National Women's Missionary Auxiliary

       Masks, social distancing, quarantine, masks, washing hands, lockdown, no cleaning products, masks, virtual school, eating too much, unavailable food supplies, lost jobs, masks, virtual church, NO TP!

       This spring and summer has been a new environment for most of us in the United States. We’ve seen things we never dreamed we’d see. We’re wondering when it will all get back to “normal.” However, we are not the only ones impacted by this COVID-19 pandemic. It seems to be worldwide. Here are a few examples from around the world:

It seems that most nations have been affected economically. Many people lost their jobs in Romania during a period of lockdown, according to Chandra Barnett. Tamy Gaitan says the same thing occurred in Nicaragua, although most of their church congregation were spared. In Zambia, Meagan Phiri explains that many businesses had to completely shut down or at least let workers go because theirs is a tourist town. According to Donna Scroggins, the Philippines is beginning to open back up with people returning to work after being shut down earlier.

       Just as in the USA, various items have been unavailable in these countries, some being hit harder than others. When most items are imported, as in Zambia, then it is hard to get things when the borders are closed. In the Philippines even inter-island travel stopped. Most of our missions and churches have helped as best they could during these times of food shortage. Although the Philippine government set up the Catholic church to distribute food, the other believers were left out because they delivered food only to the parishioners. When Sam Freeman was able to leave the house, he delivered food to those in need in their area of the Philippines as a result of donations for the famine that they have endured during this time. It has not been easy since at one point, they were allowed to leave the house only once a week.

       One of the big controversies in our country is dealing with the government’s regulations. The same has been true in Zambia and the Philippines. Romania was on complete lockdown for about two months but is beginning to reopen with the wearing of masks. Nicaragua, on the other hand, did not put any restrictions on their citizens. However, businesses themselves insist on masks and temperatures taken at the door.

      At the beginning, school in the Philippines was unaffected since their year usually runs from June to March. However, they were unable to go back for the new year in June. The Bible College runs on the American schedule and hopefully will begin soon. In Zambia schools closed in March but allowed those who were writing exams to return in June until they finished. Other areas are making hard decisions as the new school year approaches, just as the schools in the states are doing, including wearing masks and social distancing.

      Finally, how has this pandemic affected the spiritual lives of people around the world? Churches were completely closed in Romania for two months, but were one of the first things to open back up. After initially shutting down the churches in Zambia, the government reopened them because so many people complained. Some are meeting outside, however, as a precaution. Although the government did not shut down the churches in Nicaragua, the Gaitans decided to utilize online as well as meeting in person.

      Obviously, this does not cover information from the whole world, but I can only report what I learn. I did not contact everyone, and some I contacted did not answer. However, this is enough to let us know that our situation is similar around the world.

      The thing we need to remember is that God is the One in control. We may not understand this situation, but He knows the plans He has and it will all be for His honor and glory in the long run. In the midst of whatever “hardships” we think we have, we should be thankful that at least we know Who is in control and that He will take care of us. In the meantime, we should also help those in need, whether at home or abroad. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to “make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (NLT) Some of us can help financially by contacting the missions office or the missionaries. Even if we’re unable to help financially or other tangible ways, we can all pray for God’s love and help in each area of the world, including our own.

 

 Jackie Ricks, Editor

National WMA

(8/26/20)

 

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