环球英语 — 25：Nick Vujicic

　　Voice 1
Hello I’m Elizabeth Lickiss. Welcome to Spotlight¹. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Like any new parents, Mr and Mrs Vujicic were nervous and happy! The day of their son’s birth had finally arrived! It was December the fourth 1982. It was a day they would never forget. Nick Vujicic was born in Melbourne, Australia. But when Nick was born, he shocked everyone. There was no explanation or answers for his condition. Nick was born without any limbs² - that is he was born without any arms or legs. Over twenty [20] years later, he wrote his amazing story. David Bast reads the story for us.
Voice 2
‘The whole church mourned over my birth. My parents were deeply troubled. Everyone asked, “If God is a God of love, why would he let something this bad happen?’ My father thought I would not survive for very long. But tests proved that I was a healthy baby boy - with just a few limbs missing!
‘Naturally, my parents were concerned about what kind of life I would be able to lead. Through the early years God provided them with strength, wisdom and courage. The law in Australia did not permit me to go to a normal school because of my physical disability. (But) God gave my mother the strength to fight for the law to change. I was one of the first disabled students to go to a normal school!
‘However, in my early years I experienced difficult times. I felt rejected and strange. Other children treated me badly because I was different. It was very hard for me to get used to. But my parents supported me. And I started to develop opinions and values that helped me overcome these times. I knew that I was different. But on the inside, I was just like everyone else. There were many times that I felt very sad. I did not go to school then. I could not deal with the bad treatment. My parents encouraged me to try and make friends. They told me to just talk to some of the students at school. Soon, they saw that I was just like them. And from that time on, God kept blessing³ me with new friends.
‘There were times when I felt depressed⁴ and angry - because I could not change the way I was. And I had no one to blame. I went to Sunday school, at the church. I learned that God loves us all and cares. And I understood that love to a point. But I did not understand why God had made me like this - if he loved me. (I asked), ‘Did I do something wrong?’ I thought I must have. I was the only ‘strange’ one at school. I wanted to end my pain. I wanted to end my life at a young age. But I am thankful once again to my parents and family. They were always there to make me stronger.
‘I was fifteen [15] when I (became a Christian). I did it after reading a verse⁵ in the Bible. It was where Jesus explained why a man was born blind. He said it was ‘So that the works of God may be shown through him.’ I truly believed that God would heal me - I could be a demonstration⁶ of His great power. Later, I gained wisdom. I understood that if we pray for something, it will happen if it is God’s will. And it will be in his time. If it is not God’s will, then he has something better. (I now understand that) God is using me just the way I am. He is using me in a way that he cannot use others.
‘God has given me a strong desire to share my story and experiences. I want to help other people deal with the difficulties in their lives. I want God to turn their difficulties into blessings⁷. And I want to encourage other people to live their lives to the full. I want to encourage people not to let anything get in the way of reaching their hopes and dreams.
‘I have now completed a degree in Financial Planning and Accounting⁸. I am also a motivational speaker (I give speeches to encourage people). I have developed speeches for students. I encourage them. I speak about the difficult issues young people have to deal with today.
‘I have many dreams and goals. I want to become the best example I can be of God’s love and hope. I want to become an international motivational speaker. I want to become financially independent through investments. I want to develop a car that enables me to drive - (even with my disability). And I want to tell my story on the Oprah Winfrey Show! It is also one of my dreams to write best-selling books! I hope to finish my first book by the end of the year. It will be called, ”No arms, No legs, No worries.”’
Voice 1
Today, Nick travels to different countries sharing his story. He works with young people. He helps them to deal with problems caused by drugs, alcohol and depression. He helps those who question the meaning of their life. People often feel very emotional during Nick’s talks. Afterwards, they may cry on his shoulder. He tells them of God’s love - and that there are no limits to his power.
Voice 3
‘As humans, we keep putting limits on ourselves for no reason at all. Even worse - we put limits on God. And God can do all things - there are no limits!’
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 limbs   

肢( limb的名词复数 )； 大树枝； 肢体

参考例句：

• For a while, she lost the use of her limbs. 好一会儿她四肢都动弹不得。
• The prisoner's limbs flailed violently because of the pain. 那囚犯因为疼痛，四肢剧烈地抖动着。

3 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

4 depressed   

adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的

参考例句：

• When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
• His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

5 verse   

n.诗，韵文，诗行

参考例句：

• He is good at verse.他善于作诗。
• His book was in parts written in verse.他的书有许多地方是用韵文写的。

6 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

7 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 accounting   

n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表

参考例句：

• A job fell vacant in the accounting department.财会部出现了一个空缺。
• There's an accounting error in this entry.这笔账目里有差错。