“Feed, Clothe, and Face the Pandemic”

Dear Friends of Nexus,

As the pandemic ravages Europe and North America, developed countries are buying and selling all kinds of medical equipment, masks, etc. All of these countries have set up economic assistance plans for businesses and individual families; but poor, undeveloped countries can only isolate cities, districts, or individuals to limit the spread of the disease. Water City has the eighth largest population in the world; its streets normally bustle with activity. Millions of low-level workers including rickshaw drivers normally live hand-to-mouth, a day’s wages providing food for the day. Now since the lockdown has lifted, the streets are full of rickshaws … but no one is riding. If these workers can’t get passengers, it means they don’t eat.

Which is more important: having enough food and clothing, or facing the pandemic? Sealing off cities … isolating … buying and selling masks — are these most important?

The Merciful Heart of Jesus

Without question, the needs are far too great for us to bear; however, this disastrous epidemic is an ideal opportunity for members of the Body of Christ to demonstrate Jesus’ merciful heart. Though our ability is small, we rely on Christ, and there is no limit to what He can accomplish. Nexus is setting up programs and plans in the countries listed below to serve people—especially those groups experiencing the worst crises—through Chinese workers in neighborhoods, through government bodies, through NGO’s, orphanages, schools, churches, etc. — to help the people get through this most difficult time.

Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months, and then comes the harvest’?… I say to you… [the fields] are already white for harvest” (John 4:35)

I sent you to reap what you have not labored for; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” (John 4:38).

South Asia Water City, Central Asia Friendship City, Southeast Asia Banana City, Lychee City, Levant Tree City, Olive City

Newsletter from Friendship City:

Peace to you! Thank you very much for everything you’ve done! Since 21st March all factories, schools, and hotels have been shut down; and because cities and areas have been put into isolation, many laborers have no work. These people’s very existence is now threatened, and we’ve become aware of many families who need help.

We got together a bit more than ten thousand Chinese yuan and bought a ton of rice which we have been distributing in nearby elementary schools, poor families, orphanages, and churches. To do this, we have worked together with a local pastor and Usman. We’ve already distributed most of the rice. These few days we’ve again received a donation of 300 Chinese yuan, which we’ve used to buy some oil and vegetables to give to those in distress due to the pandemic.

Sincerely, Giles and Joan

South Asia – Water City Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters, May the peace of the Lord be with you!

At the beginning of March, the pandemic situation was not very serious; but after it exploded in Europe and hundreds of thousands of people came back to Water City, it has been spreading rapidly. They announced a city-wide lockdown March 20, and at the end of March they said government offices would be closed until April 4. Later, closure was extended till April 14; now the lockdown has been extended till April 25.

When I go out to buy food, I can see no one is on the streets but rickshaw drivers; rickshaws are everywhere, but no one is riding in them. This is the first time I’ve seen such a thing because there are so many people in Water City; on every street there are always people coming and going. Rickshaw drivers and other poor people working in low-level professions—millions and millions of them—do a day’s work to earn money for the day’s food—so if they can’t get passengers, they don’t eat. But this lockdown of the city is still continuing.

Now I can only stay at home, and all I can do is pray. I’m sharing this news with you, Brothers and Sisters, hoping that you will pray for them. As far as those millions of low-level people living in the slums are concerned, I’m afraid that now hunger or even starvation is a far greater threat to them than the virus itself.

Sincerely, Jeremy and Iris

Southeast Asia:  News from Lychee City and Banana City

Peace to you! Recently the epidemic situation across the border has gotten more serious.  Many Chinese have returned home from Lychee City and Banana City. Guest houses in the area where Brother Tai is staying are now full of outsiders.  Besides those who have returned legally, there are even more people who had previously left the county illegally, so returning the only thing they could do was to sneak back in—and these people are not isolating themselves in accordance with the present requirements.  This has caused local people here to be quite upset.

Before and after the Spring Festival, Brother Tai and Brother Kent visited the refugee camp in Lychee City three times. Staying in the mountains as they are now, it used to be that they were allowed to return home; but since the end of February when the pandemic reached this area, they can only go back to the mountains.  But thank God, last time they went visiting they took some daily-use goods and food to give victims of the pandemic, and even now they are still able to continue their work there for a time.

Prayer Item:  Pray for Sister Ling, Brother Tai’s wife, who will give birth to their third child in June.  Recently she’s had difficulty sleeping.  Brother Tai is often away from home and can’t be with her—may the Lord protect her!

Sincerely, from Brother Tai and Sister Ling

News from the House of Hope, Levant—Olive City

Peace be with You all, Since March, the House of Hope has completely stopped teaching classes and having meetings. The government hasn’t yet announced when classes can be resumed. The situation is terrible, the war and the economy having brought us down to where it’s impossible to go lower. There is no work, medical services, or education. Many people can’t pay their rent and there is no gasoline for operating vehicles. We pray and ask the Lord to give us our daily bread, but some days there isn’t any! Many people are depressed, hopeless, and suffering from hunger.

One of the products of the protracted war has been a rise in the divorce rate, and widows have to take on the burden of all family expenses. Children from the House of Hope and other street children linger on the rubbish heaps trying to find things they can sell so they can buy some food.

A mother of one of our House of Hope children said to me, tears streaming down her face, that she had no way to provide food for her family. Sometimes the neighbors would give them a bit of bread. They had no way to pay their rent and were about to be kicked out. I said to her “Jesus loves you!” People are looking for anyone to help them, no matter what their religious background may be.

Even Christians are looking up to our Heavenly Father and asking, “Who are You?” We need a place to escape. God is making the way for the weak to return to His bosom.

But also, some believers have forsaken the Lord, complaining that the Lord has forsaken us.

The situation being so terrible makes it very hard to describe the feelings that each person has. Father has His will and His ways. We are preparing food packets to help 100 families (including both Christians and Muslims) so in this war and this darkness they can see the Light and Love of Christ. In this time, we can give more spiritual and practical blessing and display the Love of Jesus in Olive City! In the future, this ‘loosened soil’ will certainly blossom and bring forth fruit.

Sincerely from Ava and Samson

Levant—Tree City—Newsletter from Nexus’ Center:  Peter & Celia

This picture is not a joke, but a real picture that shows the situation in Tree City. The elderly is afraid of the coronavirus but have no resources, no way to obtain face masks. So they use plastic bags for packing potatoes to protect themselves. The economy is very bad, and they have no way to find work. This picture is just one example of many that show the situation. We need to pray urgently for Tree City, that the Lord will change this situation.

Nexus Center is helping the people of Tree City, Armenians, Olive City refugees, etc. We are cooperating with the Red Cross, the local community, and local schools. In March & April 1875 anti-epidemic cleaning kits, 283 food packages, 24,500 masks and 16 thermometers to help the people in great need.

Every morning we join on the internet for team devotions, and we are continuing our Sunday worship and praying for the body of Christ. Thank you for your support which enables us to continue

Sincerely, Peter and Celia

Thank you for demonstrating the merciful heart of Jesus together with Nexus Mission, so that those in despair may have their hope restored! We are not educated people; we just feel the merciful heart of Jesus. As you join with Nexus, we can shine a little bit of His Light on those in despair! We need you to join with us even more closely as pioneers to ‘loosen the soil’ for the Gospel. Please participate in the “Pandemic Assistance Project” and Project Cake! Click here for more details.

2020 04 Tree City Pandemic Assistance Project

2020 04 Olive City – Project Cake – Rebirth After Disaster

You may also make an online donation by using our secure account at PayPal:

Central Asia – Friendship City, South Asia – Water City, Southeast Asia – Banana City, Lychee City, Levant – Tree City, Olive City

Sincerely, Nexus Team