Into the Sea
Life has changed drastically for us in the past month, and we know it has for you as well. I (Naomi) had a difficult time adjusting to all of Cassia’s at-home school assignments (nothing like normal homeschooling!), juggling Zoom calls for all the kids (pictured below), and facing shortages while buying groceries exclusively online. The Lord keeps drawing me to 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Despite all the difficulties and heartbreak of this season, He cares for us.
During my Holy Week reading, I (Naomi) was reminded of Jesus’s words: “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt…you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt. 21:21-22). The coronavirus curve is a mountain. Please join me in praying that it is miraculously thrown into the sea.
Openness and Boldness
I (Naomi) have joined a daily Bridges International prayer call (next picture) for the coronavirus. It has been so good for me to lift these desperate needs up to Him with others.
When I was given the chance to lead, I invited Zack’s good friend, David Showalter a missionary/pastor in Italy, to join our call. He gave us a glimpse of the future by sharing about overrun hospitals, people dying alone, and grieving family members unable to hold a funerals. He said Italians, normally a prideful people, are realizing their fragility during this time. As a result, they are much more open.
Another day, Benjamin, a student from the Middle East, joined our prayer call. He asked us to pray for boldness to share his faith with his parents back home. He also told us that right now is a very strategic time for Christians in his country to share their faith. The government is very busy dealing with the coronavirus, so they won’t punish Christians as harshly. Please pray God would empower these Christians to step up in boldness.
Praying for You from China
We received this prayer letter from a fellow Bridges Staff member who is back in China: “Now people here in China are doing prayer chains designated each hour…and a 40 day prayer guide is also being posted everyday to pray for you and all other countries who are affected by this pandemic…I hope this could encourage you that your brothers and sisters, unmet even, are praying for you and your country.”
A Chinese missionary named “Jonah,” who is a dear friend of ours, sent us this note: “I’m very sad that the U.S. is suffering from the Coronavirus so badly currently. It’s just so unexpected, and I can only imagine this must have a huge impact on your life. I felt deeply sorry that you have to go through such a huge storm which might lead us into a winter season. I pray the Lord will be with you in a more special way through this hard journey! May God show His protection and provision to you in such a challenging time!”
UPCOMING
Zack is currently working on new digital evangelism tools. One is a video for a tool called Conversation Art Cards, which encourages spiritual conversations around classic works of art. A second project is a series of videos that train people how to use an evangelism app called Honor Restored. Two other videos tell the story of how God worked in the lives of international students.
PRAISE REPORTS
- We’re (mostly) adjusted to “crisis-schooling”
- Italians are opening to the conversations about Christ.
- Christians in the Middle East are under less persecution.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Many Italians, New Yorkers, and Middle Easterners would come to Christ in this season.
- Benjamin and Christians from his country would share Christ boldly.
- Quality time and wisdom in ministering to our kids.