As of yet nothing had reached the rest of the world, though the warning bells were already ringing; the seas were rising and the waves were coming. But the testimony of what he and his church were already going through was too much to ignore. As I prayed about the impending crisis, I realized that this tsunami would hit El Salvador too - and would hit very hard. El Salvador was at least as vulnerable and underprepared as Hong Kong. While its poverty and huge over-dependence on the importation of basic goods present huge challenges, El Salvador is also the most densely populated country in the western hemisphere; ideal for the spread of close-contact infections.
What would El Salvador look like with Coronavirus, a sickness that is spread simply by breathing too close to someone else? What would even a modest increase in the sick population look like in a country where infrastructure, health care, and the economy are already stretched to breaking? How many people would get sick, and how many would die from a lack of medical attention? How many more would lose their jobs and livelihood? Hong Kong may be under a communist dictatorship with questionable governance, but it's healthcare system and infrastructure are light years ahead of El Salvador's. What would the rising sea and crashing waves of Coronavirus do in our country - where our family and serve as missionaries?
El Salvador needs salvation
As of writing this, there only a few confirmed cases in El Salvador, but the pandemic itself is made worse because of false information, and irreverent attitudes - rumors are circulating on Facebook in Spanish that Latinos are immune to the virus and need not worry; other's are saying that Tylenol and Ibuprofen are the real cause of the virus, and advising against seeking medical care: "that's what the French and Spanish discovered, but it's too late for them". Memes and jokes about hoarding toilet paper and the hopeful death of public figures are the order of the day, and yet those in power are far from joking, while prophets from apostolic churches are declaring the virus ' won't affect our country'.
Meanwhile, the Government in El Salvador has been as serious as a heart attack and has already declared a national emergency. Schools, bars, churches, gyms, and cinemas were shuttered last week, while all meetings and events are prohibited. Martial law has been declared and all foreigners are prohibited from entering the country. Several cities are surrounded by soldiers, with no way in our out, and anyone entering the country is quarantined into government facilities for 30 days, where 1,900 Salvadoreans are already crowded together. Everyone pregnant or over 60 has been given mandatory time off from work, while many others have been told to work from home. There are only a few confirmed cases, they say, but apparently, there aren't many tests being done either...
The people's response to the crisis is varied, and there a gaping divide between the reactions of the middle-classes and lower-classes. Working professionals saw the writing on the wall and were quick to empty the supermarkets of toilet paper, N95 masks and hand-sanitizer, while all of the major restaurant chains in the country announced total or partial closure (no more McDonald's or Buffalo Wild Wings!). Most non- essential things are closed, and even medical attention is now on a need-be basis only - even private practitioners are prohibited from seeing non-emergency patients as the country tries to prevent infections and ready medical workers in what could only be described as triage on a national level.
The government expects large numbers of sick and dying people - but the lower classes and rural population - many of whom are less educated and less globally aware (and many of whom live through crises every day), don't believe it. McDonald's may be closed, but most pupuserias remain defiantly open. Street vendors aren't keen on losing their jobs or staying inside for nothing. The government is lying, they say, and it's all a conspiracy by [insert political group here] anyways. Only days after school was canceled, thousands of families went to the beach celebrating the impromptu holiday. "The virus can't spread in our kind of heat" they said, and while some scientists agree that the heat slows the spread of the virus, it also bolsters the bravado of the doubters. Temperatures run hot in El Salvador, but as the sun sets and night falls, the temperature inevitably cools - and I can only wonder what will spread in the darkness.
My heart fails me, but God doesn't
Behind so much social unrest and sickness lies an obvious question that also plagues my mind. What will the coronavirus crisis mean for everyday life in El Salvador (or the US for that matter)? In my own heart I find that fear and hope are taking up joint residence. Worry, stress, and despondence are like old injuries - even when I think I have outgrown them they still make their presence known in times of extreme tension. What will I do about my [pregnant wife, new baby, children, my health, our financial needs]? What will this mean for our [our church plant, our friends, our family, our relationships]? How will this affect our [meetings for this month, ministry in the future, trips to the US, teaching in Nicaragua, Europe, fundraising for the year]? What will happen to [our friends back home, our family, sending churches, our supporters] as they too struggle financially and with their health? Will any of us be able to adapt?
Sometimes if I am brutally honest, I am not sure if I'm more afraid of getting sick, or going broke, or both at the same time. But beyond the waves of fear and worry, there is the cold, stark reality of the rising sea around us which is inescapably real: people will die from the Coronavirus, and we have no control over it whatsoever. Will any of them be 'our' people, the people we have been [ministering to, counseling, teaching, praying for, discipling, reaching out to]? Our friends and family back home? Or will one of us here have our brush with death, my [family, in-laws, friends, children, self]? Will the people who die around me hear the gospel before they die, and will they accept it? Am I ready for this crisis? Am I ready to stand for others? Am I ready to die? And last but not least, am I living in a way that would make my deaths worth it, if it came to that?
"SOSON!", cried the men in the boat with Jesus. They were in the over their heads with raging waters surrounding them, and Jesus was asleep. The force of the original Greek in Matthew 8:25 shows their desperation: "so coming to him, waking him up, they were saying: 'Lord save us we are dying!'". The waters around them offered no solace and these followers of Jesus had nothing left; they were coming, waking, and calling Jesus; if he didn't save them they were dead. But Jesus was more than capable of meeting their needs - and brought rescue, healing, and salvation all in a breathe, not only restoring them to the peace before the storm but leaving them better off then they were beforehand; for that is the complete meaning of the word sōzō in greek: rescue, healing, and salvation. All at once this one word perfectly encapsulates all of our human needs, and their fulfillment.
"Oh LORD! Rescue us, heal us, save us!" This is my cry as we face these raging waters and terrifying waves. If the LORD tarries or can't be woken, then we too are dead. Will we seek him with persistence? Will we continually go, wake, and call? If He responds to us and speaks, then His very words will be the words of salvation! And we will be completely changed people from when before the storm began!
Rising above the waves and walking on water
A few days ago was the Jewish festival of Purim, which commemorates the salvation of God's people through the actions of one young woman, Esther. 'You have been put here for such a time as this', Mordechai told Esther, 'to bring salvation to our people.' (Esther 4:14). But to be a vessel of salvation, she had to focus on the LORD and not the trials around her, and walk by faith, revealing herself and putting her life at risk in the process. In much the same way Peter too had to focus on the LORD and not the swirling waters below him when he stepped out upon the water. Could it be that the LORD has a unique calling for His Church during this trying time? Are we are here 'for such a time as this', to also offer hope and serve as vessels of salvation to the people around us? To rise above the waves and walk on water like Peter?
The more I pray, the more hope I have. I know that God wants to use this crisis for His kingdom; He wants people to cry "SOZO!", even if it looks like He is sleeping. Will I see His salvation with my own eyes on a large scale, or will it be a hidden work in people's hearts? I know that the Holy Spirit is at work; but it's still a daily challenge to keep my eyes on Him and not on the waves of the coronavirus surrounding us, but at the very least it brings me to my knees every morning and night.
Practically speaking, there are many challenges for our family and our country during this crisis. Should we cancel our [services, Bible study, meetings, one-on-ones, counseling sessions, Easter event, men's retreat]? Should I still be going out to [lunches, coffee, dinners] with people we're reaching out to? Is it ok to see [friends, pastors, disciples]? What's wise, and what's foolish, as I prioritize the health of my pregnant wife and the rest of my family, our church, and friends? So far I have been resistant to make any firm decisions - and have just been playing things by ear, but soon I will have to decide.
But there are positive changes too - and victories to be had in the crisis. As many people socially isolated people begin to look for hope and information about what is happening, our live-stream ministry on Facebook has soared to new heights. More people than ever before have been tuning in to our live Bible teaching and looking for a pastoral-perspective on the current crisis, and in response we have expanded our online presence from once weekly to several times a week. Over the last two weeks we have had 10's of thousands of hits, a hundred and fifty new followers, and dozens of messages and comments asking for prayer. Without knowing how long this uptick will last, we are eager to take advantage of it in every way possible.
But, what else would God have us do in this time of opportunity? My heart races thinking of a thousand other ideas - practical ways to minister to others in these trials; we could provide food and supplies to those in need, visit the dying in hospitals when no one else will, or simply take the time to pray with those who are hurting - but we need God's leading and provision; and your help calling out to the LORD in this desperate time.
What to do:
Pray about all of this, about your lives and the challenges you are facing where you are right now, and commit to sharing what you hear from the LORD with others. Feel free to share this newsletter, too.
Pray for us, for wisdom, for protection, for health, for financial provision, for our new baby coming in June, and for the crazy experience we are all in the middle of as we face so much uncertainty.
Pray for our ministry, share what the LORD shows you, and pray about contributing financially towards our ministry in this pressing time of need.
Pray for your local church and your pastors, for the church down the street and other churches in your town as many churches will also be struggling to pay their bills. Pray that they would be lead to serve the LORD effectively in this time and be beacons of hope in so much turmoil.
Pray for the salvation of the lost, the effective management of the crisis, wisdom for our leaders, strength for our healthcare workers, the minimization of deaths, and for God's healing during and after this crisis.
Share your prayer requests with us, so that we can help support you in prayer, and share in the joy together when the LORD answers your prayers! Let us know what you're going through, what the LORD is showing you
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