News from Our Asia/Pacific Area Director
India
The city of Chennai is still under stay-at-home restrictions. These orders have been extended twice and will remain in place at least until May 31. This continues to challenge both the pastors and the churches. Since churches are still not able to meet on Sunday, offerings are not able to be taken, which in turn means that some pastors are not being paid adequately. But, this has not stopped the pastors from pursuing their calling and their care for the people. It has been encouraging that in the last few weeks the government has begun to allow some additional businesses to reopen.
Malaysia
Rainfall has returned to Malaysia after several months of drought – a great encouragement during the challenges of COVID-19. The nation continues under stay-at-home mandates by the government. While many only see the negative aspects of the virus, others have experienced a sense of God’s drawing near to them and a confidence that with God’s presence, they can face the unprecedented changes that are happening around us. In Malaysia, phones are critical for keeping in touch with fellow followers of Jesus and reaching out to those who have been open to the gospel. Some non-believers have regularly reached out to the Christians for encouragement, prayer and friendly advice.
Myanmar
Stay-at-home orders have been extended again for the citizens of Myanmar. This continues to be a challenge for the four Advent Christian ministries there. Each Advent Christian ministry operates an orphanage, which under current guidelines are required to keep the children at home together. While large groups (including churches) cannot meet, it has not stopped the orphanages from worshiping. Three of these ministries are also involved in building projects that are having setbacks because workers cannot come to the job sites due to the stay-at-home orders. It is also true that some funds that might have gone toward construction have been used for food and orphanage supplies.
Philippines
The Philippines currently operates under a variety of quarantine standards depending on the health issues related to particular regions. In Region 10, where many of the AC churches are located, a Modified General Community Quarantine is in place. Though the Inter-Agency Task Force on Infectious Diseases declared the region to be at Low Risk Contamination, various mandates have been applied to different local communities. Movement outside of a home still requires government issued permits.
In view of the above, Philippine Advent Christian Conference leaders have circulated a letter encouraging pastors and church leaders to be even more cooperative with the local government officials. To be specific, no resumption of church services and/or activities unless local chief executives permit. This is so that they will not receive penalties and even legal charges that may be filed in cases when directives from the local government units are ignored.
The Philippine Commission on Higher Education is asking the colleges and universities, including Oro Bible College (OBC), to present online formats of lessons for the students. The problem is that most of the OBC students, if not all of them, do not have internet connection in their homes. If required to e-mail their work, students would have to use local internet cafés where there is the possibility of encountering those who are infected with the virus. Additionally, at the current time, internet cafés are closed as non-essential businesses.
Thailand
The Thai government’s stay-at-home orders remain in effect and could be kept in place for another 30 days. Churches, as well as other large gatherings of people, are restricted from meeting at this time. Under current orders, movement outside and between villages is allowed but everyone outside must wear a mask at all times.
While the current situation overseas is keeping the churches from meeting in person, it is not keeping the church people from ministering to one another and reaching out to others. Food distribution and hygiene instruction are serving as means of outreach. Social media and phones are enabling conversation, Bible study and worship among Christians. God is still at work building and blessing his people. Praise God that as of the writing of this article there are no known coronavirus cases among our Advent Christian ministries and partners in the Asia/Pacific region.