The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on almost every country across the globe; unfortunately, Third World countries were hit the hardest. One such country is Philippines. The Filipino government implemented one of the world’s longest and strictest lockdowns.
More than 100 pastors are desperately trusting the Lord to provide food – not only for their own families, but also for those suffering in their congregations.
These pastors have gone more than 9 weeks without being able to have church services and receive offerings. Most of them live day to day, hand to mouth. They don’t have a reserve or a salary to rely on. They have nothing and they are panicking about the next few 3 months’ rent, mortgage, electricity and water bills.
They are fearing the day when the bank will come knocking. It is very likely that over the next month, the vast majority of small churches will close for good and possibly lose their buildings. This is a heart breaking reality!
The church is more than a building and there is value in house groups. The bigger issue here is however that many people might leave the ministry at the end of this lockdown. Many would have buried their church members and families as a result of starvation. This can be detrimental to one’s emotional stability, and many of these church buildings are also pastors’ homes, so to lose the building means they also lose their home. This is what many pastors are fearing!
No one knows whether things will completely return to normal once the lockdown regulations have been lifted by the government. Normal might be gone forever! Everyone is just waiting to see what the “new normal” will be like after the lockdown.
All hope is not lost! By God’s grace and the help of loyal donors it was possible for Harvesters Ministries to reach out to 38 pastors and their families during this COVID-19 pandemic. These pastors each received 25kg (55 pounds) of rice for their family and 25kg (55 pounds) of rice to distribute among their congregations. We praise the Lord for opening the hearts of donors who made this possible!
There are however still thousands of families who desperately need your help. Harvesters Ministries cannot feed these families on our own, we need your help urgently. Your gift today will provide one family with one month’s worth of food – not fancy food, but definitely the basic necessities. Please consider helping a family in need in Philippines with your gift today.
I am reminded of Proverbs 22: 9 today that says, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Prayerfully consider feeding a starving family today.