Marriage Retreat
Two weeks ago, on Saturday and Sunday (November 29–30), the Cantonese Marriage Ministry held a Couples’ Retreat, attended by more than twenty couples. We are thankful to God for His gracious provision of beautiful weather throughout that weekend. Although the afternoons were somewhat warm, we were blessed to gather comfortably in an air-conditioned auditorium, where we were able to learn, reflect, and share without distraction.
Though the retreat spanned only one and a half days, the program was rich and meaningful. We spent time worshipping the Lord together in songs, engaging in fellowship through games, meditating on God’s Word, listening to the messages by Rev Patrick and Jennie Fung, sharing our prayer needs as individual couples, and partaking of the Holy Communion as one body in Christ. There was also time set aside for couples to be in small groups studying the Scripture and sharing with one another. Furthermore, each couple was given dedicated time alone when they would enjoy each other’s company doing arts and crafts, having candlelight dinner, and reflecting on the Lord’s leading.
For my wife and I, this was our first experience participating in a marriage retreat, and it was both refreshing and edifying. The highlight for me personally was the messages by Rev Patrick and Jennie Fung. We thank God for the timeliness and wisdom of their messages. Drawing from the example of Aquila and Priscilla in the New Testament, the portrayal of love in the Song of Songs, and their own personal testimonies, they encouraged every couple present to reflect deeply on the state of our marriages and our spiritual lives.
Through the biblical accounts in the books of Romans and Acts of the couple Aquila and Priscilla, Rev Fung exhorted my wife and I to continue stepping out of our comfort zone to take risks for the Lord—to open our home to serve young people, bringing blessings to others (both believers and non-believers). Dr Jennie Fung, through her exposition of the Song of Songs, reminded me of the importance of putting time and effort in cultivating my relationship with my wife. As we prepare to travel to Hong Kong to visit family and then to Japan for vacation, I look forward to reflecting on and putting into practice the lessons learned during this retreat, so that our relationship can deepen.
We were certainly not the only couple who felt encouraged in the retreat. As couples openly shared their reflections, their pledge to their spouse and their prayer needs—especially in the rededication session at the end — it was evident that many were deeply moved. Their willingness to be vulnerable and honest was itself a testimony of God’s work among us.
It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to nurture healthy communication and meaningful connection among the married couples in our church. May He grant us the grace and courage to take risks for His kingdom, to open our homes in service, and to bless others through lives that reflect His love.
夫婦退修會
「粵語婚姻事工」在兩星期前的週六及週日(29-30/11)舉辦了「夫婦退修會」，這個營會有二十多對夫婦參加。感謝神給予這兩天有美好的天氣，雖然下午天氣有點熱，但我們在室內有空調的禮堂中一起學習和分享，絲毫沒有被外面的炎熱所影響。
這次營會雖然只有短短的一日半，但內容非常豐富。當中有我們二十多對夫婦在一起的時間：包括一同唱詩讚美神，一起玩遊戲，一起靜思神的話，一起聆聽馮牧師和師母的專題分享，一起分享每對夫婦的代禱需要，一起領受聖餐⋯。我們也有幾對夫婦一起查考聖經，彼此分享的時間。更有一對對夫婦單獨相處的時間，讓每對夫婦可以一起做手工勞作，享受燭光晚餐，分享從神來的領受⋯。
這是我和太太第一次參與關於婚姻的營會，感覺新鮮。對於我來說，營會的焦點就是馮牧師和師母的專題分享。感謝神讓馮牧師和師母有適切的分享，他們透過新約聖經中亞居拉和百基拉這對夫婦的故事，及舊約聖經雅歌中對愛情的描述，再加上自身的見證，鼓勵我們在營會中的每對夫婦，一同去反思自己的婚姻狀況和屬靈生命狀況。
馮牧師透過羅馬書和使徒行傳關於亞居拉和百基拉這對夫婦的記載，鼓勵着我和太太繼續願意離開舒適區去為主冒險，繼續並更有效的開放我們的家庭去服事年輕人，以生命影響生命，帶給別人(包括信徒及未信者)祝福。馮師母用雅歌去講述愛情，她的分享提醒到我現在沒有好好花時間和心力栽培與太太的感情。我和太太即將一起放假回港探親及去日本旅行，期待我可以好好反思和實踐在這營會的領受，從而增進和太太的感情。
在這營會中被受鼓勵和提醒的又怎會只得我和太太呢？從其他參與營會的夫婦，因着他們都願意開放自己去分享想法和感受，我也看見他們被受鼓勵和提醒，特別是在最後的活動中，他們分享對自己另一半的立志，和婚姻中需要別人代禱的地方。
求神繼續幫助我們教會中已婚夫婦之間的溝通和相處，亦求神幫助我們願意為主冒險，開放家庭去服事，以生命影響生命，帶給別人祝福。
