The Lord has been good to us and taken care of us in safety. His Word is absolutely perfect and true to us. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2)
The COVID-19 pandemic changed things a lot, which I had never seen in my lifetime. I am so much more worried about the children’s home than I am about my church. Of course, my church people can take care of themselves, but for the children in our orphanage (106 children), there is no hope except God alone. My wife and I kneel down every night beside our bed, asking God to help us and protect us in these uncertain times. God still protects us, and nothing has happened to the children’s home. Amen!
The church is still in lockdown and not allowed to reopen yet. I preach online every week from my pulpit at the church, but I am not satisfied with this. My heart is broken. This is unusual for the church people, especially for our older people, as they don’t have the knowledge about cell phones and the Internet. However, for those who can use the Internet, cell phones, and WiFi, it is okay—this applies only to those under the age of 50, not to all.
I have leaned that a pandemic changes things a lot. Spiritually what I have learned is that many liberal churches cannot use their beautiful, big buildings at this time. All are empty and useless to all. My church, we just borrow someone else’s building. We don’t have our own building yet, as we are prayerfully looking to find land to buy. We haven’t yet found a good location. Some people complain to me, but the Bible teaching is that the true church is individual believers, not the buildings, a called-out assembly of people to carry out the Great Commission of Christ—to spread the Gospel to others that they might receive Jesus as we do. So I am glad that my church people have learned this fact. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Praising God During the COVID-19 Pandemic
1. The First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana (Pastor John Wilkerson), helped us out with $1,500.00. We distributed masks, rice, and money to our nine pastors and their families and to those in need.
2. The Valley Baptist Church of Mesa, Arizona (Pastor Kevin Cowling), helped us out with $1,200.00 for the same purpose.
3. The new 60-foot x 24-foot church building has been roughly completed. It is not quite finalized yet; we still need to finish the pulpit, get chairs, and paint.
4. Rick Jackson and Victory Baptist Church in South Carolina, along with Keith Johnson (a friend of Rick Jackson), bought a Kubota tractor for our farming work.
Prayer Requests
1. Pray that we will be able to reopen all the churches and schools as soon as possible.
2. Pray that we will be able to finish the new church building, which was donated by the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana.
3. I had to cancel most of my plans to preach across the country. I need to reopen the churches; pray for God’s help.
4. Pray that we can build another new church building (70 feet x 30 feet) for Pastor Sam Thomas and the Kalay Bible Baptist Church. We need to raise $6,500 for this building project.
Sincerely yours in His blessed ministries,
Pastor Paul T. Lung
Calvary Baptist Church
