April –Is sure not the way my calendar originally looked!

In his recent book Coronavirus and Christ, Pastor John Piper encouraged us with the thought that this extraordinary time of pandemic is too big of an opportunity for God not to have big purposes in allowing it. Amen! We have prayed much that God will accomplish His purposes not just in us, but also in the lives of the Awa during this time.

For the first three weeks of the quarantine, we made many long trips to the city to help our Awa friend Marco get to his much-needed dialysis treatments. As our travel options became further limited by new restrictions, and the 2 p.m. curfew was enforced, we were thankful to make new arrangements for Marco. He spent a week with our Liebenzell pastor Enrique and family before finding more permanent housing within walking distance of the hospital. His nephew Lisandro has stayed with him and we are thankful to hear they are doing well. Thanks for your prayers!

Here in the mountains of AwaLand we have now had a full month of pretty much just staying put. We are sad not to be able to have Sunday worship meetings together and that we had to cancel our Easter Awa Conference (which hopefully we can re-schedule for a later date). But we are thankful for many blessings: our co-workers the Shaubs here with us, fresh produce that is locally produced (plantains, oranges, lemons, milk) as well as adequate supplies, steady electricity and internet access, and a country life that allows us a little more freedom to exercise and work in our backyard garden.

And we are also thankful that God has allowed us to accompany the Awa communities around us and is providing opportunities to serve the believers and other friends and neighbors. In this rural area where most all are occupied in the unrestricted work of agriculture, life for our neighbors continues much as normal. There is just a bit less traffic and meetings in groups is prohibited. In spite of that, I’ve been able to continue recording weekly Bible teaching and posting both on the little Wi-Fi server at the church in Palmira as well as to many individual cell phones. With our coworkers we also video recorded a few worship songs, which seem to be a big hit. :-) 

Our little Wi-Fi server

 

Grandma Delfina stopped to get the latest news on travel restrictions

 

With the only working internet in many miles, several young fellows often drop by to check email and do other on-line business. Three of these young men are local teachers who need to keep their official paperwork in order. Others stop by for news of the ‘big sickness’ or just for some words of reassurance. We’ve had many conversations along these lines: “You know, because of the big sickness, many people are afraid they might die. But if we are knowing God, we don’t have to be afraid, and we can pray and ask for His help. Right now is a good time to be looking for God and listening to His words.” Thanks for your prayers that many hearts (world-wide!) would turn toward God in these days.

In HIS grip,
Kevin & Kathy

Picture of the month:

How we miss gathering together with the believers on Sundays! Pray for God’s timing in resuming services again.