Friday, March 13, 2020

Brockelman and GoSendMe CORONAVIRUS Response


Dearest family and friends,

There is undoubtedly much to pray about in these days of uncertainty. May God’s sweet and peaceful embrace be evident in each of our lives!

Quick updates from us:

·         Tom continues work in Sierra Leone, and to our knowledge, there are no reported cases of Coronavirus in SL at this time
·         Becky’s days in Thailand were wonderful, her 2 weeks of seclusion went well, 3 upcoming stateside trips have been postponed for now and she is deeply grateful to be able to continue to serve our GSM missionaries remotely
·         Bo will return with his mission team from England this weekend and conversations are in progress for a potential seclusion
We love you and thank the Lord for YOU!
Tom and Becky
  
From Rob Casey, Executive Director of GoSendMe Global
Friday, March 13, 2020

Dear GoSendMe Global friends, family, and team,                                      

Despite necessary security requirements that often refrain me from directly corresponding, I believe it necessary in a week like this to step briefly into view and provide a sense of direction and care toward the manner in which we are to respond as Kingdom-minded fellow workers. Whether you are a financial supporter, prayer warrior, serving faithfully in the field of your calling, or in the application phase for a short-term team or as an intern, I am sure that you are pondering the implications of the Coronavirus.

I most recently had a trip to India put on hold and am facing a trip to Botswana that departs in a little more than a week being delayed as well. There is a spirit of frustration and emotional stress in the air. My wife, Julie, noted the behavior of folks in grocery store parking lots. My family sent pictures of empty toilet paper shelves. Schools have delayed return from Spring Break. A family member serving on a team in the United Kingdom saw one-way return tickets skyrocket to over $2,500.00. These things can quickly cause us to question what tomorrow holds, and what our response is to be as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
In that light, let me provide you with a quote from famed Martin Luther, whom you may recall served the Lord amidst a far greater pandemic known as the Black Death in the 14th century.

“…I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” (Luther’s Works Vol. 43, pg. 132)

It has been the policy of GoSendMe Global (GSM) to not discontinue God-given plans to ministry locations unless the Lord closes the door by means we cannot control, or when those assigned to go are instructed by trusted voices on the ground to alter or cancel the trip. Such was the case in the last month regarding our short-term teams to the Greek island of Lesvos, for instance, where there was an escalation of violence to foreign aid workers and NGO’s that made it necessary to discontinue sending college age volunteers until our partners on the ground give us the all-clear.
We are committed to ensuring that each trip applied for by short-term volunteers, church teams and internship candidates are carefully monitored. We are ready to delay, cancel or alter each of these opportunities to serve the Lord as He directs through wise counsel and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Some of these trips will provide no alternative but to cancel through the actions of governments or airlines. We assure you that any such change will not cause you financial loss, so far as it depends on GSM.

Where possible, flights that must be restricted or canceled will be reimbursed, change fees avoided, and refunds issued to applicants and supporters. We will also seek to re-arrange and hold on to funds raised for future opportunities, should applicants be willing to wait. This is one of those seasons where God’s call on GSM to have zero financial dependency on our missionaries, teams or interns, being a 0% ministry that assesses no fees and charges nothing to serve under our umbrella, has proven an incredible blessing.

For those on the field who are classified as “long-term”, we understand that each country in which you serve has a unique scenario presented to you. Our hearts and prayers are with you. I believe that our Awesome God is absolutely still in control, having a multitude of examples in the Scriptures of His activity through such circumstances to bring about saving faith in the lost, repentance in the strongest of wills, and nations back to seeking the Lord as God and King. Our world needs the eternal cure of Christ against the consequences of sin far above a remedy and vaccine against COVid 19. It is my prayer that as you find yourself suddenly looked to for answers in the communities in which you serve, that you will find this an incredible time for sharing your faith in our Living Hope. In other words, the mission has not changed.
It is also a time for wisdom from the Lord regarding how our decisions aect the lives       of the nationals we serve. It is a time to appropriately prepare as the Holy Spirit directs you, and as you do so, we stand with you. Should you find it a time to return to the States, or make any other large decisions, we will do all that we can to support, guide and aid you in the process. This is a time when who we are in Christ makes an incredible dierence in the lives of the lost around us. It is a time in which our faith and steadfast peace in the face of a growing public panic demonstrate the reality of Jesus in our lives. Therefore, above all else, we seek to be unified in the Spirit, faithful in prayer, willing to serve in any capacity the Lord chooses both near and far and to love one another as Christ Jesus has loved us.   This tells the world that   we are His disciples (John 13:34-35).
In whatever manner in which I or a member of the GSM family may be of help to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. (Contact Lori Cannon directly for finance questions at finance@gosendme.us)

     “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

     “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

     “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3