 |
|||
Volume. XXXV, No. 21 Report from Sister Esther Kim Greetings to Hope BP Church, Pastor Ki, the Elders and the Session, May the peace of the Lord be with you all. In this difficult time, I thank God for his guidance and provision. I am also thankful for your prayers and encouragement.
Indonesia
At the moment, we all are going through difficult time together due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first confirmed case came out in March, and since then the number has substantially increased and we are still concerned that the cases are coming out from everywhere in Indonesia.
There are areas that are locked down and we are following social distancing rules. The unemployment rate has gone up, and many people are struggling with financial hardship. The crime rate has also been going up, and violent incidents are happening everywhere.
In early March, when Covid-19 began to spread, a conference was held by one of the biggest churches in Indonesia. More than twenty pastors were infected at the conference and died. One of the pastors attended the conference without knowing that he was infected. He went back to his church and more than 200 members of his congregation were infected. Covid-19 has caused so much grief and sadness to the Indonesian churches and believers.
In this time of uncertainty, I remember one verse from Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father.”
House of Grace
It has been two months since our children have stayed home and have had online lessons from home.
Those children who are graduating from middle school took their graduation exams and had their graduation ceremonies online. One child who was supposed to be graduating from Maranatha University has had the graduation postponed for a while. Two children who are entering university this year took the entrance test online as well.
Praise Lord, in the midst of this difficult time, two children managed to enter university with the Lord’s help. One of them wants to do the Lord’s ministry for the Sundanese. I hope and pray that he will be well prepared and become a missionary for the Sundanese.
Two children are entering high school. In order to do so, we need to visit schools for school tours. However, because many cities are in lockdown and there are risks of Covid-19 infection everywhere, we have been unable to find a school for them. I hope and pray that they will be able to find a school and enrol before the end of June so that they can continue to study. About 30 children have been staying home due to Covid-19, where we mostly spend time reading the Bible, practising music, and having online lessons. The house has been quite crowded, but I am much more assured of their safety with their staying home as there are serious risks of Covid-19 out there.
Grace Kindergarten
Grace Kindergarten was gradually settling down. However, we had to shut down due to Covid-19. So, we have been distributing study material every day and try to teach online. It is really not easy to run under this pandemic. We need to start a new semester in July. However, we cannot do any preparation. I might need to wait until the situation is completely under control. I am praying for His guidance and protection to go through this difficult time.
Myself
In mid-March, I suffered from quite a bit of pain and had no fever, but I was experiencing similar symptoms to coronavirus infection, so I had to self-isolate for quite sometime.
Then I went to the hospital to get it checked and receive treatment. However, they couldn’t diagnose and I waited for a few hours and just had to go back home. Looking at the hospital environment and the medical staff, I was quite scared and didn’t feel safe. Two days later, I started getting fever and felt quite weak. I couldn’t do anything so I took medicine that I had bought for emergency. Then I felt like the symptoms were improving. However, I couldn’t sleep for many days due to the side effects of the medication I took.
There were abnormal symptoms in various parts of my body and it was on and off for many weeks. I almost felt like I would become one of the local church pastors who died from coronavirus. I was worried and sad.
However, I am all healed and I am thankful that He allowed me to suffer and helped me to go through the difficult time. It was a wonderful opportunity to examine my heart and my status. I am hoping and praying to spend the rest of my life for God.
When I am lonely and having a difficult time, I remember many of you who walk with me through prayers, and I am encouraged and strengthened by your prayers.
We are all going through this time of uncertainty and darkness together, I pray that the grace of the Lord be with you all.
Thank you.
God Bless, Sister Esther Kim |
|