Dear Praying Friends and Family, January 6, 2021
When we wrote our update in January 2020, there was no way of knowing what was awaiting us. This has been some year! We know that so many of you have been faithfully praying for us and we are very thankful. Even through all the months of confinement, we were still able to see God work. It has been quite an experience. We did enjoy having our two grandsons with us for some of the quarantine and Kevin and Mari stayed with us later. Since Mari works in an assisted living facility, she didn’t want to expose them or us to the possibility of getting the virus. Thankfully, no one in our immediate family has gotten the virus. Some of our missionary family have gotten it, though, and traveling over the holidays has become more complicated. The annual retreat in Portugal, which we always look forward to, had to be canceled.
This letter is being written from our son’s home in New Jersey. We started making plans in August to spend Christmas with them and then to visit Roy’s mom in California. After having our flights canceled twice, we finally made it here without a problem. We will not be going to California, though, because the assisted living facility where Roy’s mom lives has been on lockdown and we have no idea when it will open. We are hoping to see her this summer. We have been encouraged with Mom’s progress. She seems to have adapted well to the isolation. We are enjoying being with Brian, Melody and our 6 grandkids. We’ll be here until the end of January.
When we wrote our update in January 2020, there was no way of knowing what was awaiting us. This has been some year! We know that so many of you have been faithfully praying for us and we are very thankful. Even through all the months of confinement, we were still able to see God work. It has been quite an experience. We did enjoy having our two grandsons with us for some of the quarantine and Kevin and Mari stayed with us later. Since Mari works in an assisted living facility, she didn’t want to expose them or us to the possibility of getting the virus. Thankfully, no one in our immediate family has gotten the virus. Some of our missionary family have gotten it, though, and traveling over the holidays has become more complicated. The annual retreat in Portugal, which we always look forward to, had to be canceled.
This letter is being written from our son’s home in New Jersey. We started making plans in August to spend Christmas with them and then to visit Roy’s mom in California. After having our flights canceled twice, we finally made it here without a problem. We will not be going to California, though, because the assisted living facility where Roy’s mom lives has been on lockdown and we have no idea when it will open. We are hoping to see her this summer. We have been encouraged with Mom’s progress. She seems to have adapted well to the isolation. We are enjoying being with Brian, Melody and our 6 grandkids. We’ll be here until the end of January.
Church activities are still curtailed. We continue to have just one service on Sunday which is livestreamed for those who can’t attend. We’re thankful for this group who lead us in worship. There are around 20-30 in most services. We started a class for the kids during the service. Because of Zoom, Nancy teaches English to teens on Sunday evening. On Mondays we have a Bible study with teens from Torres and Coslada and a session with two families with teens. On Tuesdays Nancy leads a ladies’ Bible study. Wednesdays we sit in on the prayer meeting in Coslada. That day Nancy also teaches Spanish to our homeschooled grandkids in New Jersey. Prayer meeting is Thursday evening and Nancy teaches English to some unsaved ladies that morning. So, you can see that despite the pandemic we have been able to find ways to reach out.
Our Christmas celebration was a bit different this year, but it was still a blessing to see the church family come together. About 15 of us formed a virtual choir to sing “Santa la Noche” (O Holy Night) and others participated by reading verses. If you would like to watch it, you can visit the church’s YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/uHxEeLJSsyU. Our coworkers, Caleb and Krystie Hague did a great job planning it all. The next project will be celebrating Valentines Day virtually.
We have no way of knowing what 2021 will hold but we are so thankful that we know who holds the coming year in His hands. We don’t know if we will be able to schedule any activities for the summer. Usually, we are already working on plans for basketball camp, English camp, Bible club and family camp. These plans will have to wait. Will you pray with us that God will give our team patience, wisdom, and direction for the months ahead? Thank you for participating in our ministry through your prayers and gifts.
In His Service,
Roy & Nancy Jones
Our Christmas celebration was a bit different this year, but it was still a blessing to see the church family come together. About 15 of us formed a virtual choir to sing “Santa la Noche” (O Holy Night) and others participated by reading verses. If you would like to watch it, you can visit the church’s YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/uHxEeLJSsyU. Our coworkers, Caleb and Krystie Hague did a great job planning it all. The next project will be celebrating Valentines Day virtually.
We have no way of knowing what 2021 will hold but we are so thankful that we know who holds the coming year in His hands. We don’t know if we will be able to schedule any activities for the summer. Usually, we are already working on plans for basketball camp, English camp, Bible club and family camp. These plans will have to wait. Will you pray with us that God will give our team patience, wisdom, and direction for the months ahead? Thank you for participating in our ministry through your prayers and gifts.
In His Service,
Roy & Nancy Jones