Check out our Facebook post from 05/01/20 06:56PM
GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Check out our Facebook post from 05/01/20 08:15AM
Words of Wisdom from Thailand during the Coronavirus Concerns….
We heard from David and Joy Speights, missionaries in Thailand, in March. Being so close to China, the coronavirus is big news in Thailand and many rumors quickly spread about school closings, potential quarantines, and travel restrictions. We will update further when we hear more about how the Speights are doing in Thailand during this time, but for now, they shared with us these words of wisdom:
“Recently a friend commented that it would be wonderful if the gospel spread around the globe as fast as these viruses and diseases seem to be spreading. Consider this. The media is going out of their way to spread the news about the coronavirus. But they are completely silent and unconcerned about the spread of the gospel. Actually, the gospel IS spreading faster than the coronavirus! God is doing great things all around the world that the media is unaware of and not reporting.
The news is full of danger and disease. People have much to fear. But far more serious than any physical disease is the tragedy of having never heard the gospel. We thank God for the continued opportunities to tell our neighbors and friends about the hope to be found in Jesus. Thank you for continuing to hold the ropes in prayer for the people of Thailand.”
Check out our Facebook post from 04/29/20 02:58PM
A Coronavirus Update from Zambia….
SHARING AWARENESS
Our missionaries in Zambia, Patrick and Sherry Coleman, are currently working with the Rotary Club and local community to share awareness about coronavirus. Testing has been an issue there as the nearest testing site is over 200 miles away! Churches are limited to meeting for just 1 hour and limited to 50 people in attendance. Just like here in the states, much is closed (schools, gyms, theaters, etc), however, the people have not been taking the threat seriously. Restaurants are supposed to be take-out only, but they are not adhering to that guideline. Patrick tells us that the people say, “Politicians say there is a threat, politicians are not limiting their activities, politicians always lie.”
LIMITED RESOURCES
Resources are scarce in their town, and stores are hiking the prices incredibly. “Profiteering is the game of the day.” In their Zambian town, food shortages are occurring and fuel prices are increasing. Taxes are also increasing because the country is borrowing to pay loans.
IN THE DARK
Patrick and Sherry have no electricity from 6pm-7am each night. The main power station cannot produce enough electricity because the water level at the dam is too low. They use a gas generator a few hours each night, though we imagine this may get costly as their fuel prices increase!
ENCOURAGED TO GO BACK TO USA
In his letter, Patrick shared, “The American Embassy encouraged us to return to the USA, but we know that we can do more here than watching from quarantine in the USA. Besides, the Zambians have already said that those leaving are “abandoning” them. So…we are here!”
Please pray for Patrick and Sherry as they help and care for the Zambians in their town. Also, Sherry’s sister and a friend of theirs (both in the states) have Covid-19.
Check out our Facebook post from 04/26/20 12:25PM
If you didn’t catch our service live on the Church at the Gym page, you can watch the replay at any time!
Check out our Facebook post from 04/25/20 05:19PM
PABC Friends…
We are SO excited to share something new and we need YOU to help spread the word! If you know someone from our church that is not able to watch our services on Facebook, please share this phone number with them! They can call in and listen to the most recent sermon on their phone – any day, any time!
For this week, we are going to keep the last sermon from April 19 on the phone recording today through Tuesday, April 29. On Wednesday, we will update it with the April 26 sermon. And then every Sunday it will update to the current Sunday’s message. It will remain throughout the week and can be listened to at any time!
It’s so easy! Just dial the number and listen in! That’s all! Please help share the number with those that are not able to watch on Facebook!
Check out our Facebook post from 04/24/20 09:13AM
*MISSIONARY MINUTE*
A Coronavirus update from a village in Belize…
Our friends Dan and Vicki were actually stateside when the Covid19 outbreak happened. They hurried back home to Belize, arriving on the last plane before the airport and borders were closed as the country went on full lock-down. They had this to say about the arrival back to their village:
“We were ordered to be quarantined at home in our village for the next 14 days. We are not to allowed to leave our home under any circumstances, but praise God we are home. Our people are in a panic. They are so afraid. Our village chairman called me and informed me that many villagers are concerned that Vicki and I are back in the village. They are fearful that Vicki and I have brought the virus back to the village and they are in danger.”
Last we heard, their village extended the quarantine on Dan and Vicki beyond the 14 days. They are so glad to have made it home though. Dan shared, “We did not want our people to go through these trying times without us.”
We will share an update on the Weavers when we hear from them next, and hopefully, they will be out of complete quarantine lock-down by then!
Please continue to pray for all our missionaries, especially those that are having to stay inside their home rather than be with and supporting their people.
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Notice: The information shared here was current at the time of its writing by our missionary. Being that news and current events often change daily in this fluid situation, this information and status report may have changed since we received it.
Check out our Facebook post from 04/21/20 07:02PM
**MISSIONARY MINUTE**
A Coronavirus update….
Our missionaries in Kenya seem to be doing well at the time of their last writing. Interestingly, they reported that in Kenya airlines were restricting incoming flights except for from China.
Public transportation was ordered to cut seating capacity in half, however, it seems not everyone heeded these orders. In Greg’s last letter, he shares how he and many other passengers were nearly stranded on the side of the road:
“I experienced the crack-down on public transportation on a Sunday after church. On the way back home, I took a seat in a matatu (passenger van). The conductor tried to fill it to capacity. A policeman pulled us over, counted passengers, and confiscated the matatu. After about 30 minutes of arguments and complaints, the conductor found us another ride.”
Much like here in the U.S., Kenya has closed schools and banned public meetings, including banning churches, mosques, and temples to close. Greg ends his letter stating:
“Writing from the corona apocalypse in the third world, I have a renewed appreciation for the United States of America. May God bless the USA! And may God help Kenya and Africa. Let’s pray for repentance, revival, and a world-wide turning to God for salvation.”
Please pray alongside and for the Windell family, especially as they are mostly isolated and staying home during this time, but we know their hearts desire to be out and ministering to their people there.
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*Disclaimer: The information shared here was current at the time of its writing by our missionary. Being that news and current events often change daily in this fluid situation, this information and status report may have changed since we received it.
Check out our Facebook post from 04/19/20 11:21AM
If you joined us online this morning, thank you! We are blessed with your online presence! Please take a moment to fill out our online Connection Card so we know you were here with us and to let us know if there is anything we can pray about for you during this time!
If you missed our live online service, you can still watch the playback! Just go to the Church at the Gym page and click on the “Live” tab or the “Videos” tab to find today’s message!
www.churchatthegym.org/connect
Check out our Facebook post from 04/19/20 07:04AM
Hey Moms and Dads! Check out these sermon notes that your children or teens can color or write on as you watch our service this morning!!
See you at 10 on the Church at the Gym page!
