A WORD
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Along the Journey, Together The past few months have been different than any other in our lifetime! Last fall, as most of us were making our annual plans for the year, we could not have known what really would be ahead for us. Plans for our age-level mission groups, Spring Break mission trips, summer camps, summer mission trips, mission projects in our communities, special missionary speakers…all of that came to an unplanned screeching halt last February. We were not even allowed to visit our families, the sick or go to school, work or church!! Schools began teaching classes online, parents became teachers at home (while many worked from home as well), graduations were cancelled, surgeries and doctor appointments were cancelled, weddings had to be postponed, funerals were not allowed, and graveside services were limited to ten or less…and no hugging. No one could find toilet paper, paper towels, disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer in the stores for months! No eating out. Stores were closed. No hair and nail salons were open…for about three months!
Instead, we were sheltering in place, practicing social distancing, washing our hands to the bones, wearing masks whenever we dared to venture out of our homes, watching church online, etc. We just had to stay put! Our emotions were like a roller coaster. Life as we knew it changed and we will continue to discover how much it really did change. We were all trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. Our hearts were crushed as loved ones and friends got sick and died. Our doctors, nurses and first responders were pushed to the limits of their abilities all around the world. I kept thinking about Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” These and other verses gave me an inner peace to deal with what was going on. The Coronavirus took over our world. It affected people in many different ways, both good and bad. My prayer is that we have
all gleaned new insights about living life and trusting God more. What have you learned during these last few months about yourself, your relationships with your family, your relationships with friends, the importance of the church? Hopefully, we can all look at life a little differently… to focus on what really is important. to prioritize our lives to be more focused on Christ. to be aware of the excellent resources of WMU to help in these troubled times. to be a better example in our daily lives as we reflect Christ in all we say and do. to take more initiative to share Christ and meet the needs of people we meet along this journey we are on, together!
Earl Ann Bumpus President, WMU of Texas 6
THE BRIDGE
