What is happening with the Gambles and in Cambodia?
serving Cambodia through engineering design and discipleship
EMI Directors Conference 2020 - Scotland
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
Empty shelves, shelter in place guidelines, shopping malls turned into ghost towns, runs on the bank, all gatherings of large groups cancelled... This is not some worn torn under developed country on the other side of the world. This is Europe, the USA and many other parts of the world right now! Many of us could have never imagined this when 2020 was rung in just 73 days ago. How quickly our world can change!
Our hearts and prayers are extended to those who have been affected by this virus in so many ways! Some have asked us how our family is doing and what impacts it is having on our ministry.
Here are just a few of the impacts to our family personally:
Chad has recently returned from extensive international travel and is self monitoring for signs of fever twice a day (so far, no fever). He is also part of a Crisis Management Team at EMI communicating with people throughout the world to help determine an appropriate response to this crisis.
Shanthi has had training and is being told to prepare to teach via online classes
Nathan has had all of his classes at Calvin College switch to an online format. His expected graduation ceremony in May is now in question as nearby schools have cancelled or postponed graduation.
Chesna has also had her classes at Trinity Western go online for the rest of the semester. She is considering returning to Sacramento early to ensure that she can get back into the USA and focus on schoolwork
Miriam has had her recent soccer game cancelled and a nearby school just reported a teacher tested positive for COVID-19. She is expected to start online classes next week
Moses' volleyball season has been cancelled after just a few games and his spring break has just been extended to 3 weeks, starting Monday.
These are minor compared with the many deaths, hospitalizations and the strain being placed on the worldwide medical service workers. However, anxiety and worry can get the best of all of us.
The words of Jesus could not be more appropriate at this time: "...in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33 and in the words of the Apostle Peter: "cast all your anxieties on him [Jesus], because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7 and finally, the Apostle Paul: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way" 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Our prayer recently and the one that we pray for you is that through Christ you may have peace.
Many of us may also find some extra time on our hands now that so many events have been cancelled or postponed. I hope to use this extra time to complete those "Someday, Maybe" items on my to do list, to spend more time relaxing at home, reading a book or just spending quality time with others around me. I hope that through the peace that Christ provides, you also may be able to see this extra bit of time as a much needed rest from the hurry of this world and enjoy time with those around you!
No comments:
Post a Comment