The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of Australian life, and as consequence it would be easy to stop, pause, bunker down and look inward with regards to community participation, relationships, and resourcing.
This crisis has impacted globally focused Christian organizations and global mission. Travel is limited at present and will remain so into 2021. Many cross-cultural workers are finding themselves unable to depart Australia or finding difficulty in finalizing dates for returning.
In exploring the nature of the limitations and responses to the crisis, our SA/NT Global Interaction family provide some encouraging thoughts.
Despite COVID-19, God is still responding to people around the world who are seeking hope and a deeper understanding of love that can only be found in Christ. In difficult times people will often turn towards God.
Despite COVID -19, God is still involved in the harvest in Australia and beyond, raising up labourers from everywhere to everywhere. The Haydon family are still planning to depart early 2021, if possible. A Discernment Weekend, the first one in SA for several years, is planned to be held online soon. This program is the first stage for those seriously thinking about mission service.
Despite COVID-19 God is faithful, good, and active. Rob and Deb Griffith support this truth. They were able to return to Cambodia on 25 July, a real miracle. So many factors made this journey possible, including reaching 100% support, provision of clearance to leave Australia and visa approval to remain in Cambodia.
Despite COVID-19, God is still near to our people groups, including the Khmer, to us, and to you. Those that remain in country are reporting good health within their teams and in their communities.
Even if we cannot travel, we can participate in God’s mission through prayer, resourcing, and local initiatives with the nations here in Australia.
Let us not stop now but persevere and push on resiliently under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
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