刚刚得到让人震惊的消息，我们的良师益友刘老石去世了。对我们认识中国农村，刘老石曾经给予过宝贵的帮助。在我们最早认识的中国农村工作者中，他是少有的对中国农村发展持有系统连贯的见解的几个人之一。他为我们引见了许多同仁，在这些朋友的帮助下，我们对公民社会和农村发展工作形成了新的理解。刘老石的哲学和精神对我们有极深的影响，是我们决意投身乡村建设运动的重要精神鼓励。在联合培训和下乡活动中，他总是督促我们多学习，更谦逊，守纪律。他是青年人的楷模和导师，敦促并培训他们到乡村去，运用他们的学术知识和研究技能，认识当地的现实状况，并和村民们一起改善乡村的面貌。他的决心和执着感染并鼓舞着国内外众多的人们。他的影响并不止于行动层面。许多年轻人同他接触后，开始质疑并反思自己的价值观，重新界定自己同社会的关系。这样触及灵魂的震动，是专业的教育工作者也鲜有的成绩。凭着他不屈不饶的性格和坚定的意志，刘老石应该还能够做出更多有益的事业。我们不能相信他就这样去了，但我们再次承诺，我们将把他所倡扬的价值坚持下去。我们希望，曾经被刘老石所深深影响的人们凝聚在一起，把刘老石为之奋斗一生的乡建事业更加发扬光大。

马伟基，林治美，耿欣悦
乡村教育促进会

We just heard the shocking news of the passing of Liu Laoshi, a good
friend and mentor. Liu Laoshi played an invaluable role in helping us
learn about rural China. He was one of the first people we talked to
who expressed a coherent vision for rural development in China and he
introduced us to many good people who were instrumental in shaping our
understanding of civil society and rural development work. Liu
Laoshi’s philosophy and spirit had a deep influence on us and was a
major inspiration in our deciding to take action to join and support
the rural reconstruction movement.  During the trainings and the
village trips we participated in with him, he always pushed us to
learn more, be humble, and be disciplined. He stood as an example and
teacher, urging and training young people to use their scholarly
knowledge and research skills to go to rural areas and learn about the
realities there while collaborating with rural residents to make
improvements. Because of his personal commitment and unflagging work
ethic, he was able to inspire and move to action many in China and
abroad. His influence reached deeper than the level of action. Many
young people have questioned and rethought their values and
relationship to society as a result of their interactions with him, a
feat that few educators can accomplish. With his resilient personality
and great determination, Liu Laoshi would have done many more great
things. We cannot believe he is gone, but are renewed in our
commitment to carry on the values that he promoted. We hope that the
network of people who have been influenced by Liu Laoshi will continue
building on the work that he devoted his life to.

–Wei Ji Ma, Sara Lam, Diane Geng
Rural China Education Foundation