Dear Friends,
We are coming up on the two-month mark since social
distancing officially started, at least here in the south of Chile. “How deserted
lies the city, once so full of people!” (Lamentations 1:1) It is strange that
to some degree or another, this verse has applied to so many different cities all
over the world in the past several weeks...
Do you, like us, feel like you’re in a waiting period right
now? Many important tasks or decisions are on hold, some of them indefinitely.
Family life, work, studies, ministry, relationships, etc., are at very
different places than “normal”, and no one really knows when (or if) if those
will go back to how they were before....
Personally, we have been trying to buy a small, used car for
Gus to get better gas mileage when traveling for work to Melipeuco, Ralco and
Los Angeles, which would also allow me to have the family car when he’s gone in
case the kids & I need to go anywhere. Though there are available, affordable vehicles
for sale in the nearby city of Temuco (30 miles away), we haven’t been able to go
see them because without a medical appointment or other emergency, no one is allowed
to travel into the city of Temuco: it is quarantined off because of the virus.
So, the car purchase is on hold for now.
Under normal circumstances, social events, hosting people in our home (one of the main reasons we wanted a nice, big house in the countryside!), and deepening relationships with friends are very active parts of our weekly life and ministry as a family. And yet right now none of those “in-person” times can happen and almost all communication is over messages or calls. A couple of people close to us are needing treatment for serious health conditions and it is very hard to not be able to be with them physically through this difficult time in their lives. Gus was able to take one of those friends to the hospital in Temuco for some tests a few weeks ago, but in most practical ways, doing “life” with our friends and with our community is definitely on hold. And that is tough.
For work meetings, we are using Zoom & Whatsapp, as are many others around the world now. However, our monthly Internet wi-fi package is not large enough to cover all of these new conference-call needs. We have been trying to purchase a larger Internet package, but the Internet company’s phone numbers aren’t working and the online forms aren’t going through. We could place the order in person at the company’s office, but it’s in Temuco (again, we can’t go because that city is quarantined). So, we are juggling our Internet usage, prioritizing work meetings and completely eliminating school videos or online family entertainment. Some things just have to wait.
A couple of friends here have asked Gus to help them record some worship songs to use for the encouragement of the local church through social media, so he has been involved in that the past few days. Yesterday, however, his computer’s hard drive completely crashed. They were able to work around that and continued recording with one of their computers (albeit a less efficient system). However, Gus needs a working computer and right now he can’t take his into the shop (because, guess where that is? Yep, in Temuco...). So, he’s investigating and trying to order parts online and then see what else can be done. That will most likely imply waiting for weeks to have a clear solution, but right now it looks like we may need to nix the idea of buying a small, used car this year and instead use those funds to purchase a computer, which is a bummer.
Even though this is a time of being “on hold” in so many ways, we are trying to be creative & active:
- We took some cookies and handmade notes to a few families
on Easter Sunday,
- Gus has a weekly Zoom group meeting with the leaders he
works with from Melipeuco, Ralco and Los Angeles, in an effort to unite and
focus the churches in the South toward common goals,
- We’ve purchased many goods from local friends to help
their business ventures as they’ve struggled to make ends meet in these strange
times,
- Gus took flowers to a few mom-friends of ours for Mother’s
Day, as a special show of appreciation despite this time of social distancing,
- I send regular voice messages to encourage & challenge
local ladies who have said that they would like to receive those,
- Gus started a weekly virtual drum class to raise money for
food baskets to bless needy families in Melipeuco and Ralco,
- The kids are having a good homeschool year so far and Gus
has even been able to help teach some of their classes too, since he is mostly working
from home,
- We have been tackling projects and activities together as
a family to be active, productive and get those healthy rays of sunshine and fresh
air when weather allows being outdoors!
In the midst of all this craziness and uncertainty, it is SO
reassuring to know who holds our futures, isn’t it?? None of this surprises God
at all; He’s not caught off guard by current events!
I think if we are willing to look at this time we are living
in as an opportunity and plough through the challenges with perseverance and
patience, God will bless & use us in new ways. No matter what our current struggles
are, we are still called to be joyful, to love & pray for our neighbors and
for our enemies, to be a shining light for Jesus especially when it is dark or
confusing around us. Right now people really need hope and a secure place to
take their fears, frustrations and disappointments... God is the only real Security
there is and He calls us to be instruments of His Love in the lives of others!
So as we wait to find out what is the next step in this “new
normal” for each of us in all aspects of life, let us cling to God, because He
is unchanging in the midst of this chaos. Let us work hard and find creative ways to
encourage others, even as we wait patiently for answers. And let us be thankful
for all of God’s blessings! “Do not forget to do good and to share with
others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
Thank you so much for your prayers, your words of encouragement
and your financial support for our family and work here in the south of Chile.
Partnering with you in this ministry is a privilege that we don’t take for
granted! May the Lord bless you and supply all your needs, giving you wisdom
and perseverance to navigate these unique times we are all traversing together...
Because He is our Firm Foundation,
Gus
& Karissa,
Jeremy,
Liz, Cristina & Diego
