“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Dear Friends,
We want you to know that we are all in prayer for you as well! May God keep us all now and forever through this time of great trial, as we fix our eyes on Him!
Nigeria:
All trainings cancelled or on hold for now! Please pray for our team as they work from home.
More and more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Nigeria, yesterday the President did a broadcast, and in the 20 minutes he spoke the number of confirmed cases rose from 89 to 511. He has shut down the borders of several states, there is no going and coming from affected states. More and more states are shutting down. In Kaduna they have a 6am-6pm curfew, which, in effect means that no one goes out at all because no one goes out at night. They aren’t letting anyone out even to buy food. In Jos there are no cases reported but very few have been tested.
In Maiduguri everyone is trying to get as much food as they can, because starting tomorrow they will not be allowed outside.
Please pray for provision for everyone, for healing from sickness, and also for food provision!
Boko Haram just attacked and killed about 20 men (both Christian and Muslim) 24 km from Maiduguri yesterday, the soldiers were able to rescue the women they abducted, but all the men died. Please pray for comfort and healing for all those who lost loved ones.
Many churches in Jos are still open, but they are trying to create space of at least 2 meters. There is no children’s church because they didn’t have any room for them. Sam’s church divided into groups of ten. In the villages, people are still meeting, but shortening church services. Please pray for wisdom for the churches as they continue to try to discern what is safest.
There are no reported cases yet in the hospital in Maiduguri, where Comfort also works as a nurse, but there are almost no tests. Please pray that the outbreak is contained!
Ethiopia —
Not many cases in Ethiopia that they know of. Government workers were told to stay home, but everyone else is going about their business. The denomination we work with, Kale Heywet, has everyone on a rotation schedule, so there is only one person in each office at a time. There is food for the time being, continue to pray that Ethiopia is spared!
Eritrea wants us to come, the government won’t want Rich to teach but he can encourage them and hear their stories. Eskinder may be allowed to teach. The people we trained are training other people, they have been sharing the materials on a loan basis. We are trying to get more materials to them but it is very difficult. We want to send 1,000 copies. Pray for us as we try to navigate helping them!
USA —
Rich’s siblings are all in their 60’s, 70’s. Rich’s sister Marsha is a nurse nearing 70 and plans to help when the virus hits. Please pray for safety for them and that they would come to know Jesus.
Pray for our fundraiser on May 2nd as it is now virtual! We are trying to negotiate this as well as we can, but it is uncharted territory for us.
David’s kids are supposed to be starting school virtually on Wednesday. Please pray for the whole family! Pray for the kids, that they would have motivation.
Prayer for continued healing for Dara, who is continuing to slowly recover.
Also pray for the hospital workers in Oregon and all over the US, they have a lot of cases and are all vulnerable!
Cameroon —
Please continue to pray for Florence, Pastor Jisa and all of the trainees who are still in regions where they are being heavily persecuted by the government!
Please pray for health and provision for all their families in this trying time, as the coronavirus adds to the suffering of the people.
