牧者心聲
第一次踏足越南
莊明偉牧師
2025 年 1 月 18 日 / 19 日
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去年10月，有機會跟一群宣道會的同工到越南參加會議和訪宣，這是我首次踏足越南，基於越南的獨特歷史背景，我對當地的福音狀況特別感到興趣。
越南和北越於1976年統一，但這次探訪讓我體會到南北兩邊原來仍存在著不少差異。例如經濟方面，當地牧者提到南部所得收入的一半是要用來補貼北部的。福音的發展上也有很大的不同。我們首先探訪了在南部胡志明市的神學院，這神學院是宣道會背景的，整所校舍美輪美奐，寬敞的禮堂可容納3000人。我們也感到驚訝，南部竟然有那麼宏偉的神學院，不過這也是南部惟一的一間神學院。
我們聚會的時候，這神學院幾十名學生上台獻了兩首美妙的詩歌。主持人在他們上台的時候，逐一讀出越南54個民族的名字，象徵著越南每個民族的基督徒帶著召命進神學院讀書，他們唱出宣信博士所作的詩歌《我要去傳福音》，以歌聲表達他們的心聲，就是畢業後要到不同民族、不同地域當中傳揚天國福音。我聽他們以洪亮的聲音唱出詩歌的時候，心裡深受觸動。
在北邊的河內，我們也探訪了一間神學院，但這所神學院的規模細小得多，在此執教的一位華裔老師與我們分享了神學院的難處，包括未能成功搬遷校舍、校內宿位不足夠、設備陳舊和不足、學生沒錢交學費等。這位老師特別提到學院的飯堂近日關閉，不能營運，背後有著複雜的原因，學生們被迫出外用膳，但很多都因為沒有足夠金錢去應付餐費，以致他們不時無可奈何地不吃中午飯。聽到這神學院的情況，感到很心酸。其實，越南的北部確實有不少屬靈上的需要，弟兄姊妹可多留意和多為他們禱告。
這次探訪亦讓我親身體會到，福音之所以在越南傳開，有一部分是與香港關係密切的。在我們遇到的越南華人中，有不少都能講流利的廣東話，原來他們或他們的父母曾經於20世紀在香港的難民營生活過，當時有好些基督徒到難民營向他們傳揚福音，不少人就是這樣信主的，他們回國後就繼續傳福音和建立教會。神透過熱心的香港基督徒祝福了越南教會呢！
這次出外訪宣，令我對越南當地的民生和福音狀況有不少認識，這就是參與訪宣的寶貴之處。願我們都把握參與海外服事的機會，一同在各地方傳揚天國福音。
In October last year, I had the opportunity to join a group of co-workers from the Christian and Missionary Alliance in visiting Vietnam for a conference and a visit to the mission field. It was my first time setting foot in Vietnam. Due to its unique historical context, I was particularly interested in the state of the spread of the gospel there.
Vietnam and North Vietnam were unified in 1976. However, I came to realize through this visit that significant differences still exist between the north and the south. Economically, for instance, local pastors mentioned that half of the income from the south is used to subsidize the north. Similarly, there are notable differences in the spread of the gospel between the two regions. Our first stop was to visit a seminary in Ho Chi Minh City in the south affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The entire campus was beautiful, and its spacious hall could accommodate 3,000 people. We were surprised that there is such a magnificent seminary in the south, but it is also the only seminary in the south.
During our meeting, dozens of students from this seminary went on stage to sing two beautiful hymns. As they went up the stage, the host read out the names of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups one by one, symbolizing that Christians from every ethnic group attend the seminary with God's calling. They sang the hymn "The Regions Beyond" by Dr. A.B. Simpson, expressing their heartfelt desire to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of heaven in different ethnic groups and different regions after graduation. Listening to their resounding voices singing the hymn deeply moved my heart.
We also visited another seminary in Hanoi in the north, which was much smaller in scale. A Chinese teacher at this seminary shared with us the challenges it faces, including unsuccessful attempts to relocate the campus, insufficient dormitory space, outdated and insufficient facilities, students' inability to afford tuition fees, etc. The teacher mentioned that the seminary's canteen recently closed and could no longer operate due to complex reasons. Students had no choice but eat out. However, many lacked the funds for meals and had to skip lunch from time to time. Hearing about the situation of this seminary was truly heart-wrenching. Indeed, the spiritual needs in the northern part of Vietnam is immense. Brothers and sisters could pay more attention to them and lift them up in prayers.
This visit also gave me a personal understanding that the spread of the gospel in Vietnam is closely tied to Hong Kong in some ways. Among the Vietnamese-Chinese we met, many spoke fluent Cantonese. It is because they or their parents had once lived in the refugee camps in Hong Kong during the 20th century. At that time, many Christians visited the refugee camps to share the gospel with them, through which a significant number came to believe in Christ. Upon returning to Vietnam, they continued to share the gospel and build up the church. God has used the passionate witness of Hong Kong Christians to bless the church in Vietnam!
This visit to the mission field enriched my understanding of the livelihood and the state of the spread of the gospel in Vietnam. That is the precious part of participating in such visits. May we all seize the opportunities to serve overseas and together proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of heaven in every corner of the world.
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