Life for many in Africa is harsh without further complications of COVID19. .

I recently put out a podcast on our channel for Africa & Beyond and the title of it was, “Strange Times.” All over the news, all over the world, there is only one story trending in the headlines and that is COVID 19. It seems the world has stopped and is helplessly watching in the stands as the virus makes its way around the world. 

Indeed it is a strange time filled with (natural) uncertainty. Many of you reading this message are already at some level of lockdown while others are just coming into the throes of trying to control the spread of this disease. In such strange times, it is very easy to fall prey to wild thoughts and imaginations that can pull us away from the truth of the Word of God.

Here in Africa, specifically the areas we have lived and worked in, superstition is at an all-time high. Promises of cures and news of vaccines coming bombard our social media and these types of broadcasts simply serve to heighten the levels of anxiety that people are feeling. As Christians, while we work to use wisdom and follow guidelines, the thing that will keep us grounded in strange times is keeping our perspective clear. All of these strange happenings, viruses, wars, famines and the like simply point us to keep our eyes open: our Redeemer is coming. This is our Blessed Hope and it is what differentiates us from all other religions and beliefs around the world. 

Titus 2:12b-14 NKJV  “…we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Living on Purpose

Throughout this time of uncertainty, we have worked on what we know for certain is eternal: God’s Kingdom. As disconcerting as our times may be, the very existence of the trials we face push us to bring the Gospel to those who’ve not yet heard, those around us every day who need a word from heaven. The past 3 months, here in Bujumbura, we have been made a concentrated effort to reach our surrounding community. Every Thursday afternoon, a team from the church goes into the inner city around our facility and brings the news of Jesus and His love to them. This area is mostly Muslim, however, we have had little difficulty bringing the Gospel to the area. Many of them have told us of others who have refused to come into their area simply because they are Muslim. Most are grateful for the simple gesture of love that we’re bringing to them. Since we began these outreaches, 204 people have come to know Christ and some are beginning to connect to the life of the church. This outreach, these people, represent the most basic reason for which we exist: to extend to them the free gift of salvation. Pray for us as we work to advance the Kingdom in strange times.

News and Prayer Points

• COVID 19 has reached most of Africa. In the countries we are working, only Malawi has not officially reported an infection. 
• Please pray for the millions living in intense poverty, crowded conditions, with little to no health care available to them. 
• Pray for workers overseas, like ourselves, whose ministries are directly effected by the economic situation worldwide. We know God has called us and will care for us, please pray with us to this end.
• We have uploaded a short video update with more news and prayer topics please click on the link above in the picture to watch.

You remain in our prayers as we live these moments out together. We’d love to stay connected online or via email, our contacts are found below. Thank you for partnering with us, Jamie, Lea and Andreya

We've recently updated our website! Click and take a look: Africa & Beyond

Email: JLPeters@africa-and-beyond.net

Lea's Blog: The Cultural Misfit

Podcast: Africa & Beyond