Like most of the world, Namibia has also extended our lockdown for another two weeks. Worldwide we've surpassed 2.5 million confirmed cases, but we've been sitting steady at only 16. Although, that is
confirmed cases. There are reports of more people showing symptoms but who haven't been tested because they don't want to admit that it's spreading.
So for now, life will continue in relative isolation. For me that means being home alone, only going out shopping every week or so for perishable items. Getting most items has not been a problem, and if you shop early enough you don't have to wait in line to get in the stores.
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| Preaching has taken on a new level of production. |
Ministry has not stopped, it has just adapted. Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS) has switched to remote learning, so I'm busy converting all my lecture notes into readings and videos. This has been a challenge considering Youth Ministry is such a practical subject! Church has been live streaming, so I've been involved in video preaching and video worship leading. Discipleship groups have tapped into Zoom video conferencing so we can continue 'meeting' without leaving home.
Changing life situations don't change the Great Commission. They simply force the Church to be innovative and creative in adapting its strategies.
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| D-group meeting over Zoom |
I am slightly annoyed by how people keep referring to this as a "new normal". To me that phrase involves a sense of permanence, like after a loved one has died. This is just a
temporary normal. There are temporary restrictions put in place out of necessity for the current situation. And sure, it's been going on long enough that most of us have our lockdown routine by now. But this too shall pass. Lockdowns will end. Borders will open. Things will go back to the way they were.
But I hope
we don't go back to the way we were. I hope we will have learned something from this time that
does shape our new normal. I hope we walk away from this much more thankful for the good gifts God has given us. Much more appreciative of the people God has placed in our lives. Much more gracious to those who struggle with loneliness and depression. Much more generous to those who don't have the means to stock-up or survive an extended work outage. I hope this time doesn't shrivel you up on the inside, but use it to become MORE!
