親愛的代禱夥伴：
昨天突然收到相識多年的楊弟兄以通訊軟件與我聯繫，原來他已經從南非返回家鄉。近年不少華人因為不同的因素撤離南非，回到故居。新冠疫情嚴重打擊南非經濟，加上電力供應不足，導至停水停電，通貨膨脹，經濟受到一重又一重的打擊。現今經營生意比新冠疫情之前困難許多，購買物品的顧客大大減少，經濟不景也使治安比從前更糟。以前只怕買不到店做生意，現在想賣店卻找不到買家，因為想離開南非的人比想進入南非的人更多。楊弟兄那時為一個主內弟兄打工，有休假就會來崇拜。他除了問候我們外，也提到他常常思念在南非時的教會生活、牧師師母和弟兄姐妹。他說：「從前在一起時，不感覺到相親相愛，現在卻懷念那一段美好日子中的每個人；就是能重遊舊地，也找不回每個弟兄姐妹了。」我提醒他，神有更美好的安排，就是我們有一天在天上還可相見！
我們服事流動性高的散居人口，經常會有這種甘甜又惆悵的感受。甘甜的是我們萍水相逢，就在他們需要神的時候，我們的一個行動讓他們遇見了神。這個行動可能是傳了福音給他們，或陪伴了他們，安慰了他們，鼓勵了他們。楊弟兄在異地他鄉生活時，教會是他的家，弟兄姐妹就是他的親人；神通過弟兄姐妹在主裡愛的關顧，使他感受到神的愛。惆悵的是在異國環境人常變動，教會甜美真誠的相處終會結束，我們只能擁有美好的回憶，只能說珍重再見！我們要完全相信神引領我們的事工，神知道也掌管一切。
引領弟兄姐妹成長有時亦很艱辛，要用耐心和愛心去對待他們。時候到了，必結出好果子。今年聖誕節，我們收到一位許久沒有聯絡的姐妹的問候。這位姐妹受到異教徒的影響，在信仰上一直爭戰很大。不管她被牽引離開神有多遠，多久沒有來聚會，我們總是去探望她、鼓勵她，在她需要時去幫助她。今年她的問候附上一個短訊：「我回到神的家了。雖然我曾遠離過主，但主的愛並不減少！感謝你們一直以來對我的信心不變，相信我、支持我。」她的話提醒我們，愛心的付出絕對不會浪費。要體恤落在軟弱中的人，要繼續去鼓勵他們，關心他們。
請您為這些事情代禱：
- 請為返回原居地的弟兄姐妹能尋到合適的教會代禱，使他們在主裡繼續成長。
- 求主幫助南非政府能早日解決電力供應的問題。現在每天停電10小時，影響生活與工商業發展。
- 求主幫助南非政府能有效發展經濟，並控制通貨膨脹，提高就業率。
- 求主保守我們能繼續在網絡上跟兩個南非教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜和查考聖經，不被停電影響。
您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二三年二月
下載 PDF 格式 （中文）
Download PDF Version （English）
Dear Prayer Partners,
Yesterday I received a message from Brother Yang whom I knew for many years. We have not been in contact for a few years. He told me that he is now in his homeland and is using this new account to connect with me again. Due to different reasons, many Chinese had chosen to return home. The pandemic has been a huge blow to the South African economy, the country’s dire condition is being compounded by unstable supply of electricity, water shortage and high inflation. With decreasing customer base and worsening crime rates, businesses are impossible to make any profit these past few years. It used to be hard for new immigrants to find businesses to acquire. Now the table has turned, and it is hard to find buyers for their businesses. Brother Yang used to work for another brother in Christ, and he would come to church whenever he had the day off. He mentioned that he missed everyone in church and lamented, “I did not think much about our time together when I attended church, but now I remember all the great times we had and cherish every single one of them. Even if I visit South Africa again, I would not be able to find everyone!” I reminded him that our Lord has greater plans for us, and one day we will meet again in heaven!
Ministering among Chinese diasporas let us experience this emotional roller coaster. It would give us great joy to meet them and witness their encounters with God. It could be a witnessing opportunity or just a passing when they needed help and encouragement. To Brother Yang, our church was a home away from home where he was showered with God’s love through fellow Christians. Nevertheless, we felt sad when we had to part our ways. Since South Africa is not our permanent home, we can only say our goodbyes and embrace our wonderful memories in our hearts. We fully entrust our future with our Lord because He reigns and holds the keys to tomorrow and eternity.
To foster growth in Christians requires a lot of hard work, patience and love, but we will see our work in completion in due time. Around New Year’s time, we received greetings from a sister who had left the church a number of years ago. She was pulled away by another religion and had been struggling back and forth. Yet we still visited her from time to time, encouraged her with God’s Word and stood by her in her time of need. In her message, she told us, “I have returned to God’s family! Even though I had wandered away, God’s love was always there! Thank you for never doubting my faith, believing in me and supporting me.” We rejoice that our persistence in love was not in vain. Let us continue to have compassion for the weak, to encourage and support them.
Please pray for the following:
- May the Lord lead our brothers and sisters who had returned to China to find new church homes where they can continue their spiritual growth.
- May the Lord help the government in resolving its electricity crisis. It is now escalated to Level 6 Load Shedding with 10 hours of blackouts per day. It seriously affected daily living and business operations.
- May the Lord also help the government find effective ways to curb inflation and create more employment opportunities.
- May the Lord continue to bless the various on-line meetings so they will not be interrupted by electricity outages.
In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina
