How have disciples coped since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic? We find out in the first of three stories about sisters in our Southern African region of churches. 

Cabangani Ndlovu is a single mother, and member of the Bulawayo International Church of Christ, in Zimbabwe. She has an 18-year-old daughter who is also a disciple of Jesus. 

"The Covid-19 pandemic brought fear and uncertainty into my life. During the first lockdown, I spent most of my time watching the news on TV and saw so many people losing their lives. Fear, and loss of faith, was the order of the day.

I am thankful that l did not lose my job. I’m a teacher at a private school, so teaching continued online. That was challenging at first, but now I’m used to it.

God’s hand, his grace and faithfulness have been so clear in my life. I fell ill at the start of the first lockdown in March last year, and thought I had contracted the virus, but I recovered quickly. As I have a chronic illness, I thank God for keeping me and my family members safe from Covid-19. In fact, Psalm 121 encourages me—it teaches me to trust God and to know that he will take care of me even during the pandemic.

In this Covid-19 era, I’ve learnt that God is in charge. He’s in control and takes care of me and my loved ones. I use public transport to move around, and God protects me every single time. Deuteronomy 31:6 inspires me. It says, 'Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.' Another passage that encourages me is Revelation 3:10, 'Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.'

My greatest lesson during this time is to pray a lot and submit my requests, worries, and anxieties to God. I pray for every little thing l can think of. Philippians 4: 6-7 says: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'

When I am worried or anxious, I pray and trust that God is in control."