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

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