親愛的代禱夥伴：
南非是非洲大陸上新冠肺炎疫情最嚴重的國家，從去年至今，南非已有154萬4千人染疫，5萬2千人死亡。現時疫症仍未止息，過去的二十四小時裡又有965人染疫，15人死亡。前一天有1387人染疫，46人死亡。最近幾個星期，疫情比上個月減緩一些。但是，由於政府下調防疫到第一級（最寬鬆的等級），人們擔心疫症個案又會再度飆昇。專家預估南非可能像歐洲的疫情，在五月份會再嚴峻。最主要是因為目前已經接種疫苗的人數比例尚很低，只有23萬1千的醫療人員接種疫苗。最新的好消息是，南非衛生部長公佈政府將在五月開始設立二千個疫苗注射站，希望每天能夠為20萬人打疫苗。求主幫助南非政府按時得到足夠的疫苗，希望因著更多國民都打了疫苗，使南非染疫減緩，生命得以保存。
復活節假期的來到，也給南非防疫帶來挑戰。最近感染人數減少，有人認為疫症就此靜止，宗教界要求政府開放教堂舉辦大型室內聚會。然而，專家認為群聚會增加疫症感染的機會。群聚是很冒險的，復活節期間反而是應該提昇防疫等級，更要限制聚集的人數和活動。在雙方爭論不休下，可看出南非政府治理的不容易，求主賜智慧給南非政府做好抗疫的管制。
美國川普政府以國家安全利益為理由，發出行政命令要禁止使用微信的案件，因為新總統拜登上任而改變。新政府要求中止該項禁令的法院程序，以便可以有時間暸解微信軟件是否真的有威脅到美國的安全，並重新評估。感謝神，現時在北美可以繼續使用微信軟件，使我們與南非各教會弟兄姐妹的通訊不會被影響。
每週查經前，大家都會聊一聊，彼此問安。遇到有要事商討，會再私聊，每週見面亦很親切。雖然是經由網路，但大家也熱烈參與討論，不太發表意見的人也漸漸開始分享。崇拜是以語音形式進行，方便弟兄姐妹在有空時再收聽。大家都很守時，每週準時上網聚會，感謝主。
請為這些事情代禱：
- 請為南非可以獲得足夠疫苗，按照預定的安排注射防新冠肺炎疫苗代禱。
- 復活節假期將來到，求主賜智慧給南非政府做好抗疫的管制。
- 求主幫助開店和開廠的弟兄姐妹，作好每天防疫保護的工作，保守他們的健康。他們的顧客大多不注意防疫，進店才戴口罩。
- 感謝神，目前美國司法部宣佈暫停申訴微信禁令，我們可以繼續用微信服事弟兄姐妹。
- 請繼續為林滿足姐妹肺部手術後的康復代禱，求主保守她的身心靈。
您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二一年三月
下載 PDF 格式 （中文）
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Dear Prayer Partners,
South Africa has the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the African continent. As of now, more than 1,544,000 cases have been reported with 52,000 deaths. Yesterday’s data (965 new cases and 15 deaths) shows a slight improvement from the day before (1,387 cases and 46 deaths). Even though this month seems to be heading to a decline, some experts are worried that a surge will return in May as the government decided to keep the lockdown at the lowest level. The current low vaccination rate is actually the main concern because only 231,000 medical workers were vaccinated so far. There is, though, a bit of good news that the Health Department just announced the opening of 2,000 vaccination sites in May, targeting for 200,000 shots each day. Please pray for the undisrupted supply of vaccines so a high percentage of the population will be protected from the virus, thus stopping the spread and saving precious lives.
As the Easter holiday is approaching, South Africa faces another challenge. People tend to interpret the latest infection figures as a sign of success. Some religious leaders have petitioned the government to allow for large-scale indoor gatherings. Health officials at the same time warn against such provision and caution the high probability of a returning spike in cases. The government is indeed in a great dilemma. Please pray for wisdom for the government to make the right decision in this matter.
The court case on banning WeChat in the United States came to a halt as the new president was inaugurated on January 20th. The new administration has now asked for a suspension of proceedings while it revisits whether WeChat really pose a national security threat. That means we can continue to use WeChat in the US to serve our brothers and sisters in South Africa.
Before our weekly Bible studies, we usually have a wonderful chat and update each other. If needed, some of us will continue in private chats after the meeting. Everyone looks forward to this wonderful sharing and learning time together. Some of the brothers and sisters have since become more relaxed and involved in the discussions. Our worship services and sermons are in pre-recorded audio form; this also allows members of the churches to review again later. We thank God that everyone is on time for all the meetings on line.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for adequate supply of vaccines for South Africa and the smooth administration of shots as planned.
- Please continue to pray for wisdom for the South Africa officials to set up effective measures against the spread of the virus, especially during the upcoming Easter holiday.
- Please pray for brothers and sisters who open stores and operate factories. As most of the customers only put on their masks while walking in the stores, they face a higher risk of being infected.
- We thank the Lord for the latest development in the WeChat court case. Please continue to pray for the total dismissal of this case so we can serve our churches in South Africa with WeChat while in the US.
- Please continue to pray for Sister Lin for her quick recovery from her lung operation as well as her emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina
