Kenya Trip Safari Day 3 & 4

July 22 Monday we started the safari (journey of wild life experience), heading to Masai Mara National Park. Our tour guide cum driver Michael brought us to see various kinds of animals through game drive.

Before the journey, a friend from Africa called me and sent me greetings. Since he lived in Nairobi for several years, he was familiar with the places. He tried to make contact for me before the journey. I was glad to chat with him and shared with him my coming itinerary.

The most impressive moment on the first day of safari is a particular moment when watchig a lion. During the two-hour game drive, either sitting or standing in the car, we tried to take pictures whenever we saw animals, near or far. Until I found that the battery in the camera was almost used up, I stopped taking pictures and just look at the animals with my eyes. At that time, suddenly I discovered that looking at something with my eyes attentively was so different from looking through the camera. Through my own eyes, the lion look more clear, real, beautiful and attractive! From this, I think about our attitudes of seeing things. We often want to use the hi-tech equipments to catch the beautiful memories. However, using our eyes and heart to look at people and things so as to keep the image in our mind would keep the memory more real and better. Do I use my own eyes and heart to see things all the time? Do I use the vision of God to look at the reality? This awareness reminds me to open my eyes and heart to see and listen what I would experience in the rest of my journey, especially the many people we would meet in the exposure trip.

We continued the safari on the second day. We set off early in the morning, at 6:30am and saw many animals enjoying their breakfast-- eating grass. The more impressive scene for me is the beautiful golden ray shining on the grassland in the morning. Just one day before, we saw various kinds of animals on grassland throughout the journey. The grass look dull and nothing special. But just one day after, looking at the grassland at a different time gave me a total different impression. It looks so awesome and beautiful! From this, I reflect that looking at the same thing at different time with different perspective and attitudes may have different impression and brought out different meanings too. Both subjective factors (such as subjective )feelings, observation and insight) and objective factors (environmental factors) may affect one's judgement and perception.

In the evening during bible sharing time, we read the story of Jesus appeared before Mary Magdalene. This story has special meanings for me. I was deeply touched by this story in a retreat some years ago. Moreover, some years ago when I experienced the death of a schoolmate, another schoolmate used this story to encourage me, reminding me Jesus was besides me during the difficult time. Now when I read this story again, it reminds me again I have to be sensitive to the surrounding environment and people around us. Maybe God is sending us some messages through them. Our vision may be blurred by our confusion and saddness and cannot discern clearly.

Kenya Trip Day 2

Day 2 Sunday

Today we went to Our Lady of Guadalupe's Parish to attend our first mass in Africa. This parish located nearby Tumaini Centre. It's just a few minutes walk from our living place. It is a brand new experience for me. It's somewhat a mixture of African and Mexican culture with a choir leading the whole church community to sing and clap hands. The whole mass is so lively and the songs are beautiful.

I feel God has its special appearance in different places and culture, so as to bring out the message of love and salvation. With less rules and restrictions but more flexibility, I feel the liturgy in Nairobi is inculturated and easier for participants of the mass to commit and feel God's presence. The whole mass is so impressive for me...an unforgettable experience!

Before and after mass, I saw Stephanie so busy at saying hi to friends in church. It somewhat shows her active involvement in church. She introduced all these people to us and we shaked hands with them one by one. They were friendly and chat with us for a while, knowing we are from Hong Kong to visit Stephanie. I do not see loneliness but happiness on Stephanie.

After mass, we went to a shopping mall to exchange money. It is a big modern mall. Then we went to the market to have a walk and buy some souvenirs. It reminds me the African handicraft and art souvenirs from Mathieu and Kaf. They gave me an African woman picture and a mask sculpture and I still keep them with me. Though the handicrafts in this market is not as beautiful as those from Mathieu and Kaf, I still bought two hand-made pictures, so as to support the local economy.

Kenya Trip Day 1

chapel of the Tumaini Centre

Day 1

Today I set off to Kenya, the first time I travel to Africa. I felt so excited. My dream of going to Africa comes true! After a 12-hour flight, we arrived the Nairobi airport at around 6pm and was still bright. Gracie, Miu, Wawa and myself were so excited when we got off the plane. Everything was smooth and we met Stephanie, the lay missionary from Hong Kong in Tumaini Centre, the place where Stephanie lives and we will stay there in the coming two weeks.

When I read the daily readings today, a few lines comes to my eyes and catch my attention, saying: "Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will spread the truth to all nations." (Mt. 12:15-18) I think of Stephanie immediately. She was the beloved servant and was sent to Kenya to spread the good news. She does not cry out with loud voice but witness among the poor and needy in a slum through teaching in a secondary school with students whose parents being affected by Aids/HIV carrier. She leads a simple life and not much material rewards, but lives and teaches happily as an instrument of God's peace.

I look forward to the forthcoming exposure trip in the coming two weeks in Kenya. Stephanie will show us her school, introduce other missionaries to us, and accompany us to visit various church projects and parishes. May the Holy Spirit guide us throughout this journey.

作理性善意的判斷

「你們不要判斷人，免得你們受判斷，因為你們用什麼判斷來判斷，你們也要受什麼判斷；你們用什麼尺度量給人，也要用什麼尺度量給你們。」（瑪7:1-2）

同事剛從外地回來，說一些團友不理別人等候，只顧購物，經常遲到，又說一些年青團友不協助年長者搬移行李，投訴現時的年青人欠缺時間觀念及助人之心。另一位同事則投訴機構另一部門的同事工作態度欠佳，效率不高又諸多要求，阻礙行政效率。而我認識的朋友中，亦不時批評政府的資源運用和政策釐訂不顧及市民大眾及弱勢社群。凡此種種，每天都聽到不少判斷人的說話，有時候自己也會作出類似判斷。如果按以上經文「你們不要判斷人，免得你們受判斷」的字面解釋，則我們不可作出這樣的「判斷」。

其實，耶穌這教導是要提醒我們不要隨便作判斷，不要作冒失而冷酷的批評、輕率而武斷的判斷；而作出判斷時，自己要反省言行是否一致，我們為他人所定的標準自己是否能做到，不要做一個偽善者。因為不少人只看到他人的錯處，卻看不到自己的弱點。

例如上述的例子，若批評人遲到或工作態度欠佳的人自己也是這樣，則批評變得沒有說服力；若自己能做好本份，並本著善意為大局著想的態度指出問題，則是有理據的判斷。又或當我們批評政府不善待貧窮人和弱勢社群，但自己對身邊的外傭、新來港內地或外籍鄰舍卻不友善，則批評顯得偽善。因此，這段經文不是叫我們不可作出理性的判斷，而是要我們反省自己的言行和待人處事標準，正所謂「己所不欲，勿施於人」。但更積極的做法是，「凡你們願意人給你們做的，你們也要照樣給人做。（瑪7:12）」

是時候思考災後重建和監察

四川地震令無數人失去性命和家園，亦令無數中國人感到哀痛。不少香港人透過傳播媒介知悉災區情況，筆者數星期前在國內探望朋友期間，就每天看到詳盡的災區報導和感人故事。港人因著無辜稚子的犧牲、奮勇救人的事蹟、骨肉分離的哀傷等報導而深刻感動，差不多全民皆願意捐出金錢和物資賑災，更有些人遠赴災區希望參與救災和慰問的工作。這些捐助時間和金錢的行動都反映出，資訊自由能令人感同身受，觸動大眾憐憫之心，繼而引發支援行動。

其實，每逢國內發生大事，如水災、雪災，或「六四」，都能激發起港人的同情心，願意伸出援手或發出呼籲引發支持行動。但隨著激動的情緒過後，傳媒少了跟進報導，社會上發生其他事情，人們往往也把事件淡忘，失去關心的持久力。

地震已發生了一個多月，是時候在感性憐憫之外，以理性的態度追問：如何防備日後同類型的事件發生，或在發生時把傷亡減至最低？為何政府承建的學校損毀格外嚴重，希望工程捐助的學校就安然無恙？更重要的是，在收取了來自世界各地過億的捐款後，如何好好運用和監察這筆龐大款項？相信這些也是不少人心中的疑問，因為我們也希望捐款能被善用，亦希望受難家屬能瞭解當中實情，避免不幸事件重蹈覆徹。

在監察運用款項和重建方面，幾年前因南亞海嘯而導致印尼、斯里蘭卡、泰國等多國損毀嚴重後的重建經驗實可用作借鏡。當時突如其來的天災帶來廿多萬人遇難，無數房屋受破壞，數以萬計人士痛失家園。當時印尼等國家亦收到不少損款，亦有以百計的非政府慈善組織欲協助當地重建，問題是這些機構能否進入當地並加以協調重建的工作，而資源亦可以合適地被分配。

在經過一年多的重建工作後，有份參與的私人機構撰寫了《麥堅士報告：海嘯重建的教訓》，當中指出了成立一個「僕人領袖式」的專責小組的重要性。這專責組需明白當地的真正需求，然後好好分配資源，而它必須得到政府認可統籌整個重建計劃。重建計劃除了政府各部門參與外，更要讓私人公司或非政府組織參與，因為它們對達成某些目標和訂定工作標準更富經驗和有效率，但外來的組織　需明白不應長留當地，而應協助當地人培養能力持續重建的工作。此外，報告指出重建不是隨意興建一些臨時房屋或給予災民一些應急物品，而是令他們的生活過得比從前好。故此，有關專責小組必須定下策略方向、具體目標和完成項目日期、每個項目的費用、進度時間表等，並協調各方參與，不致令工作重複，浪費資源。此外，有專責人員核實完成的貨品或指標，監察各項目的進度，並在遇到難題時協助疏解亦十分重要。不可忽略的是，重建過程中必須在各階段各公眾交待重建進度，以及貫徹執行反貪污，不可讓參與人員從中取利或濫用權力。該報告甚值得參與策劃四川重建的政府人員和志願機構參考。

其實，大陸領導人對這次災害的迅速反應和處理救災的手法屢獲國外好評，亦普遍贏得民眾讚許。總理溫家寶第一時間趕抵地震現場視察和督導，繼而由國家主席胡錦濤接替其工作。在四川停留期間，他們並非只是在後方指點，而是走在災區前線，與救援人員和災民一樣面對着危險。在了解當地情況後，又親自與各地負責人開會共謀策略，他們的「僕人領導」作風為政府樹立了良好的典範。但願在漫長的重建過程中，大陸政府和各地官員，即使在胡溫不在現場督導的情況下，亦能貫徹這種以人為本的作風，並讓公眾和傳媒繼續監督其工作，令中國人民真正得以安居。

（可參閱McKinsey Report: Lessons from Tsunami Reconstruction）

又到六四

"務要宣講真道，不論順境逆境，總要堅持不變；以百般的忍耐和各樣的教訓去反駁，去斥責，去勸勉。"（弟後4:2）

轉眼間已過了十九年。十九年前的六月四日，在天安門廣場所發生的事，當時為無數香港人帶來極大的震撼。但時移勢易，不少人已把事件淡忘，或不想回憶這段沉重傷痛的歷史，或認為中國已進步了不少，不應停留在昔日的歷史中，而要往前看。然而，一群失去摯愛子女的母親，十九年來不斷尋求真相，為失去性命的子女討回公義，要求政府為所做的一切負責，以及爭取死難者家屬公開悼念「六四」中死亡的親人。她們稱自己為「天安門母親運動」，因選擇尋求真相、說出真話，而經常被騷擾、軟禁、恐嚇。但不論環境如何困難，她們總是堅定不移，向其他人宣講她們的親身經驗，讓更人明白她們的訴求，尋求正義！

天安門母親的堅毅精神實在令人敬佩，她們不是要討債，只是要政府查明交待；她們也不是要報復，而是求公道。她們能夠這樣堅持，當然是基於對子女的疼愛，同時，她們相信世上仍有真理，仍有公義，而且相信不少人仍有憐憫之心。　　　

在這時候看聖保祿宗徒寫給第茂德的這封書信，令人特別有共鳴。保祿本人因堅守信仰、持守真理而受了不少苦楚，但無論環境如何惡劣，他也敢於為真理作證，直到生命的最後一刻。他以自己的經驗為榜樣勸勉愛徒第茂德，鼓勵他亦要堅持忍耐。這正好提醒我們，當受到災難、痛苦或迫害時，要鼓起勇氣為基督忍受一切，即使遇上任何逆境也不要放棄，對信仰持守不變。而當看到別人因堅持信念而不輕言放棄時，或因種種因素而遭受苦難時，我們亦有責任給予他們精神慰藉和物質支援。

今年，在維園和聖堂點起燭光，為六四死難者和四川遇難者默哀和禱告時，令人感到有空間說出真相、以不同方式宣講自己相信的真理倍感可貴。昔日在天安門，政府若有胸襟讓學生表達意見，虛懷若谷地聆聽人民改善社會的建議，就不會令民主運動以血腥鎮壓告終。今次四川地震，若欠缺新聞言論自由，就不會在短時間內有那麼多人知道，亦不可在民間動員到那麼多人救災。

少年梵高的煩惱 Vincent in Brixton

「在這屋內所看到的並不是如你表面看到的那樣。」這是舞台劇「少年梵高的煩惱」 女主角尤珍妮曾說的話。

的確，很多時我們只看到表面的現象就以為自己看到事實的全部，以為自己知得很多。其實，要瞭解一個人或一件事，是需要深入仔細地去認識，否則，很容易導致罔下判斷。

盡管劇中的梵高可能不全是事實，但這段流傳的故事卻能更立體地呈現梵高對繪畫熱情之背後原因，以及他對愛的追求如何呈現在畫作中。劇中多次出現的一句詩「只要她去愛和接受愛，她便永不會老」，反映梵高的獨特體會，他勇於打破俗世對愛情的既定看法而敢於面對自己的真感情。而這種感情最終流露在他的作品中，令我們再看他的畫時更體會到作者背後的感情世界。

劇中好些場景和對話令人想起梵高的畫作，從文字和戲劇動作化為形象化的舞台佈景，彷彿眼前浮現出一幅幅梵高美麗的油畫，令人想像無限。這都是導演余振球的功力，與他善於舞台設計和對畫的鍾愛不無關係。兩位主角盧智燊（飾少年梵高）和布韻婷（飾梵高的情人烏蘇拉）的出色演繹更令人感動不已。

梵高對愛情的執著和無視世俗眼光追求真愛就如他對畫畫的追求一樣──超越當時的主流表現手法，敢於建立自己的風格追求理想。而他對畫畫的追求熱誠可說比追求愛情更甚，甚至可以連生命都豁出去。可見他創作背後所需要的能量和熱情，只有這股熱情才併發出這種色彩斑斕的強烈風格。這種對理想的追求對我們每一個人都有一定的啟發。

（於沙田大會堂觀看2008年5月22日夜場）