Hello friends! Praying and hoping that this finds you well in the midst of worldwide craziness. Our hearts have been with all of our friends and family, especially those on the frontlines caregiving to the sick, and those in essential roles putting themselves at risk while they serve to meet the physical needs of others. We see you and have been lifting you up daily in prayer.
We have been tucked away at JAARS since March 1st. And although a stay at home order has been issued it doesn’t alter our lives that much in this setting. We were already a homeschooling family, so the world continues turning in our home. Each day the kids do their lessons and we spend time as a family trying to creatively pass the days until we can be with friends and loved ones again.
Because of social distancing, it has lent some extra time for some reflection. At first I was on Google learning everything I could about the far-reaching impact of Covid-19. I keep thinking that all of us will be touched by this in some facet of life, whether it is loss of health, loss of a loved one, or even economic loss. These are unprecedented and uncertain times for sure.
However, as I was out jogging the other day, the Lord kept bringing the verse Col. 3:2 “Set your mind on things above…” This struck me in a significant way because as we look out horizontally at the world and at the writings and news of other people we see fear, chaos and pandemonium. However when we look vertically at God on His throne we are reminded that none of this is a surprise to Him. He is not in heaven wringing His hands not knowing how to help His people. He sees each and every one of us and has a plan and a purpose for each of us even in a pandemic. The outcome may not be our desire, but it will be what’s best to further the kingdom of God. Looking at Matthew 6:34 we are reminded “therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
As believers, my prayer is that we can look up vertically and be filled with the peace that comes only from the Holy Spirit. Then we will be filled with the Spirit’s love to then look horizontal and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
For our family, we don’t know what the future holds or whether this epidemic will cause delays in our departure for PNG. We know that the Papua New Guinean government has virtually shut down and that our visa’s are in limbo until the threat is neutralized. Jaars is doing everything they can to keep the Pre-field orientation on schedule, but there is only so much that can be done via zoom. We don’t know how the delays will impact our plans. But we do know that God has a plan. He has a plan for the people of PNG and for the Scripture translation that is continuing there, and he has a plan for the timing for our family to arrive there to serve the people of PNG. Until then, we hope to bloom where He has planted us.
Until then could you be praying for PNG?
-Pray for the missionaries who are unable to work in their local villages because of covid-19.
-Pray for parents who are homeschooling for the first time without many of the resources we have access to here in the US.
-Pray for the safety and health of the missionaries staying in country as they don’t have the same access to medical care as we do in the states. Now that Australia has closed their borders and travel has been suspended, a medivac flight would be nearly impossible.
-Pray that the delays in Scripture translation will be minimal. The Word of God is vital and we want the people of PNG to have access as soon as possible.
Z Family Goes Global 