Dear Family, Friends and Prayer Warriors,
Hello dear friends and family,
What a strange time we are living, yes? In the beginning of March, Japan began taking drastic measures in an attempt to avoid the spread of the Corona virus. Schools and churches shut down, as well as sports clubs, buffet style restaurants, and many other gathering places. Many people have been given the choice to work from home. We had no idea how it would spread around the world and that other countries would take even more extreme measures than what we have seen here. For example, we have not been ordered to not leave our homes at all, and many things which we see have shut down in the States are still operating here, like dental offices and most places of commerce. And of course, our homeschool has continued normal operation, somewhat to the chagrin of certain students since everyone else is “free”!
As for us, our church made the decision to cancel all activities throughout the month of March. Sunday services have been suspended as well, and so for the past three weeks Fabio has been working with the other leaders to begin streaming it. They are deciding one week at a time about whether or not to meet. Fabio’s language school, Johann’s soccer school, Olivia’s gymnastics, etc were also suspended, as well as the youth camps our children planned to go to during spring break. This has given us some time to do all those “projects” that we never have time for otherwise, and a little added rest for me. Sort of.
In the midst of all of this chaos going on in the world, we are excitedly awaiting the birth of our little girl – any time now. We rest in the fact that He knew EXACTLY when she would be born and all that would be happening in the world right now and that none of it is outside of His control! Please pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. We will send news when she makes her arrival!
During this time of the virus scare and also in regards to the birth of our little one, I feel the Lord has constantly been speaking PEACE to our hearts. “Let not your hearts be troubled.” “Fear not, for I am with you.” “You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.”
The TRUTH is that the Lord has everything under His control. If this is the case, then He also has His purposes to accomplish and His plans will prevail! And if THIS is the case, then as His people, we need to align ourselves with His heart to know what it is that He wants us to do during and throughout this time. As for us, we are believing that the Lord will use this to draw people to Himself in Japan, whether through the virus itself or the inevitable economic effects this time period will cause, and we are praying to that end. Please join us! Because “we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”
*We’ll keep you updated with the latest news about the baby! Your prayers will be appreciated!
Blessings!
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