Oscar Mmbali's Newsletter
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What the Kingdom of God looks like: community care during the COVID-19 crisis
in Belize
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… God’s grace is reaching more and more people. So, they will become more and
more thankful. They will give glory to God.
-- 2 Corinthians 4:15
After being a licensed driver for quite a while, the Covid-19 crisis has given
me a new job: a delivery guy/care giver! It is the best a pastor can be at this
time. Nikki has also become a delivery person. Chris and Maggie too. You see,
one of the best things about working with FUM is the opportunity and
encouragement to be creative, to innovate, to adapt. This kind of
organizational ecosystem allows us to adapt to the ever-changing health
regulations and still find ways we can take care of those connected to us.
I enjoy driving around with Nikki!
When the first Covid-19 case was reported in Belize and the government
responded with restrictions to public places and gatherings, a new opportunity
opened. We notified the Ministry of Health that FUM is also involved
humanitarian assistance. Therefore, while we have suspended our regular Sunday
services and the School, a few of us will from time to time come to the Center
and organize deliveries according to the government regulations at the time.
Every day, I check in with our church members through apps like Facebook
messenger or WhatsApp. I identify some of those who are in critical need of
essential household things like soap, hand sanitizers etc. On Sunday, I go to
the supermarket, purchase these items, drive into the community to deliver
them, listen and encourage.
Packing up the food assistance bundles for 40 households.
On Monday, I take Maggie to the store to buy food and household items. Nikki,
Chris, and two youths from the church or school prepare the packages for
distribution. On Tuesday, Chris, Nikki and I deliver them to families connected
to our church, school and community. My truck is large, I mean American-large!
You don’t feel the potholes when you drive through the back streets of the
city. Driving it is a kind of therapy to me. Then I feel good.
On Tuesday, Nikki gives Chris her car to deliver some packages in the southeast
part of the city. Chris knows some people in that area who are in most need.
Maggie takes some to deliver to other families when she returns home in the
afternoon. We put the rest in my truck, and I drive through the city for
delivery. I play East African pop music on the car stereo as I drive. Nikki
does not understand the Swahili lyrics, but she tells me many stories, so I
don’t get bored. Then we reach a home. I stop the truck; Nikki gets out to
deliver the package to a family member. Sometimes she also collects school
assignments from students. There is brief conversation, encouragement and then
I drive on to the next home.
Maggie at the wholesale market.
Most of the young people who come to church are in high school or junior
college. They were, until this crisis, highly involved in their communities.
The father of three of these young people is in prison. I have a contract with
them that they will ensure that they finish a week without getting into
trouble. I check in with them on that every week, then we celebrate that they
have achieved their goal. They have kept their contract, week by week, for over
two years now.
Several young people have told me that staying indoors for a week is like being
in prison. So, getting out of the house at least once in a week, to talk to
someone standing even 1 meter away, is a great relief. This crisis has made all
of us prisoners. Some of us, or people we know or love, are sick. Jesus in
Mathew 25:34-36, teaches us what the Kingdom of God looks like. It is like
visiting or supporting the sick, the prisoner, the most vulnerable.
Delivering food aid to a needy family.
Click here to support FUM's COVID-19 Solidarity Fund, which is providing the
resources for us to feed needy families here in Belize.
(https://donorbox.org/covid-19-solidarity-fund)
Thank you so much for all the support you've given me over the last
two-and-a-half years, since I started ministering in Belize. I'm just beginning
the process of renewing pledges of financial support for my second three-year
term -- I need to have 100% committed by July 31st. Please click here
(https://forms.gle/8mWwm1MjnN9P1F899) to indicate new support, or to tell us
that you plan to continue your current level of support. Please click here
(https://donorbox.org/oscarmmbali) to set up a new monthly credit card
transaction.
Stay updated on the ministry in Belize!
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