray that all the old people here would be properly supplied with blankets. Pray especially for Roderick’s grandmother, as well as for David Mata and all those who work in the art gallery. Please keep praying too for Jerry Bennett, Tony Eggley, Luke Reid and their families. Continue to uphold marriages in this community. And pray for Frank Eggley as he is considered for training as a possible eventual second pastor for Mount Liebig.
Several Mt Liebigites exhibit unusual confidence and skill in interacting with white society. Pray that none of these would succumb to whitefella utilitarianism or convenience-worship. ?Pray that those employed by whitefellas would understand the discipline of clocking on and off at the right time. And pray that the church’s ageing band equipment would soon be able to be replaced.
The teenager whose funeral was held last month was an identical twin. Traditional aboriginal culture forbids relatives’ viewing images of people who have died. Please pray for the grieving parents, who are compelled to look at the image of their dead son every time they see the face of his brother.
Friday Kintore Pray for gospel stability in the midst of all the staff changes around here. Give thanks for the work of departing CEO, Neil Ewart, who encouraged the church in many ways. Pray that the new CEO would be equally positive about the church’s role in the community. Andrew Spencer, the aboriginal community policeman, is retiring soon. Pray that his replacement might also be a believer. And pray for the newly-appointed contact person for the Federal Government Intervention here in Kintore. Pray that he would clearly communicate to Canberra the day-to-day concerns of Kintoreites.? Lastly, pray and give thanks for the contribution of Geoff Holcombe, as he prepares to leave his job as clinic administrator.
Pray for Nyilari, who is very sick. Pray for Raymond Maxwell, who at last report was still having problems in Alice Springs. Pray for visiting Pastor Jim Brown’s leading of the service with Holy Communion on Good Friday. Pray for Adam Gibbs, as David Cann teaches him to read. Pray for Carolyn Cann, as she helps Ampi with Sunday School. Pray for Preston Nolan and the other young men in the community. Pray that our plans for teaching them after church would come together. Give thanks that the new swimming pool has been such a great benefit to so many otherwise bored children and young people.
Saturday Kiwirrkura Pastor Jim Brown was stuck in Balgo (near Hall’s Creek) for most of February due to rain up north. Give thanks for his safe return and pray for the Father’s continued protection for him on his travels. Pray that he would be both strong and gracious in his dealings with the people here. Pray that he would be able to keep the communion wine safely under lock and key inside his house. Pray for his relationship with Bobby West, the other traditional owner here. Pray for his family, especially his grandchildren. And pray for a strengthening of faith among all the children and young people here.
Pray for JohnVassiliou, the new Kiwirrkura policeman. Pray and give thanks for the new storekeepers, who are positive about the church and committed for the long term. At Jim’s behest they have set up a tin next to the cash register, where anybody who wishes can give money to help poverty-stricken Africans (via Australian Lutheran World Service). Thankfully, many people have already made donations, some of them substantial.
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