On Mission in Quarantine

Quarantine is a tough time for people who are elderly, immuno-compromised, or living in extreme poverty. Actually, let's face it: It's a tough time for everyone. Frontliners are exhausted and pushed to the limit. Moms and dads are trying to keep the kids sane. People without resources in the pantry or in the bank are running out of food and money because they can't work.

So, what can Christians and churches do? We can bring a message of hope, peace, and safety. The world is watching us, as we either respect government rules or reject them. The world is watching us scramble in fear or walk wisely in confidence.

Here are four ways to help during this crisis:

1. Model the right responses and share God's hope. This can be done through many ways, including encouraging Facebook live videos and phone calls to check in on and pray for others. Pray for people. Bring your prayer A-game and intercede against  death and virus for specific people. Post encouraging videos of you singing worship songs or giving a devotional. Post Youtube worship videos that lift others up. Do crafts with your kids at home and help them thrive during this time. Post cute pictures of fun times to lift the spirits of your lonely friends.

2. Look for where the community needs help. It could be that you have a skill you can volunteer, like sewing face masks at home. Or, you could volunteer to help man a check-point.  You might be able to help deliver food for the local government to needy families. The important thing to remember is that there are many ways that you can help, without breaking the rules. If you want to help out with something and it is against the rules, you can ask for permission. A friend of ours in Manila is feeding many people right now, with the permission his local government.

We were able to donate the use of our vehicle to help deliver rice.

Four Ways to Help in a Quarantine Continued:
​3. The third way is to help provide resources to the hungry. In our area, people are running low on food. The strategy that we're taking is to provide rice to the local pastors, who in turn can give out rice to hungry families. Ask yourself where the hungry people will go to get food. Then, give resources to those places. The point of giving resources is to minimize your glory and magnify God's glory!

Another idea is to ask the Holy Spirit. If you ask Him, He will tell you specific people to help. You can't provide food for entire communities, but you can help your next-door neighbor. Remember, most people won't ask for help or admit that their shelves are empty. Just surprise them by dropping off the ingredients for spaghetti dinner. 

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Listen to the Holy Spirit: It is impossible for one person or one organization to help everyone. That is why we have to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit and help where He inspires us. Look around and you'll see where you are to help. Fortunately, the Bible is clear: in case lack specific direction about where to help, go ahead and feed the poor, help the widows and orphans, and be godly during this crisis.

4. Support and encourage the frontliners. The last way is important. Branch out and help people that you wouldn't normally help. For example, contact a medical missionary or a frontliner and support them. If you're looking for medical missionaries to support, please click on and donate to Doc Francis and Leah Daytec. Do you know some frontliners? Have pizza delivered to the local police station. Or, when you are out to buy groceries, drop off ice cream at the local checkpoint. I've read on Facebook about Christians going to ask if they can pray at the police station. Frontliners need and want your prayers. They also need encouraging smiles, and maybe even a couple boxes of pizza.