親愛的代禱夥伴：

        南非電力供應危機仍末見到有好轉跡象，南非總統最近宣佈，考慮延遲關閉高污染的火力發電廠，以紓緩停電的壓力；也有消息指金磚銀行願意出資幫助南非汰換老舊的發電設備，但都未有立竿見影的果效。更荒唐的是，停不停電竟然被南非極端的反對黨（EFF）利用去做宣傳，威脅政府未來三天不可停電，否則會發動全國罷市罷工。如此的解決方案亦有人提議和接受，真是奇葩！但完全供電三天後，又回到原來的停電日常！

        目前南非每天分區停電三次，共十一個半小時，未來每天停電的時間將會更長。人們已經開始調整生活，家中備有儲電和照明功能的電筒，有電時就儲電，晚間照明都習慣用電筒了。開商店的店主就得自己預備柴油發電機供電，商城中家家都得依靠發電機，除了吵雜的燥音外，也有空氣污染。工廠是依靠私人發電機供電的，所以營運成本提高，利潤降低。加上南非物價通脹，人們的消費意慾減低，生意較早些時日更差。有一些華人商人已經選擇另覓出路，轉往他國發展。

        每天十一個半小時的停電，對我們週間查經小組的聚會影響很大，有時因為停電出席人數不足而無法查經。求主恩待憐憫！雖然受到限制，但是大家彼此問候，仍然可以感受到互相的關懷，對主的信心並不減少。感謝主，每週的崇拜聚會都正常運作。

        在異國他鄉生活最害怕的就是遇見變故，特別是在毫無心理準備下要面臨生死別離。前兩個星期，一位查經組組員告知我們要特別為林姐妹代禱，因為她已經返回家鄉，處理她兒子因車禍過世的事。我們認識林姐妹已二十年，她是一位愛主且常在網路上用禱告和分享去服事人的姐妹。以前她每年總會來參加我們教會的營會。她的兒子亦是一個愛主的年輕人。上個月才聽林姐妹分享兒子已準備好結束奈及利亞的工作，要返回家鄉結婚，並往南非陪伴林姐妹。可以想像，這惡耗使林姐妹承受巨大的痛苦。求主恩待她，保守她。深信主必親自與她同行，再賜給她力量，突破黑暗，如鷹展翅上騰，再次頌讚神。請您為她代禱。

        莊姐妹的弟弟是一位成功的富商，每次莊姐妹向他傳福音，他總是說他沒有這個需要。物質上看來，他的確是很豐富，但是心靈上卻有缺欠；特別是最近他經歷婚變和離婚，使他對自己的信心動搖。他將聖經下載在手機上，經常會閱讀經文，還會向基督徒朋友提出信仰問題。請您為這位莊先生信主代禱，求主早日拯救他，引他出離黑暗，進入光明。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 求主幫助南非政府能有效發展經濟，並控制通脹，提高人民就業機會。
2. 求主保守我們能在網路上正常的運作，和南非兩個教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜和查考聖經。
3. 請為林姐妹代禱，求主恩待她，安慰她。
4. 請為莊先生信耶穌代禱，求主揀選他，使他早日得拯救。

您的同工
克達、雅麗
二零二三年四月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        The electricity crisis in South Africa is worsening.  Trying to relieve this pressure, the President has announced his intention to postpone the government’s plans to close many high-pollution coal power plants.  In addition, there are news that the BRICS Development Bank is considering lending to South Africa for replacing its worn-out equipment.  However, these measures are not going to produce any immediate results.  The most unbelievable thing is that one of the political parties (EFF) seized this opportunity to threaten with a country-wide strike if the government did not give the people of South Africa a three-day break.  The government conceded, but everything quickly returned to reality after the three days!

        Right now load shedding has reached 11.5 hours per day, and it will climb to another new level in no time.  People have learned to live with it.  Many homes are equipped with battery-operated lanterns that can last a few days during power outages.  Many stores have to use their own diesel-powered generators to keep their business going.  However, the loud rumbling sound and added pollution create more problems.  Factories have to resort to the same solution, thus making it more costly and less profitable to operate.  Coupled with the raising inflation rate and less consumer spending, businesses are struggling to survive.  Some of the Chinese merchants have already relocated to other countries.

        This has also been interrupting our weekly Bible study meetings.  Due to rotating load shedding, different areas have different outage schedules every week.  Sometimes we have to cancel our meetings due to low attendance.  We pray for the Lord’s mercy!  Under the circumstances, our brothers and sisters still make good use of the limited time we have to encourage each other and build up each other’s faith.  We thank God that our weekly worship services are not affected.

        Being away from our home country, our greatest fear will be unforeseeable mishaps back home.  About two weeks ago, we learned from a member of one of our Bible study groups that Sister Lin had to rush back to China to make funeral arrangements for her son who passed away from a car accident in Nigeria.  We have known Sister Lin for 20 years, and she is a faithful servant of the Lord leading different Christian groups on the internet.  During our time in South Africa, she would make every effort to attend our yearly family retreat.  His son is also a godly young man.  Just last month, Sister Lin told us that her son had already quit his job in Nigeria, planned to return to China to get married and come to South Africa to join her.  Imagine what a great shock and unbearable pain it would be!  May the Lord’s face shine on her and comfort her.  We believe that our Lord will be with her all the way and will give her strength.  She will soar on wings like eagles and praise God!  Please pray for her.

        Sister Zhuang’s brother is a very successful businessman.  She tried many times to share the gospel with him, but he used to tell her that he had no need for any religion.  He seems to have everything, but he is poor inside; especially he has been experiencing tremendous marriage difficulties which ended in a rather ugly divorce.  He begins to rethink everything.  A common friend shared with Sister Zhuang that, not long ago, her brother downloaded the Chinese Bible in his cell phone and started asking her questions about Christianity.  Please pray for Mr. Zhuang.  May the Lord lead him out of darkness into light.

Please pray for the following:

1. May the Lord help the government to fight inflation, revive the economy and increase its employment rate.
2. May the Lord continue to bless the various on-line meetings so they will not be interrupted by electricity outages.
3. Please pray for the Lord’s grace on Sister Lin and comfort her in her time of need.
4. Please pray for the salvation of Mr. Zhuang.

In His service,
Ko-Ta & Christina

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：

1. 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。
2. 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。
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

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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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. May the Lord also help the government find effective ways to curb inflation and create more employment opportunities.
4. 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

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        最近有一位參加我們週間查經小組的姐妹告知，有一位從鄰國納米比亞來的女牧師和一位自稱是使徒的人，在南非傳「恩典福音」，還徵召人加入他們。早幾年，我們已經聽過這個只談恩典赦免而不談聖潔的異端在約翰尼斯堡活動，後來沒有聽到他們的消息。但現在他們似乎壯大了些，在弟兄姐妹之間傳播一些三至五分鐘的「基督教信仰」短片，有的滲入了謬論曲解的聖經內容，對不熟悉真道的信徒就很容易被誤導。另一位弟兄說他看了短片，覺得與真理不和，但是一時又說不出錯謬之處，說明這異端的詭詐。我們知道有人已經被這個異端吸引去了！使徒保羅要以弗所的長老警醒，因為必有兇暴的豺狼進入，也必有人起來說悖謬的話，要引誘門徒跟從他們（徒二十29-30）。請為已經誤入歧途的姐妹禱告，求主憐憫使她能脫離，求主幫助我們以真理裝備信徒，賜我們智慧的話勸導那些正被迷惑的人，警誡信徒不要接待傳異端的人，不要在他們的惡上有分（約貳10-11）。

        南非的供電問題一直令人非常困擾，因為不清楚根本的問題到底是什麼，南非政府和電力公司從沒有說清楚，也沒有提出解決的方法。前兩個星期電力公司宣佈將要更長時間停止供電，因為今年度（到2023年３月）的緊急備用油已經用完了。原因是過去的八個月，一般供電站故障太多，所以為了填補缺少的電力，就用了緊急備用油去發電。電力公司說政府必需補貼這些緊急備用油的費用，否則大家就得忍受斷電。在過去八個月用油的消耗量大增時，卻沒有提出警告，到油將用完時才公佈，很明顯管理的人沒有好好盡責辦事。這一類管理問題在南非很普遍，而另一個問題就是貪腐。南非的能源部長竟然對電力公司執行長反腐倡廉的工作公開表示不滿，數落他「僅僅是抓罪犯，無助於改善電力集團的狀況。」認為他不稱職，沒有專業知識。還好，南非的總統拉馬福薩賞識並且支持電力公司執行長的反貪腐工作。由此可見貪腐問題的錯綜複雜。而聖經提醒我們：賄賂是滋生腐敗的溫床，小則擾害己家，大則使國家傾敗（箴十五27；二十九4）。

        我們繼續經由網路的通訊和南非的弟兄姐妹聯絡、主日敬拜、週間查聖經。主日敬拜在講詩篇，週間仍在查馬太福音。感謝主，從前和我們一起服事的黃弟兄今年中從南非移居去了紐西蘭。他們主動要求要像他們在南非時一樣服事教會，從上星期開始帶領小組專題「像基督一樣的引領」。這幾個星期他們將繼續跨國的服事！充份的使用網路（紐西蘭、南非、美國）一起上課！求主記念他們的辛勞及愛心。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 請為誤入異端歧途的姐妹代禱，求主引領她回頭，早日脫離異端。
2. 求主制止異端謬論的傳播，幫助信徒明辨真道，拒絕並遠離異端。
3. 求主幫助南非政府能早日解決電力供應的問題。
4. 求主助南非政府嚴厲整頓治安，使犯罪案件下降，穩定人心。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二二年十二月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Recently, a sister in one of our Bible study groups informed us of a female pastor from Namibia and an accompanying self-proclaimed “apostle” who are spreading a new “grace gospel” in and around Johannesburg.  Actually, we already heard about this new group that preaches total grace and forgiveness but no need to repent again in order to lead a holy life.  Now they have resurfaced again stronger, advertising themselves as the truth gospel with 3-5 minutes’ short video clips and trying to attract other Christians to join.  We watched a few of these video clips and found that they are mixed with some truth and some false teachings which can easily confuse those who are not very well-versed in the correct interpretation of the Bible.  One of our brothers also received them from another sister.  He can sense that something is not right but cannot quite pinpoint what it is.  They are really deceitful!  Paul warned the Ephesian elders that after he left, “savage wolves will come in” and “distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30).  Please pray for the sister that had been deceived; may the Lord help her realize this falsehood and leave them.  May the Lord also grant us wisdom to equip our flock with truth, guide the swayed back and encourage fellow Christians to reject these false teachers so they may not share in their wicked work (2 John 10-11).

        The country’s electricity crisis has been worsening.  People are angry because neither the government nor the utility company can give them any explanation or solution.  A couple weeks ago, the company even announced further plans for more load shredding.  Their excuse was that over the past eight months there were too many power station breakdowns so they had to draw from the emergency reserves.  If the government does not agree to subsidize them in replenishing these reserves, the country will have to face blackouts.  What were the management doing over the past eight months?  Why didn’t they give out any advanced notification or respond earlier?  They are either incompetent or irresponsible, or both.  Sadly, this is not uncommon in South Africa.  It is compounded by the country’s widespread corruption. The Energy Minister even reproached the new CEO of the utility company for being unprofessional in spending too much time to fight corruption, saying that it did nothing to relieve the energy crisis!  On the other hand, the CEO has President Ramaphosa’s support.  It is an intricate issue and a political tug of war!  Yet we need to take into heart our Bible’s warning that bribery is the breeding ground for corruption; it not only can bring troubles to one’s family but also can tear down a country (Proverbs 15:27, 29:4).

        We continue to hold on-line Bible study meetings and worship services with our churches in South Africa.  Currently, our Sunday sermon series is on the book of Psalms, and our Bible study is on Matthew.  A couple who used to serve with us in the Cape Town church immigrated to New Zealand about six months ago.  Praise the Lord!  They are joining us again.  Starting from last week, they will be leading our Bible study on a series entitled “Lead Like Jesus.”  We are fully utilizing the internet to support each other in three different countries (New Zealand, South Africa, United States)!  May the Lord bless them in their service!

Please pray for the following:

1. May the Lord lead our sister out of the cult.
2. May the Lord stop the spreading of false teachings and help Christians discern the truth.
3. May the Lord help the government in resolving its electricity crisis.
4. May the Lord empower the government in fighting crimes and restore security in the country.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        感謝主，南非感染新冠疫情的人數兩個月前已開始下降，政府也開始放寬防疫監測的工作。雖然每天仍有人因疫症喪命，但是人們由於長期抗疫而產生疲乏和麻木的心態，因而對病毒的警覺性也降低不少。南非最近兩個星期染疫的人數又再增加，而症狀與Omicron BA. 5稍有不同，南非的病毒專家提醒民眾，如果這次的感染人數持續昇高，南非有可能會有第六波的疫情。

        好的消息是南非公司Biovac即將生產商用COVID疫苗Pfizer-BioNTech。十月份開始每年可生產一億劑供應非洲各國的需要，減少依賴西方國家供應疫苗。另外，新冠疫情在短短兩年為南非增加了十五萬名的孤兒，帶來多重問題，從撫養到照顧、失學、早婚、犯罪等等。這些問題像是病毒的後遺症一般，無法避免。政府需要投入資源去解决，但是疫情打擊著南非的經濟，政府已經很拮据了，情況實在窘困。

        由於經濟不好，物價高漲，南非最近各樣犯罪的事件增加不少。在一些治安較差的地區，綁架的事件增加了，在光天化日之下，綁匪極其猖狂，直接從商店中將店主擄走。綁架對象是以外國商人為目標（受仇外心態影響），受害人包括華人、索馬利亞人和孟加拉人，亦有城鎮中的商店收到字條通知，每月必需固定交付保護費給犯罪集團，否則就會成為被綁架的目標。犯罪集團收保護費的事件，警方亦有通告給商店，提醒各個商家小心處理，但是卻沒有整頓杜絕勒索的方案！由於沒有安全保障，一些華人商家已經計劃離開。請為南非的治安禱告，幫助警察杜絕綁架擄人事件。

        南非面臨很糟糕的電力供應問題，時好時壞，政府和電力公司都說不清楚原因，也沒有具體的解決方案和可恢復正常供電的時間表。有時會停電六個小時，有時會停兩個小時，大家似乎也習慣了，有電就用，無電就等；持續的停電會影響工業生產和商業復甦。斷電也影響我們週間小組查經的出席人數。求主幫助南非能盡快解決電力供應的問題，支持經濟的發展。

        我們繼續經由網路通訊與南非的弟兄姐妹聯絡，主日崇拜，週間查聖經。主日崇拜在講約伯記，週間在查馬太福音。有機會就會視訊聊聊天，大家互相問候。感謝主，沒有因為使用網路而感到不足。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 求主保守南非的新冠疫情能平息穩定，不再高升。
2. 感謝主，南非將可生產新冠病毒疫苗供應非洲各國抗疫。
3. 求主幫助南非政府能智慧的解決新冠疫症帶來的孤兒問題。
4. 求主助南非政府嚴厲整頓治安使罪案下降，穩定人心。
5. 求主幫助南非能解決電力供應的問題，使工業和商業能發展。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二二年九月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Praise the Lord!  COVID infection rates started to subside since July, and the government has been lessening its restrictions steadily.  Even though related fatalities are still being recorded every day, people are getting tired of and being numb to the pandemic, resulted in loose adherence to protective measures.  We have seen the number of COVID cases increased over the last two weeks, and the symptoms are slightly different from Omicron BA. 5.  Experts in South Africa warn that they may be facing the sixth wave soon.

        The good news is that South Africa’s Biovac will start production of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in October, with an estimated output of 100 million doses per year.  This will greatly relieve African countries from relying on supplies from Western countries.  However, South Africa has experienced an increase of more than 150,000 orphans over the past two years, resulted with problems in caretaking, schooling, early marriages, crimes, etc.  These are unavoidable sequelae of the pandemic.  The government needs to devote more resources to resolve these issues, but it would be a difficult task under its already worsening economy.

        Because of the weakening economy and high inflation, crime rates are on the rise.  Kidnapping is happening in an alarming rate in a lot of the crime-infected cities.  Some kidnappers would walk into a store in broad daylight, bind and take the owner away.  Their targets are all foreigners from China, Somalia and Bengal (due to xenophobia).  Stores in these cities even received notices to pay monthly “protection fees”; otherwise, they would be the next target.  The police also issued warnings to the stores but did not offer any plan of action.  The Chinese in these cities are living in fears, and many of them plan to sell off their inventory and leave as soon as possible.  Please pray for improved law and order in South Africa, especially the police’s ability to tackle kidnapping crimes.

        The electricity supply crisis is still not under control yet.  Nobody can give a clear explanation of the problem or any definite date of restoration.  People need to face outages from two to six hours each day; they have no other choices but to work around it.  This in fact put an extra burden on its fragile industrial and business revival.  At the same time, our weekday Bible study attendance has also been impacted.  May the Lord help South Africa come up with effective ways in bringing back stable electricity supply to support the recuperation of its economy.

        We continue to serve our brothers and sisters in South Africa through online Bible study meetings and worship services.  Currently, our Sunday sermon series is on the book of Job, and our Bible study is on Matthew.  Praise the Lord, we enjoy good fellowship and sharing every time we meet.

Please pray for the following:

1. May the Lord show His mercy and carry South Africa through the pandemic.
2. We thank the Lord for the successful progress in the COVID vaccine production in South Africa.
3. May the Lord grant wisdom to the government to devise effective solutions to the orphanage issue.
4. May the Lord empower the government in fighting crimes and restore security in the country.
5. May the Lord enable South Africa to solve its electricity crisis and revive its economy.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina