The Good, the Hard, and the Rainy
With schools closed due to COVID-1, Biak and Esther have good opportunities to interact with children. Despite limitations around group gatherings, they are still able to share gospel hope one on one with people asking questions during the Pandemic. Grace Care celebrates good things in hard times.
There are also trials. Increased lockdowns increase restrictions for their church congregation of young believers to meet. Biak shares, “I am worrying about their spiritual life to be weak if they do not hear the Word of God very long.” After five months without meeting, their national leader is concerned about their need for fellowship, encouragement, and teaching. Biak and Esther have a small home, making it hard to host a group to worship together.
More aggressive oversight by law enforcement means people are reluctant to meet. Though traditional events like festivals and weddings are tolerated, Christian gatherings draw attention in the Buddhist community. The media blames the spread of COVID-19 on Christians meeting together, and they hear news of a pastor who has been imprisoned. Grace Care faces hardships, but they know the testing of their faith leads to endurance and growth.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
(James 1:2-4)
Rainy season is a normal rhythm of life in Myanmar. This year, regular downpours create extra challenges while managing virus restrictions. Biak and Esther adapt by using a tree canopy to host a class for teaching when the rain stops. These national partners consider it a joy to use good things to overcome hard things.
Learn more about Biak and Esther and their ministry here.
We can join them in their prayers for this good, hard, and rainy season:
- Spiritual life for Biak and Esther's family and the students of Grace Care
- The congregation who are still young in their Christian life
- Protection from the Pandemic and the work of evangelism
- The school project, COVID response, and plans for after COVID
- Ideas for how to lead worship in available space while following regulations
