On the one hand, at this writing we are watching as the total number of deaths around the world from
COVID-19 is doubling every ten days. On the other hand, some of us are rejoicing as people on our prayer
lists have been healed and there is talk in some places of “reopening the economy” and perhaps...we
think...we are hearing...maybe...just maybe...relief and a return to “normal” may possibly be in sight.
For some, the lockdown is only just beginning, or is now being extended longer than we initially expected. For
others, the worst has happened; we have lost loved ones and our hearts are broken.
In the meantime, many of life’s milestone events are taking place and they look nothing at all like we had
envisioned them — births, deaths, proms, graduations, weddings.
Many of us are exhausted, busier and stretched thinner than we can ever remember. We may be angry and
deeply frustrated. We are not able to shop or get supplies that we need. We may be working from home or
managing kids at home who are demanding more attention than usual and are, themselves, dealing with
hard adjustments and losses.
Sadly, some of us may be cooped up in small spaces with family members who are abusive. Others have
been laid off, lost jobs or are facing stress upon stress. There may even be some of us who are sincerely and
blessedly enjoying a very sweet “Sabbath” rest, courtesy of the pandemic, and would feel sad if it all went
away and life went back to "normal" tomorrow.
These are crazy, unprecedented times.
Against this chaotic backdrop, our hearts are encouraged to see evidence of God at work and the unflagging
faith of his people who trust in his word. One church in Thailand of a little over 100 members had 1,000 at
their first online service as the quarantining began. On the other side of the world, in Guadalajara, Mexico, a
married couple, Jorge and Perla, were restored in one of their recent virtual services.
Like many around the globe, Cindy (photo above) was baptized in the last two weeks by her husband José as
the Los Angeles church watched her baptism live on Zoom. They live in a 26-unit apartment complex where
they have become the tenth married couple who are disciples living there. José, Cindy’s husband, is a military
veteran. He’s featured in this inspiring short video for Life Aid, a national awareness campaign for the
spiritual healing of vets. In the video he remarks that, after coming to church, “That’s where the healing
happened.” Click Here to Watch
This pandemic may rage on longer than we want. Or...God may respond to our outcry, contain it and wipe it
out.
Yet, since none of us can predict even the near future —may scriptures like John 5:17 be of great reassurance
to us during such times of uncertainty: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am
working.”
May the Lord allow many more to be healed physically, mentally, emotionally, but especially, spiritually,
through faith in Christ and support from the community of believers.
“...God’s word is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:9
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30
About the Authors
Tammy Fleming has been a women’s minister in the International Churches of Christ for over 30 years. After studying at Cornell University, she pursued a career in music until becoming a Christian in 1985. She married Canadian evangelist Andy Fleming in 1987. Together they have served the churches in Scandinavia, the UK, Los Angeles, and the nations of the former Soviet Union. From 1991-1999, while living in Moscow, Russia, they oversaw the planting of 24 new congregations, the largest of which are Moscow and Kyiv, now with each over 1000 members.As retired empty-nesters, Tammy and her husband reside in Kyiv, Ukraine, near their daughter and her family. They divide their time between volunteering for churches in Eurasia, visiting their adult son in the Seattle church, and supporting Andy’s aging mother in Canada.Tammy serves as chair for the Women’s Service Team and readily admits she has been the least-educated member of the Teachers Service Team. She is an Advanced Grief Recovery Method® specialist. She speaks Russian and Swedish, loves to swim and ski, and takes her travel-sized guitar just about everywhere she can.
Griselda Lua – Los Angeles, California USAAs of 2019, Griselda has been married to the love of her life, Rafael Lua, for 24 years. They have three adventurous children: Daniel-20, Adrian-19 and Bianca-15. She’s had the amazing blessing of being reached-out to, raised-up in and is now ministering in the central area of the Los Angeles Church where she was baptized as a college student. In addition to their local ministry, Rafael and Griselda serve as the Pacific SouthWest Church Family Chairpersons and have mentored church leaders in Moscow and Mexico City. She was recently elected by the PSW as their first female delegate. Griselda is grateful to God for His mind-blowing grace & steadfast love.
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