Manitoba church planters, Jeremy and Adrienne Penner, face an uncertain future in Southeast Asia.

Strict quarantine measures have resulted in job loss and isolation for migrant workers. The Penners, who primarily support local church leaders, report that most people have lost the factory work that supplies their only source of income. In many cases, the workers are even forcibly quarantined to the interior of their factory compounds.

The Penners say that ministry efforts are able to continue through the use of social media. Leaders are connecting with their churches online and some pastors are able to continue going into factory housing complexes for weekly bible studies.

However, while emotional and spiritual needs can be met online, more immediate physical needs are faced by the majority of people.

"Everyone is on a mission if they're a believer in Jesus."

"All our church members are out of work. We were able to make rent on our church buildings this month, which was a miracle. It was really close though. That means that next month, it's going to be even more difficult.  In the areas that we have churches, our leaders are looking at migrant worker populations of 10 to one hundred thousand people. The owners are supposed to take care of their workers, but I know of factories where they have just closed the place and left. It could get to the place where we have to mobilize and provide relief."

Border closures and working from home have left the Penners feeling isolated and disconnected. Thankfully, home isolation means more time for language study, planning and prayer.

Like many places, quarantine measures mean the cancellation of many discipleship events.

"We had this big event planned for April, where each church would bring three people that leaders wanted to train to teach bible studies, lead worship and be equipped for service."

Online delivery is an alternative. Mobile data, however, is expensive. And with many workers unable to access wifi in their compounds, sustainable online delivery presents a serious challenge.

Strengthened through suffering

For now, they are encouraging others over Facebook messenger. "Usually, we're always outside talking to people. All of a sudden, we can't do that. My wife Adrienne is the extrovert, so she has become a rabid messenger! She has a schedule and gets prayer requests and has conversations with two to four leaders each day." 

The hardship does come with its share of blessings, however. Penner says that younger leaders have been stepping up to fill gaps in leadership. Many regional leaders are unable to travel extensively, which gives local disciples the opportunity to strengthen communities. He is also optimistic about how this crisis will positively impact the church community back home.

"Everyone is on a mission if they're a believer in Jesus. When we lose control we have to be flexible and trust God. Missionaries have been going through this forever. The perspective of the church out here is that suffering is expected. God uses suffering to grow us, maybe more than anything else. Maybe some of that perspective will flood back into North American churches."