Working Hard to Rebuild the Future|努力建立未來|努力建立未来

I wind down the window and looked around at the uniquely special countryside scenery on the outskirts of Sichuan. Although the weather was a little overcast, after an evening of rain that washed the grassy lands, I took a deep breath and could smell a very distinctive freshness in the air. All the fields in front of my eyes were filled with flowering yellow vegetables. At that particular moment in time, I could honestly sense the beauty of nature! I looked into the distance and not too far away, I saw a string of fine smoke coming from the rooftop of a small wooden house. We followed the trail of smoke and drove towards it. And then our car stopped outside the wooden house. I got out of the car and went inside, and the first thing I saw was the back of an old man. He was very neatly dressed, wearing a blue jacket and he wore a woolen hat, squatting on the ground burning twigs and wood. As soon as he saw me, he acknowledged me with a quick smile and then casually continued burning the wood in front of the stove, keeping the fire going. Co-workers from the Habitat for Humanity group told me that he was Uncle Lui, the head of the family that we’d especially come to visit.

So then I immediately went next to Uncle Lui, squatted by his side, said hello and asked how he was and it was then when I heard his clear sweet sounding voice. Then Aunty Lui came out from inside the house. She was very warmhearted greeted me with a face full of smiles. The lovely elderly couple is already past their 70’s this year and their health is still very good condition. Even though the ages of time have left quite a few wrinkles on their faces and their skin is evidently dry from the long exposures to the sun while constantly working in the field, in my eyes I see a loving couple who has been through everything in life together for many decades. On top of that, they went through the devastating 512 earthquake together last year and they lost their home and farmland that they owned in Taizi village. Now they’re only living in a temporary home made of board and each day they come to this little wooden house to cook their meals. I looked around the room and I discovered that Uncle Lui was actually doing his best to keep the fire going while a “big chef” was inside busy cooking the vegetables. The person cooking was their daughter-in-law. Before I even saw what she was cooking, I could smell the yummy dish. And I saw Mr. Lui, the elderly couple’s son, busy washing the wild vegetables that he just freshly picked from the mountain. I watched as everybody was busy doing their own things and I realized that they were doing this to prepare lunch for us. Aunty Lui smiled and explained that she felt very bad because we travelled such a long way just to visit them so it didn’t matter how busy they were, to them it was worth it! As for me, I couldn’t just sit around and wait to eat so I went to help the daughter-in-law who was cooking the vegetables. After we’d finished cooking, everyone gathered in their home and ate lunch. Even though the weather outside was very extremely cold, eating together with their family was heartwarming and it gave me a feeling of incomparable warmth.

I am deeply grateful to Uncle Lui and his family for their wonderful hospitality. They allowed me to experience the amazing power and strength of a unified family. Even though their houses have been destroyed, if they have to face even greater challenges in life, the whole family will support each other and help each other tackle the obstacles because they know that with the support from family, they will have the strength to carry on! Afterwards, Aunty Lui noticed that I loved eating the cured meat that she made and said that next time I go to visit her, I should tell her beforehand so she can make me some cured me to take back to Hong Kong! Of course I will definitely go visit them again. I truly believe that the next time I visit them, they will be living in a strong and stable house, living a happy and safe life!

We then drove off to another village. The wooden houses here are even more simplistic. Ms. Chan’s house is near the entrance of the village. When we went into her house, she was the only one inside by herself. After I sat down with her, said hello and asked how she was, I listened to her account of what happened over the past year; the memories, the damage and pain that the earthquake has caused to her family. When the earthquake struck, she was working in the fields by herself. When she realized that it was an earthquake, the first thing that went through her mind was her family; she wanted to look for her family. Luckily her two daughters were safe and sound but unfortunately, her aunty lost her life in the tragedy. After the incident, everyone in the village united together and helped with rescue relief efforts. Of course, her husband helped with the efforts but the aftershocks kept coming without end and unfortunately, her husband lost his life while trying to save other people and was crushed by a falling tree. He left behind his wife and two daughters who are now dependant on each other, and she has also taken up the heavy burden of looking after the family. While Ms. Chan was telling me her stories, I could see that she was fighting to hold back her tears at the same time. I tightly held her hand the whole time. The weather was very cold but I think that the slight warmth from my hands still gave her a little bit of warmth to her heart. I quietly sat by her side and listened. I hoped that she could release all the stress and unhappiness that she has stored up inside her heart for a very long time. After all, the terrible experience that she had to go through is not something that any ordinary person can understand and the burden that she has to carry now is also not something that any ordinary person can handle yet she still had the strength and courage get through those tough times. I said to Ms. Chan that she has to be strong and continue to carry on; she is not alone; apart from her two daughters, she still has us! We don’t want to give her sympathy or pity; we want to give her moral encouragement and practical support. I believe that with her firm and enduring faith will definitely bring her a better future!

The earthquake destroyed nature. It destroyed buildings, houses, and it destroyed people’s homes but it will never destroy people’s will power! They depend on their faith and unyielding spirit to carry on living and they also need us supporting them from behind, giving them the strength to move forward! The spirit of Habitat for Humanity is to help rebuild their future with our hands, re-establish their hopes and make their dreams come true. Seeing how every single person is working hard to rebuild their own homes, working relentlessly every day, the kind of willpower they have when facing adverse circumstances, that strength and power is extremely big! The idea of “Building hope with every brick and slate” is actually not just helping them build a house to live in, but it’s also to give them a future, give them hope! There will always be a find day after wind and rain. Even if there were even bigger obstacles, we can overcome them together. We should reach out our hand and help them rebuild their lives!  

Starting the fire with Uncle Lui was very special because I’ve never tried it before!

Honestly, I usually don't do much cooking but luckily everyone said that the food I cooked that day was nice~

This is the wild vegetables that Mr. Lui picked from the mountains. It tasted very fresh.

The dishes really had that special local homegrown flavor. The cured meat, sausages, stir fried sweet potatoes, and stir fried vegetables was very yummy!

A group photo with Uncle Lui and his family. Seeing them all smiling honestly made me realize the importance of a family supporting each other.

Ms. Chan, I hope that you continue to have the strength to carry on. All of us at Habitat for Humanity will always support you!

  | 搖下車窗，看到四川郊外的鄉村景色格外特別，天色雖然還是有一點灰濛濛，經過一夜雨水洗滌過草地，深呼吸一下這獨特的青澀氣味，滿眼都是黃色的油菜花田，那一刻真的讓我深刻感受到大自然的美好！遙望不遠處的小木屋冒起炊煙，我們的車就跟著這抹炊煙一直走，最後我們的車輛停在這一間木屋外，下車走進去第一眼就看到一位老伯伯的身影，他穿著整齊的藍色外套，頭上戴著絨毛帽子蹲在地上燒柴和樹枝，他看到我立刻跟我報以一個微笑，然後繼續不慌不忙地在火爐前燒柴生火，「仁人家園」的同事們告訴我，原來他就是我們今天來探訪的一家之主，呂伯伯。

prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" / 

這時我立刻蹲下去呂伯伯的身旁，跟他問好後就聽到一把清脆響亮的嗓音，呂婆婆從家裡走出來，笑容滿面且非常熱情地跟我打個招呼，他們倆老今年已經七十多歲，身體非常壯健，雖然歲月在他們臉上留下不少痕跡，皮膚也因為常常在田裡工作長期曝曬而變得乾燥，不過在我眼前是一對一起共同生活幾十年的恩愛夫妻，更在上一年經歷過 512大地震，事發後他們失去了在太子村的住所及田地，現在只是居住在臨時的板房屋內，每一天就來在這小木屋煮飯。我看進屋內，原來呂伯伯一直在努力生火，裡面原來有一位忙著燒菜的“大廚師”，就是他們的媳婦，她煮的菜我還沒看到就已經聞到香味了，而兒子呂先生也在忙著為剛剛從山上摘下的野菜洗乾淨，大家一直在忙得鬧哄哄原來是為著要招待我們吃午飯，呂婆婆笑稱我們千里迢迢跑來看他們一家人，覺得很窩心，所以多忙也是值得的！而我也不能坐著等吃，看到他們的媳婦在炒菜我也過去幫忙，大家忙完了也圍在家裡一起吃飯了，雖然外面的天氣真的蠻冷，不過跟他們一家人一起吃飯讓我感到無比的溫暖。

我非常欣慰呂伯伯一家人悉心招待我們，讓我深心感受到家人團結的力量有多大，即使連住所都被毀掉，但面對再大的困難，全家人也互相扶持一起欣然面對，因為他們都知道彼此有家人來支持走下去！最後婆婆還知道我愛吃她弄的臘肉，說下一次我再來探望她時早一點告訴她，她要弄一些給我帶回來香港！當然，我是一定會再來探望他們的，我堅信下一次來看到他們都已經有堅固的居所，幸福安穩地過生活！

我們開車到了另一條村落，那裡的木屋更為簡陋，陳女士的家就在村口；我們進去她家時只有她自己一個人，我跟她坐下來跟她問好之後，就聽著她回想起上一年地震帶給她家裡的傷害；地震發生的時候，她自己一個人在田裡工作，當她意識到地震發生第一時間就想要找回自己的家人，還好兩個女兒都安然無恙，可是她的家姑卻意外地不幸喪生了。事發後所有村民都同心協力幫忙救災，他的丈夫當然也出力幫忙，但是餘震卻一直不停，他的丈夫就在救別人的同時被塌下來的大樹壓著而意外喪失了自己的生命，留下她跟兩個女兒一起相依為命，她更要從此揹起厚重的家庭責任。陳女士邊說邊忍不住淚水，我一直握緊她的手，天氣雖冷，不過我想透過雙手發出的微溫仍然可以帶給她絲絲溫暖。我默默坐在她身旁，做一個聆聽者，在她心中壓抑很久的情緒就讓她好好地抒發出來吧，畢竟她的遭遇不是我們一般人能理解的，而她現在所背負的壓力也不是一般人可以承受的，可是她還是堅強地走過了；我跟陳女士說一定要堅強地撐下去，她不是孤獨一個人的，除了有兩個女兒跟她一起之外，還有我們！我們不是要同情或可憐她們，是要精神上的鼓勵及實際的支持！我相信她憑著堅忍的信念，一定可以有更好的未來的！

地震破壞了大自然，破壞了樓房，也破壞了家庭，不過它破壞不到人的意志！他們憑著堅毅不屈的精神生活下去，其實是要我們在背後給他們推動的！「仁人家園」的精神，就是透過用我們的雙手為他們重建他們的未來，建立他們的希望，達成他們的夢想。看到每一個人都積極為自己的房子努力重建，每一天都很拼命在幹活，那種面對逆境的毅力，力量是非常大的！「一磚一瓦、共建希望」的理念其實是除了為他們共建一棟居住的房子之後，他們才可以有未來、有希望！風雨過後總會有晴天，再大的困難也可以克服，我們應伸出雙手，幫他們重建新的生活！

跟呂伯伯一起生火感覺很特別，因為我之前都沒有試過呢！

我平常真的很少做菜，不過還好當天我炒的菜大家都說好吃 ~

這些就是呂先生從山上摘下來的野菜，味道很清新。

菜色真的很有道地的田園風味，臘肉、香腸、炒地瓜和炒青菜都很美味！

跟呂伯伯一家的合照看到他們笑臉，真讓我覺得家人互相扶持的重要。

陳女士，希望你可以堅強地生活，我們跟“仁人家園”一定會支持你的！ 

 | 摇下车窗，看到四川郊外的乡村景色格外特别，天色虽然还是有一点灰濛濛，经过一夜雨水洗涤过草地，深呼吸一下这独特的青涩气味，满眼都是黄色的油菜花田，那一刻真的让我深刻感受到大自然的美好！遥望不远处的小木屋冒起炊烟，我们的车就跟着这抹炊烟一直走，最后我们的车辆停在这一间木屋外，下车走进去第一眼就看到一位老伯伯的身影，他穿着整齐的蓝色外套，头上戴着绒毛帽子蹲在地上烧柴和树枝，他看到我立刻跟我报以一个微笑，然后继续不慌不忙地在火炉前烧柴生火，「仁人家园」的同事们告诉我，原来他就是我们今天来探访的一家之主，吕伯伯。   这时我立刻蹲下去吕伯伯的身旁，跟他问好后就听到一把清脆响亮的嗓音，吕婆婆从家裡走出来，笑容满面且非常热情地跟我打个招呼，他们俩老今年已经七十多岁，身体非常壮健，虽然岁月在他们脸上留下不少痕迹，皮肤也因为常常在田裡工作长期曝晒而变得乾燥，不过在我眼前是一对一起共同生活几十年的恩爱夫妻，更在上一年经历过 512大地震，事发后他们失去了在太子村的住所及田地，现在只是居住在临时的板房屋内，每一天就来在这小木屋煮饭。我看进屋内，原来吕伯伯一直在努力生火，裡面原来有一位忙着烧菜的“大厨师”，就是他们的媳妇，她煮的菜我还没看到就已经闻到香味了，而儿子吕先生也在忙着为刚刚从山上摘下的野菜洗乾淨，大家一直在忙得闹哄哄原来是为着要招待我们吃午饭，吕婆婆笑称我们千里迢迢跑来看他们一家人，觉得很窝心，所以多忙也是值得的！而我也不能坐着等吃，看到他们的媳妇在炒菜我也过去帮忙，大家忙完了也围在家裡一起吃饭了，虽然外面的天气真的蛮冷，不过跟他们一家人一起吃饭让我感到无比的温暖。   我非常欣慰吕伯伯一家人悉心招待我们，让我深心感受到家人团结的力量有多大，即使连住所都被毁掉，但面对再大的困难，全家人也互相扶持一起欣然面对，因为他们都知道彼此有家人来支持走下去！最后婆婆还知道我爱吃她弄的腊肉，说下一次我再来探望她时早一点告诉她，她要弄一些给我带回来香港！当然，我是一定会再来探望他们的，我坚信下一次来看到他们都已经有坚固的居所，幸福安稳地过生活！   我们开车到了另一条村落，那裡的木屋更为简陋，陈女士的家就在村口；我们进去她家时只有她自己一个人，我跟她坐下来跟她问好之后，就听着她回想起上一年地震带给她家裡的伤害；地震发生的时候，她自己一个人在田裡工作，当她意识到地震发生第一时间就想要找回自己的家人，还好两个女儿都安然无恙，可是她的家姑却意外地不幸丧生了。事发后所有村民都同心协力帮忙救灾，他的丈夫当然也出力帮忙，但是馀震却一直不停，他的丈夫就在救别人的同时被塌下来的大树压着而意外丧失了自己的生命，留下她跟两个女儿一起相依为命，她更要从此揹起厚重的家庭责任。陈女士边说边忍不住泪水，我一直握紧她的手，天气虽冷，不过我想透过双手发出的微温仍然可以带给她丝丝温暖。我默默坐在她身旁，做一个聆听者，在她心中压抑很久的情绪就让她好好地抒发出来吧，毕竟她的遭遇不是我们一般人能理解的，而她现在所背负的压力也不是一般人可以承受的，可是她还是坚强地走过了；我跟陈女士说一定要坚强地撑下去，她不是孤独一个人的，除了有两个女儿跟她一起之外，还有我们！我们不是要同情或可怜她们，是要精神上的鼓励及实际的支持！我相信她凭着坚忍的信念，一定可以有更好的未来的！   地震破坏了大自然，破坏了楼房，也破坏了家庭，不过它破坏不到人的意志！他们凭着坚毅不屈的精神生活下去，其实是要我们在背后给他们推动的！「仁人家园」的精神，就是透过用我们的双手为他们重建他们的未来，建立他们的希望，达成他们的梦想。看到每一个人都积极为自己的房子努力重建，每一天都很拼命在干活，那种面对逆境的毅力，力量是非常大的！「一砖一瓦、共建希望」的理念其实是除了为他们共建一栋居住的房子之后，他们才可以有未来、有希望！风雨过后总会有晴天，再大的困难也可以克服，我们应伸出双手，帮他们重建新的生活！   跟吕伯伯一起生火感觉很特别，因为我之前都没有试过呢！   我平常真的很少做菜，不过还好当天我炒的菜大家都说好吃 ~   这些就是吕先生从山上摘下来的野菜，味道很清新。   菜色真的很有道地的田园风味，腊肉、香肠、炒地瓜和炒青菜都很美味！< /p>  跟吕伯伯一家的合照看到他们笑脸，真让我觉得家人互相扶持的重要。< /p>  陈女士，希望你可以坚强地生活，我们跟“仁人家园”一定会支持你的！