Light in the Darkness
By Dalila Correa
Life changed radically with the surprise appearance of COVID-19. It caught the whole world off guard, bringing confusion, anguish, pain, and despair. Almost all countries were in lockdown, schools closed, nobody could go out to work and had to stay home because high numbers of people were dying, hospitals were overwhelmed everywhere, worship places closed, and the economy fell apart.
Latin America (with Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, in that order) presents the highest number of cases and deaths after Europe and North America. Experts say the peak in some Latin American countries is still some weeks away.
Nothing compared, not earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, droughts, or fires. In those situations, you know what you are dealing with, know what to do, and how to repair the damages later. But this was a whole new situation. Nobody knew what to do, when it would be over, or what will come along later.
We knew that Latin America, with its different levels of social and cultural strata, could be highly affected, but did not have any idea the magnitude this would be. We cried unto God for leading in this time of darkness and hopelessness, to give His children ideas and creativity so that His Word may spread and be honored. As always, in His faithfulness, God did listen and answer. Glory be to His name!
A light began to shine amid the darkness of death and hopelessness. The message of salvation did not stop being preached although churches were closed.
A message of hope was presented in various ways using the opportunities that God opened in each country and using the technology of this time.
Tracts: Missionary Ruth Lopez in Puebla, Mexico, seeing the need to give peace and hope to her fellow citizens, wrote a tract titled, “How to Find Peace in the Midst of a Global Pandemic,” to distribute in Puebla. It also could be used anywhere among Spanish speaking people.
Essential Services Permit: In San Miguel del Monte, Argentina, delivering food to needy families and using that opportunity to share the Word of God with them, Graciela Guerrero and this essential service group were able to guide 25 people to Christ in a month. They also replaced the broken door on the house of a single mother of three children.
Our Argentina DTB also is doing discipleship Online. Students are so grateful for receiving the material in this way. Also, audio lessons for adults without access to social networking are available.
In Lima, Peru, Nelcy Arenas distributed food to needy Venezuelan families in the building where she lives. She also shared the message of salvation. A couple said, “We don’t know how to pray to God, but we want to know more about Him and how to receive Jesus as our Savior.” Now she is holding a Bible study in her home with 10 people (the number allowed by the authorities), using “A Country Called Heaven” lessons.
Network Use: Bible preaching and studies through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram; prayer meetings through “WhatsApp” or Zoom; and discipleship with Source of Light lessons through social network are ways we are reaching out to those requesting to study our material. Some of the South American DTBs are even discipling people from countries outside their own.
We hope all of us around the world have understood how fragile life is and learned to live each day in this new season under God’s leading. God is using this pandemic to demonstrate that He is the only one who can give us light in the darkness, hope in the midst of distress, and security for tomorrow.
