Report_2003

臨終前他一再叮囑我，要替他去盡點兒心意，替他參加考察義工隊伍。 長城他一直都非常關心邊遠地區窮苦兒童的教育問題，只是他認識燃燈太遲了，以致令他感到力不從心，多年的心願不能親自去盡一份心，不能親自去看一看這些苦孩子。不過幸運的是他能在他生前親自參加了燃燈助學這一計劃，又認識了這許多無私的菩薩，也算是他的福緣，也是他最開心的一樁事情。他跟陳金浩先生也很投緣，大家一見如故，相逢恨晚，他對陳先生的敬佩是不能用言語文字所能表達的，在他這最後的歲月中又得到陳先生夫婦的關懷和鼓勵。在此我感謝你們，陳先生和陳太太。

Just before he died, he urged me to go to China with the group on his behalf so he could realize his wish to participate in the volunteer inspection trip. Chang-ching had always had an extraordinary concern for the education of poor children in isolated parts of China. It was only because he learned of the Enlightening Education Program too late that he could not fully realize the wish that was in his heart and was not able to go to see the poor children for himself. Still, it was very fortunate for him that during his life he was able to participate in the EEP project and was able to meet the many generous and selfless people involved in the program. He counted this as a blessing and it was one of the things that made him happiest.
He and Mr. Howard Chen had a special kind of relationship. No sooner did they meet, it was as if they had always known each other. His admiration for Mr. Chen was beyond what words can express. In his last months of life, Mr. and Mrs. Chen both communicated their concern and encouragement, and for this, I am very grateful to them.

三月廿三日我帶著緊張的心情在成都和燃燈的考察人員們會合，然後大伙由當地的孫先生帶隊往南充進行考察。在這次考察義工的過程中，真是令我感受很深，可是我又不知怎樣來表達我的感受。我記得有一次陳則東先生曾對大家說：「當你到了那邊，你會覺得不是你在幫助他們，而是他們在幫助我們，鼓勵我們。」當時我不能體會這句話，現在我感受到了，這話一點不錯。我正是受益人。

On March 23, 2003, in a mood of anxiety and excitement, I joined the volunteer team in Chengdu. Then, our local guide, Mr. Sun, took us to Nanchong to start our inspection. In the process of this volunteer inspection trip, I truly felt deep emotions and a strong sense of appreciation, but at the same time, I did not know how to express it. I remember there was one time when Mr. Allen Chen said to us all, “When you get there, you will feel that it is them helping us, not us helping and encouraging them.” At the time, I could not fully understand his meaning, but now, I can appreciate that his words were completely right. I was the true beneficiary.
在山區當我看到那善良、樸實而又熱情的山民時，感到一種說不出親切感。看到那活潑可愛、天真無邪的孩子們時更一種說不出的喜愛的感覺，看著他們嘻笑玩耍，無憂無慮的，過得很是幸福，真的是少年不知愁滋味。還有那些中學生和大學生，我碰到幾位特別令我感動的。他們雖然生活困苦，但能表現出人窮志不窮，能刻苦耐勞和不貪的精神，而成績優異，表現良好。
In the mountain villages, when I saw those good, simple, and hospitable people, I felt a kind of warmth that I cannot explain in words. When I saw those energetic, adorable, and innocent children, I felt an even deeper and more inexpressible love. When I saw them laughing and playing without troubles or cares, living as if they were fortunate, I thought that it was truly a case of youth not knowing sorrow or suffering. I also met several high school and college students that really impressed me. Even though their lives were difficult, I could still tell that while they were poor, their spirits were not poor, and that they had strong and unselfish spirits. Moreover, they had excellent grades and comportment.
在四川時我遇到兩位中學生：一位是敬彩霞同學，一位是涂懷波同學。是這樣的，當時我和他們交談，知道他們的家境困難，極需要經濟上的幫助，所以我就想由我私人給他們一些額外的幫助，當我拿錢給他們的時候，他們卻出乎我的意料，他們不肯收，而且還對我說：「阿姨，我已領了錢了，燃燈已經給了我錢，阿姨，我已經得到燃燈太多的幫助了，我不能再要阿姨的錢了，謝謝你，阿姨。」小小年紀能說出這樣感人的話，我被感動了，被這種誠實的表現，感動得流淚了。後來我硬把錢塞到他們的手裏，當時他們還覺得不好意思，看到這樣子，我更愛他們了。
在貴州遇到貴工一位大學–宋書倫同學。當時他還不知道他能不能得到獎學金，是我負責對他們面談，當我了解他的家庭情況後，知道他的經濟困難，極需要幫助，我想由我私人先給他一點幫助，怎料他也不要，他還說：「阿姨，我已經申請了，燃燈會給我幫助的，我不能接受阿姨的錢，阿姨在外也需要錢的。」執意不要。這種正直誠實的言行，怎能不感動人呢！
In Sichuan, I met two middle school students. One was called Jing Caixia, the other Xu Huaibo. They were impressive in that way. At the time, I was walking with them and chatting, and learned that their family situations were extremely difficult and that they desperately needed financial assistance. So I thought that I would like to help them with some additional money on my own, but as I took out the money to give them, to my surprise they refused, and said to me, “Auntie, we already have money. EEP already gave us money. We already received help from EEP, so we cannot take your money. Thank you, Auntie.”
For these young people to be able to say something like this really touched me. I was moved to tears by their honesty. Later, when I pushed the money into their hands, they still seemed very embarrassed. Seeing this, I liked them even better.
In Guizhou, I met a student from Guizhou Technical College named Song Shulun. At the time, he still did not know whether he would receive a scholarship. I was responsible for interviewing him, and when I learned more about his family situation, financial difficulties, and urgent need for assistance, I thought I would give him some extra help. No matter how many times I offered, he still refused. He said, “Auntie, I have already filled out my application. EEP will help me. I cannot accept your money. You are traveling and so you might need it yourself.” He absolutely refused to take it. This kind of honesty in speech and behavior could not fail to move a person!
當我看到這些孩子那麼懂事，學習又那麼認真，使我的精神更為之振奮，在考察工作中雖然起早落夜，上山下鄉，長途跋涉，也覺得這些辛苦都是值得的，那麼多天勞累一掃而空，反而心情愉快，精神倍增，這種感覺以前好像未曾有過的。我發覺這些孩子好像比一般的孩子成熟和懂事，或者這就是窮人家的孩子早當家吧！ 當我告訴他們，我也和他們一樣出身在窮苦的農家時，我們之間的距離更近了。
我跟他們說他們實在是很幸運，因為他們現在有了燃燈給他們點燃了希望之燈，照亮了他們光明的前程，孩子們！ 好好珍惜，好好努力吧！不要因貧窮而沮喪，你們的前程是光明的，充滿著希望的，我衷心的祝福你們，也期待著你們每個都能大學畢業，走出貧窮，不要辜負你們的認助人對你們的期待和苦心啊！
When I saw how mature these young people were, and how earnest they were in their studies, I became even more involved in my work on their behalf. In working on the inspection, no matter how early we got up, or how late we went to sleep, whether we went up the mountains, or down to the villages, no matter how long the road we traveled, I still felt that these difficulties were well worth it and those many days of hardship were wiped away.
On the other hand, the happiness in my heart and the spiritual growth that I experienced were feelings that I had never had before. I discovered that these children were more mature and better behaved than other children were, or maybe it is just that poor people’s children grow up faster.
When I told them that like them I was born in a poor peasant family, I felt that we grew even closer. I said to them that they were lucky because the Enlightening Education Program has lit the lamp of hope for them, and given them a light to brighten the path before them. “Oh children! Treasure this well, study hard. Do not feel sad because you are poor. You have a bright future filled with hope. From the bottom of my heart, I hope and expect that you all will graduate from college and leave poverty behind. Do not disappoint the expectations of the people that have worked hard to help you.”
這次考察結束回到美國後，我的心情和精神都覺得比前些日子好多了。這些都得感謝長城他想得週到。臨終前他一定要我參加考察義工，說是替他去盡一點心意，了一了心願，其實他是另有用意的，也用心良苦，其實他是要我藉此考察的機會來冲淡一下我悲痛的情緒，幫助我從悲傷中走出來。長城，你一切都為我想，我都感受到了，此行的確對我有很大的幫助，此刻我除了感觸也深深感受到你對我的關愛，謝謝你。我會堅強的走下去，不令你為我擔心。
After the inspection trip returned to the United States, I felt that my emotions and spirits were better than they had been during the days before my departure for China. For this, I must thank Chang-ching for his thorough advance planning. Just before he died, he insisted that I go on the trip and said that I should go on his behalf in order to realize his heartfelt dream. In truth, he had something else in mind and had made a special plan. Truly he wanted me to participate in the inspection team in order to diminish my feelings of sorrow and depression and to help me leave the sadness of his death behind me.
Chang-ching, I understand and feel that you thought of everything for me. This trip in truth helped me a great deal. At this moment, in addition to all the feelings I have about what I saw during my inspection trip, I also deeply understand how much you cared about me. Thank you. I will continue to move forward. Please do not worry about me.