The time seems to be flying by fast in 2020 and the days still remain uncertain with many unknowns. We have missionaries stuck in their countries and can’t get out. We have missionaries stuck in the USA and can’t get back. Many questions about what to do with both circumstances. Others are facing ministry challenges like never before. On the other hand, there are some who are experiencing new opportunities for reaching people. There are two things I do know for sure: 1) I have never seen our world like this before and 2) God is still in control.

At this time, we have heard of numerous missionaries who are dealing with COVID-19. Some more severe than others. A few are in critical health in hospitals. Others have recovered. It looks like this will be the story as we go through the next few months if not year. We need to keep each other in our prayers. Please remember to PRAY!

Here is some information concerning some children’s ministry material offered by Ed Williamson. He is a missionary in Mexico.

• Material for kid’s ministry – free – contact 866-636-0505
• 82 lessons written in Spanish – Bit.ly/ebdvgratis
• Teachers’ classes available on Facebook
• English option also
• No strings attached

We have four families being approved on September 10, 2020. Pray for them and for the pastors who will interview them. The September National Meeting will be held virtually on the afternoons of September 14-16 from 1-5 pm CST. On the afternoon of the 16^th we will have a few hours of missions with reports from various missionaries, national pastors, and testimonies from the new missionaries. I hope you can tune in it watch.

Going through this pandemic has allowed many of us to reflect on the Lord and His promises. You know how it goes when you read a verse and you see something in it that you did not see before? Recently, one of those passages for me is Mark 6:52. “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”

Having just been straining at the oars, the disciples failed to gain understanding through Jesus’ miracles, His walking on the water and calming the violent wind and storm. After experiencing those amazing miracles, their hearts were still hardened when they faced a problem.

I thought about that in my life with the COVID-19 pandemic and all the things that so many of us are facing and how overwhelming they can be. Sometimes it is easy to react during periods of emergency, turmoil, or testing not by being soft, but to toughen into a strong resolve to prevail, or at least to survive. It can seem like the raw determination to believe is synonymous with keeping faith. But straining at the oars is not enough. What I really need is a gentle trust, a softened heart to believe the Lord and the truth of His promises to me in His Word.

Our hearts can be hardened by our response to disappointment, pain, or trauma. Or, we can try to overcome in our own power and way. However, softening my heart involves a return to dependency, keeping my trust in the Lord concerning things far greater than my ability to control. As I trust God and believe in His promises, storms, winds, global catastrophes and even pandemics return to their humble place of dependence upon Him, for “…he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:17).

It’s interesting that when I soften and confess who He is and admit that He is more reliable than I am, His soft heart agrees with mine. Then, I get my focus back on the mission He has me involved in and I keep on serving. As I pray for the lost, He hears me and helps me reach them.

Jesus has wonderful instructions for all of us, whatever the days may bring: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27). Because of this, I can SOFTEN my heart and BELIEVE!

Just as a reminder, you remain in our prayers. We are here to help you when you need us. We just had one other staff member infected with the Coronavirus, but they have recovered. Thanks for your prayers!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup