With quiet streets and limited movement, ministry work in Israel has grown more difficult. But Henry* and Edith*, along with their two small children, have found alternative ways to share God’s love. Here are six new habits the family adopted during the quarantine, which impact their relationship with their community, each-other and God. 

1. Offering to pray for neighbours – at a distance! The couple discovered that they can still reach out to their neighbours while everyone is stuck at home. When taking out the rubbish or going on a short walk around the building complex, they are able to tell their neighbours that they are praying for them and their health and share how God is in control of the situation. They also text their neighbours to check in on them and ask what they need during this uncertain time. 
   
   
2. Sending encouragements to fellow believers. Within the team, Henry and Edith have been sending YouTube videos of worship songs to other members and exchanging Bible verses back and forth. Edith supports the women of the group by texting them encouragement and organising online prayer meetings. She checks in almost daily, making sure that no one is forgotten. Henry sends devotion guides to the team and asks that they send him individual prayer requests so that he can pray for whoever needs it. Their small home congregation used video conferencing to fellowship together. 
   
   
3. Limiting how much they listen to the news. Edith and Henry found that reading the news was often bringing them down emotionally. They decided to start limiting how much of the news they take in, and, while they still feel that they want to know why the virus is happening, their trust in God has grown.  
   
   
4. Starting the day with prayer. Edith and Henry decided to start each day with prayer. The kids join in too. The whole family values starting the day slowly and taking time to turn their full attention to Jesus.  
   
   
5. Playing worship music all day. Edith has found that playing worship music in the background has helped everyone in the home to stay calm and know God’s peace and presence. 
    
6. Reading the Bible together. The family ends each day by reading God’s Word and praying together. Edith says: “We’re enjoying our time together, enjoying the slowing down of life. We are enjoying spending more time with God.” 

The chaos in Israel can be overwhelming as people are anxious about the spread of the virus, the loss of income and about the uncertainty of when it will pass. With all this chaos, it is easy to feel that there is no one in control of the situation. But Henry and Edith’s neighbours, team and church family can see that they are not anxious, because they trust––as demonstrated by both their words and their actions––that God is bigger than the coronavirus. 

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*Names changed