親愛的代禱夥伴：

        南非雖然不是非洲人口最多的國家，但卻是非洲確診新冠肺炎疫症最多的國家（超過50%在南非），目前（七月廿七日）新冠病毒病例已升到45萬多宗，疫亡七千多人。這個數字和許多染疫的國家相比，並不驚人；但是，從最近60天確診數字來看，就很驚人了。因為南非在六月初有3萬人染疫，到六月底升到15萬人，也就是在30天內增加了12萬人染疫；近七月底已有45萬人染疫，也就是在第二個30天增加了30萬人。七月份染疫的人數增加了一倍！現在每天以超過一萬人染疫的速度增加，是的，疫症正在南非快速的傳播！另外，已有超過五千位醫護人員也被感染，這個情況更為診治病人工作帶來困窘。請您記念南非疫情的發展，求主憐憫，恩待染疫的病人。

        新冠肺炎疫情在最近60天如此猖獗的原因，是因為在全國鎖國時期使得南非經濟衰退和工人失業。工會給政府壓力，促使南非政府不得不調整政策，要解禁挽救經濟。經濟商業的利益掩蓋了鎖國抗疫的成果。雖然，世界衛生組織（WHO）已經警告南非政府，南非有可能會因為鎖國的解禁開放太早，造成疫情失控，但南非政府六月一日起停止鎖國，南非抗疫下調到第三級戒嚴，恢復一部份的商業及生產活動。開禁之後，經濟的問題並沒有解決，反而疫情如預料的失控了，政府要花費更多金錢去抗疫，真是得不償失。

        在疫情嚴峻的時刻，神仍然掌權行奇事。前一個星期德班教會的一位弟兄和紐卡索教會的一位姐妹都被驗出染疫。教會的弟兄姐妹都同心為他們禱告，求主保守和醫治他們。感謝主恩待，他們在服用中國的藥材和療養後，疫症減輕，現在已在康復之中。真為他們感恩！紐卡索教會的弟兄姐妹自發在七月初兩次去到附近黑人小鎮去派發食物。他們立上橫幅Jesus Loves You，宣告華人教會本著基督的愛來賑助失業饑餓的人們。在疫症時期去發放，更顯出他們的愛心，他們所做的也得神記念。

        我們的事工除了三個崇拜聚會和兩個查經小組外，又增加了一個網路查經小組，是為幾位散居在南非不同城市的姐妹所設立。她們多年無法聚會，大家以前從未見過面，現在每週網上相見，倍感親切。感謝主，這個查經小組聚集了相距千百里的信徒一起聚會，網路擴遠擴大了我們的彊界。神應許給約書亞是腳掌所踏之地，神應許給我們的是網路所到之處！

        最近，克達輔助教會一名姐妹在網路上幫助兩名婚姻遇見困難的姐妹，用聖經話語去勸導，和他們分享、禱告。感謝主，一個分居的家庭因此復合，另一個本要墮胎的母親保存了孩子。因為姐妹只是一個網路上的同路人，她真誠的愛心和關心被人信任。神使用她幫助了千百里外，萍水相逢的主裡姐妹。網路上的輔導讓一些需要私隱的人可以得到幫助。神經由網路行奇妙的事！我們要有願意被神使用去幫助有需要的人的心，神就藉我們成就美好的事。

請你為這些事項代禱：

1. 感謝神保守患疫的弟兄姐妹，使他們從疫症中康復。
2. 請為南非政府抗疫的工作代禱，求主幫助政府施行管制，使疫症減緩；幫助醫護人員做好防護。
3. 感謝神保守我們在疫情擴散的時期，身體都健康。
4. 請為我們事工的各教會代禱，感謝主各教會主日崇拜和查經都在網路上正常運作，人數穩定。
5. 祈求神給我們每個信徒都有一個願意被神使用的心志。

您的同工             
克達、雅麗        
二零二零年七月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Even though South Africa is not the most populated country in Africa, it has the highest number of COVID-19 cases (more than 50%).  As of today (July 27th), the total number of confirmed cases has exceeded 450,000 with over 7,000 casualties.  Comparing to the top three countries, it is not as enormous; however, it is quite astonishing when considering how the figures spiked in the last 60 days.  At the beginning of June, there were 30,000 cases, with an increase of 120,000, it reached a total of 150,000 cases at the end of June.  It came to over 450,000 cases at the end of July – a 300,000, two-fold jump!  Currently, the number of new daily COVID-19 cases is running over 10,000.  It is indeed out of control!  To make matters worse, over 5,000 medical personnel had already been infected.  This puts an even greater burden on the already inadequate medical infrastructure.  Please pray for South Africa.  May the Lord shower His mercy on us, especially those who have caught the virus.

        The dire situation in South Africa was due to the premature reopening of the country from its strict lockdown.  The government succumbed to the pressure of labor unions as economic concern was put before the health well-being of its people.  WHO had already warned South Africa on its decision, but that did not stop the government from downgrading its national emergency to Level 3 and resuming operation of some of its business and manufacturing sectors on June 1st.  As it stands, the economy still looks grim; coupled with the accelerated rate of infection, South Africa is burning on both ends!

        Yet, God still reigns and does wonders!  A week ago, one brother in Durban and one sister in Newcastle contracted the virus.  We all joined in intercessions for them for God’s protection and healing.  Praise the Lord!  They are now in recovery after taking some Chinese medications during their quarantine.  In the month of July, the Newcastle church delivered food parcels to two of the poor neighborhoods.  They put up a “Jesus Loves You” banner and showed their Christian love in action to those who suffered from unemployment and hunger.  The Lord will be pleased.

        In addition to the three weekly worship services and two Bible study meetings, we had added a third Bible study for some sisters from various cities around South Africa.  They are living in remote areas and do not have access to Chinese churches.  Due to the new popularity of the online platform, we are able to get together from hundreds of miles apart.  We are totally enjoying the fellowship and feel like long-lost friends!  The Lord had promised Joshua the land as far as he could put his feet on; now He gives us the territory as far as the internet can reach!

        Lately, Ko-Ta had the opportunity to help a sister who was counseling two other sisters with their marriage issues.  She shared God’s Word and prayed with them.  Praise the Lord!  A couple reunited, and an unborn baby was saved!  They only met online; but because of her genuine love and caring, a trusted bond was formed.  This kind of indirect counseling does provide a certain degree of privacy they needed.  God works in all circumstances.  As we submit ourselves to serve, we will be a useful vessel for His marvelous deeds!

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:

1. We thank God for His healing for our brother and sister.
2. Please continue to pray for the government in South Africa that they will set up correct policies in containing the virus as well as protecting the medical staff.
3. We thank God for keeping us healthy during the pandemic.
4. Please pray for the smooth running and steady attendance of our on-line meetings.
5. Please pray for our brothers’ and sisters’ commitment to serve the Lord at all times.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        南非目前仍是非洲大陸確診新冠病毒疫例最多的國家，截至五月廿六日已有24,264宗確診，疫亡524人。這個數字和許多染疫的國家相此，並不驚人，可歸功於南非從3月26日起實施全民「待在家中」全國封鎖。所以，鎖國抗疫的措施初步控制了疫情，使疫症沒有快速擴散。但是，南非的醫療設備並不足以應付大量感染的病患，這個疫情的隱憂並沒有消除。目前，抗疫的重點仍放在環境衛生極差的貧民社區，控制不爆發社區感染。但是，因為全國鎖國帶來的經濟和生活的壓力，促使南非政府不得不調整政策，要重新開放。六月一日起南非會將抗疫下調到第三級戒嚴，恢復一部份的商業及生產活動。不好的消息是，南非現在疫情仍然在漸漸上升，以客觀的數據來說，南非疫情數字還沒有降低到可以安全恢復開放的狀況。世界衛生組織（WHO）已警告南非政府現在還不應該開放，可是南非政治勢力強大的工會壓制著政府必需開放，經濟和工作的需求勝過抗疫的工作。所以，南非有可能會因為鎖國的解禁開放太早，造成疫情失控。請為南非政府禱告，在兩難之間做有智慧的決定。另外，因為疫情帶來經濟的壓力也促使宵小偷竊和搶劫事件增加，大家都需要提高警覺，更加小心，免得成為受害者。

        四月三日德國首先從南非撤離僑民，英國和美國在四月九日跟著從南非撤離僑民，巴西和其它各國也都開始撤離僑民。領館通知我們撤離安排時，我們僅有兩天的時間安排。因為南非已經鎖國，所以，我們什麼事都不能做，只能匆匆收拾簡單的行李（限定一件），稍做交待就得離開。感恩我們的事工已經在網上運作，在哪一個城市播送都一樣。現在，我們就從美國播送。因為時差的關係，我們在午夜及早上上線。感謝神，我們這兩個月在網路上敬拜及查經，弟兄姐妹都按時來到群中聚會。願疫情可以早日結束，一切可以恢復正常。

        疫症在南非擴散，異端也混雜在網路中趁疫情活動。一個自稱南非好消息教會的牧師在網路上散佈消息藉著為疫症的佈道會和祈禱會來接觸華人信徒。這個自稱牧師的人，在去年曾以國際青少年聯合會（International Youth Fellowship）的名義辦活動，要招攬青年人加入他們的組織。好消息教會是一個韓國的異端，已滲入中國，現在進入南非活動。我們也發現有人以慕道友身份混進教會，在教會的微信群中散佈異端言論，我們就立即將此人從群中移除，並將韓國這個異端公佈出來，他們還以捏造的假文件強辯，謊稱自己是正統的教會。但是，我們從香港得到文件證明他們造假。在證據確實之下，他們開始謾罵毀謗教會的傳道人。感謝神，教會中的弟兄姐妹都沒有受影響，事情就這樣煙消雲散，很快的落幕。每個教會都需要時刻警覺提防異端，聖經提醒我們異端會用欺騙的手法侵入教會，做破壞的工作。

請你為這些事情代禱：

1. 感謝神保守祂的教會，使異端很快就被暴露出來，沒有造成破壞。
2. 感謝神保守我們在疫情擴散的時期身體都健康。
3. 請為南非抗疫的工作代禱，求主賜智慧給政府官員制定政策抗疫，復甦經濟及維謢社會治安。
4. 請為我們服事的各教會代禱，現在各教會主日崇拜和查經都在網路上運作。求主賜我們智慧去支持並鼓勵弟兄姐妹繼續成長。
5. 求主幫助各教會弟兄姐妹做好居家及出行時消毒防疫的工作。

您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二零年五月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        South Africa has become the epic center of the coronavirus in Africa.  As of May 27th, South Africa has 25,937 confirmed cases and 552 deaths.  Nevertheless, it is still a lot less than other countries.  It is due to the decisive action of the government to impose a countrywide lockdown early enough to contain the spreading speed.  The government knows its inadequate health system and medical supplies will not be able to handle a spike in cases, so it is putting all its resources into preventing community infection in all the township and informal settlement hotspots.  However, the economy is seriously impaired, and the President has announced that the country will enter Level 3 (Level 5 being the most serious) of the lockdown from June 1st.   This was done to appease the union but against the advice of the WHO.  It is indeed a hard choice between saving the economy and workforce from collapsing and strict containment of the virus.  With the reopening of a lot of the businesses and factories, even with stringent policies in place, the country is facing a grim prediction of quick rise in the Covid-19 toll.  Please pray for the government in South Africa for wisdom that they can make correct choices for the country.  In addition, the increase in thefts and robberies are alarming.  Everyone is in high alert not only for possible virus infection but also for possible falling victim to crimes.

        Germany was the first country to evacuate its citizens from South Africa on April 3rd.  The UK and the United States also arranged repatriation flights for their citizens on the 9th.  Then Brazil and other countries followed suit.  We had only a couple days to get ready after the date was confirmed.  As the lockdown was in place, we could only pack some essential things (only one check-in luggage and one carry-on were allowed) and make minimal arrangements before we left.  Fortunately, our churches were already meeting online, so we just needed to adjust to the time difference – Bible study in our mornings and worship service at our night time.  Praise the Lord!  Our brothers and sisters continue to attend the meetings regularly.  We continue to pray for recovery and return to normalcy.

        The spread of the coronavirus does not slow the spread of cults.  There is one called itself the Good News Church in South Africa.  It was promoting an online prayer and evangelizing meeting in May.  The self-proclaimed “pastor” had tried before to recruit young people into their organization “International Youth Fellowship” last year.  This a cult from Korea and has been infiltrating into many countries including China.  From this particular promotion, we discovered one person who has been attending one of our churches as a new believer.  This person was vigorously defending this cult with many different messages and links to their teachings.  We exposed this organization in our church group chats and their falsification of documents from other genuine church organizations in support of their authenticity.  We were able to collect evidence from Hong Kong and posted the original declaration to counter their lies.  We immediately expelled this person from our church chat group, but she turned around and slandered us in other Christian chat groups in South Africa.  We thank God that this matter was resolved quickly, and no brothers or sisters was influenced by her or the cult.  This really reminds us to be always on high alert for false prophets and teachers to come into our churches to create divisions and cause damages.

Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:

1. We thank God for His swift intervention and protection for us against the cult.
2. We thank God in keeping us healthy during the pandemic.
3. Please pray for the government in South Africa that they will set up correct policies in containing the virus as well as saving the economy and fighting crimes.
4. Please pray for our churches and our on-line meetings. May the Lord grant us wisdom in caring and encouraging our brothers and sisters in their spiritual growth.
5. Please pray for our brothers and sisters’ diligence in personal safety and hygiene.

In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina