“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”, as Charles Dickens tells us in his classic novel “A Tale Of Two Cities”. I’m sure most of us are experiencing similar feelings.
As we headed state-side for our winter furlough, we had a full schedule of mission teams booked for 2020. We had visited with several pastors in Denver who expressed interest in bringing teams in 2021. We attended a Calvary Chapel Pastor’s Conference in Florida and had similar experiences with several pastors and key individuals there as well. Now of course, the entire year could be in jeopardy.
We spent quality time with our three children and five grandchildren who live in the States. Had a reunion with the young man who was instrumental in leading me to the Lord. We hadn’t seen each other since 1985. We also spent two weeks with a childhood friend of 60 years (yikes), a Jewish man who does not know the Lord. It doesn’t get any better than that! “It was the best of times”.
We all know what happened next. Everyone’s lives turned upside down. Every nation blindsided by the Coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals over crowded and without ample supplies and equipment. The economy coming to a screeching halt, unemployment rising to levels comparable to the Great Depression, and a stock market slide, losing one-third of its value. Sickness and death everywhere. There was no other news being reported…only Coronavirus news. No NBA, no NHL, maybe no NFL, no school, no church or synagogue services…no nothing!
As our time away came to a close, we had to change our flight plans three times, due to the airlines cancellations, especially on International flights. We finally arrived at Ben Gurion Airport just as Prime Minister Netanyahu was announcing all incoming Israeli’s had to be quarantined at a hotel until test results were finalized. We were the guinea pigs.
Upon arrival, all 150 passengers temperature was taken, as we waited for our luggage, then for the buses to arrive to take us to a hotel. Three and one-half hours later, no buses, and the police and the army didn’t have a clue as to what the holdup was.
As the “Israeli Intifada” was building steam (Intifada means “uprising”, usually associated with our struggles with the Palestinians), tempers flaring, children crying, dogs barking…total chaos.
Finally, somebody made a decision to allow us to self quarantine at home, as long as we registered with the Department of Health, an online form, that enables them to track us through GPS by our cellular phones. As of this writing, we are in day three of our fourteen day quarantine. Large fines and possible jail time if one is found outside their home. They have called me twice so far to verify our location. By the way, our son Jacob works at the Ministry of Transportation in Jerusalem, and he told us there were two confirmed cases on board our flight.
Tonight, under the cover of darkness, I am planning on sneaking out to take out the trash. Yes, I have confessed and asked the Lord for forgiveness, in advance.
Speaking of the Lord, he of course, was not blindsided at all. I’m sure we don’t understand much of his ways, for “His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts, are not our thoughts”.
I believe this is a wake up call for all of us. A time to seeking his face, reading is word, praying without ceasing. As is his custom, he uses everything for good. What an opportunity to be sharing the Good News with our unsaved family, friends, and associates who don’t know the Lord, who are fearful, anxious, confused, and really concerned about their future.
We’ve all heard it said many times. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future”. Let us be about our fathers business during these challenging times.
Lord Bless,
Larry & Bess
House Of Compassion International
