Missionary Updates during Covid-19

During this time, the world is both together and apart. Together in that, we are all doing the same thing, social distancing to avoid spreading COVID-19, which is why we are apart. Thankfully, the single most important thing we can do is pray, and for that, we don’t need to be together. 

The committee reached out to our missionaries serving in other countries and below are their responses. Please continue to pray for them and for the rest of our world. Each day brings different struggles, depending on where we are, but God knows them and He hears our prayers. 
 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Thank you so much for writing in and checking on me!

I had a ticket to fly home on Friday, but cancelled the trip as it was to be for one month and did not make sense to spend half of it in self-isolation.  

Things changed very abruptly here and now we are ALL in 24/7 lock down and unable to leave our homes without a signed document telling our departure and return points, when we are leaving and returning, and the reason for being out (we are given a list of the only reasons why we can be).

I had to venture out last week Monday to get a document scanned and signed by a witness to send to Mom's lawyer right away.  That same day a widow called saying she had no food nor firewood.

I rummaged through the shelves to put some groceries together and filled the back of the van with dead branches and brush from the courtyard to take, but could not get a hold of her when ready to go.

However, by waiting a day, God wonderfully provided extra supplies.  I stopped to pick up a lady carrying to heavy bundles to take to a widow from our church whom I helped care for back in Spring/Summer.  My plan was to just take her bags so she could walk to the social house without that huge load.  However, she was determined to get in, insisting she could sit on the wood!  (We reorganized and made room in the front).

  
When I dropped her off, she asked me to wait and came out with two sets of beautiful, thick wool slipper socks she had made to sell and asked me to give them to the widow.  As well, Christy, and American friend, came to the gate to return 2 thermoses and she had prepared a bag of groceries plus a bag of firewood!  Wow!  The widow, Lindralina, was so grateful!  

The police stopped me on the way and commented on the full vehicle, but after taking a picture of my document and visa permit, allowed me to continue the journey. Praise the Lord!

Dorothy

I am so encouraged and blessed when I hear from you and I am doing my best to keep up with answering your letters etc.  If I don’t get to your letter, please forgive me.  The days are long enough, for sure, but they are filled with these two kids whom I love dearly!!  And if we are not doing something together, like eating or playing Uno or Dutch Blitz, then one wants to play games on my computer and the other wants to watch a film on my cell phone.  I can’t believe how dependent we all are on these devices!!

We got great news this week!  On Wednesday Evelin (mom of the children I’m caring for) was moved to a different facility, actually a hotel, where those recovering from the virus can continue being cared for but they need less critical care.  Evelin is no longer on the large mask ventilator but she is still receiving oxygen most of the time.  According to the doctors, she will need to stay in this facility 10-15 days so that will put us until after Easter weekend. 

Sara is also out of quarantine in her bedroom but she still must not go outside for about another 2 weeks.  Her sister, Miriam, and Miriam’s husband are also recovering well.  There have been three other men from the church who have had the virus, in quarantine at home, and each is doing much better.  We are all so thankful for your prayers.  

Can I add a new name to the list of people to pray for?  Gladys is an Ecuadorian lady in our church who works in a facility for severely handicapped people.  Several in the facility have been sick with the virus and despite rigid precautions, yesterday Gladys got sick with the classic symptoms.  Please pray for Gladys.  God can even take away the virus right now!!  Pray for her husband, Giovanni, who is not a believer and for her family in the apartment next door, Antony and Elisabeth and their two children who I have mentioned before.  Elisabeth’s baby is due in mid-May. And would you pray too for the dear ones in the facility who are handicapped and sick; how very awful that must be since they cannot even express how they feel.

Praise the Lord, I am still well but I do still need your prayers!  Milvia is really easy for me to handle.  Yes, she misses her mom terribly but lots of hugs throughout the day seem to satisfy her.  Michele is another story!  He is very close to his mom but struggles with insecurity and a strong sense of inadequacy and the idea that everyone rejects him.  He acts out quite frequently when he cannot get what he wants, with loud crying and banging doors.  Amazingly he always gets over his fit, sometimes quite quickly, and returns to a happy, playful boy until the next time.

Please pray for me!!  I love Michele but I am not his mom, nor am I trying to be.  He says he is tired of being told what to do so we had another talk this morning.  Me talking, him unwillingly listening and I explained again that he is the child and I am the adult.  We have to have some rules and as the adult, I establish the rules.  I asked him if he was willing to try again to get along together and he didn’t give me an answer but a few minutes later he did give me a hug-that was a first!!  I don’t know if he is used to getting what he wants but I am concerned for when Evelin will join us and we are living together for a few weeks.  I will need infinite grace to get through this if she is used to giving Michele what he wants.

On an immediate basis I need prayer for mountains of patience and oceans full of wisdom!!  Not to mention strength that can only come from Him!!

Thank you dear friends!  Oh, I almost forgot! Technically, as of tomorrow I can go outside again!  Well, only to buy groceries and I have to go with gloves and mask on and without the kids but two weeks have passed since Evelin went into the hospital so I am considered past the risk of infecting others since I have had no signs of illness myself – and that, only because of your prayers!!  Please continue pray that all of us stay well!

Rich blessings to all of you, with much love,
Raney

Peace be with you always... I am still adjusting to our knew routine as our baby son just arrived to this world on the 25th of February!!! Now he is a little more than one month!!! Attached there is some pictures of us. 

As we started this year we had about 5 camps where we organized experiential games and were very busy until the time of our baby birth... But as a little time after as we were planning ministry for this year we were caught by surprise all this situation... Which is making us be in pause for some time  speaking about ministry because it's directly in contact with people... We are keeping ourselves in safe zone and keeping our distance and if I go out I try to keep the higene process... We are great to have my wife's mother with us... Although the plan was for her to be here one month... But her flight got canceled due to virus so she will be here until things move in favour.... Please pray as it's difficult for her to be away from home for so long... But she has been a great blessing for us and help during the time with baby... 
 

As for us as we live in Campus it doesn't stop us from keeping maintenance... One of the projects that to all Nations Canada approved for us that we could renovate the big house here that has 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom a living room and dining room and kitchen... We are happy to say that in the time lap of January to end of March I have been working Hard and are thank full that we have finished this project as we have now moved and living in it as we are growing in number in our family!!! We are thank full for that. 
 

As well we are continuing in the building at the back we have advanced a lot and are slowly getting it finished.... As I am not an expert it gets done slow haha but I am learning through people who have been helping and showing me how it's supposed to be done.... Also we started to do a clean up in our barns organizing all our donations and sorting them out to be in right places so it can be used and not only stored... Our goal is to free space and put things in order to be able to use the things... Also looking to keep making this place our home and beautiful for people or churches that visit our campus can get the best impretion and desire to come back again... This time of quarantine has given us more time to work in maintenance.

 Also be praying for us as from December, Danyer, who was an employee or helper that we had for everything went ill and was in hospital as he was getting treatment. He shared with us his desire to quit, as he feels he won't be able to do hard strength work anymore... As of that we had to make a desicion and we are in the proceeds of hiring Johanas brother from Paraguay... He worked in construction in Paraguay and he is ideal for helping in maintenance...  He would be coming with his wife and they are encouraged to come... As we are in this situation of the virus he is not able to come until it calms down!! 
 

Be praying for us as we continue to adapt to a knew routine of work baby boy and big sister and family time... 
To continue to do ministry and get closer to God and seek for wisdom in this time... 
May the Grace of Lord Jesus be with daily
In His Service. 
Steven, Johana, Aisha and Tarik Klassen