親愛的代禱夥伴：

        二零二零結束，人們滿以為疫情亦會隨著一年過去而告終結，大家夢想新的一年將會有美好的正常生活，可是，去年底英倫發現變種疫株，而這種變種病毒很快在英國急速擴散，大家的美夢亦隨即幻滅了。

        這英倫變種病毒極易感染，迅速取代舊病毒株，成為主流毒株，並使疫症感染個案再度增多。從二零二一年開始，全球各國都面臨更嚴峻的疫情。去年十二月份在南非已出現變種病毒，南非的變種比英倫的變種更容易傳染，使南非疫情感染快速擴大。從九月到十一月，南非已有12萬人染疫，新變種病毒在過去兩個月造成63萬人染疫，增加了500％。同時，這兩個月因染疫而死亡數字已超過二萬人，亦超過去年十二個月的總數！南非變種病毒的感染容易度及引起傷害的嚴重度，實在可怕。這當然對南非醫療系統造成很大的挑戰，使醫院病床及加護病床都不敷應用。在南非，沒有華人染疫人數的正式統計，只知道有人從疫症中康復，也有人因染疫過世。在開普敦，有華人教會因為沒有停止群聚、防疫不佳，導致有傳道人因感染而過世。在德班亦有傳道人因為發放物資過程中，沒做好防護而染疫，雖然後來她可以康復過來，實在感恩，但由此可見疫情十分嚴峻，每天嚴緊的防疫的工作，是不可鬆懈的。在疫情之下，弟兄姐妹每天都要面對不同的挑戰，其中一項就是要勸導一些不守法不戴口罩的顧客戴好口罩。疫情的嚴峻也提醒我們，保守我們生命的是神，我們不必過度懼怕，只要警醒並存感恩的心生活便足夠。

        南非有一些華人希望及早接種疫苗，就藉著返國辦事而在中國接種。當然，也是因為南非政府疫苗接種的計劃一直不透明，在南非我們只知道到政府已訂購疫苗，但是品牌，價錢，數量，開始安排接種的日期等政府都沒有公佈。南非政府預計要為三分之二的人口接種疫苗，但是，不知道疫苗的實情令很多打算接種的人不安心。但是，南非的疫情持續嚴峻，專家警告若疫苗接種遲延，將來還可能有第三輪的疫情高峯。疫情使南非經濟下滑，現今要花費大量金錢購買疫苗，對南非政府而言，這是一項艱難的任務。請為南非政府禱告，求主為他們開路使南非國民早日得接種疫苗。

        美國川普政府以國家安全利益為理由，用行政命令禁止使用微信的案件，一月十四日在美國舊金山第九巡迴法庭上，由三位法官判定暫緩執行原定9月20日生效的命令。法官判詞指出政府可能越權介入這個案件，妨礙了人們的言論自由，而關閉微信後，亦沒有提供其他的代替方案。法官收取了政府的申訴，到目前案件還沒有結束，亦沒有進一步說明，可能將會繼續擱置。請為我們能繼續使用微信服事代禱。

請你為這些事項代禱：

1. 感謝主，教會每週在網上的敬拜和查經都運作正常，弟兄姐妹都按時出席，認真的學習。
2. 感謝神，我們可以繼續用微信服事弟兄姐妹。請為微信禁令能夠早日的得到解決代禱。
3. 求主賜智慧給南非政府做好防疫，幫助官員能認真執法減低疫症的傳播。
4. 求主幫助南非政府及早為人民安排接種疫苗，使疫症得以控制。
5. 德班教會的林滿足姐妹癌症轉移至肺部，感謝主，她的切除手術很成功，請為她手術後身體的復原禱告。
6. 求主幫助開店和開廠的弟兄姐妹作好防疫保護的工作。也求主保守他們出入的平安。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二一年一月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        The end of 2020 gave people a wishful dream of the end of the pandemic and brought about a flesh start of normalcy.  However, that dream was dashed when a variant of the virus stormed through UK with quicker and wider infections.  The year 2021 actually started with a new surge in all the countries throughout the world.  A variant was also found in South Africa during December 2020.  It is spreading even faster than the UK variant and has been causing more deaths.  In South Africa, there were 120,000 new cases from September to November of 2020.  New cases of the variant has jumped to 630,000 during the two-month period of December 2020 and January 2021, a 500% increase.  At the same time, the death toll was over 20,000, more than the last 12 months combined.  This puts enormous pressure on the medical system, and beds in the hospitals and ICU’s are in alarming shortages.  There is no official data on the infection rates and resulting death figures for the Chinese population in South Africa, but we do know of people who had been recovered as well as those who had passed away.  One Chinese church in Cape Town continued to hold meetings during the lockdown period.  Some among the congregation were infected, resulted in the death of the pastor.  Another pastor in Durban got the virus when she disturbed food parcels to the poor.  We thank God that she had since recovered.   Therefore, no matter how the situation looks, we still need to exercise all precautionary measures possible to protect ourselves.  The greatest challenge for our brothers and sisters, though, would be to strictly enforce mask wearing for their customers.  Nevertheless, we should not be overly anxious because our God will keep and protect us.  We need to be on high alert, but we can do it with thankfulness.

        Some Chinese opted to receive their vaccination in China when they returned on their business trip.  This is mostly due to the lack of transparency in the government’s plan in acquiring and distributing of the vaccine.  The announced plan is to vaccinate 2/3 of the population, but there is no date in sight as when the general public will have access to it.  The experts warn that if the coronavirus cannot be brought under control soon, the delay of vaccination will cause a third wave of infection.  The economy has already been adversely impacted, the dire situation compounded with the need of payment for the large amount of vaccines.  Please pray for the government in its efforts in securing enough vaccines for South Africa.

        The case for the US government to ban WeChat was presented to the US Court of Appeals in San Francisco on January 14th.  It was the court’s opinion to continue to suspend the Executive Order due to a possible infringement on the users’ right of free speech and the lack of alternatives offered by the Order.  This case is still pending.  Please continue to pray for a favorable result so we can continue our ministry on WeChat.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:

1. We thank God that our on-line meetings are in smooth operation with good attendance and attentiveness.
2. We thank God for our continued ministry on WeChat. Please pray that the ban will finally be denied.
3. Please continue to pray for wisdom for the South Africa officials to set up effective measures to halt the spread of the virus and pray for the people to comply with these measures.
4. Please pray for quick administration of vaccines for South Africa.
5. Please pray for Sister Lin of our Durban church. Her cancer has spread to her lungs.  We thank the Lord that her operation was successful.  Please pray for her full recovery.
6. Please continue to pray for the health and safety of our brothers and sisters.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        南非政府將鎖國戒嚴等級從9月21日起下調到最鬆懈的第一級。在九月底，那時的染疫人數是67萬人，南非的衛生部長公佈最新確診數字，截至十一月底，共有79萬人感染新冠肺炎，反映過去的兩個月，平均每天有2000人感染。特别是在黑色星期五這幾天，每天染疫人數超過3000人！這些數字告訴我們現今南非的疫情仍然嚴峻，最基本的問題是民眾防疫鬆懈，不守政府防疫的政策，造成疫情持續。例如小型巴士不顧疫情傳播，滿載客人，為賺錢而不守限載乘客人數的政策，難以想像每天有多少人在乘車時被感染！南非本身的問題，也影響了新冠疫症的防治。例如疫症救援撥款被挪用，急救物資被盜賣或盗用。南非面對疫情的難題，很需要您為他們代禱，求主恩待、憐憫。請您為南非的政府能勵精圖治禱告，也為現任總統拉馬福薩禱告，求主給他智慧處理疫情。

        教會林姐妹去年罹患乳癌，感謝主她的手術很順利。怎料，上個月她才剛完成化療，上個星期發現癌細胞已經轉移成肺癌，最新的發展實在太突然了。她上次患乳癌時很平靜，看出她的單純依靠主的信心，教會弟兄姐妹們也從她的經歷得到鼓勵。感恩林姐妹這次的信心仍然堅定，發微信說要仰望上帝的恩典，請為她的手術代禱。她的丈夫上週也因為心臟衰竭入院，身體現在已經穩定下來，請為這對弟兄姐妹的身體代禱。

        美國以國家安全利益的理由發出行政命令，要禁止使用微信的案件；幸而，美國舊金山第九巡迴法庭三位法官已在11月2日判定暫緩執行原定9月20日生效的行政命令。這個案件暫時得到舒緩，但是還沒有結束，可能會拖延許久。請為我們能繼續使用微信服事代禱。

請你為這些事項代禱：

1. 南非新冠肺炎疫症嚴峻，求主賜智慧給南非政府釐定防疫方針，幫助官員能認真執法，幫助民眾注意防疫不鬆懈。
2. 請為林姐妹及她的丈夫身體代禱。
3. 求主幫助開店和開廠的弟兄姐妹，每天做好防疫保護的工作，也求主保守他們不被感染。
4. 感謝神，目前微信軟體可以繼續在北美使用。請為這項禁令依法公平公正地得到解決代禱。
5. 疫情打擊南非的經濟，也引致各類的罪案上升，請為南非的政府加強管治代禱。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二零年十二月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Since South Africa moved to Level 1 Lockdown on September 21st, its COVID-19 infection rate has climbed from 670,000 to 790,000 by the end of November, an average increase of 2,000 cases per day. After the Black Friday weekend, the surge has been over 3,000 per day. These numbers indicate that the severity of the pandemic is very real. Unfortunately, people are becoming complacent and do not adhere to the various precautionary measures. For example, greedy minibus drivers ignore the law and fill their vehicles at full capacity. It is not hard to imagine how easy their passengers can contract the virus. The government itself also contributes to the dire situation where corrupted officials misuse and steal emergency funds and medical resources. Please pray for South Africa and its President. May the Lord have mercy on us and grant wisdom and perseverance to the leaders in mitigating the pandemic.

        Sister Lin was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Her operation was very successful and had just completed the last phase of chemotherapy a couple months ago. To everyone’s surprise, last week her doctor told her that her cancer had spread to her lungs. Last year her faith and serenity had been an encouragement to the church; this time she is still fully trusting in the Lord’s grace. Please pray for her coming operation. Her husband also suffered from heart failure on the same week. We thank God that he had a quick recovery and had been discharged from the hospital. Please pray for their health.

        We thank God that the Ninth Circuit Court had suspended the November banning of WeChat in the States. The case is still pending. Please continue to pray for our ministry through the WeChat platform.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:
1. Please continue to pray for wisdom for the South Africa officials to set up effective measures to halt the spread of the virus and pray for the people to comply with these measures.
2. Please pray for Sister Lin and her husband’s health.
3. Please pray for brothers and sisters who had to tend stores and work in the factory that they are alert and careful in protecting themselves against the virus.
4. We thank the Lord for our continued ministry on WeChat. Please pray for final justice in resolving this case.
5. The economy in South Africa has been greatly affected by the pandemic, and crime has been increasing exponentially. Please pray for safety and security in South Africa.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        南非疫情仍然嚴峻，在六月初有3萬人染上新冠肺炎疫症，到六月底升到15萬人染疫，七月底已有42萬人，八月底染疫人數超過62萬人（八月份染疫增加了20萬人），九月底染疫超過67萬人。感謝神，南非九月份新加增新冠肺炎疫症的人數下滑。但是，一個月增加5萬人，代表疫症的傳播仍然嚴重！

        南非政府將鎖國戒嚴等級從9月21日起下調到最寬鬆的第一級。正如南非衛生部長姆齊兹（Dr. Zweli Mkhize）提醒全國的人民：下調到一级，並不意味著新冠狀病毒已經銷聲匿跡，一切都好轉了，這只是政府決心要開始重建南非經濟。我們仍然是生活在一個新型冠狀病毒的世界當中，感染高潮隨時可能無示警地會捲土重來。目前每週的感染數量仍然很高，我們並沒有真正擺脫麻煩。在研發可用的疫苗之前，我們無法真正安心。由於最近有幾個歐洲國家爆發第二波疫情，有的疫情比第一波更嚴重，而南非的疫症最早是從歐洲傳入的；所以，南非政府已經成立新的防疫應對小組，希望能更有效率對抗疫情。請為南非政府禱告，求主幫助他們做好下調解禁之後的防疫工作。

        我們的事工都在網路上運作，由於有些弟兄姐妹住在偏遠的地區，他們接受訊號和網路速度都有限制。所以，我們以微信音訊來查經及崇拜。因為是微信音訊，也方便弟兄姐妹從中國、新加坡和台灣參加聚會。美國以國家安全利益的理由，命令在9月20日後禁止使用微信，在未能確定的影響下，我們只能先將主日崇拜暫時移往WhatsApp運作，建立了教會新的群組，並且一起崇拜。但是，發現有一些弟兄姐妹在中國購買的手機無法下載WhatsApp軟件，無法參加敬拜。所以，要遷到WhatsApp上運作，對我們事工會有影響。

        奇妙的是，9月19日那天美國舊金山法庭宣告暫緩執行原定20日生效的行政命令。因為這禁令有可能違反憲法第一修正案，侵犯了言論自由。事情到底會發展成如何，誰也不清楚。目前，微信仍然可使用；所以，我們的事工又回復使用微信聚會。靜觀其變，再做調整。司法部宣佈將在10月15日為這個案件舉行聽證會，請為我們能繼續使用微信運作代禱。

        我們南非的事工仍保持三個主日崇拜聚會和三個週間小組查經。由於時差的關係，有的是在午夜聚會，有的是在清晨聚會。現在大家每週網上相見，交流起來也很親切。大家都定時參加聚會，查經時，有問有答，互動也很好。網路帶來便利而不是限制，我們為此感恩。

請你為這些事項代禱：

1. 南非疫情仍然嚴峻，求主賜智慧給南非政府官員抗疫，以減少病毒的傳播，維護人民的健康。
2. 疫情打擊南非經濟，引致各類的罪案上升，求主賜大家警覺的心，也為南非的政府加強維持治安代禱。
3. 為南非各教會信徒感恩，大家認真參與在網路上的教會主日崇拜和查經，求主賜福親近他的人。
4. 許多弟兄姐妹每天要開店和開廠，請為他們每天作好防疫保護的工作代禱。
5. 請為我們能繼續使用微信來服事代禱。

您的同工             
克達、雅麗        
二零二零年九月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        The pandemic in South Africa is still surging!  In the beginning of June, total cases was around 30,000; but it jumped to over 150,000 by the end of the month, spiked to 420,000 in July, reached over 620,00 by August (an increase of 200,000) and went past 670,000 near the end of September.  Although the speed of transmission had slowed down to around 50,000 in one month, it is still an alarming number nonetheless!

        South Africa had moved to a Level 1 Lockdown on September 21st.  At the same time, the Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize cautioned the public:  The Level 1 downgrade does not mean the worst is over.  It is decided for the rebuilding of the country’s economy.  We are not seeing the end of the disease yet; a resurgence of cases can happen at any time.  The current weekly infection rate remains high.  We are still in the woods.  We should not rest until an effective vaccine is developed.  Over the past few weeks, a number of European countries were hit with a second wave of the pandemic, some even experienced a worse infection rate than the first time.  Because South Africa’s first COVID-19 cases were imported from Europe, the government had formed a special response team to tackle this new development.  May the Lord help the government in all its precautionary measures and outbreak response.

        Due to the lockdown, our worship services were held using WeChat audio recordings (Bible studies are through WeChat video calls for those who can attend).  This is the most optimal choice for us as some of our brothers and sisters are located at remote rural areas with limited and unstable internet connections.  It also facilitates some of our church members who are currently in different time zones like China, Singapore and Taiwan.  However, when the September 20th WeChat ban in the States was approaching, we elected to move our worship services to WhatsApp by forming new church chat groups.  Unfortunately, some of those who purchased their cell phones in China were not able to download the APP.  It did create some difficulties in our ministry.

        In a turn of events on September 19th, a U.S. District Court judge in San Francisco granted a preliminary injunction against the President’s Executive Order, citing a possible violation of the First Amendment rights.  We were then able to resume all our meetings on WeChat.  At the Justice Department’s request, the judge will hold a hearing on October 15th, we will have to wait and see how it goes.  Please pray for our continued meetings on WeChat.

        We are still holding three worship services and three Bible study meetings online.  With the time differences, some of these meetings are at our midnights and some are early in the mornings.  Everyone is getting used to this form of fellowship, enjoying a different kind of interaction and warm sharing.  This gives us a new convenience rather than limitation.  We thank for Lord for that!

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray for wisdom for the South Africa officials to effectively halt the spread of the virus and protect its people’s health.
2. Due to the grim economy, more people engaged in crime. May the Lord keep everyone on alert and help the government’s effort in fighting crime.
3. We thank God for keeping the church in smooth operation. May the Lord bless those who draw near to Him.
4. Please pray for those who need to mind shops and run factories. May the Lord protect them.
5. Please pray for our continued use of WeChat.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina