Ministry in Uncertain Times

 

Gongorra, March 12,2021

Last year at the beginning of the Big Mess no one really knew how long it would all last, and what would become of church and missions.  It was a year of "What are we allowed to do this week?"  For several months, the answer was:  "Not much!" 

The big thrust of our interior work previously had involved lots of personal contact with people with home Bible studies and visits.  So, what were we to do?

Byron was able to continue Bible study lessons with one young lady through the cell phone app called Whatsapp.   Many interior communities have fair Internet via radio signals and antennas.  Most have no cell phone coverage, so it wasn't an option for all.

As things opened up some, we were able to use the time to make some "no-contact" mapping trips to complete Byron's work to plot all the dirt roads in our area with information about each community.  Occasionally we were able to do a little evangelism with our cute masks and not standing too close!

Fast forward to now, we are in a Big Surge moment with that same question popping back up after weeks of relative normalcy.  I'm afraid we may have made our last visit this past Friday for some time.  Cases are finally making it to the little communities we visit.  It's a waiting and guessing game while we hope boys and girls, and men and women without Christ don't get sick.

I'm praying this week that these silly good-byes won't be the last for any of these, but that we will be able to go back soon to tell more Bible stories and more about the Good News of the Gospel.

Prayers for Gangorra, Abreus, Bicas, Lage dos Negros, Lagoa do São Francisco, Mulungu, Goiabeira I, Queixo Dantas, Varzea Grande and many other communities along the Salitre River Valley.