Abegg ELL: Covid-19 Prayer Requests - Latin America Ministry

Join us in prayer for Ministry in Latin America amid covid-19 I've abandoned a formatted newsletter with pictures of recent ministry visits as this week has offered no time. This is a quick update, an appeal for prayer, and a request for you to let us know how to pray for each of you as we follow Christ through this unique period of history. Unprecedented Level 4 Global Advisory Our marathon started one week ago Thursday as Central American & Caribbean countries, the area we oversee, began limiting flights due to the Coronavirus. Emails, phone calls, and texts started trickling in from concerned or stranded missionaries. These increased over the weekend as missionary kids "MKs" in the US were forced out of college dorms with no place to go and borders closed to incoming air and land traffic. Then last Thursday, March 19th the U.S. State Department issued an unprecedented Global Level 4 Travel Advisory ("Avoid all international travel"); this came four days after the Level 3 Advisory ("Reconsider international travel").  A Level 4 means that the U.S. government cannot assure U.S. citizens of evacuation from a location if the situation becomes dire, obviously a concern for missionaries. Thankfully most of UWM's missionaries are well established in their host country and as prepared as possible to ride out the storm. A few with health concerns, those caught while traveling, and some with short term assignments had to scramble, but as of today, there are only a few pending situations. Still, with the fluidity of our global situation, we remain regularly connected.   Getting our Mask On & Then Helping Others... Anyone who's flown has heard the pre-flight instructions of: "In the unlikely case of a loss of cabin pressure...first place the mask on your own face and then assist those around you." Frankly, we haven't done a great job of this as we assist missionaries in our region but haven't attended to our own support as needed. Lord willing, we will stick to our plan of seeking new supporters starting in July, but as we face this crisis, we recognize that some of our supporters are facing financial challenges as well. The Abegg family is praying for each of you as our prayer and financial support team. Please let us know more specifically how to pray, and we ask you to intercede for our family and the overall body of Christ during this difficult time. Ask for God to provide His Body with "our daily bread", for the needs of missionaries overseas to be met, and our own family's needs as we care for and direct ministry in Central America and the Caribbean. If you are lead to join our prayer or financial team before we start our planned fundraising in July, please see the bottom of this letter for information. Without you, we couldn't do what we're doing! Please Join Us in Prayer As I write these requests for our missionaries, I see that they apply to every Christian during this time of uncertainty. As you pray, do so for those serving cross-culturally, but also for yourself to similarly represent Christ wherever He has you: Pray for the Gospel hope to shine clearly during this time of trial.Crisis opens doors and hearts to the hope we have in Christ. Pray that missionaries and fellow Christians in areas of significant suffering can communicate the gospel through words and actions, even during times of weakness and suffering themselves.  Pray for Central American & Caribbean countries to weather these storms. It's said, "When the US sneezes, Latin America gets pneumonia." Though there are reasons to be concerned with the economic effects of the Coronavirus in the US, the sheer scale of the US economy and resources available provide significant protections that are not available in the Central American countries where we and our fellow missionaries serve. Pray for wisdom and integrity of leadership. Pray that corruption would be reveled quickly and that righteous leaders would step forward and find favor. Pray that supply lines of essential materials be protected and vital services to continue during times of illness.  Pray that Central Am. & Caribbean health care systems would not be overwhelmed, and protection for the people of countries with a less than adequate medical system under normal circumstances. The missionaries that Claudia and I have the privilege to care for, and the partner ministries we labor with ultimately rely on the Lord's hand and provision every day (see Mat. 6:9-13) including during times of illness. Pray for the protection of these missionaries, and for the medical facilities that they and the nationals they minister to must rely on in times of illness. Pray for the medical ministries where UWM missionaries serve to be protected and to be able to handle the demands as people fall ill.  How Can We Pray for You?: As I mentioned, we're praying for God's mercy, protection and guidance to be over each of our supporters. Please let us know how we can pray more specifically and effectively. It's our privilege and pleasure to do so and helps us keep up on how each of you is doing. Just hit reply and let us know!  In the words of Paul: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." -Colossians 4:2-6.  Join Our Team   Prayer Team  If you're reading this, you're in, so keep praying! Also... we'd love to hear from you. Let us know how we can be praying whether through an email or connect with us on What'sApp. Our work is 100% funded through donors like yourself. If you aren't already part of our financial team,  Give Online UWM-Missionary Support Page   Give via US Mail  Mail check with accompanying note stating: "For the Abegg Family" to: 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 430, Charlotte, NC 28217 Give Via Phone Dial 800-825-5896 and talk to a very helpful person! In His Hands / En Sus manos; Kevin S. Abegg UWM/LAM Regional Leader Central America & Caribbean