Snapshot 2020

His light still shines

We entered 2020 with high hopes for the content year. New targets, new resolutions, new hopes, a blank piece of canvas. Not long after A New Perspective 3 the year had started, hopes began to crash. Targets had to be moved. Uncertainty Where Is God In All This? 5 welcomed us with open arms because of something that we could not see.The canvas The Current Landscape of Mission 7 began to have patches of black. Amid chaos and uncertainty, we see humanity at its worst Responding To The Challenge 11 as well as its best. More patches of black appear on our canvas and it makes us rethink Living In Isolation 15 life itself. Love In The Time Of Corona 16 This year poses new challenges for us as workers in His kingdom. As servants of God, Open Doors 19 do we have to do things differently from now on? Should we start with a new canvas?Yet Time To Sow 21 amid these challenges, we see the light of Christ shining brightly.The light that can Lock Down Brought Us Together 22 never be extinguished.We see the faithfulness of our Lord.We see the values of Processing The Present And 24 the kingdom in action even amongst those who do not know him yet.We see love and Preparing For The New Normal care in action no matter the race, age, and religion. In this issue of Snap Shots, I present stories of our Partners during this time of pandemic. I hope that you will be encouraged by their stories and thoughts about the “New normal”. Most of them have chosen to remain in the field to be with the people whom they are called to. May you be encouraged to make a difference to the people around you.What is in your hands? My pastor once preached,“Even if you have nothing, God can use you as long as you are w illin g.” Janelle Khoo Personnel Director 2020

Photo credit : Jaykhuang on Foter.com / CC BY A New PERSPECTIVE Written by Bijoy Koshy International Director of Interserve The world seems to have come to a standstill.The only thing moving around with any great energy seems to be a microscopic bug that has brought the whole world to its knees.Work, travel, sport, entertainment - all the things that seemed important and almost impossible not to do - have now been abandoned.We are suddenly seeing things in a new perspective.The things we thought we could not do without have taken a back seat to more important considerations. Missions had become a very busy time - sets of activities that allowed no time, place or energy to be spent on things like hanging out for a cup of tea or getting to know someone else.The understanding that Mission is about primarily walking together with others on their road to spiritual discovery - at their pace and in their contexts and on their own journeys of life - had given way in recent years to a set of activities, formulas or even a set of belief systems that one has to ensure people get ‘converted’ to. 3

But what is disconcerting is the shift in They stayed to be with, minister to and activity-oriented lifestyle from personal, serve the sick and dying. Many of them direct, real life, to busyness around the contracted the plague and passed away. digital, virtual life among my Christian How do we minister today in a world contacts.We are in real danger here of where the virus is rampaging onward at growing another set of busy activities, unbelievable speed?Where is the balance digitally this time, resulting in even less we need to strike between protection and personal interaction with people.Who service?This is especially true now as then will journey with those who do not governments impose lockdowns, during know the Saviour and are seeing their which the poor and the underprivileged world collapse around them? suffer the most as they have no reserve of food and shelter to see them through But such a course correction in mission these lockdown periods. can only take place if we reflect closely on what life and mission are about.This is To make sense of these times and to the opportunity to be still and know that understand the divine narrative of these He is God. It is through these times of times, we need each other.This is the time gazing on God that we will be endowed when we need to deepen our ties in with strength, comfort and shalom. It is community – receiving and giving through these times that we will learn to encouragement to each other with phone view people and the issues of life calls, text messages – anything that would through His eyes. He is the Lord - in enable the development of relationships control of all things in heaven and earth, that would support and sustain each including the microscopic, ravaging virus. other through these times. It is also through community that we can continue It is as we emerge from these times of to look beyond the despair of the news stillness before God that we will learn to that continues to trickle in, to the Messiah, elevate people once again to the centre the King who reigns far above any power of our mission life – not as targets, but as or authority in this world and the one to real-life people – to understand their come. Let us fasten our eyes on Jesus fears and insecurities, to share in their together, so that we may understand how joys and sorrows.We will be ready to be the Saviour is seeking to make Himself inconvenienced, because sorrow does known through us to the peoples of the not keep convenient times, and prepared Asian and Arab World even though these to put ourselves at risk of life and disease. times of crisis. In the Roman world, as bubonic plague swept the Roman cities, all Romans fled, but the people of the Kingdom stayed. 4

Where is GOD in all this? There are constant reminders of suffering illness is unlikely to bring an ambulance, just outside our front door: the disabled let alone decent hospital care. Insurance girl who sits at the train station in her is almost unattainable.The police and wheelchair selling tissues in all weather; legal system are just as likely to be disabled children forced to leave school perpetrators of injustice rather than to work in the family business; women protectors against it. Freedom to choose forcibly married to ‘keep them pure’ or to a government, speak your mind or freely prevent them pursuing a change of faith; follow any religion are unthinkable projects forced to close as they are d ream s. perceived to be encouraging women to interact and learn outside their home As people striving to live authentic enviro n m en t . Christian lives, how do we respond to our suffering and theirs? How far should we In the Arab World where we live and go to protect ourselves against suffering? work, suffering is in your face every day. How can we help others who are Much of the population lives from hand suffering? to mouth on a daily basis. An accident or 5

Following a Messiah whose suffering was “How far should we go the very means of new life puts suffering to protect ourselves at the centre of our faith.The Bible against suffering?” certainly does not promise believers protection from suffering. In fact, we are We continue to learn that there are often told to expect it.We are also called to no words to say about suffering here.We help others who suffer. In Hebrews it says, are driven repeatedly to pray,“God help “Remember those who are suffering, as us to be faithful … not to let anger take though you were suffering as they are”. over our hearts … to respond to the needs with wisdom; God bring these We learn so much from living among people the justice and leaders they people for whom suffering is a normal deserve … may we see the people part of life. Certainly, Christians in the through Your eyes of compassion”. Arab world have a very well-developed understanding of suffering. Another thing we learn is that you can be content in suffering.Those who are Not long ago a young work colleague suffering here seem to generate an inner had his car stopped by a local extremist strength. For believers, there is a reliance group. He was forced to sign a paper of on God that rarely seems necessary in support for them before being allowed to first world countries. In the light of this continue on the only road out.We raged strength and reliance on God, suffering inside at the injustice of this – systematic need not be feared or avoided at all costs. targeting of Christians in vulnerable situations – and wondered when the Finally, we are driven to ask of God,“What suffering and persecution will end. should I do to be Your hands and feet in the midst of this suffering?” Praying, as we A young mother working for a local have said, is the first and most important project serving families of all faiths, fell thing to do. But it is a cop-out to from her fourth-floor balcony while spiritualise our response to the extent trying to hang curtains. She is now that we do nothing to help those who are permanently paralysed after spending suffering. Let us recall that whatever we months in hospital with no do for those who are suffering, we do for physiotherapy or proper wound care. Her Jesus himself.Jesus is suffering, with husband, who has been unemployed for them and with us. some time, must now be her carer as they face a very uncertain future with their The authors are Interserve Partners in the young children and no income.They are Arab World totally reliant on family for support. 6

Photo credit : Foter.com The current LANDSCAPE of MISSION Written by David Watson DIRECTOR OF MINISTRIES AND PART OF THE INTERSERVE INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM, DAVID OUTLINES THE CHALLENGES FACING MISSION AGENCIES IN 2020. When we were serving in West Asia, the challenged them and rebuked them in most remarkable Ethiopian man studied ways I could never imagine doing.We all Urdu with us, in fact far faster than us.We had stories of visa challenges and had been taught to be cautious of open problems, but yet he never had any such evangelism because of the risk of issues, and his visa was straightforward. I religious or police reaction, but yet he am not sure that he always got it right, regularly went and preached in the but it was fascinating to see how God market.We had been encouraged to be used a brother from Ethiopia in a way a servant of the local Church, and many that Western workers were not being of us had adopted quite a passive stance. used. Still, yet my Ethiopian brother regularly 7

Certainly, the numbers of non-western Interestingly, the growth of the worldwide workers involved in international Church's engagement in ministry is at the cross-cultural missions continues to rise same time that many western churches are significantly.Workers from sub-Saharan having a crisis of confidence in global Africa, Latin America and Asia continue to missions. Churches are more aware of and increase, all the while numbers from more focused on mission on their doorstep Western countries decline. Non-westerners (including to those from all nations, more are increasingly involved in the leadership on that later). Many churches no longer of many international missions, networks feel as \"rich\" as they once were, and the and conferences.This internationalisation finances flowing into global missions is of missions is no longer new but continues reducing. Some churches have lost to grow. It is exciting to see how God is confidence in evangelism and missions as raising up His whole worldwide Church to a result of a more liberal theology, continue the mission of making disciples concerns over appearing superior or in the nations. coercive, or other pressures from within their cultures and communities.The power But it is also sometimes uncomfortable, dynamic whereby westerners are used to especially for agencies and organisations having resources, education and that were established during a previous experience and therefore leadership is era of western leadership. Many of our changing, and perhaps even westerners strategies, policies and organisational have to leam to be the weaker in these cultures are rooted in the western international relationships because the countries from where we emerged. Even Church in the west can increasingly be sometimes, the language we use to perceived by some as weak. describe missions has its roots less in the bible and more in our cultures and history. The internationalisation of missions is no doubt in full flow, but the impact on us and “May the saints the world is only beginning to be felt.What shine brightly in the else will we need to change so that we and places You have put the whole worldwide church can fully them, so that those participate in and the mission of God? without the hope of I remember looking out through the Christ would be Khyber Pass into Afghanistan in 1995, and drawn to Him wondering how the good news of Jesus because of His might flow freely in that land. Post Taliban, 9/ 11, and all that has followed, that beautiful mercy.” question seems harder still. Interserve Worker, Photo credit : Jcom p - Freepik.com Central Asia 8

“God is not just moving the nations of the earth so that they can hear the gospel, but also so that they can speak the gospel too.” Photo credit : Foter.com Afghanistan must undoubtedly be one of of thousands of Iranians coming into our the hardest places to go as a foreign churches, we have seen it across Europe missionary. For generations, it has seemed with Afghans and Kurds, and we see it in that the peoples and culture of that the refugee camps across the Middle country were very hard to reach with the East with many Syrians choosing to gospel indeed. But yet, today Afghan follow Jesus. migrants across Europe are seeking Jesus like never before. A first print run of How do we in the Church, and those discipleship materials for new Afghan working in mission agencies, in believers in Germany sold out in weeks. particular, respond to what God is Just as God's movement amongst the doing? How can we be involved in this Iranian diaspora around the world has move of God's Holy Spirit amongst flown back into Iran, so too now Afghans migrant communities within our own inside Afghanistan are seeking Jesus like countries and in near countries across never before. Eu ro p e? Whatever your political views on the God is not just moving the nations of current waves of migration, especially from the earth so that they can hear the Asia to Europe, this does of course bring gospel, but also so that they can speak many challenges for host communities, yet the gospel too.The Arab world has been God is also working within it.We have seen challenging to go and witness for Jesus. it in Great Britain and Ireland with the tens 9

But yet it seems God had a plan.The As the traditional model of the Arab world became rich, and many international mission agencies families have brought in Filipino becomes harder and harder through nannies for their children because increasing visa challenges, reduced they speak good English, were seen giving and sending by mainstream as trustworthy and with a good work churches, it may be tempting to retreat, ethic. Many of those nannies were to argue that the old model is no followers of Jesus, and without longer valid. After all, workers from the training at any bible college or Global South are better placed, that support of any organisation, they they are travelling to the nations for shared their life and their story of work already (removing challenges of who Jesus was. It is often “God's new visas and fundraising), and said that Filipino nannies the nations are coming to have brought more people thing was us anyway! to know the Lord than all the other missionaries of always rooted I often hear quotes from history.Whether the in the old and Isaiah that God is doing a numbers are real (and of emerged from new thing or references to course rather difficult to a new wineskin, and we count!), it is a significant within it. ” may wonder whether that move of God. means the \"old\" thing or the \"old\" wineskin is to be thrown away. And God is moving his people I'm no expert on wineskins, but I do around. Hundreds of thousands of know that God's new thing wasn't an Jesus-following Kenyans and other abandonment of the old, rather a Africans work throughout the gulf. fulfilment of it. God's new thing was Millions of Chinese workers (1 in 10 always rooted in the old and emerged of whom may be Jesus followers) are from within it.The world is changing, in every nation on earth.These our model of mission must change too, millions of Jesus' disciples are now but that does not mean we throw it working in countries where away, but rather we seek God's face traditional missionary visa routes are and ask His spirit to bring out the new hard to access and where the good from the old.We ask Him to renew news of Jesus is not widely known. extend, prune and use whatever we can offer for His glory, trusting that What is the role of international because this is God's mission and not mission agencies in supporting them, our own, He who began a good work encouraging them, equipping them within (and through) us will bring it on and praying for them? to completion. 10

Responding to the CHALLENGE Written by Chris Binder INTERSERVE GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND (GBI) NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR, CHRIS BINDER GIVES HIS VIEWS ON HOW WE CAN RESPOND TO THE CURRENT CHALLENGE As I write this, we face a rapidly changing situation around the world as countries try to respond to the spread of COVID-19. I don't know how it will be by the time you read this article. Contemporary historian Peter Hennessy said a couple of days ago, \"Future historians will divide post-war Britain as BC and AC - 'Before Corona\" and 'After Corona\". Some things may never be the same again. It is still far too early to tell what 'normal life will look like when this is over. Yet, we take great comfort that God is still on His throne, and He will work out His plans and purposes throughout this time. I feel very honoured and humbled to be the new National Director of Interserve GBI.We are cheered on by those who came before us during the last 168 years. And over those years, there have been times when we have faced significant crises.Two World Wars, the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, the partition of India. Photo credit : Freepik.com 11

In those times, business, as usual, was not Is it time for us to pass the baton on to possible.Yet those times of crisis also them?This is a very valid question. Perhaps brought new opportunities to share God's 50 years ago it seemed more love and grace. Now, as then, the straightforward.The Church in Great Britain invitation to \"let your light shine before and Ireland and other western nations was others, that they may see your good stronger.Workers went out from the deeds and glorify your Father in heaven\" \"Christian West\" to the \"heathen rest\". Now (Matt. 5:16) remains as strong as ever. It is the Church is stronger in other parts of the too early to know how this crisis will world, and at the same time, we have impact Interserve GBI in the long-term. significant numbers of people from Asia However, there are some trends and and the Arab World living in our own opportunities that we saw in the \"Before countries. Not as many Christians are going Corona\" era that I believe will still be overseas as long-term workers and those relevant \"After Corona\".Two of these are that do go tend to stay for shorter times. highlighted below. How do we respond as a Fellowship? God is growing His Church around the I believe that the first question that we world. Most Christians now live in what need to ask is whether God still calls the we call the \"Global South\". In David Church in Great Britain and Ireland to make Watson’s article,The Current Landscape of Jesus known among the peoples of Asia Mission (page 5), this change is starting to and the Arab World? I am convinced that be reflected more and more in those the answer remains a resounding \"yes!\" If serving cross-culturally. In Interserve, that is true, then there is still a place for nearly half of our 800 long-term workers Interserve GBI to serve the Church in come from non-western countries. fulfilling that calling. Also, I believe the Church is called to engage both locally and “We can only look to internationally.We do not need to favour our LORD, the Maker either migrant ministry at home or of heaven and earth. facilitating people to serve in other countries. Both are required and, in fact, Trusting that He is both feed into each other. Interserve GBI is faithful through all this, in an excellent position to facilitate this because we have ministry happening both He is in control, and here and overseas.This is one of the most that He is Sovereign.” significant things that we bring to the Church: helping to bring the strands of Interserve Worker, migrant ministry at home and overseas Cam bodia Photo credit : Jannoon028 - Freepik.com 12

ministry together. It is something that we migrant situation in Europe highlights a have the potential to develop further. challenge for us as a Fellowship. Our traditional approach to placing long-term The new global church reality does workers is for them to embed themselves present a particular challenge for us. in a community, learn the language and Historically, most people and most culture and stay, hopefully, for many years. funding have flowed from the West.We Often it takes several years of preparation are used to coming to the table of global before they go.This is a good approach! partnerships from a position of power We should continue to encourage people That is changing.We will increasingly to go and live long-term among the need to see ourselves as co-labourers and peoples of Asia and the Arab World, to co-learners with our sisters and brothers build up deep relationships and be salt from other parts of the world.We will and light in those communities. However, have to leam that the western way is not can we complement that with the the only way of doing things. It will not be capability to respond more rapidly to new easy, but it presents a wonderful opportunities, particularly through opportunity to leam together! sending those who already have experience in ministering cross-culturally? David also highlights the opportunities Currently, the opportunities to serve the and challenges of migrant ministry as peoples of Asia and the Arab World in peoples move around the world.We were all taken by surprise by the wave of immigrants that have come to mainland Europe since 2015. Many have come from the lands of Asia and the Arab World.We have been praying for years for people from these lands to have the opportunity to encounter Christ, and some of them have! What struck me was the speed with which new opportunities came to work in this unexpected harvest field.What has been our response, as Interserve?We established a team to support migrant ministry across several countries in mainland Europe, a team that is led by GBI partners based in Austria. However, it has been a slow process to get people in place.While I am encouraged by the establishment of this team, I believe the Photo credit : wirestock- Freepik.com 13

Greece are greater than ever. \"After The days ahead are very unpredictable. Corona\", those opportunities could More than ever before, we need to learn increasingly be somewhere else.What will to ask more quickly, \"What is God doing it take for us to become able to respond here?\" and \"How does he require us to more quickly next time? respond?\" It requires us to embrace even more our first value as a global Fellowship A few years ago, I was introduced to the \"Dependence on God\". Surely, we fool powerboat and the sailboat analogy. ourselves if we believe that we can When we are part of a well-established depend on anything else. organization, with a long history, resources, experienced people and “May we bow our knees before well-established policies, we can be like a the Father, from whom every powerboat.We can set a course, and we family in heaven and on earth can head in that direction, irrespective of is named, that according to which way the wind is blowing (at least the riches of His glory, He may until the fuel runs out!) We may not even grant us to be strengthened need to pay much attention to what is with power through His Spirit going on around us. Conversely, the in this challenges time.” sailboat responds to the direction and strength of the wind.The sailboat crew Adapted from Ephesians 3:14-16 must be much more aware of their Interserve Worker, Cam bodia surroundings.The COVID-19 pandemic has made much of our long-term Photo credit : jcom p- Freepik.com planning seem rather irrelevant.Yet, even 'Before Corona', we were living in a world that felt increasingly volatile. It had become difficult to live and minister in some of the countries where we have traditionally placed people.The rate of change is increasing, I believe that God is calling us as a Fellowship to be more like a sailboat, to learn how to be more responsive to the winds of the Spirit, whether we are in a storm or sailing in calmer waters. 14

Photo credit : Janelle Khoo Coronavirus has given us much to Another impression has been the sounds. As I ponder about our relationship with sat on my roof this morning, the usual buzz of God’s world, and (for some of us) time motorbikes and delivery trucks was replaced to think. For me, three days into by birds singing and people chatting. It lockdown in Nepal, the experience of struck me that, over thousands of years of lockdown has highlighted how human history, only in the last hundred years connected our family is to ecosystems or so have the sounds of people and nature both local and distant. been hidden under motor noise. And our unconscious response is to tune out. It has To prepare for just two weeks in been lovely to “isolation” we had to do a massive tune back in supermarket shop-up, and even then to the we went out this morning for a few so u n d s fresh items. Our milk is produced in our of life! own neighbourhood (probably by the cows that walked past our gate this I pray morning!). Most of our fruit and t h at , vegetables come from villages a few w h at ever kilometres up the valley.The packets in the level of our cupboards bear labels from ‘isolation’ at countries right across our region. All your place, these places – their soils and rains, you would also their pollinating insects and birds, the experience more people that worked the land and deeply your innate harvested the produce – are connectedness with people supporting our family even while we and nature. stay within our gate. Living in ISOLATION Written by Richard Storey 15

Photo credit : wirestock- Freepik.com One of my favourite LOVE in the books in college was “Love in the Time of time of Corona Cholera”, by the Nobel Laureate Garcia Marquez. Now we find ourselves in the midst of love in the time of corona. COVID-19 We had to purchase another set of air may stop life, but it cannot stop love. It may tickets through a longer route to get stop people from living, but it cannot stop h o m e. people from loving. Upon arrival at our home, we were We decided to return to the field after our immediately quarantined in a medieval Home Assignment and go back to East Asia way with a seal across our door for 14 early February 2020. It was a difficult days. If the seal is broken, the quarantine decision because even then I knew it resets again.We have a small apartment would boil down to choosing between with only one door. A seal on the door where we are called to versus the means nobody could go out or in, even in convenience and comfort of where we the case of fire. could go - the United States of America.We chose to return to the field after much The authority paid typical lip-service to prayers because we felt that the LORD did \"providing food\" and \"helping with trash,” not ask us to leave. Our initial flights were but they never did. During the 14 days, cancelled due to the pandemic and the we did all we could to keep the family of airlines refused to refund our tickets. 6 kids alive with food rationing, art and 16

“Love is not understand this irrational decision an empty slogan. especially when they know that we have 6 It is not a feeling. children from the ages of 3 to 13. Love is a commitment. Love is not found in Hollywood chick flicks. It is integrity. It is not found in the post-modern It is hard work.” sentiment. Love is not an empty slogan. It is not a feeling. Love is a commitment. It is music projects, family appreciation time, integrity. It is hard work. It is never giving up Bible study, and prayers. I have personally on someone even when he or she or they lost 10kg.Tantrums, tears, anger, shouting, are in animosity with your chosen way. and all our worst sides flared, but with Contrary to all the accusations, the real God's help there were also times of reason for us to go back in the midst of a intimacy, love, humility, maturation, and climbing death toll and cities locked down, even some Christlikeness! is that our Caller did not ask us to stay in the safety zone. He has not released us of our During this crisis, our businesses and calling to this country. Believe us, we did ministries were reduced to zero. By the seek Him for correction or confirmation on grace of Jesus, it has now started to pick whether to return or not.We could not base up.We have sent tens of thousands of a decision of such a magnitude on emotion, masks and more than 10 tons of food to adrenaline, or what other people think or the locals.We continue to be a conduit of say — no matter how good intentioned or His provision and blessing to others who rational they may be.When I decided to are suffering and hurting just like us.We did not know where the provisions will “Thank You, Lord, for the spiritual come from, but the Lord provided. blessings we enjoy in Christ Jesus, even when external circumstances are tough. Reveal Yourself and re-focus our eyes on Jesus, our Good Shepherd.” Our decision to return to East Asia at the Interserve Worker, Canada height of the COVID-19 rampage has Photo credit : Freepik.com branded us as “irresponsible”, “stupid”, “reckless”, “immature”, “suicidal”, “unruly”, “disobedient ”, “ungodly”, “prideful”, “crazy”, “attention-seeking”. Many do not 17

walk this path 15 years ago (and for gain and to live is Christ ” looks like Rebgajil, my wife, 21 years ago), we (Philippians 1:21).We are truly had vowed to live and die for Christ, humbled by how they exemplify and to live amongst the people whom Christ amidst death. He has called us to love and serve.To this day, we live by Philippians 1:21. For our gospel did not come to you in How can we be fair-weather friends? word only, but also in power, and in How can we turn our backs on our the Holy Spirit and in such assurance, own family? How can we shrink on the as you know what kind of men we battle days? Never! Our life is our were among you for your sake. pulpit. Our life is the Gospel. How we (1 Thessalonians 1:5) treat one another in good and bad times is the Message.We are the Bible The author, Gangri and his wife Rebgajil that people read daily. Our daily are Interserve Partners serving in struggle with weaknesses is our East Asia. permanent missional strategy. Our life is the Cross that lifts the Son of Man All nam es have been changed. for all to behold. Our life is the empty tomb that reminds the world that Christ is risen. Not our beautiful words, titles, lineage, results. But our life. So do we love the people whom the Lord has sent us to?We love them with all our heart and soul.We consider a privilege to walk alongside them during trying times in 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and even now. The honour is all ours.These precious souls — many of them still do not know Jesus— teach us what no prominent seminaries, lofty Bible schools, or megachurch glitzy pastors can ever teach us:They teach us faith, love, tenacity, sacrifice, integrity, and what life is, as they give themselves up for others in the face of sickness and death.We learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters, what “to die is 18

Photo credit : jannoon028-Freepik.com Open DOORS “Why are you doing this”, she asked, when I visited her in the midst of the lock down. I was at her home delivering some money and vouchers to be used at the supermarket. I told her,“Because of Jesus’ love. As He loves me, I love you”. She did not know what to say and I am sure she has never heard something like this before. As a Dutch living in South-East Asia, working specifically with the refugee community, I consider it a privilege to be able to help so many of my refugee friends during the strict lock down period in this country. Since the lock down started mid-March, the refugee community has suffered a lot. In this country, they are allowed to enter the country and register themselves with UNHCR to seek asylum, but they are not allowed to work. How would one survive without work? Many of them work illegally, mainly at factories and other places to survive.They are mostly underpaid because their bosses know that these refugees do not have a voice. When covid-19 came, all factories must close.There is no work available and therefore no income for many of them. Because of their strict religious faith and teaching, most of the women do not work.Therefore, in a family, they will only have one source of income.With no jobs available, they quickly found themselves with no money to pay rental and have no food on the table. The NGO which I work for started a fund-raising effort for the refugees shortly after the strict lock down was imposed. I shared the need to a group of friends back in the 19

Netherlands and they too came together down lifted, I visited Ifat and her family to raise funds. During the lock-down again. It was such a joy to be able to sit period, the government was extremely with her and talk about God’s goodness to strict about people moving around.We her family during the lock down period. were not allowed to go out. I thank the God has moved people from halfway Lord that I have special permission around the globe in the Netherlands to through my NGO to move around to help. She was really touched by the deliver food packages and vouchers to display of love and kindness shown to her different areas and this has helped many and her family. Especially from people of a refugees, regardless of their nationality different faith and cultural background. It and religious background. was very difficult for her to understand that God’s love and grace is given freely “Why are you doing this”, she asked. for her, yet she has felt and received it. I “Because of Jesus’ love” was my answer. As asked her if there was a single day during I looked at Ifat, a mother of 4 children from the lock down period that her family went the ages of 10 to 16, she has much need. upwithout food.She replied that they always had enough food every single day.To that SpeakHer husband had just started a new job I told her was God taking care of them. before the lock down, but when Covid-19 for uscame,he lost his job,the only income for Since then, I visited her regularly and we the family. She was struggling to put food on the table for her growing kids and are now good friends. God has opened wondered where their rent money will the door for our friendship through this come from.They do not live in a big house, difficult time.There is a trust that we have bEuatchit wiseneokt Itvinisyiteriethfuegr.eHeoswwehvoera, rteo bheaivneg6 built with each other. My prayer is that pdeeotapilneesdtuinckthinetIhmemhiogurasetiomnaDkestetnhteiopnlace God will continue to open the door of her sCeeenmtrses.mHaavlli.nIgfaltetfot tldhemirectohuanttsrhyeinofeteanr of heart to receive the truth that will set her hthaseisrlelievepsle, tshsenyignhotws jluivset tinhiankcionugnatbryowuthich free. hdoowestonosturevcivoeg.nShisee wthaesmsootrhgainvekftuhletmhaat nI y cleagmael rtioghtesr. Mreyscfueea.rsI tpoaldlehinerc,“oItmispGaroisdon. who came to your rescue. God was the The author is an Interserve Partner serving OWnheewn hI ovishiet lmpeydfruiesnrdaiss,eI malul tsht ofisrestfruengdister ivnisSitoourthmEeaasntsAysoiau. are allowed to leave smoythnaatmweeacnadn phaeslpsppoerot pdleetaliiklse. Iyfowuepmutake your overcrowded cell for an hour, talk to faoomdisotanktehoentatbhleefaonrmd p, daoynr’et nhta”.ve the Asollmnaemonees hfraovme btheenocuhtasindgee,da.nd perhaps correct information about the person we even hear news from your family. A visitor Daruerivnigsittihneglorckwdeoarwtnhepewrriodn,gI coloutlhdens,owt e can pray for you. It is a reminder that you gaoreinntoot aanllyowofetdhienhsiodues.ePseothpalet Iaarembanned have not been forgotten. dfreolimvevrinsigtinfogo, odrpbaeciknaggveisittoe.dI,wfoilrl omfteeent wu nit ehxtphleamin ebdrireefalyso nust .sIitd’setthheekirinhdo mo fepsltaoce One day, I went to visit my friend’s dwehlievreer the lpoawcekragyoeusrapnrdowfilee,atrheenboettatebrl.e husband who had been detained for more tBouctovnisvietorsres amreucahb.lWe thoebnrtinhge sfrterischt lfocokd, than a year. I had my passport, correctly toiletries, clothes and books; and having a completed forms and correct clothes, but I 20

Time to SOW One virus has disrupted our plans to go our little plot of land. He was grateful that home this year for Home Assignment. As a he could keep the cash. He helped us for a family we have decided to stay in Central few days to transform the garden and Asia to be with the people during this time then we never saw him again.We do not of pandemic.We could not do much know the impact of what we did. Our because most people are staying indoors doors are always open to him. Just as we most of the time. Praying for how we could sow the seeds in our garden, we hope that make full use of our time, our attention was we have sown a seed in the heart of this drawn to a little piece of land next to our man. He knows that we are Christians as house.While waiting for the pandemic to we have shared with him and we heard pass, we thought we could make use of our from a friend that this man occasionally garden to plant vegetables. Our hope is goes to church although he is not a that our little garden could provide an committed Christian. God used our little abundance of crops so that we could share plot of land to bless this one life. it with our neighbours and through it, build relationships with the locals. Also, with the We thought that we are stuck indoors and rising cost of vegetables, this would help us there is nothing much we can do but God save some money as well. creates opportunities as long as we are open. Our garden still has some maturing We began work on our garden.We also to do before we can have a good harvest. wanted to create an outdoor meeting place We are hoping that we will see a harvest for our family and our neighbours. A of not only vegetables but of fellowship, comfortable place where we can enjoy love and hope. nature as well as to have fellowship. One day, a man who lived in a homeless The author and his fam ily are Interserve shelter came to ask for help. He needed Partners serving in Central Asia. money for his father’s funeral. We gave him a small sum, enough to help him out. A few days later, he returned with the money to pay us back.We told him to keep the cash but if he wishes, he could help us with 21

Photo credit : jjcom p-Freepik.com Lock down brought us TOGETHER Nadia is from a country in West Asia where I used to live, and now, both of us are sitting in her house in a country in South East Asia. Nadia, a mother of three, is a refugee in this country while I am a worker here. It is a miracle to be able to sit with Nadia, together with two of my colleagues, Daud and Anika, who also came from the same West Asia country that Nadia came from.This miracle happened during the lock down period in the country. Daud, a Christian, came to this country The refugee community that we are working with his family 9 years ago. Anika came with is huge. During the lock down period, 6 years ago with her family. Both are jobs were taken away from them and they refugees waiting to be relocated to a were suddenly left in a situation of having no Western country one day. In the income and food. Hearing of their needs, the meantime, they have been working NGO which we are working for stepped in to with the NGO to help other refugees raise funds for them. Because of the need, I like themselves. Being new to the found myself working with Daud and Anika. I organization, I have not had a chance to was the only one who had special get to know Daud and Anika.We did permission to drive around the area and not have an opportunity to work therefore, I was the only one who could together.The lock down has changed deliver the money and vouchers to the all this. families in need. Anika did all the logistics 22

from her home, arranging for the time and Being able to work as a team, going for place where I could meet with the families visitations together, is a real blessing.The to have a smooth delivery. Daud organized doors to their homes are now open to us. other logistical issues.The lock down The lock down has made this possible. brought us together working as a team. Though we have left the country that we love, Daud, Anika and I are thankful that So here we are, sitting together in Nadia’s we are still able to reach out to the house, after the lock down has eased. people of that country. While tea is served, Daud tells a story from the Bible.The story of the 4 men who The author is an Interserve Partner serving brought their sick friend to meet Jesus in South East Asia. through an opening in the roof because the room was too crowded. Nadia and 2 of The nam es in the story have been changed. her children listened intently. Daud took the opportunity to explain about the love Photo credit : Freepik.com of Christ and his grace given freely to all. “Thank You, merciful God, that Your Nadia is illiterate but because the gospel is faithful love continues on forever. May brought to her in her own mother tongue, You reveal it through the love shown to by people who is of the same cultural our neighbours by connecting in deeper background, she is able to comprehend ways. Provide us with opportunities to and understand every single word. She did wisely build community in new ways.” not say much, but tears started rolling down her face. I sat next to her to offer Interserve Worker, Canada some comfort and asked her the reason for her tears. She offers no explanation for it. So, I just sat there with her in silence and allowed the Holy Spirit to work. She has heard the good news and it has touched her heart. Before we left, Daud prayed for the family.We trust that the Holy Spirit will continue his work in the life of this family. There was a sense of peace when we left the house. 23

By now you’ve Processing the Present h o p ef u lly and Preparing for therealized that the plan can’t be to just ‘sit this out ’ NEW NORMAL or ‘weather the storm’ until life returns to normal.We have to accept that some Here are a few questions for leaders that things won’t be the way they were. People might help us navigate, process and prepare are talking about BC and AC – Before in the weeks ahead: Corona and After Corona. As teams, organizations or churches we quickly – What is God saying or teaching us? learnt to cope and (mostly) adapt well to Make time to listen to God; don’t just plough meet the initial practical challenges and on.There are lots of voices and opinions; we can be proud of that.We also, however, value God’s above them all. need to process what ’s happening to ourselves and the world and be like the – What new or different needs are there men of Issachar who understood the around us and how can we serve? times (1 Chronicles 12:32). It ’s tempting to go into self-preservation mode Systems, methods, habits and lifestyles but it speaks powerfully have changed. Jobs and livelihoods have when we don’t in times been lost. Everywhere people have had like this. their worldview messed with and they are disoriented.This is leading to increased – What do the people spiritual hunger among many. Sadly, we are responsible for suspicion of foreigners is commonplace. need right now?What Fear is at the forefront in hearts does our community worldwide.We’ve been humbled as we need? realise we are not in control; we are Too often we weaker than we thought.The Coronavirus assume we has exposed where we have put our hope know. Ask. and what we have taken for granted. – What do I This is also a time to rethink, review and need right evaluate what we do and prepare for life now? beyond Corona. It ’s not simply a case of Those of ‘keep calm and carry on.’ Keep calm yes, us who but change and prepare as necessary. are r 24

Photo credit : jcom p-Freepik.com responsible for others need to look after have a way of helping us see what really ourselves too. Practice self-care.You, your matters and what just isn’t as important as family and team will be glad you did. we thought it was. Operating in crisis mode is exhausting; we need to still be functioning in the medium – What new possibilities does this and long term, not just the short term. situation create?The cliché is true: in every crisis there are opportunities. Don’t – What have we lost? It ’s important to miss them. New ideas and initiatives could acknowledge losses and grieve them. be waiting to develop. Also, as one Process along the way so it doesn’t hit you national director in our organization later in one big wave that takes you out (I’ve noted, we now have something in been there, it was horrible). Staying hopeful common with everyone on the planet is important but so is acknowledging that which we didn’t have before.The shared this is hard for everyone.We lose trust if experience the world is going through we’re out of touch with reality. can help us relate and identify with people in a new way. – What are we grateful for?What do we realize we’ve taken for granted until now? – What are we learning that we don’t Gratitude is a powerful weapon against want to forget when things improve? hopelessness, despair and despondency. Maybe some things we had to come up with now can be kept along with other – How is our world, our culture and insights we’ve gained along the way. community changing?How will that affect what we do and how we do it? A prayer: Lord, we’ve never been here before. There are some things to keep and Please help us to navigate this territory and likely some things to let go of perceive what is happening.We ask you for insight and wisdom to lead effectively.We that are no longer pray we would learn the lessons You are effective or teaching us and not forget how m uch we relevan t . need You. Shape us for what lies ahead. Holy Spirit m ake us brave to face the changes this – How can we stay is bringing upon us. O Lord be glorified true to our vision and through Your people in this critical hour. For mission even though Yours is the kingdom , the power and the the way we do things has glory, Am en. had to change? In the scramble to adjust don’t Alex, A Country Team Leader in forget why you exist. Crises South East Asia 25

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