親愛的代禱夥伴：

        前幾天還是酷熱非常，但這個星期天氣就轉成寒涼，因為秋天已經悄悄的來到！秋天是感恩的季節，農人在秋收時，會感謝神信實的賜予，使他們能豐收。我們感恩這二十多年來您們不間斷的代禱、支持和鼓勵，使我們能在南非為主開荒佈道、建立教會。榮耀歸給主！有您們在我們宣教生涯中與我們同工，使我們不感到孤單！我們感恩有您們一路陪伴。謝謝您們！

        秋天亦提醒我們時日季節的轉變，凡事都有定時，事情都有始終，我們亦隨著時間的流逝，不會永久年輕力壯。最近兩年，克達因為骨骼老化，並受風濕影響以至腰脊間盤突出，行動有限制，不能久站、不能久坐、行走不能長久。尋求中西醫生的幫助，但是幫助有限，因為問題根源是年紀漸長，不能根治。只能設法減慢衰老，學習接受人生進入不同的階段。因此，我們決定在今年年底退休，並結束我們在南非的服侍。

        之後，我們將在身體情況許可下，繼續參與宣教的服侍。我們對宣教的熱忱仍然沒有改變。中華福音使命團在南非仍有派駐宣教士，另外也在其他14個國家或地區開荒佈道、建立教會、訓練門徒、服侍社群。請您繼續支持宣教。願我們一起完成主所托付給我們的使命！

您的同工                        
克達、雅麗             
二零二三年十一月

國際總幹事朱昌錂的話

　　任克達、麥雅麗牧師師母二十多年前在同一個宣教異象分享會蒙召，舉手表示願意往南非作宣教士。他們分坐在會場的不同角落，散會時，他倆才發現主的呼召是真實到眼前，「神同時呼召我們」。雅麗在香港信主，參加我牧養的教會。我們各自來到加州，又遇上了。因這關係，他們來探討加入中華福音使命團作宣教士往非洲的機會，我和他們去過非洲的肯雅和南非，探視宣教事工的機會。最後，他們放下加州矽谷的專業，帶着三名上小學的兒女往南非開荒去。

　　二十多年來，他們足跡遍及布魯芳登、萊比錫的馬步咀、伯利恆、德班、紐卡索、約堡、伊利沙伯港、好望角等城鎮，踐行中福團「開荒佈道、建立教會、訓練門徒、服侍社群」的使命。神的恩典與他們同在。近年疫情期間，他們使用網絡聚會，幫助許多信眾和慕道朋友。因時差緣故，他們常在加州半夜帶領聚會。主的祝福隨網絡臨在會眾間。

　　今天你收到的這封代禱信，他們說是以宣教士身份所寫的「最後代禱信」。因著健康及年齡，任克達、麥雅麗牧師師母決定於2024年1月退休。在此代表中福團及任牧師師母向你們致意，多謝你們多年代禱、奉獻、關心。求主賜福任牧師師母退休後的生活與健康！

　　他們表示會在健康許可下，以不同形式繼續參與中福團的宣教事工。

　　是的，任牧師師母，我們携手向前，繼續主交託我們的「那未完成的使命」！

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        It was quite hot just a few days ago, then the weather became pretty cold. Autumn had arrived! Autumn is a season for thanksgiving; farmers are praising God for His faithfulness for their abundant harvest. We are also grateful for your continuous prayers, support and encouragement that uphold us in our ministry in South Africa for the past 20+ years. Glory to our Lord; with you as our partners, we never felt alone. We are so thankful for your company along the way. Please accept our deepest appreciation!

        Autumn also reminds us that season changes will surely come whether we like it or not. There is time for everything; things under the sun all have their beginnings and endings. No one can be young forever. These last two years, Ko-Ta has been experiencing degeneration of his lumbar joints (arthritis) and discs. That has greatly affected his movement – cannot stand, sit or walk for too long. We did try different kinds of treatment through oriental as well as western disciplines but with no apparent improvement. Since the root problem is originated from aging, there is no permanent cure. All we can do is to try different ways to delay the process and to welcome our next phase in life gracefully. As a result, we have decided to retire at the end of this year and conclude our ministry in South Africa.

        Going forward, we will still be involved in mission as our health permits; our passion in mission will not change. Our mission organization still has missionaries in South Africa as well as other 14 countries and regions, continuing its work in evangelizing, church building, discipleship training and community services. Please keep on your support for mission. May we persist hand in hand toward the finish line of our Lord’s Great Commission!

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        最近經由一位南非教會姊妹的介紹，在網上幫助一位基督徒，脱離她的家暴生活。她因為在原生家庭中沒有得到愛和照顧，故此很渴望得到愛和人對她的關注，以至她過著一個只懂遷就人，很容易被人利用、沒有尊嚴、受虐的生活。感謝神，她現在悔改及尋求神的幫助，張姊妹分享：「我只是覺知自己的軟弱吧！若不緊緊抓住神，我就要滅沒在活人之地了！神救我，會救我！前題就是我要盡心盡意盡力聽神的話。」我們成立查經小組，藉著查考聖經人物來重新建立她的人生目標和價值觀，希望能建立她的自信心和對神的信心。感謝神，因為從姊妹的回應中，我們已經看見她的改變，對神也有信心。她分享：「神要潔淨我，修復我！恢復祂初造我時的美好！祂要把那些被蝗蟲吃掉的歲月都還給我！我是有進一步看見，不看別人，也不看自己，單單注目主耶穌。」

        今天收到南非週三查經小組的一位弟兄轉寄來自約翰尼斯堡歐弟兄的見證。歐弟兄曾經住在開普敦，近兩年才搬去約堡。我們與他熟識是因為他的太太是開普敦福音教會的姊妹。歐弟兄慕道已有一段時日，他們夫妻間有時會因為基督信仰而爭執，姊妹為著信仰背負了不少重擔。她有時會慨嘆其難處，但她仍然有對主堅定不移的信心。我們和歐弟兄相處融洽，曾經多次在他們的公寓聚會。後來姊妹的公司調派她返回約堡總公司，所以我們便沒有聯絡了。我們一直感到很可惜，因為和歐弟兄已經建立了友誼和互信的基礎。可惜沒有更多的時間跟他分享信仰，及幫助他們的婚姻關係。但是神有祂的時間和方法，神的道路高過人的道路。歐弟兄因為突發肝癌需要換肝，經歷許多神的幫助。神徹頭徹尾的改變了他，也更新他們的婚姻關係。我們驚嘆神的奇妙作為！神實在以格外的恩慈對待歐弟兄。

        這提醒我們神工作直到如今（約五17），無論人多叛逆抵擋神，神還是能改變他，拯救他。所以，我們千萬不要放棄慕道友。第二，姊妹在主裡為丈夫的犧牲終有美好成果，而且得神記念。姊妹尊主為大的生活，她的丈夫必要因她而改變，姊妹的付出絕對不浪費。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 感謝主使查考聖經人物的查經小組正常運作。求主幫助我們能有效的帶領查經小組。
2. 請為張姊妹前面的道路代禱，求主幫助她早日脱離困境。
3. 請為歐弟兄身體得康復代禱。
4. 求主保守當地網絡能正常運作，使我們能繼續透過網路，與南非兩個教會的弟兄姊妹一起敬拜和查考聖經。

您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二三年八月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Recently, we were introduced to Sister Zhang by one of our sisters in South Africa.  She was in a bad relationship and suffered from domestic violence.  As she was growing up, she was not loved and was being neglected.  She tried desperately to seek love and other people’s attention.  As a result, she was being lured into an abusive and undignified living situation.  We thank the Lord that she is now determined to leave this way of life and ask God for help.  This is what she shared, “I know I am very weak.  If I do not hold on to the Lord, I will never be able to hang on.  God saves me; He will save me as soon as I turn back and follow Him with all my heart, all my mind and all my strength.”  We started a new Bible study group with her.  Through specific characters of the Bible, we are helping her to re-establish her purpose of life and value system as well as her self-confidence and faith in God.  We praise the Lord as we have already started to see changes in her.  She told us, “The Lord is going to cleanse me, heal me and return me to the way He first created me!  He will give me back those days that were destroyed by locusts!  I have learned to put my eyes on Jesus, not on other people nor myself.”

        Today we received a copy of Brother Ou’s testimony from a brother in Johannesburg.  Brother Ou had stayed in Cape Town for about two years before moving to Johannesburg.  We met him through his wife who was attending our Cape Town church.  Brother Ou was not a believer at the time and had frequent conflicts with our sister due to her faith.  We had counseled her a number of times, and she maintained a strong faith in the Lord.  We had a good relationship with Brother Ou, and we were able to hold a few Bible study meetings at their home.  As our sister was being transferred back to Johannesburg, we were not able to continue with our well-established rapport and our support in their marriage.

        However, the Lord has His way and timing.  A few months ago while he was visiting China, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and urgently needed a transplant.  With unbelievable speed, a match was located, and he had a successful operation.  He has become a total changed person!  God also saved his marriage!  We were in awe of God’s wonderful deeds!  He showered Brother Ou with amazing grace and mercy.

        This is a reminder to us that God “is always at work to this very day.” (John 5:17) No matter how one resists God, He is able to turn him around and save him; so we must not give up on anybody.  Moreover, our sister’s sacrifices for her faith were not in vain; they are being remembered by God.  When she persisted in honoring God in her life, her husband was being won over.

Please pray for the following:

1. May the Lord help us to effectively lead our new Bible study group.
2. May the Lord continue to lead Sister Zhang out of her difficulties.
3. May the Lord continue to help Brother Ou in his recovery.
4. May the Lord continue to bless our on-line Bible study meetings and worship services.

In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        感謝主的恩典，南非電力不足、長時間斷電的問題，最近有了改善；現在有些地方每天只停電兩三個小時。傳聞是電力公司中那些監守自盗的人被查出了，所以問題才能如此迅速改進，真相如何恐怕永遠無法知道。對大多數的人民來說，只要恢復供電，不影響生活就好。希望南非的工商業也能夠因為電力的恢復而興旺，經濟能更好。

        前幾個星期我們收到紐卡索教會曾弟兄的短訊，告知我們他的近況：「最近我開始了帶領一週的查經團契：有星期二的福音查經團契、有星期五的新生命查經團契、有星期六的新生命查經團契。這些我都參與帶領。星期二是魏弟兄跟我搭配帶領。星期五是老楊弟兄跟我搭配帶領。星期六只有我帶領，但因為停電時間影響，暫時停止。」

        我們實在為曾弟兄感謝神，因為他接續了帶領查經的事奉。神對他一步一步的帶領，直到今天。他受到母親的影響，本來是拜佛的，他的基督徒朋友將他介紹給我們認識，我們向他傳福音及帶領他信主，並且介紹他繼續接受浸信會牧師的聖經裝備課程，前前後後有兩年的訓練。那時不明白是神在預備他，現今看見其實是神的計劃。因為曾弟兄較年輕，我們曾經擔心大家能否接納他作教導，現今看見一切的運作都很平順，證明大家在靈性上的成熟，大家才能夠彼此接納，如此融合。感謝主。

        這件事的發展也提醒我們，要從神掌管萬事、凡事神都有計劃的角度去看我們的事工。事工是神興起，不是人的努力而促成的，事工的延續是因為神有衪的工作要成就，神必預備合宜的人選完成衪的工。衪是耶和華以勒。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 感謝主使查經團契正常運作。求主幫助曾弟兄能有效地帶領一週的查經團契。
2. 求主幫助南非政府能完全解決電力供應的問題。
3. 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。
4. 求主保守我們能繼續在網絡上，和南非兩個教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜及查考聖經都能正常運作。

您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二三年六月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Praise the Lord!  The electricity crisis in South Africa has been turned around for now.  Instead of long hours of load shedding, most areas only experience two to three hours of outages.  Rumor has it that some corrupt officials and those responsible for sabotage were caught, thus most areas are able to recover so smoothly.  Yet we may never know the whole story!  To the general public, their main concern is that their lives can get back to normal.  May this improvement stabilize all businesses and quickly strengthen the economy.

        A few weeks ago, we received the following message from Brother Tseng of our Newcastle church:“Recently I began to lead all the weekly Bible study meetings – Tuesday Gospel Bible Study, Friday New Life Bible Study and Saturday New Life Bible Study.  Brother Wei co-leads with me on Tuesday, and Brother Yang co-leads with me on Friday.  I am leading Saturday by myself, but due to power outages, it is now being suspended.”

        We are really excited for Brother Tseng.  Due to his mother’s influence, he used to be deeply involved with Buddhism.  Some of his Christian friends introduced him to us.  We shared the gospel with him and led him to Christ.  He was so eager to serve the Lord.  We put him in contact with the pastor of a local Baptist church to begin Bible training which lasted for two years.  We did not know at the time that God had searched him and equipped him for the church.  At first, we were concerned that the church might have reservations about him because of his young age (in his early 30’s).  Now we can see this acceptance and embrace as a sign of the church’s spiritual maturity.  We are so thankful!

        This reminds us that we should view our ministry from the perspective that God reigns and He already has a plan for all His work.  Nothing is accomplished due to men’s efforts.  He raises up and keeps his Church, and He provides the right people to serve His Church.  He is Jehovah Jireh!

Please pray for the following:

1. May the Lord continue to equip and lead Brother Tseng in his service.
2. May the Lord continue to help the government in resolving its electricity crisis.
3. May the Lord give wisdom to the government in controlling its inflation rate and improving its economy.
4. May the Lord continue to bless our on-line Bible study meetings and worship services.

In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina