Life Under Quarantine

On March 20 the quarantine hit our corner of the world.  We didn’t know if it was going to be for one or two weeks or for longer.  It soon became apparent that it was going to be for longer and that we were not going to be given any assurance that this was going to end any time soon.  In just a couple of days the student supervisors were to arrive followed by the new students for registration and orientation.  As they were in the process of preparing for travel, the flights and buses began to shut down.   They would not be able to travel after all. We would soon be moving to a Plan B which did not yet exist.

Mom

On March 21, I received a phone call that my mom was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Later we would learn that she had suffered another major heart attack.  In California, the quarantine had just begun in full force. My sister was not even allowed to accompany Mom in to the hospital.  No one was allowed in except patients.  So we all waited to hear what was happening with Mom.  Praise God, she stabilized and was able to go home.  Even now, at almost ninety-two years of age, Mom is a strong woman.  Here she is home and with my brother, Ben.

Classes take shape at IBP

I am still amazed at how our staff was able to create and implement this Plan B in just a matter of days. Everyone was so ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to see classes go forth, albeit, in a different manner. Classes would continue online! Even though this was definitely not what our students were planning on, almost all of them agreed to take on this new challenge. Even our professors who had not taught this way before, were willing to take advantage of the technology within their reach to teach their classes.

On April 6, classes began and the semester came together beautifully.  In a normal semester, we have daily chapel times, and Sunday evening services. We also have small “Intimacy with God” groups which meet weekly and focus on different themes that encourage spiritual growth. How would we do all of this with the students not here on campus?  On line, of course!  

Broadcasting live from IBP we were able to bring all of our students together on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for times of worship and encouragement from the Bible.  Students and professors alike took part in both leading the rest of us in worship and sharing from God’s word. Even though we were apart from one another physically, it was so awesome to still be together during these special times.

We are nearing the end of this very unusual semester at IBP and we are still under quarantine.  We are so thankful that we were able to keep pressing on in the face of this craziness in which we are living. May all of the glory go to our God who “…has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). For “…we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved”  (Hebrews 10:39). 

Beginnings of 2020

We kicked off 2020 by attending our Southern Cone Missionary Retreat, which is held every two years. This year it was held in a beautiful city here in Argentina.  The Southern Cone includes the five countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.  These retreats are special times of encouragement from God’s word, of prayer and of connecting with our counterparts in these countries. We are thankful to our leaders for investing in our continued growth so that we can be better prepared to do what we do.  

It seems like only yesterday that we were free to travel whenever we needed or wanted to.  Like our December trip to the states, this retreat mentioned above, a trip to renew a passport or perhaps to attend a national convention or meeting.  We did take the trip in late January to the capital city, Buenos Aires, to renew my passport.  We also made some trips to nearby cities to encourage and pray with pastors and to attend a wedding.  It wouldn’t be long, however, before everything would change.

In February, God must have been getting us ready for what was to come because we attended several online mentoring classes on ZOOM.  Of course we had no idea how important ZOOM would become to our Bible school in the coming days.

In these early months of 2020, we also welcomed new staff members Noé and Yanina.  They are IBP alums and newlyweds (pictured above).  Noé is serving as assistant to the director and Yanina as our administrative secretary.  

In recent months we also said goodbye to IBP’s cook who served us well for six years (pictured in red at right).  She and her husband are moving on to become pastors.  One thing we have learned, and have probably said before, God always provides the right people for our staff at just the right time.  He shows himself faithful as we place our trust in him. 

As we near the beginning of a new semester, we get busier and busier with all of the preparations.  Part of those preparations this break included the laying of a new brick pathway and continuing the work on the patio flooring between the academic center and the library.  Here you can see that floor being laid.  What a nice surprise for the students when they return for classes in April!  But will they be returning in April?  

Stay Tuned … The Quarantine hits IBP!     

Year end 2019

Holiday Update

It seems like so much has happened since our last post. I’m going to break this into two posts to keep things concise.  

Our last semester at IBP ended with a beautiful graduation night.  There was such joy and celebration in the air.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  It is at these times that our multipurpose building suddenly seems small.  Some wonderful friends visited that we hadn’t had the opportunity to spend quality time with in years.  

 We are so thankful for our time together, Solomon and Lori!  Love you, Friends!!!

December we also had the opportunity to travel home to the states and spend the holidays with family.  First, however, we were privileged to be in Texas for a very special occasion.  The engagement of our daughter, Felicia.  Her boyfriend, Caleb, knew we would be passing through Texas for a couple of days and so waited for us to be there before he popped the question.  She said, “Yes!

In Texas we were also able to see Eddie’s family.  We attended church together, exchanged gifts and simply enjoyed being together.  We are thankful to the Lord for allowing us that special time in Texas.

Our final destination was California, where I got to see my family.  I am always especially thankful to see my mom, who is now 91 years old.  Our son, Jeremy, flew in from Minnesota with his girlfriend, Ali, for this special family time.  Felicia flew in, too!  And all too soon it came to a close as we all headed back to our different corners of the world and to our unique responsibilities.  A special shoutout to my sister and brother-in-law for hosting all of us.  Actually, they are the ones who instigated this holiday get together.  Thank you, Beck & Chris!