無四肢鬥士 - 轉自香港明報

我剛在明報讀到這段新聞, 版權歸香港明報所有。

【明報專訊】「在艱辛的日子堅持面對是很困難的，但如果經常埋怨失去什麼，你便會忘記自己所擁有的。」生於澳洲的力克(Nick Vujicic)雖然先天殘障，沒有雙手，卻可擁抱數以萬計聽眾；沒有雙腳，行蹤卻遍佈24個國家。他昨日在本港出席兩場佈道會，向4萬名觀眾打氣及示範如何沒有手腳也能「跌得低、爬得起」，感動了無數觀眾的心靈。

當觀眾得悉這名25歲的殘障年輕人，原來不但擁有財務規劃及會計兩個大學學位，還懂騎馬、游泳、駕車時，不少人都流露出驚訝神情。在台上的他說話時雙眼充滿神采﹕「若神沒有賜你一個你想要的神蹟，其實是想你成為別人的神蹟。」

力克倒下後，一面用頭頂聖經，一面出盡腰間力氣「彎腰」，再利用僅有的兩隻腳趾，使自己「彈」起來重新站立，他以此向觀眾展示堅強意志是面對困難的最佳方法。
（尹錦恩攝）

同樣於金融海嘯損手

金融海嘯席捲全球，本港不斷有人投資失利、欠債尋死，擁有自己房地產投資業務的力克，平日也有股票投資，他說﹕「我來港參加佈道會，知道金融海嘯令許多人損失了三四成投資金額，其實我也是！但我不會跟你說『我明白你』一類安慰說話，我只想告訴大家，我怎樣面對難關。」

這場「Give Up Get Up佈道會」是由中國基督教播道會同福堂(教會)與樂苗基金舉辦，遇上困境，力克認為許多人都會想過放棄(Give Up) ，然而他選擇面對(Get Up)，背後的勇氣源自神。

「在8歲的時候，我以為自己不能結婚、不能工作，即使結婚了，甚至連妻子的手都牽不到！」穿上藍色衫、黑色西裝，力克用有限的腿部肌肉挺起身子，面向在場超過2萬名觀眾說，天生的缺陷令他思考很多問題﹕「我一直問神為何我會這樣，是否父母做錯了？還是醫生出錯了？每天也不知道明天會怎樣，原來，在生命裏，最大障礙是源自恐懼。」

學懂欣賞自己 可跑可游泳

他漸漸學懂了欣賞自己的身體，即使他人初次見他時感到恐懼，他仍學懂笑面對，更不時戲弄別人。他曾試過在沙灘玩，大腿肌肉陷在沙裏，小女孩誤以為他花了很多時間故意挖沙埋雙腿，表示羨慕，結果他趁小女孩離去時站直身子捉弄她﹕「她立即嚇得大叫！」現場笑聲頓時此起彼落。

他說罷露出左邊一小截大腿肌肉說﹕「看，平日靠這根『小雞槌』，我便可以走、可以跑，甚至可以游水。」雖然他平日以輪椅代步，但仍可靠僅餘的兩根腳趾運動。自出生已知道人生路途崎嶇的他，談及將來時，突然「跌倒」在桌子上，令觀眾嘩然。

俯臥的他，卻隨即抬頭笑說﹕「即使面對難關，信靠上帝，讓我學習笑面對！」然後，他把頭頂桌子上的聖經，許多觀眾都探頭看他，接，力克嘗試用腰力慢慢撐起身子，觀眾以掌聲激勵，數秒後，他在熱烈掌聲中再次站起來，超過2萬名觀眾深受感動，氣氛推至了高潮。

「雖然我未有對象，未有拍拖，但我相信神會為我預備，我雖然不能牽她的手，但要抓住她的心，沒有雙手也可以！祝福大家！」兩個半小時的佈道會臨近尾聲，熱愛擁抱的力克，吸引現場300名觀眾走近台前，向他以深深的擁抱作道別。

明報記者 彭碧珊

花了數秒力氣，天生沒手沒腳的力克終於靠自己重新站起來，感動了全場觀眾。 （尹錦恩攝）

Recollection

Recollection - Edward Chiu

It has been a while.

"All by myself" has become a rarity. I remember this as part of the
lyrics of a pop song. Sometimes when I am alone I am actually
surrounded by "stuff" - random thoughts, bizzaire flashes, noise. It
has become more and more difficult to find real seclusion.

The Prince of Peace Abbey is an interesting place. It is a Catholic
monastery meaning monks live here. It has been quite an experience to
spend time here as a retreatant. I expected that this place would be
complete solemn and quiet. Contrary to my thoughts it is not. Perhaps
it's proximity to a small airport there are times that noisy engines
would cause disruptions. Some retreatants would converse fairly loudly
- in Korean! I was a bit shocked to see a lot of Asian faces. "Welcome
to California!"

I was shown around by a lady after getting here at around 9:30am. She
was friendly and courteous. The monastery is located on a hundred plus
acre site! Later on I put stuff in my room. I was told that my room
and the adjacent ones are newly built. The room is clean.

I started my adventure shortly afterwards and I went to the library.
It does not have a huge collection.

I attended a Mass (Eucharist) at 11am. As I am not a Catholic I felt
a bit out of place. I did not follow all the standing and kneeling. Of
course I did not participate in the Holy Communion. In fact, after
attending the Mass in the morning I thought I would not be going to
more services because I did not feel the spirit and joy at all.

After the Mass I went to the cafeteria where the snacks, coffee, tea,
cereals, etc are served 24 hours. The meals however are served at
fixed hours - 7:30am, 12noon, and 6pm. Each meal starts with prayers.
At lunch they served green salads, lettuce, tomato, two flavors of
cheese, turkey, and bread. People are welcomed to have seconds.

After lunch I went for a walk. I strolled through the cemetery. The
lady who gave me a tour told me that the monks spend their entire life
here and when they die they are buried right here. It is a garden
setting. They do not have tombstones. Instead each buried has an
erected wooden cross with the name, year born, and year passed away -
and no more information. Nothing about their hometown or what they
did. I was a bit disappointed. But now I think it makes sense because
each of them followed the calling and disposed of their past long time
ago. So the hometown is a non-issue. As for what they did, they all
committed their lives to Christ. Writing them out would seem to be
redundant and a bit silly.

There is a "prayer walk" next to the cemetery. It is actually a huge
back country setting with unpaved walkway and trees. I tried to pray
to God while walking. I asked God for directions in my life. I then
started to confess my sins. I recollected the 37 years of my life and
how God guided me for each major milestone. I realized that I am not a
lovable person. As I recalled how God love me without reservations, I
broke down in tears. I could not stop crying. I am still not sure if
these are tears of joy or guilt. But I loved it. It was like a lovely
father embracing me. It was the Holy Spirit that woke up my soul. It
caused thunders within my mind and the tears were like heavy rain
drops. I was not fast enough to wipe them off. I prayed for
forgiveness. I prayed for His guidance so that I could be a better
person - one with God's image, shepard's heart, and full of love and
patience. I find myself too self-centered. I want to love God more. I
want to love my wife more. I want to love my kid more. I want to love
my parents and sisters more. I want to love my extended family members
more. I want to love my brothers and sisters more. I want to love my
friends more. I want to love people more! How can I serve the Lord if
I don't love? How can I serve if I don't have patience? How can I? I
suddenly found myself not worthy to serve. But I know He wants me to.

I wanted to look up to see my path ahead but could not. Perhaps due to
the tears or the bright sun, I had to put my head down. I saw
footprints on the trail. It seems that God wants me to follow Him step
by step. Though the path is unclear, I just need to follow his
footprints as the path would eventually lead me to His destination.

The walk was a powerful experience.

I went back to my room afterwards.

After dinner and a long walk, I decided to attend the Compline
(another Mass or service). I bowed my head down and tried to listen to
the organ music and chanting. I purposefully did not follow any
rituals. I sometimes even closed my eyes. That experience overall was
better. It was soothing and relaxing.

Today's experience was more than "all by myself". Indeed I had a walk
with God. I look forward to more walks like this.

For the pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46604&l=9dff9&id=725674997