18 minute read
COVID and Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLE DURING COVID-19
The mental health and wellbeing of the whole society has been severely impacted by covid-19 and must be considered a priority that needs to be addressed urgently. Many people are distressed due to the immediate impacts of the virus and the consequences of physical isolation. Fear of infection, dying, losing family members, stress related to economic situations etc. is prominent. Shantell Stephens shares her testimony of overcoming, not only Covid-19, but also mental health issues.
Advertisement
“YOU SHALL LIVE AND NOT DIE”
I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for many years. It was so bad at some point that I could not stand being outside and would oftentimes lay in my room, listening to music while feeling like I am in a deep dark pit. The automatic negative thoughts and emotions that accompanies it would overwhelm to the point of paralysis. When the doctor wanted to prescribe medication, I refused because I did not want to be labelled as “koekoes” (crazy in Cape Colored Slang). During both my pregnancies I had severe episodes. During my first pregnancy I was working in what I believed was my dream job. At the workplace I faced so many challenges while being pregnant. The pressure of work and the pregnancy became unbearable to the point where I had a mental breakdown. I was not medically diagnosed but I knew that meltdown was more than just exhaustion.
Many times, I would lock myself up in the house and just lay in bed. It got to the point where I had physical symptoms like someone who is about to get a heart attack. I had a sharp pain in my chest, I had no feeling in my left arm, I perspired profusely and was nauseas. I remember praying and
By: Claudene Sebolai
asking God how he could let my die while being pregnant with my girl child. I am grateful for my husband who remained calm throughout my episodes and strengthened me with prayers and words of encouragement.
Quarantine was not a walk in the park for me. It aggravated the panic attacks and feelings of depression. Being claustrophobic, it was difficult to be confined to one space. For a normal person it is easy to multitask especially doing various house chores. But for me it was extremely difficult. Too many things at the same time would trigger the anxiety attacks. I would break out in a sweat, feeling sick and getting chest pains, just because I have to cook and clean and tend to the kids. So, being confined to the bed with all the COVID-19 symptoms and mental health issues, was the most difficult time for me.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
My road to recovery started when I finally acknowledged that I have a problem. I was ashamed of talking about it and reaching out to find help. I never wanted to be labeled as mad or crazy. I confided in my husband who was such a great support system. Sometimes all you need is to have somebody you trust who can remind you of the self-care or coping mechanisms that are easy to forget during crisis times. Many times, people with mental health issues chooses to suffer in silence due to the stigma attached to it. I learned that it is nothing to be ashamed of. Mental health problems are common. It is sometimes the people with the biggest smiles and joyful personalities that suffer inwardly. I can only thank God that He kept me throughout these episodes. I may not be where I want to be yet, but I am also not where I was. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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” (Philippians 4:6-7).
OUR GOLD SPONSORS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLD SPONSORS:
KELLY KOSKY MINISTRIES
INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: WWW.ICLD.CO.ZA
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: CCCSA.ORG.ZA
KELLY KOSKY MINISTRIES
FAITH-BASED FILMS TO INSPIRE
Christian Movies to Inspire
BREAKTHROUGH
“Sometimes it takes an overwhelming breakdown to have an undeniable breakthrough” Breakthrough is a 2019 American Christian drama film directed by Roxann Dawson in her film directorial debut. The film tells the story of a St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake in January 2015 and was underwater for 15 minutes before resuscitative efforts were started. Although being rescued, he is in a coma, and his family must rely on their faith to get through the ordeal. Is anything too hard for God? This movie will strengthen your faith in God during these tough times as you watch the stubborn faith of a mom in the face of a seemingly impossible situation. Enjoy...
FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
“Never trust a decision you don’t want your mother to know about.” All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women. As one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation, she believed in a woman’s right to choose. Until the day she saw something that changed everything.
UNPLANNED
DO YOU BELIEVE?
“The cross is bloodstained. It loves. It forgives. It demands.” When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate. Faith of Our Fathers: a story of fatherhood, a journey of brotherhood Starring Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Downes, David A.R. White, Rebecca St. James with Si Robertson and Candace Cameron Bure. The horrors of war and the strength of faith are well presented and contrasted in this excellent film about two young men of completely different backgrounds whose fathers became best friends during the Vietnam war but never made it home. The story of their search brings faith into places where one might not normally expect to find it, with surprising, even sometimes humorous, results.
BOOK REVIEWS
DIGITAL COCAINE: A JOURNEY TOWARD IBALANCE
DEAR MARY
By: Brad Huddleston
What is the difference between half a line of cocaine and an hour playing a video game? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned. What can you do to be effective at multi-tasking? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned. What do digital devices in the classroom contribute to focus and concentration? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned. In Digital Cocaine, Brad Huddleston will replace your confusion, hesitancy and fear as it relates to the digital world with the facts that can make you and your family safer and more secure from page one. Whether it’s gaming, pornography, cyberbullying, or the decline in grades, you’ll get a look inside your wonderful God-designed brain to understand how it interacts with the exploding world of digital communication and how you can keep your family safe. Your smartphone, tablet and computer can be powerful tools to help you … or not. The choice is yours. Digital Cocaine gives you the power to make that choice.
By: Sarah Jakes Roberts
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a remarkable example of quiet, resilient faith and courage in the face of adversity. From the angel’s first announcement of her pregnancy to the death and resurrection of her son, Mary was witness to our Lord and Savior in a unique and special way. And as a mother herself, she speaks to the modern-day mom in a way few have explored before. Writing in the form of letters, Sarah Jakes examines the life of Mary--and through Mary, Jesus--to better understand what a life of faith looks like. Maybe you struggle to trust God’s will for your life. Perhaps you have fears and insecurities that keep you from realizing the joy God wants for you, or the thought of raising little ones overwhelms you. Through the example of Mary, discover the freedom that only true faith can bring.
SETTING BOUNDARIES WITH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND PAINFUL MEMORIES
WHAT TO DO WHEN WORDS GET UGLY
By: Allison Bottke
If you wait long enough, difficult, and traumatic experiences from your past will go away on their own...right? Except they won’t. Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Instead, we hoard our hurts. We rehash our sorrows and wonder how they could have been prevented. This keeps us from making brand-new memories and embracing the richer life we crave. Now is the time for setting healthy boundaries with the past. Allison Bottke will help you: • tame the triggers that stir painful memories by replacing negative thoughts with biblical hope • identify lingering communication issues so you can release them and grow in your relationships • take six simple S.A.N.I.T.Y. steps to find peace in the midst of emotional chaos
By: Dr Michael D. Sedler
Communication expert Michael Sedler gives readers practical strategies for identifying, counteracting, and responding graciously to gossip, criticism, and negative words. He shows readers how to • positively handle negative language. • reconcile with those who have spoken harm to you. • build others up by speaking life-giving words, even when you don’t want to. Our words can profoundly hurt or heal. All of us can learn to build one another up and stop words that hurt.
ASHLEY JUDD’S NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT IN CONGO
At the time of the incident, American actress Ashley Judd, was working in Congo at a research camp which studies an endangered species of apes called bonobos. In an Instagram Live with The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Judd spoke about how she was in an “ICU trauma unit in beautiful South Africa, which has taken me in from the Congo, a country I deeply love which is not, unfortunately, equipped to deal with massive catastrophic injuries like I have had.” Judd further explained that the experience illuminated the privilege she held as a person of means visiting the Congo. She also stated that, “The difference between a Congolese person and me is disaster insurance that allowed me 55 hours after my accident to get to an operating table in South Africa.” She detailed the “incredibly harrowing” experience, which “started with five hours of lying on the forest floor” until she was able to be evacuated. She spent the ordeal “howling like a wild animal” and biting down on a stick to try to alleviate some of the pain. Judd shared pictures of the grueling accident on her Instagram page. “I’m in a lot of love. I’m in a lot of compassion, and I’m in a lot of gratitude” said Ashley. We pray for a speedy recovery Ashley Judd.
PRAYERS FOR TEXAS
JUSTIN BIEBER: NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
The 20-year-old pop superstar is not ashamed to confess his trust in God on his social media pages. Bieber has been encouraging his Instagram followers to trust fully in God. In a recent post he states: “I know a lot of people feel like God is too far away, or he doesn’t have us, or that he is angry with us. I don’t believe that is true. I believe he is a forgiving gracious God that welcomes us back into his arms every time we mess up… I really do believe that God works in ways we can’t see sometimes. It is our faith and trust in what he says that really allows us to see God for who he really is”. Thank you Justin for reminding us to trust God even when we can’t see or trace him. A deadly winter storm, power outages, contaminated water systems and a massive accident which included more than 160 vehicles has recently hit the Southern US. While power has been restored for millions of Texans who had been without in the bitter cold, the nightmare of the devastating winter storm isn’t over. Millions don’t have safe drinking water at home, and residents looking for groceries or bottled water said they arrived to stores with bare shelves and long lines. Many people posted photos and videos on social media of bursting pipes, icy home interiors and furniture being burned for heat. Our sincere prayers are going up for Texas and all organizations on ground level that are working tirelessly to help communities.
6
8 9
16
20
28
Bible Crossword Puzzle
David And Goliath – 1 Samuel 17 KJV
1 2 3
7 5 4
12 13
14
22
25 11
17
21 15
18
29 26 10
24 23
30 19
27
www.kjv-bible-verses.com
ACROSS
2 The shepherd's bag. 6 The number of David's brothers that were at the battle. 7 The location of the battle. 8 The type of beam Goliath's staff of his spear was like. 10 The name of the valley 11 David's oldest brother. 15 What Goliath's spear's head weighed in shekels. 16 Who the Israelites where fighting. 20 The number of men
Goliath wanted to fight. 21 The animals David saved a lamb from. 22 The number of sons David's father had. 23 What David used to fling the stone with. 27 The number of loaves David took to his brethren. 28 The brass around Goliath's legs. 29 The brass between Goliath's shoulders. 30 The number of stones David picked up.
DOWN
1 Who David left the sheep with. 3 What Goliath's spear's head was made of. 4 Where the stone hit Goliath. 5 The animals Goliath said he would give David's flesh to. 7 The name of the king. 9 The amount of corn David took to his brethren. 12 What Goliath had on his head. 13 David's father 14 The weight of Goliath's
coat in shekels. 17 What the one that went before Goliath was bearing. 18 What David left in the hand of the keeper of the carriage. 19 Who the king would give to the man who killed Goliath. 24 Goliath of ____. 25 What Goliath's coat was of. 26 The name of David's father's youngest son. 30 What the men of Israel did when the saw Goliath.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN CEAGAN ARENDSE AKA WOELAG
It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to one of our famous Arendsvlei actors, known for his role as Woelag, Ceagan Arendse. The 34-yearold actor from Paarl also served as Deacon in his local church. According to IOL News, Ceagan’s family confirmed that he suffered from depression and committed suicide. Tributes have poured in for the Arendsvlei actor. He leaves behind his wife Ziggy Arendse, children, parents, and brother. A close friend of Ceagan had this to say about him: “Today I’m hurting even more than yesterday. They say time heals, but right now I don’t see that ever happening. I am lost for words my brother. Our memories are all I’m left with, I will make this promise to you that I will cherish them for as long as I live. I will never find another brother like you. You were honestly one of a kind. Always putting yourself second and putting everyone else first. You were a character of note, and I’m not referring to the characters some might know you as on TV. But that happy funny character you always were no matter what. My heart is in so many pieces my friend. I’m going to miss you twerking for me, our laughs, our phone calls and so much more. Till we meet again brother” (Ryan ‘Choccy’ Adams on FB).
SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES VACCINE DRIVE
More than a third of all Covid-19 cases in Africa have been in South Africa, with a new variant of the virus accounting for most of the new cases. On February 1 South Africa received a million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca formula but decided against administering it over concerns of whether it would protect against a widespread variant and instead went with the vaccine by Johnson & Johnson. A maternity nurse at a hospital in Khayelitsha township in Cape Town was the first to be immunized. After five healthcare workers got their jabs, it was Ramaphosa’s turn. Before taking off his jacket and rolling up a long white shirt sleeve, he asked the nurse administering the jab if there would be any side effects. “This day represents a real milestone for us as South Africans that finally the vaccines are here and they are being administered,” he said as he left the hospital to go to parliament. Furthermore, the president predicted that “this is a new era for us”. To date, the vaccines have been distributed to more than 30 vaccination sites across the country. We continue to pray for our country. Nkosi Sikelel’ Africa!
ANNUAL GUIDE / DIRECTORY
Xhosa-speaking bible college
> Under the aUthority and accoUntable to african christian Ministries > in association with kelly kosky Ministries > willowvale, eastern cape, soUth africa > established 1999
In 1998, while building a permanent mission station, Sebadine, one of Kelly's leaders, suggested that he believed the Lord wanted the mission to start a Bible college. Kelly was reluctant to do this. Because he had never been to a Bible college himself, Kelly felt unqualified. But Kelly and the mission were open to do whatever the Lord was calling them to do. After several years of prayer, the Lord established Gatyana Bible College (GBC) in the Transkei.
1. GBC is the only Bible college in the world that teaches the Word of God in the Xhosa language. Other Bible colleges require students to learn one of the “white man’s languages” (English or Afrikaans). 2. GBC allows local leaders to study the Bible in their own culture, their Xhosa homeland. 3. Other Bible colleges require the students to relocate to the more westernized cities of South Africa. 4. GBC does not require a high school diploma for admission. The only requirement is that students be able to read and write in Xhosa. 5. GBC is the only Bible college that does not charge students to pay tuition in order to study the Word of God. The Xhosa are a very impoverished people, with little or no money. GBC believes that nowhere in the scriptures does Jesus, Paul, or any teacher/ rabbi ever require payment from anyone to learn the Word of God. Accordingly, GBC does not charge students fees for studying the Bible. 6. GBC is the only Bible college that is governed by indigenous Africans (with the exception of Kelly). Almost all other African
Bible colleges are governed by prominent white theologians. This governance has been an example that the national Africans are very capable of leading their own ministry. 7. GBC is registered and recognized by the national government as a nonprofit organization, and it complies with all the regulations of a registered trust.
Postal eddress: P O Box 18, Willowvale, 5040, Eastern Cape, South Africa Contact info: Rev Sipho Maqhinyana - Dean / head master; SiphoMaqhinyana@gmail.com; 083 887 8119; 060 581 5347 Dr M. Sebe - President; msebe3@gmail.com, 084 505 4978, 083 254 1025 www.KellyKoskyMinistries.com
