親愛的代禱夥伴：

        新冠變種毒株奧密克戎（Omicron）使南非的疫情為全世界所關注。一架從南非飛往荷蘭的航機上驗出十多人染上這個變種，英國立即宣佈禁止包括南非等的非洲南部數國國民入境，接著許多國家包括美國也宣佈禁飛。Omicron毒株引來驚恐是由於它携帶病毒突變點有32個，病毒可能更易傳播或可能使病情更加嚴重，或者突破疫苗的防治。南非從十月初疫情已經緩和，之後有一個半月感染人數偏少。大家都期盼苦盡甘來，十二月份可以吸引國際觀光客，幫助一下低迷已久的經濟。所以，禁飛一事，使不少南非人感到失望，但從防疫角度來說，也是件好事，因為南非目前已經接種疫苗的人數仍只有25％。這個星期確診人數已經從幾百人倍增到一萬多人。請繼續為南非政府防疫和抗疫的工作代禱。

        我們的工作從明年起將有調整，南非的事工將僅在網路上運作，目前在網路上每週三次的查經和週日兩次的崇拜仍會繼續。所以，我們在開普敦和德班兩個教會的事工沒有改變，繼續日夜癲倒。感謝神，這種跨國網路上的運作方式，因為新冠疫情的關係而能夠被弟兄姐妹接受！另一方面，除繼續南非事工外，我們將負責美國辦公室的事務，包括行政、文宣、推動宣教、招募宣教士，並在適當的時候，帶領短宣隊到工場。估計新的事工對我們來說將有一段學習和適應，求神賜給我們聰明智慧學習，也幫助我們能快快適應新工作的作息和步調。請為我們代禱，也請在經濟上繼續支持我們。

        因著事工的調整，我們十月上旬回到南非處理交接有關的事務，十一月二十七日已平安回到美國。感謝神，許多繁瑣事情都能如期辦好。在美國用電話或上網幾分鐘可辦好的事，在南非可以很複雜。例如取消信用卡，我們得去銀行花上二、三個小時，跟不同部門溝通，才能辦好。感謝主！我們辦理差會帳户交接事務，正在一籌莫展時，服務臺的職員竟然主動幫助我們聯絡承辨人，還請分行經理協助我們，將事情在最後的幾分鐘辦好，否則我們就要在約翰尼斯堡滯留數日了。

        在離開一年半之後，我們再次見到南非兩個城市的弟兄姐妹。過去這段時間，大家只能在網路上溝通，到了見面時，感覺和往日見面一般的親切，感恩神在這段疫情的日子看顧和保守屬祂的兒女，面對未來大家都很平安，深知神必繼續看顧。弟兄姐妹分享到疫症沒有影響他們對主的信心。面對未來和南非前景，深信神一直與他們同在，神會繼續保守，他們會好好的生活，堅持他們的信仰。不論我們在哪裡生活，或是將來去到哪裡，網路將我們連接在一起，彼此鼓勵，繼續長進！

        回顧這二十年來在南非的服侍，真是主恩滿滿。不是我們做了什麽，而是親眼目睹神作為的奇妙！「深哉，神豐富的智慧和知識！他的判斷何其難測！他的蹤跡何其難尋！誰知道主的心？誰作過他的謀士呢？誰是先給了他，使他後來償還呢？因為萬有都是本於他，倚靠他，歸於他。願榮耀歸給他，直到永遠。阿們！」（羅馬書11:33-36）

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 為我們能平安回到美國感恩。
2. 請為南非抗疫工作不會受奧密克戎（Omicron）變種毒株影響而失控代禱。
3. 求主幫助南非政府官員設法加速接種疫苗的工作。
4. 求主賜智慧使我們能勝任差會辦公室的工作及事工的運作。
5. 請為我們每週在網上的敬拜和查經都能正常運作，而且網路能暢通無阻代禱。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二一年十二月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        The newest variant Omicron has been the headline news these past few days, and South Africa once again becomes the center of attention.  It all started when it was discovered that a flight from South Africa to Netherland carried 13 COVID-positive passengers.  The UK immediately suspended all flights from southern Africa countries, and many countries, including the States, soon followed suit.  As this new variant has 32 mutations, it has been creating fear in people’s minds as no one is certain about its spreading speed, health impact or ability to evade existing vaccines.  South Africa had just come out of its third wave in early October, and its infection rate had been kept in the low hundreds.  Everyone was relieved and hopeful that the December holiday would bring about much needed economic revival through incoming tourists.  Therefore, this new ban dashed their hope and brought about much disappointment.  However, from a health standpoint, it may not be such a bad thing.  Since the inoculation rate in South Africa only stands around 25%, there will be less chances of bringing in viruses from travelers.  South Africa is now officially in its fourth wave.  Its infection rate has been doubling each day, from a few hundreds to over 10,000 in less than a week.  Please continue to pray for the government for efficient and effective methods to combat the pandemic.

        Beginning next year, our ministry will have a different component.  We will continue to hold online Bible studies and worship services for the two churches in Cape Town and Durban (They are 10 hours ahead of San Jose).  After almost two years in the pandemic, brothers and sisters have gotten used to this method of fellowship.   At the same time, we will be stationed in California by heading up CEM’s US office.  Our duties will include the mission organization’s daily administration as well as mission promotion, mobilization and recruitment.  And we will lead Short Term Missions Teams when time is favorable. There will be a period of learning and adjustment for us.  May the Lord grant us wisdom and quick adapting into our new role.  Please pray for us, and please also consider your continued financial support in our new ministry.

        Due to this new direction in our ministry, we returned to South Africa in early October to settle all the transition matters.  We thank the Lord that we were able to leave South Africa on time and arrived safely back home on November 27th.  Praise the Lord!  Many tedious tasks were able to be taken care of in a timely manner.  Things that only take a few minutes online in the States can become very complicated in South Africa.  For example, we had to spend two, three hours in the bank talking to different people in different departments just to cancel our credit card.  Once we spent all day in the bank to change signers of our mission office’s account.  When we were ready to give up, the lady at reception just came up to us to offer help to trace down our business consultant.  She even talked to her branch manager who went out of her ways to help us resolve our problem just in the nick of time!  If not for them, we might need to waste a few more days in Johannesburg.

        After being away for 1-1/2 years, we met with our brothers and sisters in Cape Town and Durban.  This re-acquaintance renewed our love for each other, praising our Lord in one heart and mind, feeling privileged to be God’s children.  We do not know what the future holds, but we are sure who holds the future!  They shared with us how they experienced God’s presence and protection during the pandemic.  They vowed to stand firm in their faith and committed themselves to serve the Lord.  Wherever we are, wherever we will go, the internet tool will connect us for fellowship and encouragement in our spiritual growth!

        Looking back on our past 20 years of service in South Africa, we were filled with awe!  Not that we had accomplished anything, but we were able to see God and His marvelous deeds with our own eyes!  “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Who has been his counselor?  Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever!  Amen!”  (Romans 11:33-36)

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:

1. We thank God for our safe return to the States.
2. Please pray for South Africa in its facing this rapid spreading variant Omicron.
3. Please pray for wisdom for government officials in implementing effective inoculation measures.
4. Please pray for our new role that the Lord will grant us wisdom and ability to adjust.
5. Please continue to pray for the smooth running of the various online Bible studies and worship services.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina