Covid-19 Update Rwanda, Africa
By: Rev. Emmanuel Ndolimana, BMI Regional Director Africa
Covid-19 Update Nepal
Covid-19 Update Nepal
By: Rev. Sonam Kabo, BMI Regional Director for South Asia and Nepalese People
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress. My God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.” Psalm 91:1-3
March 19:
As the whole world is reeling with the pandemic of Covid-19, here although there has been no positive case as stated by the Government, yet the fear and nervousness has hit every sector. And just yesterday in the evening, the Government announced that all exams from the National level for Grade 10 to the universities has been suspended for an indefinite period of time. Actually, the Grade 10 National level examination was supposed to start from today and from Elim we had 18 students who were supposed to be writing their exam. Even our school’s final exam which had started from last Sunday 15th of March and was scheduled to finish by this Friday, came to an abrupt end.
But through God’s grace, we are fine and although there are shortages of face masks and hand sanitizers and some essential items like cooking gas etc. as there has been some black marketing, but the Government has promised to relieve these artificial shortages. The country of Nepal is not really locked down yet, but the Government has issued ordinances that no gathering of more than 25 people will be allowed in any events be it religious gatherings or social. In this case, we as a church will be meeting in groups of less than twenty five people and pray for the situation of the world. Regarding our other training ministries, where we had been invited but because of the current situation, it is being halted for now.
All international flights have been or will be cancelled by tomorrow but some domestic flights will still be operating. Land borders with India and China has been closed and this is the reason for panic buying, as most of our goods come from these two countries.
However, we as a family (The Kabo’s and our loved ones in Nepal, India ,US, Canada and Europe) are all fine and doing well. We want to thank all the BMI family for your prayers and concern. We are upholding all of you in our prayers too.
We would like to quote this verse from Psalm 121: 7 over you all:
“The LORD will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life;”
March 23:
Nepal is now on total lockdown due to confirmed 19 cases. Let’s continue to pray (2 Chronicles 7:14) and pray for God’s grace and His love to prevail on this earth. Many people in the world still have not been saved in Jesus Christ our Savior. In Christ, we are a holy nation and royal priesthood and we have been purchased with the precious blood of the Lamb!
Covid-19 Update SE Asia
Covid-19 Update Vietnam
By: Dr. Joshua Nguyen, BMI Regional Director SE Asia
As the coronavirus spreads across the globe, we are deeply concerned for the well-being of our Seed company staff, MBMP5 (Marketplace Biblical Mentoring Program, Year 5) students, and for the health of churches and communities that are adapting to it.
Vietnam Update on March 26:
. 148 people were infected with Covid-19,
. 1,643 suspected people are being isolated and closely monitored.
. There are 44,955 people in contact with people with suspected infections.
. There are 26,135 who have entered from the epidemic area and are being monitored (quarantined), which means quarantined at home or the place of residence.
In Ho Chi Minh City, since March 28, people in the city have been banned from gathering more than 10 people. We have worked from home since last Monday. We do meetings, mentoring, and coaching via Live Stream or Video Zoom.
Our family is doing fine. Praise God Thien Y, our daughter, has accepted a job to work as an advisor at KMPG company last week. Shortly thereafter, the company decided not to hire any more people because of Covid 19.
As God’s people, we are called to embody the virtues of faith, hope, and love. We trust God’s unfailing love (Ps.13:5). We wish to have the opportunity to love and care for all, believers and unbelievers alike.
We are praying daily for you, your families, and BMI family.
God is with us always.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FROM JOSHUA:
ACTS-19 – GOD’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Why Acts 19? Because in that passage we see the Church operating as the Ekklesia outside of the religious buildings with such power and favor in the eyes of the unbelievers that “all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord…and God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:10-11).
Covid-19 Update Ukraine
New Reality, New Opportunities
Update: Covid-19 Ukraine – March 2020
By: Dr. Vitaly Sorokun, BMI Regional Director Eastern Europe and Former Soviet States
The normal life has been put on hold. Over past decades my country – Ukraine – has been through a lot of life changing periods. We lived through the Perestroyka. We lived through the collapse of the USSR. We survived the dark years of anxiety when the newly emerged sovereign Ukraine was developing its economy and geopolitical vectors. We lived through the Orange revolution, two ‘Maidans,’ the Revolution of Dignity which ousted the corrupt president. We’ve have been at war with Russia for 6 unending years. We’ve been through many states of emergency.
But, nothing has been quite like this new reality – the presence of the invisible enemy COVID-19, which threatens your life at times and in places you expect the least. In response to the virus, the government has closed educational institutions, shut the country’s borders, banned foreign and domestic travel, outlawed congregations over 10 people and keeps imposing greater restrictions daily.
As a body of Christ we are firm in our conviction that God is sovereign, that He is in control. And we have to adapt to the new challenges.
Our church – New Hope International, which unites people from over 20 countries of the world – is going online. We had to cancel all physical services and groups. As of this Sunday, we are going to live stream a shortened version on the church service. We are already conducting all leadership meetings over the Internet. Our home groups, and our men’s and women’s Bible studies are now on-line. We are having to learn as we go.
We do not lose heart. In fact, going online creates wonderful new possibilities for us: we can reach out to more new people who were hard to reach physically. We can reconnect to our former members who are now scattered all over the world. And we can actually start something innovative – train Christian leaders and mentor our disciples using digital means!
Dr. Sorokun Continues His Mentorship Online:
More from Vitaly:
“I ran a one hour zoom meeting with Dr. Mike from Mombasa, Kenya. Mike needed assistance with digitally streaming his church services, and I had an opportunity to help him, while also investing on behalf of BMI.” 
“During the lockdown we, as Christian leaders, have a chance to intentionally invest into relationships and to mentor our disciples with precision. I have begun to mentor a long time graduate of my church who was one of my disciples and leaders at my church when he studied in Kharkov. Lincoln is now a doctor, and lives in Malawi. We meet once a week and are going through the BMI Encountering Christ.”
“Today I had a Google Duo mentoring meeting with another of my disciples from Angola – Elvis. Elvis is 25 and is an international student in Kharkov. He is going to be a tremendous Christian leader. We started Encountering Christ today!”
Kigali, Rwanda Couples Conferences
February 2020 – Rwanda, Africa
KIGALI, RWANDA: Technology and Your Family AND Marriage Conferences with Jonathan and Faith Burnham. Beautiful country, beautiful souls inside and out!! Thank you Pastor Emmanuel Ndolimana for your leadership in getting this together!!
