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年輕的Ogundana，懷著一份信念與深厚的決心前赴目的地，意識到這使命不能單靠自己，卻需要更偉大者的幫助：「我前去，是因為要向他們分享我所有的。我將要學習如何認識生命…為了把自己交給教會，她召叫我傳揚福音」；他在接受意大利主教團的牧職機構「傳教基金會」（Mission Foundation）的訪問時，亦同時承認：「我需要別人的扶持。」 孟加拉是他將要前往傳教的國家，與他非洲祖國尼日利亞加納大相逕庭。這個亞洲國家，在文化上相距甚遠，語言也很不同，實在令人視為畏途。因此，年輕的學生在考慮傳教工作上作出貢獻之前，先要考慮並了解當地的社會。 「固然，前往孟加拉不是我所揀選的，我是被派遣的，然而我也感到高興。這個艱辛的現況會令人卻步。這個國家有四千萬人口。面積比尼日利亞細小五倍，但人口相若，因此基礎的服務不易提供。需要的工作繁多，我相信作為傳教士的經驗會裨益我。」 對他來說，傳教基礎課程十分有用，課程末段是熟悉情況課程，這幾天在華道角舉行。「事前的準備工夫繁多。要適應當地文化，在起初十分困難。當地語言與自己的很不同，字母也有分別。然而如果天主給我預備，我便能夠適應。現在前赴當地，比我年輕時更感輕易。」 然而，他的傳教聖召是當時這位年輕慈幼會士從開始就清晰明認，他不能半途而廢：「當我開始接受慈幼會教育時，便萌起一份傳教召叫。我有機會前往遠離城市的貧窮鄉村加納接受初學，與村民同行。…天主對我已有計劃：如果祂願意我回到非洲，我將樂意跟隨祂的旨意。」
Interview with new missionaries: (ANS - RMG –Rome, 27 September 2012) – Joseph Kunle Ogundana, from the group of 1986, Salesian post-novice from Nigeria, is among 5 young Africans who will receive the missionary mandate on 30th September in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians at Valdocco. He is going to Bangladesh, a country very different from where he was born, but he is determined and knows that at least he will follow his calling. The young Ogundana sets out with the conviction and deep determination aware that he cannot do it by himself, but needs the help of someone greater: “I am going because all that I have I want to share with them. I am going to learn how to be aware of life (…) in order to give myself to a Church which calls me to hand on the Gospel”; though, having recognized in an interview with the Mission Foundation – a pastoral organization set up by the Italian Bishops Conference – I had to admit also: “I need someone to take me by the hand”. Bangladesh, the country to which he is going, is very different from Africa, from his Nigeria or from Ghana, where he was on mission. The Asian country, culturally so far removed from reality, with a difficult language, makes one a bit afraid. For this reason, a young student prior to thinking about what he can offer in his mission, needs to think about and understand the context. “Going to Bangladesh – admittedly – is not something I would have chosen, I was being sent, but I am happy. The situation is scary because it is difficult. It is a country with a population of 40 million people. Compared to Nigeria, it is 5 times smaller but the population is similar to that in Nigeria, hence it is very hard to supply basic services. There is lots to do. I believe that my experience as a missionary could enrich me also.” For him, the formation course for the mission has been very useful, ending with the orientation course and in these days in the places of Don Bosco. “There has been a lot of preparation. It would be difficult starting to get used to the culture. The language is very different from mine. The alphabet is different. But if God gives prepares me I shall be ready. It is easier for me to go now than when I was younger”. However, his missionary vocation is something that the young Salesian began to become aware of right from the start, that he could not turn away from: “the mission became a calling when I started my Salesian education. I had the chance of going to Ghana for my novitiate in poor villages far from the city and had the opportunity of walking with them. (…) God has a plan for me: if he wants me to return to Africa. I am ready to follow God’s will.” |
【慈幼通訊社