Blog

(edited due to space limitations)

We’re sure that most of you have seen the news coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe. Spain is really suffering. The rate of new cases and deaths each day is surging tremendously. Things are so dire in the region of Madrid that the ice rink has been turned into a temporary morgue because funeral homes cannot cope with the numbers of bodies that must be cremated. People are dying without the presence of family members and there are no funeral masses. This is very difficult on the psyche of the people here, for even if they have no religious beliefs, funeral masses are a part of their grief process.

What is life like for us? We are now in week two of being cooped up together, with no idea when this will end. Thankfully, we enjoy one another’s company and are grateful for a solid and happy marriage. We have more time for prayer and Bible reading. We have time for hobbies and tasks that have been on the “to-do” list for a long time. We are so thankful for technology which is allowing us to maintain contact with the people here. We make calls and send out messages to everyone we can, even people we barely know, asking how they are and how we can pray for them. We have had prayer times with friends and colleagues over Skype. We’ve counseled worried people over the phone and on-line. We have been able to continue English classes, including Bible reading, with several of our students as well, and they appreciate being able to do something “normal” with all the free time being forced on them.  Churches all over the country are seeking the Lord’s direction and are taking bold steps to let their light shine in a dark time.

Several days ago, Sole (a friend and local believer) was asked by the Town Hall to make 600 masks. She called me and asked if I would help. My sewing machine has been cranking out lots and lots of masks. However, the material that we were given is very hard on the machine and my needles kept breaking. I was down to the last two when I sent out a “can you help!” message to my English students’ WhatsApp group. It wasn’t long before I was given a contact to call and my last needle broke just before we were able to connect, through the assistance of a police officer, to meet with a lady who owns a small sewing supplies shop (she’s the friend of one my students and the aunt of another!) I marvel at the fact that when my last needle was broken, He gave me 100 heavy-duty needles and lots of elastic, too. I thanked her for her generosity and she asked if she could join in the project as well. This is another opportunity to share God’s love with them as I express my appreciation to the Lord for allowing me to serve here.

As believers, how we respond in the midst of this crisis is critical. We must learn from this situation and we must not go back to “business as usual” when it is over. Our programs and flawless worship services are not God’s priority. Our comfort is not God’s priority. The sheep without a shepherd are!

We are concerned that people in North America are not taking the threat of this virus as seriously as they should. Some think it is overblown and that the damage done to the economy is not worth the measures being taken to protect the health of the people. If you were to spend a day here, your mind would change quickly!

Jesus said that the house built on the Rock will not fall. (Matthew 7: 24-27) It will stand up to the buffeting winds. Our “house” is being whipped by the wind. Is it built on the Rock of Jesus and His priorities, or on stuff that really matters very little in the light of eternity?

We ask for your prayers for what will come afterward. The unemployment rate in this country was very high even before this crisis. Many will be without any source of income. How can we, and other Jesus followers, walk with them through the next crisis in their journey of discovering God’s love for them?

Like you, Jesus-followers here are praying for wisdom and direction from God. None of this is a surprise to Him. We know that He is working despite, through, and because of this crisis. We are pleading for those who are ill, for those who are caring for them, for those who are making decisions that will affect everyone. Please join us in praying for our government leaders, as we pray for yours. Pray for our church leaders here and pray for people who are afraid and do not yet know the Prince of Peace. Pray without ceasing.