彩虹小品

PREFACE

Avalon Spence

Little did I know last year when I accompanied a friend of mine on a visit to her good friends, Rev. Paul and Yvonne Lai just weeks prior to Yvonne’s passing, that I would become involved in the editing of an English version e-Book celebrating Yvonne’s life.  But here I am, having also been requested to write a preface to introduce you to the articles that follow. 

Although I’ve never been an editor of anything before,  my role has involved doing a final review all the articles included in this e-book that were submitted in Chinese and which had been translated into English by others.  While performing my small service in this way, I have been given a wonderful opportunity to glimpse further into the depth of Yvonne’s rich life and drink from the wealth of beautiful words that have poured in from so many people who are so grateful to have known Yvonne and have desired to be part of the celebration of her life.  

My own article for this e-book (‘In Honour of Yvonne’) was written to Rev. Paul Lai after only one visit with them and without having seen any other writings that would pour in following Yvonne’s passing.  There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Yvonne literally overflowed with the Divine Presence and all the articles that have come in since have continued to bear witness and confirm that reality.   

Words are powerful.  Words and the stories they express can either weaken and destroy or inspire and build up.  I can attest to the fact that these accounts have the power to inspire and build up!  By virtue of having spent time in each of these articles over these last months, I have received so much…inspiration to greater Faith when I’ve been doubting, renewal of Hope to go on when I can’t see my way through dark places and a greater openness to the vulnerability of allowing Divine Love to be expressed through me in service given for the benefit of others.  

I simply couldn’t help but be encouraged in my own life by what I read of Yvonne’s life.  Challenges are a part of life.  We all need role models and someone to encourage us along the way.  Many, many times I’ve come away from working on a set of these articles actually feeling a warmth in my heart, a shift in my spirit and the power of God lifting me through the rest of the day.  Your life will be affected as well as you read, linger and reflect, not just on Yvonne’s life, but on your own as well.  We all need the example and encouragement we get from others who have gone on ahead and finished well!  Yvonne is certainly one of those.

As I conclude my introduction, here is an excerpt from a poem that Queen Elizabeth II holds dear and has shared as expressing the attitude of faith that she herself has strived to live by in order to carry out her service to the people as Queen under the Sovereign leadership of our Lord Jesus Christ.  What an apt description of the way that Yvonne chose to live her life as well!  With her hand in God’s, trusting Him all the way, Yvonne lived with the poise of a queen…. beautifully, courageously and lovingly, and has affected so many other lives to the good…… 

I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year 

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied, “Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.”

May you be encouraged and inspired as you read on………

 By:  Paul Lai

Translator: Gloria Yu

Leo Tolstoy once wrote: “It is not beauty that endears, it is love that makes us see beauty.” You have always been beautiful and charming to me – a truly beautiful woman both inside and outside. Outer beauty may attract people momentarily, but it does not last; it is superficial and temporary.  Many people may possess outer beauty, but they are ugly inside.  Your beauty however, both inside and outside, has forever left an imprint on everyone’s heart.  Your life was filled with God’s sublime love, and love for men and everything created.  Your smile came from the bottom of your heart, and is so captivating that people became aware of your beauty.  A smile always brings so much more value to one’s face and your smile to me was one that reflected the intimate relationship between your soul and Christ, with all the glow and glory that the Lord Jesus bestowed on your life.

When our eldest son Steve was six or seven years old, he suddenly asked me one day: “Father, why did you marry mother?” I asked: “Why did you ask such a question?”  He replied: “Because mother is very beautiful.”  I took the opportunity to teach him a great lesson in life – about inner beauty.  I asked him: “Are you going to marry someone as beautiful as your mother when you grow up?”  I went on to tell him there are two kinds of beauty – outer and inner beauty and asked him which kind would he pick?  He hesitated a moment and quickly replied: “I want both!”  At that moment, I knew we have a very smart kid.  Unlike most people who focus only on outer beauty, Steve realized the significance of inner beauty.

You remember that I told you many times that you are intelligent and talented, and you have a great fashion sense.  You did not adorn yourself in expensive clothing, but everyone who knew you praised your style and good taste in fashion and color coordination.  Your stature, virtues, integrity and how you treat others are truly exemplary.  No wonder when our two children were asked which of us they resembled more when they were young, our two children always said “I’m more like mother.”  There’s no point self-proclaiming one is beautiful; it has meaning only if it is a sincere compliment from others after they have met and dealt with you.  The best compliment would be like the Bible’s description of a ‘virtuous woman’.

God loves us and paid a heavy price for our Salvation.  Through the Lord Jesus, God lets us feel his sublime love so we can be reborn.  When He looks inside us, God wants to see our change within.  This change is not from our own will, but from His power plus our willingness to put our old self on the cross.  Only when our old self dies can we be reborn together with Christ.  Our re-born life is Christ’s life, and that is a beautiful life with all the inner beauties, everlasting.  Inner beauty is what men and Christ like.  Inner beauty is sincere and pure; it is not fake and contains no evil thoughts.  The Bible says Christ looks at the heart, but men only look at the appearance.  Some people may not be very pretty, but they have a beautiful heart and thus are appreciated by many.  On the contrary, those who only look beautiful on the outside but have no inner beauty will be shunned by others.  Undoubtedly, it would be grace upon grace if we could possess both outer and inner beauty.

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牧師至情至聖 不是世外髙人 徹夜難眠難免

讓絲絲哀愁伴,你細味從前與師母牽手渡過的髙山低谷

啟廸生命，滋潤我心                                      麥悅

回想首次見賴師母時，她温柔婉弱，和譪可親及慈祥的面容，至今仍深深印在我腦海之中。 　　賴牧師和師母陪伴了我父親(Mike Mak)的青少年時代。父親口中不時分享師母的愛情故事和牧者心腸。雖然我倆見面的次數不多，但感覺是既陌生卻又親切。師母對我的關懷及鼓勵真令我感激不已。特别是在我等候升中派位時，她充滿信心的鼓勵我為心儀的中學向神禱告祈求，並勉勵我要信靠神，並為我禱告。 　　感謝神應允我們的禱告，轉眼間，我現在已是我心儀中學的中二學生了。 而賴師母面對人生的積極態度，更是我學習的好榜樣。她雖長年受病痛之苦，卻堅强面對人生，信靠神，鼓勵人，她的生命絕對活得精彩。 　　現在她脫離肉身的痛苦，安息主懷中，但每當我想起她那淡淡的微笑，心中便會泛起無數的思念。我很想對她説一聲：「我敬愛的賴師母，你啟迪了我父親，又滋潤了我的心，我永遠懷念妳！」（麥悅寫於寫於十三歲那年2016年2月]

註：作者現居於香港

1991年林弟兄左第2位在活泉堂水禮 

By Abraham Lim 

 中譯： 以恩

　　1991年，活泉宣道會開始了一個青年團契。因為我的同學Raymond Wong跟賴師母學法文，所以他邀請我晚上去參加團契的愛筵，當晚我第一次遇見了賴師母。那年我十四歲，剛信主，也是剛剛移民到加拿大。

　　十四歲是一個充滿不確定，且思想動搖不定的年紀。現在回想，那時正是自己最需要被肯定的年代。那時，賴師母正是用充滿確定和平穩的聲音帶領我們。在那晚的愛筵中，我在她家感到非常舒服。她帶領我們玩了一個很有趣的破冰遊戲，一直到現在，每當我要帶領新的小組時，都會重覆使用那個破冰遊戲。

　　那年秋天，我正式成為活泉宣道會的青年團契的團友。活泉宣道會是我第一個母會，賴師母是我第一個主日學老師，為我的信仰成長打下了基礎。教導我怎樣禱告和禱告的重要性，向我展示敬拜的規範，鼓勵我在教會裡參與服侍。雖然我在活泉宣道會只有三年，但她所教導我的事情，這廿年裡，我仍然每天實行。 　　她曾為我做的每件事，我也學效她照樣做在他人身上。天天禱告到如今；按著她教我的方法讀聖經及教主日學，參與帶領敬拜的事工，訓練兒童預備將來能帶領敬拜。她的教導和影響是她留給我的遺產，我立志在這一生中要把 這份遺產傳下去，為了榮耀神，正如賴師母所做的。

　　賴師母對我們都是出於真心的愛與關懷，且面帶微笑。雖然她每天都要忍受類風濕性關節炎所造成的巨大痛楚，但是她卻活出十分有意義的人生。她使用神給她的每一個恩賜去影響他人，服侍他人，她是一個真正僕人領袖的楷模。 　　很高興能認識賴師母，我會永遠記得她。

註：作者現居加拿大溫哥華

I’ve been asked to say a few words to recount my memories of Mrs. Yvonne Lai. I first met Mrs. Lai in the summer of 1991. It was a potluck at her home organized to kick-off a youth group at Vancouver Fountain Alliance Church (VFAC). I was invited by my school friend Raymond Wong, who was being tutored by Mrs. Lai in French.

My name is Abraham Lim. I was 14 years old at the time I met Mrs. Lai. I was a new Christian. A new immigrant. A relatively new teenager. It was a time of uncertainty and upheaval. Looking back, it was a time I needed a lot of guidance and some semblance of stability.

I believe Mrs. Lai embodied that voice of stability and guidance at that time. I felt comfortable in her home during the potluck. She played fascinating ice-breaker games with us that I still use to this day when I bring together new groups.

I did eventually joined the fledgling youth group at VFAC in the fall of 1991. As a new Christian, I had never previously grown up in any church. This really was my first home church. Mrs. Lai became my first Sunday School teacher and became the catalyst for the foundational years of my spiritual development.

She gave me my first Bible study and helped me explore the anatomy of God’s Word.  She taught me how she prayed and the important components of prayer. She demonstrated how she worshipped. She encouraged me to serve and volunteer my time for others in my church community.  While I only spent 3 years with her there, those things she taught me are things I still do to this very day almost 20 years later.

Everything she did for me, I eventually did for others. I prayed every day from then on. I read the Bible in the same analytical way she taught me. I taught Sunday School although I must say Mrs. Lai is a far better teacher than I was. I volunteered my time to lead worship and now am training children to be worship leaders of tomorrow. Mrs. Lai’s influence continues to touch people’s lives to this day. For me, this is the legacy she has left behind for me. I pledge to pay it forward for as long as I am able – to give God all the glory, just as Mrs. Lai had modeled all her life.

陳耀鵬牧師[香港建道神學院副院長]

第一次見到賴建鵬師母是三十多年前在咸美頓參加加拿大宣道會總會年議會，還記得借給她一把雨傘，那時她已經有嚴重關節炎，行動不能快捷，但卻不用坐輪椅。，雖然身患病痛，但仍然記念週圍人的需要多過自己的困境的慈祥喜樂的師母。之後在不同場合見到她，這個印象不單完全沒有改變，反而不斷加深。賴牧師與師母在温哥華事奉後，我們有更多接觸，從他們的分享中更深深體會一對堅毅愛主、至死忠心，神僕人侍女的感人見證，深信從此書《譜出繾綣聰慧情》中你亦會與我有同感。

下面是師母與Zita她們兩位是好知己摯友 主內好姊妹 同時她們兩位結婚週年是同月同日 但不同年.

對不起，師母！

 在妳最後一次進醫院前，我相信我是較早獲妳告知此消息的一個。可惜，我完全不能接受這惡耗，以致沒能在妳需要時陪伴在側。我恨我太愛妳，因而不能承載這傷痛！

 賴牧師從為妳出書的第一天開始已著我寫一點東西，我一直拖延、逃避，實在害怕勾起對妳的思念。但他深知我不以筆墨來抒發和釋放對妳的感情的話，我將走不出這感情的漩渦！

 時至今日，每當我想起你、與賴牧師說起你、又或現在提筆與你談天，也情不自禁地淚流滿面。想起你曾說看到我就好像在鏡中看到自己一樣，我又何嘗不是？以往充斥着我們的總是滿足與喜樂。我們之間的感情並非建立在某件事上，而是點點滴滴地累積而來。或許我們有許多相同之處，彼此在肉體和心靈上都極具挑戰，妳對我的憐愛出於我的種種經歷如離婚，抑鬱，鼻咽癌，兒子離家出走和自殺。而我對妳的敬愛是因為你長期病患，身體每天所受的折磨，手術和葯物給妳一次又一次的希望與失望。長期的折騰，不是每一個人可以承受的。與你相比，我的真的不能算什麼。而我們相顧相惜的是我們不但不因着這些經歷而心生怨恨，相反的是充滿平安喜樂，並且不繼鼓勵身邊的人，因為我們都知道這是神給我們的恩典。

 在大事上很容易看到人怎樣過他的一生，從微少處卻更能反映他的身心靈。我最不能忘記的是你對賴牧師的眼神，每當我們在一起時，若賴牧師做了一點不合你心意的小事情時，妳會不經意流露出一個嬌憨責備的眼神，這種表情往往只在少女情懷，充滿濃情蜜意的時期才找到，但妳卻經練風風雨雨後，仍然保留至最後一刻，真的不簡單！若不是心中藏有從神而來的愛的種子，怎能這樣？

 由動筆的流淚至收筆的微笑，又經歷了一個心路歷程！謝謝給我心靈醫治的機會！足證妳在天上仍看顧着我。

 師母，深信妳現在已沒有疼痛，也不需輪椅，可以自由跳躍起舞，冀待與你面對面談心。師母，等我！p.s.

我的「賴師母」是我所認識的人中最積極樂觀的一位，回想當年我媽媽患了癌症，舅母常常致電問候，在困境當中，給予我們支持和鼓勵。媽媽和癌病爭戰時，我正在大學就讀，假若沒有她常常透過電話關懷，我真的不能想像我們怎樣可以打這艱辛的仗，她讓我明白到即使生活上的點滴也可以影響深遠，在媽媽抗癌過程中，她常在禱告中記念我們一家，又一再安慰我事情將會好起來。舅母雖然身體上有軟弱，她仍把別人的需要放在首位。

2012年我到溫哥華參加一場籃球比賽，讓我有機會能探望二舅和舅母，這是多年來首次和他們見面，原本他們希望親自到Richmond Olympic Oval會場看我的比賽，可是因為她身體情況，她不能到來，想起來，對於當日沒有設法安排她前來，我感到有點遺憾。在我逗留溫哥華期間，他們常常邀請我到他們家中作客，我們無所不談，包括教育、家庭以及在就業上給我意見，對於舅母的忠告我銘記於心，也難忘我離開溫哥華時，她給我溫暖的擁抱，她對我說：「我愛你！再來看我！」

一年後，媽媽告訴我他將會到渥太華數週，並看我可否駕車載她到渥太華與他們一聚，我毫不猶疑便答應了，我深知舅母在媽媽患病時，對她有多大的影響，能夠相聚對他們的意義甚大，這是一個難忘的家庭聚會。

今日，雖然舅母已不在我們當中，神已釋了她的痛楚和勞苦，她現在與主耶穌在天堂同享福樂。與她數次的談話，我深深感到她對身邊的人有很正面的影響，相信她常在眾人的懷念中，我也不會忘記每次與舅母見面時，她那喜樂歡欣的微笑。

 Judy Choy         蔡國平牧師/師母

賴牧師主內平安！

謝謝您昨日傳來的《彩虹小品》網站，我有看了，昨晚也看了《微笑暖心窩》有不同地方的弟兄姐妹為師母所分享的見証，更有您為至愛的妻子所寫的見証。我心中感慨萬分，我所敬愛的師母！我心中是一直記掛您們的！您們對我們的鼓勵和關懷，永遠銘記於心，不會因時空而消逝！

知道師母在去年已安息主懷，您自己要多保重身體，不要太過憂傷，因為師母在天堂的福樂中，享受著神的同在，將來我們必要見她！她的美，她的微笑，永遠與我們同在，也與您和家人同在！我永遠記得您們當年與我和Peter[國平] 分享您們初相識的經過，那純真的愛，與師母為您的付出。患難見真情，不論在柬埔寨或是法國，不論在加拿大或是天涯海角，不論在天上人間，我們有彩虹為証，見証您和師母的愛，更見証神的恩典和慈愛在您們一生的歲月裡，是永遠不可磨滅的！十多年前[2002]我很高興能在中信靈機輔導工作時，[中信]邀請賴牧師在癌症関顧小組做顧問牧師，而認識您和師母，彼此有更多的認識，得到您們的支持和鼓勵。更難得的是，您們多年前曾經是温哥華華人宣道會的牧師和師母，而我們也在2003年來到温哥華華人宣道會事奉。不知不覺，十多年已過去！但師母的甜美温馨，已深深印在我們的心中！感謝主，我們在人生的旅程中，曾經一起走過一段路，彼此惺惺相惜，彼此為對方祝福！相信神在祂的美意之中，使我們有福氣認識如此高貴優雅有氣質的賴師母！師母，我們期待天家的再聚，自由的飛翔，在彩虹的彼端，再度看到您美麗的身影和笑容！

賴牧師和師母，永遠是我們的屬靈前輩，我們學習的榜樣！您們過去在温哥華華人宣道會的事奉，播下不少愛的種子，您們在各地的奔波事奉，也必定為主結了很多屬靈的果子，許多弟兄姊妹都被您們的堅毅與温暖，感染感動，能夠學習在苦難當中，活出真實的信仰，彼此的相愛，不斷以信心和勇氣，超越苦難！

梁立己醫生

師母在我生活中，早與平安和喜樂劃上了等號。每當想起師母，一幅美麗笑容的肖像便立刻呈現在眼前，歷歴在目。

我很感謝上帝，把賴建鵬牧師、師母帶進我生命裏。回想七十年代，我們一家人在渥太華讀書，他們屢次率眾來我家探訪，誨人不倦。七七年，我獨自往多倫多升學，從妹妹路華，路旋的通信得知他們參加了宣道會，不久更得牧師為她們施浸禮。那時我雖還未信主，卻非常高興兩位妹妹成為基督徒。後來又得知我長兄立人，參與建堂的設計，三兄妹都非常敬重牧師和師母，因而使自己對他們也肅然起敬。

八四年我遷往溫哥華，知道原來牧師夫婦也在這裹，神又再次把我們放在一起，八六年我亦終於成為基督徒並受浸了。自此追隨兩位多年，耳濡目染，殊多啟發，獲益良多。我亦有幸替師母治牙，定期保健，每次他們總是形影相隨，恩愛如昔。牧師總是紙筆不離手，為神忠樸，踏實地默默耕耘。師母總是和藹可親，她那永恆的微笑，舜間已感染到員工上下，所散發的平安和喜樂，舒緩了診所緊張的氣氛，我們都親身感受到。師母的類風濕性關節炎不幸也影響到牙周和關節，長期以來，縱使不斷面對各種疾患的困擾，卻從不減其喜悦的心，不但沒有半句怨言，反而是她那祥和的笑容安慰著我們，就在平凡中盡顯她的偉大 。

從師母的榜樣，我要學一個功課，真的不能小看一個笑容的感染力。一個滿有愛心的笑容，真的可以刻骨銘心，移山倒海。我們員工上下，不知有誰會記得這一年諾貝爾和平獎得主，但肯定沒有人會忘記師母那和平的笑容，及她微笑背後帶著天使般的雍容，及磐石般的堅定。我也許未曾見過天使，但我想天使必定有如師母般温柔的笑容，並散發同樣平安馨香之氣。

耶穌說若我們滿有愛心，時常喜樂，別人便知道我們是神的兒女。賴牧師伉儷，畢生為神重用，在病患中亦廣結聖靈的果子，彰顯神的屬性。他們循循善導，亦薰陶了無數新一代的信徙，其中更不乏牧師、師母、傳道等，春風化雨，可謂桃李滿門。他們的生命，便是神愛心、平安、喜樂的一個啟示。我深信他們伉儷，一生往標竿直跑，守住了神的道，打了美好的仗，師母已主懐安息，帶著上帝所賞賜的冠冕了。

註：作者現居加拿大溫哥華，天恩牙科診所醫生