Living The Quarantine Life
For the past month our entire team worldwide has been in quarantine. For some this had also been mandated by the country they’re in. For us in Zambia, we make a stricter course of action to the Covid-19 pandemic then the government recommended. Restricted to our base, only essential trips to town were taken and our Zambian base staff were put on a paid leave.
So our team here picked up the workload of keeping the base running. None of us can say that quarantine was boring! We found ourselves working on different projects each day. We laid gravel down on paths, started clearing an area for a basketball court that’s currently in progress, took care of the landscaping and gardens, and whatever other tasks came along. I even learned how to work on our internet system when we were struggling with it! New skills being acquired during this season!
We’ve also spent time together in the Word as a team, as well as individually. Together we’ve been meeting about twice a week to go through a Bible study program which has led to amazing discussions and perspectives shared from everyone. I’ve also been working on my Bible school program and am excited to see how close I’m finally to finishing!
My sector team and I have been in touch with our friends in Simwatachela, taking time to check on families and share encouragement. It’s been great to hear that everyone is well and excited for when we can join them in their villages!
This season is definitely not what we pictured. Our expedition teams have been delayed until August. Our AMT class for May has also been merged with the August class. What should be the start of our busy season is much quieter than anticipated but God is doing amazing things. We know the loss we see in the natural God will not just restore, but His provision will overflow in every area of need!
“Fear not, O land;
Be glad and rejoice,
For the Lord has done marvelous things!
Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field;
For the open pastures are springing up,
And the tree bears its fruit;
The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully,
And He will cause the rain to come down for you—
The former rain,
And the latter rain in the first month.
The threshing floors shall be full of wheat,
And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.”
Joel 2:21-27
We serve an amazing God who constantly proves His faithfulness over and over. We will continue to see His faithfulness in every season of our lives!
What’s Next?
Things have begun easing up a bit here in Zambia. Testing has increased so we’re currently seeing the number of cases on the rise. Praise God that the number of deaths from Covid-19 is very low!
Our team globally is now operating on a country to country restriction. Following Zambia’s mandate, masks are being worn in public. We aren’t allowed to hold any public meetings yet but can visit people individually. The President of Zambia is reviewing restrictions every two weeks so we’ll know what the next step is here soon.
Our leadership here has also put in some other restrictions. Ministry in the rural villages has been restricted to day trips in close areas. Simwatachela is quite a far drive so my reach there continues to be limited. The truck is also waiting on a couple of parts so hopefully by the time it’s fully running again, things will have continued to improve in the country.
We’re continuing the work here on the base to prepare for the day the borders open and the base fills. We still don’t know when that will be but we continue to walk in faith that it will be soon!
I’m praying for all of you, your families, and the nations. Please feel free to reach out to chat, pray together, and to encourage each other.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. It means a lot to me and is making a difference in the lives of the people we are reaching in Zambia!
