A Letter from Africa
The focus for many of us may well be how the coronavirus is affecting our families, friends and churches here in the UK, but the letter below, from Fred Taban in South Sudan, reminds us that we are fighting a common enemy.
Fred Taban at Stonehenge, courtesy St John's Tisbury
Dear Friends,
In these turbulent times, I'm thinking of you and praying for you!
I want to share with you what’s on my heart. Nearly everything we read or watch right now can provoke anxiety and fear. That’s why I want to remind you that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Our God has given us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind but not FEAR!
When our trust is in Jesus, we have nothing to fear no matter what is going on in our world. What a great encouragement! And what a great witness we can be to our families, friends and community when many are living in fear. Stand strong in your faith, love your neighbor and be in prayer.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having an effect on the world that many would not expect – it’s bringing unity between nations. What a blessing to witness people coming together to fight a common enemy, so to speak. Let us pray for success and the beginning of working toward world unity and peace.
In the midst of this difficult time, battling a common enemy – the virus – is leading to cooperation and collaboration between nations. In the end, this isn’t something related to politics. This is something human, for the benefit of everyone.
Given the seriousness of the crisis, there’s an urgent need for much greater cooperation. We have to work together. The virus knows no borders, does not differentiate between your tribe and others, religious or non-religious, right or left politics. We’re all in the same boat. Indeed, all of mankind is in the same boat.
It is time to set politics aside. Later, we can come back to the same point, but meanwhile national and personal responsibility must take precedence over any other consideration, so that together we can devote our full attention to the health and lives of our citizens.
Even though many of us are practicing social distancing to prevent further spread of COVID-19, we can always come together in prayer and we have much to pray about. God is always working, and I believe we are already seeing His hand in the midst of all that is happening around the world.
Fred Taban
Fred has spent some time at St James Devizes, and was a house guest during one of his visits.
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