Hello everyone,
I hope you're all doing well as many of you begin to think about the transition out of the Coronavirus quarantine and back to some semblance of normalcy--even if it is a completely new normal. We of course follow the news and have been in contact with friends and family in the U.S., so you've been on our mind and in our prayers. We've been in a quarantine for over 8 weeks here in Chihuahua with the end not quite as close as it seems for many places in the U.S. The local news reported that the peak of the virus was supposed to be yesterday.
In the midst of the quarantine, daily life has changed considerably--as I'm sure it has with many of you. With Roca Norte, our Sunday United Service and Friday night House Church meetings have been moved online. God has been blessing our online services as many people that don't attend the church have been watching--some on a consistent basis! I've linked the video for our most recent Sunday service below if you want to check it out. The sermon is translated from English to Spanish, so it can still be a blessing to you even if you don't know Spanish. :) I hope it does bless you. Beyond the virtual ministry and the texts and calls to check in on everyone in the church, we've tried to be creative with loving and ministering to the people of Roca Norte. We've played the role of Uber Eats with some of them and brought them to-go orders of tacos just to say hi and let them know we're thinking of them and praying for them. We were also able to drop off flowers for all of the mothers in the church for Mother's Day. Even though God has blessed the church during this time, we're all ready to be done with the quarantine and be back worshipping side-by-side with each other.
I've also continued with teaching classes at UACH and with some of the student ministry--even though it has all been moved online as well. It has been more difficult really connecting with the students and getting opportunities to share Christ when we only see each other through a screen. On top of that, the initial adjustment in regards to moving the class virtual has been a little difficult. I appreciate your prayer in regards to all of the ministry at UACH.
May we all continue to keep our eyes on Jesus--the author and perfector of our faith--during this time. May we yearn for His return and live as if He could really come back today. May He receive all of the glory! Amen.
-Tim, Priscilla, Josiah and Hannah
Eph. 3:20-21
Praise Reports
- Although the official reports are hard to completely trust and we're still not out of the woods yet, it seems that Covid-19 hasn't hit Chihuahua as hard as many thought it would.
- God has blessed our virtual services at Roca Norte and many people who might not have heard the Gospel otherwise have been watching the services!
- We as a church have been able to stay pretty well connected even in the midst of the quarantine.
- I've been able to continue teaching at the university via online classes.
- This quarantine has been really good for us as a family (and for Priscilla and I in our marriage) for spending quality time together.
Prayer Request
- For wisdom and guidance from the Lord for the church with regard to returning from the quarantine. We need wisdom, not only for the precautions to take, but also for the technology we will need to use to accommodate all of the changes.
- For young believers and unbelievers who were consistently attending services at the church before the quarantine but have now distanced themselves a little bit from others in the church (especially Sebastian, Fernanda, Alejandra and Valeria).
- That God would continue reaching the lost and making disciples through Roca Norte--even as the situation in which we minister continues to change. That we would keep the main things the main things.
- That God would help me to finish the semester well at UACH and continue ministering to students through virtual classes and meetings.
- That God would help our kids finish their school year well, even though online classes have been a little difficult for them.
- We had been planning a trip to California for the summer because we haven't seen many in Priscilla's family for more than two years. It's looking like that trip isn't going to happen now for obvious reasons. Please pray for Priscilla and the kids as it is difficult for them to imagine waiting another year to see family.
