As we all know, COVID-19 is plaguing the world with illness, fear, and change. Everything around us has changed. Schools and colleges are out, businesses and restaurants are being shut down, and trips, both international and in the US are being cancelled. The world we know is shutting down. The fast paced way of life we all are accustomed to is no longer. Instead, we have been called to work from home, do school from home, and avoid public places for who knows how long. We constantly hear the words “social distancing” and “quarantine”. Everything has changed.
For me, this pandemic means my college has chosen to move online for the rest of the semester. My work in Chattanooga has had to cut hours in order to avoid too many people coming in the store. Concerts I’ve been planning on going to for months have been rescheduled. My church and community group can no longer gather. I’ll have to move back to Memphis much sooner than expected. It’s a lot of change all at once. Sometimes, I do get really stressed. I think, “How the heck is all of this happening so fast?!?! What am I supposed to do, where am I supposed to go? How does online college even work?!” But then I take a deep breath. I breathe in peace and breathe out the anxiety. And remember the GOD is constant through all of this. Everything around us may be changing, but He doesn’t. God knows what is happening and why it is happening. He has a plan and a purpose for this whole thing, even though right now a lot may seem hopeless.
Another thing that has not changed is this mission trip to Manila. Adventures in Missions recently made the decision to bring all teams that were on the field back to the US. It was necessary as COVID-19 is rapidly progressing and many countries are closing their borders. The director has told our team that he is confident any trips scheduled for after May will be able to launch! This of course is susceptible to change, but as of right now, we are still launching this trip!!! We truly believe that the Lord wants us in Manila. Kids International Ministry (KIM) has suffered because of different teams having to cancel trips to serve with them. They need the extra hands now more than ever.
Please join me in praying for our team. Pray that the Lord will allow us to continue our journey to Manila and that the leaders at Adventures in Missions will make the best choice regarding our trip. KIM needs prayer too. They need resources and for the Lord to work in a miraculous way during this pandemic. Please also pray for the other teams that had to travel back to the US so abruptly! Pray for peace and understanding in the midst of change for those racers.
I truly believe that if God wants us in Manila, we will go to Manila. Regardless of any change that happens around us, He is the one that remains constant and the one that will bring peace in this hard time. I have full faith in that.
Thanks for reading 🙂
– Bella
