親愛的代禱夥伴:
感謝神,南非第三波新冠肺炎疫情已經減緩,從每天一萬幾千人感染,降至過去七天每天感染人數在三千上下。第三波疫情的患者大部份是染了Delta病毒,情況比第二波嚴峻,從感染及死亡數字來看,病毒的傳播及感染率極强。疫症開始最先前的一年三個月裡,有1,637,000人受感染,而最近的三個月就有1,255,000人感染,也就是有43%的人是在這三個月被感染的。在第三波中染病死亡的有30,374人,佔35%。Delta病毒的可怕可見一斑!
在南非,已注射疫苗人口比率不及百分之二十,雖然現時疫症開始減緩,但面臨的挑戰還有不少。首先是十一月一日的南非普選,普選之前有許多競選活動,增加人與人的接觸,如拉票、造勢活動和投票等。其次是南非有八百萬的愛滋病患,他們對新冠病毒扺抗能力弱,使新冠病毒持久寄生在病患身上,這種寄生的關係給新冠病毒更多機會產生新的變種。所以,南非愛滋人口成為了變種的溫床。減低愛滋病人不產生變種的唯一方法就是給愛滋病患者注射疫苗。
南非民眾對接種疫苗並不熱衷,有的因為被誤導,對打疫苗和戴口罩採敵對態度。最近南非政府展開宣傳,鼓勵國民接種疫苗,如果接種率能達到50%到75%,國家的經濟活動就可以得到較大幅度的開放。若要今年底之前人口中50%接種疫苗為目標,那尚有一千八百萬人要打疫苗。政府希望每天能為廿五萬人注射疫苗,然而每天接種疫苗的人數與此相差甚遠。
我們仍然保持每週在網路上有三處崇拜聚會和三個查經聚會。感謝主使用網路語音的聚會,並沒有影響到參加人數,大家準時出現。崇拜可以重複聽,不受地區地點限制。有的人在南非以外,有的人在南非中部大城,也有的在南非北部小鎮;大家可以聚在一起。感謝主。
由於疫情減緩,南非政府八月中下調戒嚴到第二級,使一些商業能恢復,紓解經濟壓力。美國已宣佈十一月開放,允許多個國家(包括南非)完成疫苗接種的人進入,估計各地方將會開放。我們計劃十月上旬返回南非,請為我們旅途平安禱告。
請您為這些事情代禱:
- 請為南非疫情不會因為選舉而失控。
- 求主賜智慧給政府官員,幫助愛滋病患者對抗新冠病毒。
- 求主賜智慧給南非政府官員設法加速接種疫苗的工作。
- 感謝主保守我們每週在網上的敬拜和查經都正常運作。
您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二一年九月
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Dear Prayer Partners,
We thank the Lord that South Africa is finally coming out of its COVID-19 third wave. Daily cases have been coming down to an average around 3,000 from daily highs of over 10,000. In these three months, the Delta variant has been the main virus which is more contagious and widespread. Its impact is obvious. The total cases in South Africa for the first 15 months of the pandemic was about 1,637,000, but these last three months had pushed the number to 2,892,000 (an increase of 1,255,000 cases, or 43%). For the same periods, South Africa recorded another 30,374 (or a 35% increase) COVID-related deaths. The Delta variant is indeed devastating!
Due to the low vaccination rate of less than 20%, the end of the third wave does not give South Africa any relief from its challenges. First of all is the upcoming general election on November 1st. All different campaign activities can become super-spreader events. In addition, there are about 8 million HIV-positive patients in South Africa. They not only have a weaker immune system but also are hotbeds for new COVID variants. The only way out is full vaccination.
However, misinformation on face masks and vaccines have been causing hesitation among South Africans. The government has been trying different ways to encourage people to get inoculated. If it can reach 50% to 75% of the total population, the country’s economy can be greatly improved. Nevertheless, to be able to achieve 50% by the end of the year (18,000,000 more people), South Africa needs to vaccinate about 250,000 persons each day; that is quite a long way from the current rate.
Through WeChat audio communications, we continue to hold three worship services and three weekday Bible studies every week. We thank the Lord that attendance has been very steady, and brothers and sisters in different cities of South Africa as well as those in China are able to both participate in real time and review later as they wish.
With the temporary easing of the pandemic and the lockdown downgrading in South Africa, the economy is slowing picking up pace. Beginning November 1st, the United States will also accept foreign travelers (including South Africa) who are fully vaccinated. We are planning to return to South Africa on early October. Please pray for our safe travel.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for effective measures during South Africa’s election period.
- Please pray for wisdom for government officials in implementing extra measures for HIV-positive patients.
- Please continue to pray for smooth administration of vaccines and at a quicker pace.
- We thank the Lord for the smooth running of the various Bible studies and worship services as brothers and sisters are encouraging one another with one heart and in love.
In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina