n Thursday 26 March, South Africa began a 3-week period of national lockdown, in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus in our country.

It’s a huge blow to our already struggling economy. But the loss of human life, if we can’t contain the virus, would be even more devastating.

Crowded rural and informal urban settlements provide the perfect environment for the spread of the disease. In these areas, as many as six to eight people may live together in one tiny shack. Water comes from a communal tap shared by many … if you are lucky. Otherwise, it has to be painstakingly fetched from a nearby river. People can’t keep washing their hands, as we’re being told to do – and they certainly can’t afford expensive hand sanitizer.

The only way to prevent the disease from spreading is to limit movement.

Our president has instructed everyone not to leave their homes except to buy food or seek medical attention.

All Easter services have been cancelled. People are encouraged to pray at home. We are all praying that the cornovirus will be conquered. We pray that God will keep our health care workers safe and we ask for God’s mercy on all those who are suffering from the disease, that they may be restored to health.

As a friend of the Missions, you have walked with us through thick and thin, through good times and bad times. You are in our thoughts and prayers in these ‘extraordinary’ times. The coronavirus is going to change a lot things in our lives. Hopefully, these changes will be for the better.

Already, the measures we are putting in place are making us think of others before we think of ourselves. Every time we sanitize our hands, we are being led to think of others first – their safety and health – before our own.

This is what our Mission supporters have been doing for years! Thank you for your love and concern.

Please continue supporting our Mission people through this crisis. Your donation is more important than ever right now, as our poorest and most vulnerable people turn to the Church for relief.

May God love and bless you – in the way He knows you need to be loved and cared for through this crisis.