“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24
Dear Co-laborers in the Lord,
Greetings from Nairobi, in the mighty and precious name of our Lord. We are all well, by the grace of God, and are thankful to send you news from the field. We hope and trust that this letter finds you well, even as the world now groans under the weight of the coronavirus and its consequences.
All Our Schools and Worship Services Stopped
The East African countries in which our mission operates (Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda) have closed their borders. All air and road travel has come to a complete stop. In the case of Rwanda, travel between regions is also banned for the moment, and the situation in Kenya also seems serious. While social distancing policies may be helpful and effective in containing the spread of the virus, it seems to create a most difficult time for citizens who live at subsistence level from daily wages. If this situation continues for long, I think that, just as it may be the case in most other parts of the world, the problem of food and survival may become more dire than that of the virus itself. Having already witnessed violent confrontations between civilians and police, there is a high possibility that we shall see the usual escalation to protests and riots. I was scheduled to fly to Kigali a few weeks ago, but had to postpone due to a severe cold. In the meantime, Rwanda closed its borders and our firstborn, Deborah, is now alone in Rwanda with 18 students at that campus.
Kenya has faced an additional difficulty due to heavy rains accompanied by stormy winds. Many areas have been affected, including our own campus. Quite a few large trees, including one planted by Dr. Floyd Grinstead, have been destroyed. The students who have remained on campus (five men and two women) are still cleaning up the damage done to the premises. We know that many have suffered bodily and property harm across the country during an already difficult time. Please be in prayer for all of our mission stations – for safety as well as opportunities to minister during this time.
All Will Stay Where We Have Been Sent
Several people, including some of you, have contacted us, suggesting that we leave the field for a time and return when things are settled. They advised us out of worry and concern, from caring hearts. We are grateful for the prayers and for your love, but we do believe that it is right to remain at the place to which we were sent, even if such a decision requires the sacrifice of our very lives. May we follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, who remembered his calling and steadfastly continued to walk in it.
We are indebted to you all for your prayers and support in serving the Lord. We thank God for the fellowship we are able to enjoy in prayer, even during this challenging time for everyone, in which fellowship in person has become very difficult. Let us march onward for His kingdom, His glory, and His gospel until our Lord returns.
In the bond of Christ,
Kyung Soo (Mark) Kim and Hang Sook (Hannah) Rhee