This cartoon shows exactly how I felt when I looked back on last month's newsletter. I wrote about a city waking up from a deep hibernation...about the pandemic fog lifting. In reality, what we were experiencing was a false start. Our perception was not at all equal to reality.

The reality is that Covid 19 cases have been rising steadily since Holy Week and this week saw an all-time high Coronavirus death rate in Colombia. The reality is that hospitals are collapsing from over-population and we are running out of oxygen reserves in Medellín. The reality is that although vaccinations have started, the supply is not equal to demand and the rollout has been slow. The reality is that we are back in quarantine every weekend - from Thursday at 8 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m. and there is talk of prolonged quarantines of at least two weeks.

We had a glorious celebration of God's love for us during Holy Week. The nightly, live devotional times were rich and meaningful. The Saturday morning prayer meeting was deep and the Sunday celebratory service was uplifting and encouraging. On Sunday alone over 49 people from 16 countries participated in the service...that doesn't even take into consideration the number of people watching with their families or church groups all over the region. The entire Free Methodist Latin American community was united around our love for God and it was a beautiful thing to see and participate in!

(Photo: A behind the scenes look at Ricardo recording his rooftop sermon.)

In the midst of it all, the Community Church Planting movement continues to advance... multiplying disciples, leaders and churches throughout the region. We are delighted to hear daily reports of people joining the family of God because someone demonstrated God's love to them in a tangible way.

Ricardo and the Area leadership team have been teaching about effective administration, one part of our good stewardship. That involves providing for the needy and last week, thanks to the generosity of people like you, we were able to send more humanitarian aid to pastors and leaders who are struggling to survive throughout the region. At home, we've seen a lot more "Quarantine Carolers" (that's what we call people who set up in front of apartment buildings with their instruments or loud speakers and play or sing for donations). We are thankful for the opportunities God gives us to show His love to those in need...including a trunk full of groceries for members of the church.