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

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        最近德班教會的一位姐妹向我們查訊是否認識一位華人婦女，我們才知道韓國的異端教會又在騷擾南非的華人教會了。這個新加入德班的婦女，其實是從韓國的異端教會來的，她曾經在別的城市以慕道友的身份接近教會，教會的弟兄姐妹都被蒙在鼓裡，後來從上慕道班到真道班學習，之後加入教會。之後，她開始在教會群組散佈異端的謬論，例如一個人信主後若軟弱犯罪，不需要再向神認罪。她拒絕接受我們對她的規勸，我們就在教會的群組指正這個異端的錯謬，並且將她移離教會的群組。因為她當時也搬離那個城市去了首都約翰尼斯堡，所以那次被異端騷擾的事件很快的結束了。這次異端會被暴露出來，是因為她有一些很離譜的行為，引起教會弟兄姐妹想知道她的信仰背景才向我們查詢。感謝主！異端份子被發現了。這件事提醒我們要時刻警醒。「務要謹守，警醒。因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。」（彼前五8）。另外聖經也提醒我們要嚴防異端「從前在百姓中有假先知起來，將來在你們中間也必有假師傅，私自引進陷害人的異端，連買他們的主他們也不承認，自取速速地滅亡。」（彼後二1）。請繼續為德班教會代禱。

        感謝主，南非新冠Omicron BA4和BA5引起的第五波疫情已經緩和，從每天有數千人感染降至每天二百多人感染，數人死亡。本月初，南非宣布已經利用莫德納公司公開的新冠疫苗核酸序列，開發出非洲大陸首款mRNA疫苗，並計劃於2022年底前開展臨床試驗，預計第一次批次將在2024年可以在非洲生產，直接供非洲使用，也可以提高南非人接種疫苗的比例。

        南非最近電力供應不足，時常停電，有時停電十到十二個小時。持續的停電影響工業生產和商業復甦。斷電也使一些弟兄姐妹沒法參加小組查經。南非最近經濟稍有復甦，求主幫助南非能盡快解決電力供應的問題，支持經濟發展。也求主幫助南非政府做好治理工作，使治安良好，犯罪下降。

        感謝主使我們仍然能保持在網路上和南非兩間教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜和查考聖經。雖然用網路比不上實體聚會，但是，習慣了也還可以。用視訊聊天也感到溫馨，送上真誠的愛和關心。這樣也有方便之處，省去交通的時間，網路上開會也減低病毒感染的可能性。

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 求主保守德班教會合一相愛，在真道上站立得穩。
2. 南非最近經濟稍有復甦，求主幫助南非能盡快解決水電供應的問題，支持經濟發展。
3. 求主助南非早日能生產疫苗來支援抗疫工作。
4. 求主賜智慧給南非政府官員更好的治理國家。
5. 求主保守我們能繼續在網路上和南非兩個教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜，並一同查考聖經，不被攪擾。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二二年六月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Recently one sister at our Durban church inquired us about a Chinese lady that came to church, and we realized that the Korean cult that had targeted our other church in another city is at work again.  Years back this same lady pretended to be a seeker, attended our baptism class and joined our church.  Soon after, she started to post articles and sermons of the cultic “grace gospel” – for example, they claim that because God’s grace is sufficient, Christians no longer need to repent and pray for forgiveness anymore.  We tried every means to explain, advise and exhort her.  She eventually showed herself not to be a confused believer but a false teacher of the cult.  We then exposed her cult and kicked her out of our church’s WeChat group.  As she had already moved to Johannesburg, the matter ended there.  This time, she was quickly discovered because our church members noticed her questionable postings on social media.  We thank God that this cultic infiltration was stopped in time.  This is a reminder to us that we need to be alert at all times.  “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) In addition, the Bible also warns us that “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (II Peter 2:1) Please pray for the Durban church!

        Praise the Lord!  The fifth wave of the Omicron BA4 and BA5 in South Africa had subsided.  The infection rate has dropped from thousands to a couple hundreds with single-digit fatality.  Since Moderna released its COVID vaccine’s nucleic acid sequence, South Africa announced its own development of the mRNA vaccine.  With clinical trials scheduled by the end of the year, the first batch of vaccines will be available in 2024.  At that time, the African continent can produce its own vaccines and greatly increase its inoculation rate.

        Lately, electricity outages in South Africa reach an alarming stage with 10 to 12 hours’ blackout at times.  This seriously hampers its industrial production and economic revival.  As a result, some brothers and sisters were unable to attend Bible studies.  Please pray for the officials to quickly resolve the problem, able to govern effectively and control its crime rate.

        We thank the Lord for our online Bible studies and worship services.  Even though it is not the same as in-person meetings, we are able to adjust well.  We can still care for each other and feel the warmth and taste the sweetness of our love in Christ.  At the same time, we can save some transportation time and avoid the risk of being infected.

Please pray for the following:

1. Please pray for the Lord’s protection for our brothers and sisters that they will be united in love and stand firm in truth.
2. Please pray for South Africa that it can stabilize its electricity and water supply.
3. Please pray for South Africa’s speedy development and production of the COVID vaccines.
4. May the Lord grant wisdom to the officials in better governing of the country.
5. May the Lord continue to bless our online worship services and Bible studies for the two churches in South Africa.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina

親愛的代禱夥伴：

        兩個星期前，南非東岸破紀錄降下暴雨（48小時降下45公分的雨），引發六十年來最嚴重的洪災。夸祖魯那濤爾省港口城市德班受害程度最嚴重，連道路、橋樑都被洪水沖走，超過六千棟建築物被摧毀，有四百多人罹難。省內多個地區被淹沒，交通全面中斷，德班市多處斷水斷電。真是天有不測風雲，人有旦夕禍福。聖經也提醒我們人生變化無常，「也不要倚賴靠不住的錢財；要倚靠那厚賜萬物給我們享受的上帝」（提前六17b）。

        最近兩星期，南非新冠Omicron的疫情又再次上升，每天幾千人感染，數十人死亡。南非因為愛滋病的人口多，造成防疫的漏洞。新的變種不斷出現，現在南非傳播已是新的Omicron B.A.4的變種，南非國民接種疫苗意願不高，完成接種疫苗者一直停在總人口的四成五，使疫情不能根除，每四個月左右就會有疫情高峰期出現。求主幫助南非人民認真的對抗第五輪的疫情。

        南非繼續不斷的發生針對外籍人士的抗議事件，暴民將外國人從市場中趕走，不准他們開店。南非當地人將這一行動稱之為Operation Dudula（Dudula——祖魯語，是強力趕走的意思）。他們抗議政府容許非法移民滯留南非。警察只是調查暴力事件，但無法實際解決雙方的暴力衝突。主要原因是政府官員尋私圖利。箴言提醒我們「王藉公平，使國堅定；索要賄賂，使國傾敗。」（箴二十九4）。這句箴言道破了南非政府治理上最基本的問題。求主改變人心，歸向正道。

        上星期我們參加了一間教會的宣教年會，講員提醒大家，教會要從愛鄰舍的行動開始推動普世的宣教。那間教會立即組織會眾參與不同的事工小組，去服事他們所在城市的需要。雖然疫情尚未結束，也已經組織了短宣隊，準備疫症平息後就可以出發。在這個時刻差派短宣隊，似乎有點不合宜，因為世界正充滿著不平安的消息，有俄烏戰爭、中國及台灣的疫情、世界各國面臨通澎的問題。這些問題都是使人焦慮，使人沮喪的事。戰爭沒有結束的徵兆、疫情短期不會解封、通澎正方興未艾。我們應該行動嗎？我想我們應該付諸行動，不要遲延，因為這個世界永遠都會有新的問題出現，傳福音的事是永遠不應該被擱置的。願我們齊心努力，積極地去宣揚福音！

請您為這些事情代禱：

1. 感謝主，南非德班教會在四月份重開實體崇拜。因為疫情還不穩定，求主保守。
2. 南非東岸那濤爾省受暴雨襲擊，引發大規模洪災，求主安慰災民，並幫助政府作好救災的工作。
3. 南非新冠Omicron的疫情又再次上升。求主幫助政府官員認真的執行防疫措施，並加強接種疫苗的工作。
4. 南非繼續不斷發生針對外籍人士的抗議事件，求主改變人心歸正，使南非政府官員能不尋私利、公正執法，杜絕非法移民。
5. 南非最近電力不足，大小城市經常停電，對生活造成不便，更打擊工業生產及已經脆弱的經濟。求主賜智慧給南非政府官員更好的治理國家。
6. 感謝主使我們能在網路上和南非兩個教會的弟兄姐妹一起敬拜和查考聖經，求主保守我們能繼續正常的運作，不被攪擾。

您的同工                     
克達、雅麗                
二零二二年四月

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Dear Prayer Partners,

        Two weeks ago, a severe thunderstorm landed on the east coast of South Africa and dropped more than 45 cm of rain in 48 hours.  This caused the greatest flooding in the last 60 years.  Durban, being the harbor city of the Natal province, suffered the hardest hit with damaged roads, collapsed bridges, thousands of destroyed buildings and more than 400 fatalities.  A lot of communities were under water, traffic as well as electricity and water supplies were disrupted.  Life indeed is uncontrollable!  The Bible has already warned us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring and reminded us to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (I Tim. 6:17)

        These last couple of weeks we are also seeing the number of COVID cases in South Africa climbing to new highs, with daily averages over 5,000 and dozens of deaths.  Due to the large population of HIV-positive patients, new variants are rapidly emerging.  South Africa is now battling with the new Omicron B.A. 4 variant.  Because of the low inoculation rate (only 45%), a new wave comes about every four months.  May the Lord help the people realize the importance of taking this pandemic seriously.

        At the same time, xenophobic violence incidents are worsening.  Protestors take matters into their own hands, threatening foreign merchants and carrying out raids on their stores.  They call it Operation Dudula (Dudula is Zulu meaning “to push out”).  They claim that the government is not doing anything to address the illegal immigrant issue.  Law enforcement is also helpless in stopping the violence, they can only place these cases of public disorder and intimidation in investigation.  Unfortunately, this is mainly caused by corrupted officials who ignore their sworn responsibilities.  As Proverbs said, “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” (Prov. 29:4)  May the Lord work in their hearts to return to the right way.

        Last week, we attended the mission conference of a local church.  The speaker reminded us that global mission starts from loving your neighbors.  At the conclusion of the conference, the church distributed response cards for all attendees to get involved in local community caring activities.  The church has also started forming short-term mission teams and prepares to go as soon as the pandemic eases up.  It seems depressing enough to see the world in the midst of the war in Ukraine, new COVID cases in China and Taiwan, plus high inflation rates everywhere.  With all these unsolved problems dangling above us, is it the appropriate time to be in action?  I believe we should not be deterred as this world will always have challenges.  Do not delay but continue to forge ahead in spreading the good news!

Please pray for the following:

1. We thank God that the church in Durban has started in-person Sunday worship in April. Please pray for health and safety for the church members during the pandemic.
2. Please pray for the Lord’s mercy on those who suffered losses during the flood. May the Lord give wisdom to the government in its disaster relief operations.
3. South Africa is currently facing a new Omicron variant. May the Lord continue to help the government in coming up with effective ways to increase the country’s inoculation rate.
4. May the Lord turn the hearts of the government officials to be willing to set aside personal gains, to uphold justice and resolve the country’s illegal immigrant problem.
5. South Africa is experiencing frequent electricity outages which greatly affect factory production and its weak economy. Please pray for wisdom from the Lord for the government in tackling all its issues.
6. May the Lord continue to bless our online worship services and Bible studies for the two churches in South Africa.

In His service,        
Ko-Ta & Christina