My Insights for 2020

Dear friends and policyholders,

Good day, it is indeed our privilege that in-spite of the ongoing uncertainties in our nation you continue to remain with us as our beloved clients.

This year 2020 has been a great challenge to all of us. We have experience difficult moment in our life, especially those who are directly affected by the covid 19. As we are all affected by the prevailing pandemic, we are in the midst of uncertainties,. The pandemic dominated the core of our society locally and worldwide leaving others helpless, unemployed, lockdown, isolated , depressed, financially drained, and broken.
Indeed we are blessed because we are the least nation that are affected by the covid 19 due to the effective measures implemented by NZ government. Right now we are enjoying freedom restrictions on social distancing, mass gathering, etc. We have few cases, all affected has been recovered from the virus. Generally, covid is under control.

However, we are not certain when covid 19 stops spreading, probably when the right vaccines will be available. While we are still under a corona virus situation, we forget the fact that the Leading Causes Of Death in in New Zealand according to Statistics NZ, shows 31,796 people died of Cancer, Heart Attack, Stroke

Males accounted for 15,929 deaths in 2015, slightly higher than for females (15,867).”Non-communicable disease such as ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer continue to be the leading killers of people in New Zealand, and other ailments, like diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, are taking more lives each year.” Not to mention deaths from accident and natural causes. In other words we are living in a world of uncertainties where the risk from sickness, diseases, accidents, pandemics, trauma or critical illness, mental health problems, disabilities, terrorism, external calamities such as earthquake, tornado, typhoon will be a great threat not only to our family but to our nation as a whole.

While covid created damage to our communities, there are also great windows of opportunities. In spite of lockdown we were able to have more time with our family, relatives, friends and our self. The time to reflect and re-plan our life, relationships, finances and our personal faith and relationship with God deemed to be the highlight of our space.

I think there are basic principles that are outstandingly clear for us.

1. Life is short and we are weak and fragile. My family received news that our Uncle and his wife were infected by the covid. Unfortunately, my uncle died after a week’s fight for his life. The family have not even saw my uncle cremated and yet paid 5 million on hospital bills. His wife survive. At the moment millions of people died of this dreaded virus. Life is short, the bible says that “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14

2. God is close and is our refuge in the midst of the storms and catastrophes that we face. God is the only source of true security and we can trust Him. God’s assures us that He will not allow us to suffer beyond what we are able to bear In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will g ive you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

3. Love of neighbor is the fundamental evidence of our faith.
Jesus clearly stated in John 13:13: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” In times of crisis, our genuine love for others is the light to a world darkened by problems. This love is concrete and has as its maximum example the love that Jesus showed us by dying for us on the cross (John 13:34).