09/03/2024
我想跟你說聲:I Love You
在剛過去的農曆新年,筆者有幸到了Guildford和Milton Keynes,在新春市集擺設資訊服務及打氣加油站。儘管只是第一次來到這兩個地區,但街坊們都很熱情,熱切的跟我們聊天。能夠在異地跟這麼多香港人慶祝新年,看到小朋友和家長都很喜歡我們設計的「港-英雙語日常生活字典卡」遊戲及「龍年祝福語」遊戲,我都感到很雀躍和温暖,期望大家在互相同行下,能更適應在英國的生活。
其中在大年初一Guildford 僑福新年市集,我們還特意邀請了友好教會Union Chapel的同工參與,除了讓他體驗香港人過農曆新年的習俗和熱鬧氣氛,更希望讓在英港人感受到英國本地朋友對我們的支持和關心。當天亦喜見很多本地人來逛市集,不但充滿好奇心去了解我們教會和活動,更鼓勵我們要努力承傳香港的語言和傳統文化,實在非常鼓舞。
而在年初九的Milton Keynes 新春市集,我們不但重遇了過往在London、Reading和Guildford活動認識的街坊,亦新認識了一些Milton Keynes或遠道從Leeds來的香港家庭。而到市集結束時,他們更依依不捨的跟我們道別,誠意邀請我們下次到他們居住的地區舉辦活動,感動我們的付出得到大家的肯定,所有的疲累頓時一掃而空。
而最令我深刻的是,跟小朋友玩字典卡遊戲,問到他們「唔該/多謝」,除了可用「Thank you」來表達,還有沒有其他字句時,其中一個小朋友答了「I love you」,瞬間融化了我的心。雖然跟預期的答案「Cheers」不同,卻提醒了我多表達愛意,願我們也多跟身邊的家人朋友說句「I love you」,讓彼此感受到愛與被愛的感覺。
今天,我們將會參與Hong Kong March 香港三月文化節2024的開幕禮 - 文化市集,跟London街坊見面交流,分享資訊,玩玩小遊戲,還會派發本會精心印製的「港-英雙語日常生活字典卡」,活動免費入場,期待看到大家呀!
P.S. 衷心感謝Guildford Hongkongers、Hongkongers in Britain 英國港僑協會、Milton Keynes 852 CIC、Kongtinue及HONG KONG MARCH 舉辦市集,並邀請我們參與,與居英港人相聚及互相支持。
"I would like to say: I Love You.
During the recent Lunar New Year, I had the privilege of being in Guildford and Milton Keynes, setting up Pop-up Information Service and Cheer Up Kiosk at the Lunar New Year Markets. Despite being our first time in these areas, the local residents were warm and eager to chat with us. Celebrating the New Year with so many Hongkongers in a foreign land and witnessing the enthusiasm of children and parents for our designed 'Hong Kong-English Bilingual Daily Life Flash Cards' game and the 'Dragon New Year Blessing' game, brought me joy and warmth. I hope that, by journeying together, everyone can better adapt to life in the UK.
At the Guildford New Year Market on the first day of the Lunar New Year, we specifically invited colleague from one of our partner churches Union Chapel to participate. Apart from allowing him to experience the customs and lively atmosphere of the Hong Kong-style Lunar New Year, we also hoped that Hong Kong community in the UK could feel the support and care from our local British friends. We were delighted to see many local British attending the market, not only showing curiosity about our church and activities, but also encouraging us to continue preserving the language and traditional culture of Hong Kong. It was truly inspiring.
At the Milton Keynes New Year Market, we not only reunited with Hongkongers we had met at events in London, Reading, and Guildford but also made new acquaintances with Hong Kong families from Milton Keynes and even from Leeds regions. As the market came to a close, they bid farewell with reluctance, earnestly inviting us to organise events in their residential areas next time. The recognition of our efforts touched us deeply, sweeping away all fatigue instantly.
What left a lasting impression on me was playing the dictionary card game with the children. When I asked them for other ways to say '唔該/多謝' (Thank you), one child responded with 'I love you,' instantly melting my heart. Although it was a different answer from the expected 'Cheers,' it reminded me to express love more. Let all of us say 'I love you' to our family and friends, allowing each other to feel the warmth of being loved.
Today, we will participate in the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong March Cultural Festival 2024 - Cultural Market, meeting and exchanging ideas with neighbours in London, sharing information, playing games, and distributing our meticulously printed 'Hong Kong-English Bilingual Daily Life Flash Cards.' The event is free, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
P.S. Sincere thanks to Guildford Hongkongers, Hongkongers in Britain, Milton Keynes 852 CIC, Kongtinue, and Hong Kong March for organising the markets and inviting us to participate and supporting Hong Kong community in the UK."
英倫好鄰舍教會 Good Neighbour Church England
(慈善註冊號碼 Registered Charity Number:1195452)
-————————————————————
讓我們行公義、好憐憫、心存謙卑,繼續爭戰。
http://www.englandgnc.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/englandgnc
https://www.facebook.com/HKerBNOProgramme
https://www.youtube.com/c/englandgnc
https://t.me/enggnc/
https://twitter.com/EnglandGoodNei1
[email protected]
#英倫好鄰舍教會 #英倫好鄰舍教會東南區