海外基督使團 (OMF) 國際中心在三月發佈有關新型冠狀病毒（COVID -19）的分享，仍然未有成員確診；今天，有小部分某些地區的同工受感染！感恩他們症狀都屬輕微；按我們所知，他們在發現病徵後，便沒有返回任何一間使團辦公室。他們都遵從醫生的囑咐，包括自我隔離。我們的領袖與他們保持聯繫，醫療顧問亦監察著他們的狀況。願主早日醫治他們，願祂的恩惠慈愛，繼續保守使團各地眾同工。
現今正在全球擴散的新型冠狀病毒，對使團在東亞的服侍，及其各地的辦事處，都有極大影響。
讓我們與你分享使團是如何應對疫情。隨著疫情的發展，我們已有下列的行動去保護同工：
- 成立國際層面的危機管理小組，監察疫情發展，並在應對疫情時互相配合。
- 使團的國際醫療小組，自二月初開始，一直密切跟進疫情爆發經過。他們不斷定時向使團同工報道最新消息，並教導他們有何實際做法和步驟，以減少受感染的風險。
- 在較為地區性的層面，一些國家裡頭的領導團隊及醫療顧問，亦已持續地協助同工，為疫情爆發及可能隨之而來的後患，早作籌謀，並制定應變方案。
- 各團隊領袖一直與隊員緊密聯繫，看看如何因應各地政府頒布的旅遊禁令及其附帶的忠告，制定行程。
因應疫情發展，我們經已取消或延緩：
- 為使團同工而設的實體活動及聚會。
- 為支持者而設的活動，如異象分享會、宣教聚會，以及小組祈禱會等。
- 原定於九月之前的亞洲短宣行程。鑒於疫情仍在持續擴散，我們會定期檢視本年稍後短宣行程的差派事宜。
再者，使團某些地區的辦事處，經已各自按照當地政府的要求，關閉辦公室並囑咐同工儘可能家居工作。
雖然有些地方政府發出公告，極力鼓勵市民回家，我們卻勉勵那些並非在高危地帶服侍的同工，仍然繼續他們的事奉。在這些危機四伏的處境，往往會帶來一些契機，讓我們得以在「正常日子」之外，流露出甘心服侍，乃役於人的生命見證。不過，對於那些基於醫療或其他原因而急欲回家的同工，使團是既理解又樂意支持的。
使團同工不論身在何方，都會不斷設法向他們的鄰舍，切實地表達神的大愛，分享耶穌的大好信息，並在這段艱難的歲月，扶助他們當地的教會及信徒。
海外基督使團國際領袖團隊
2020年4月20日
Update 20 April: At the time of writing our original statement on 27 March, no OMF workers had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Now a small number of our workers have been infected. All are displaying mild symptoms. As far as we know, these workers have not been to any OMF office since developing these symptoms. They are following the recommended medical advice, including self-isolation. Our leaders are in touch with them and our medical advisors are monitoring their condition. We pray for the Lord to heal these workers quickly, and graciously extend his protection to the rest of the organization.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) that is now spreading globally has had a significant impact on OMF ministries in East Asia and our centres around the world.
We wanted to let you know how OMF International has been responding to this situation.
We have taken a number of practical steps to protect our workers as the outbreak develops:
- An international crisis management team was established to monitor the situation as it developed and coordinate our response.
- Our International Medical Team has been following the development of the outbreak closely. They have been providing OMF workers with regular updates and advice on practical steps to reduce the risk of infection since early February.
- At a more local level, country leadership teams and medical advisors have been assisting workers in appropriate preparations and contingency planning for the outbreak and its potential impacts.
- Team leaders are working closely with their team members to navigate the implications of travel restrictions and evolving advice from governments.
As the situation develops, we have also cancelled or postponed:
- Physical events and gatherings for OMF workers.
- Events for supporters such as information evenings, mission events and in-person prayer gatherings.
- Serve Asia short-term mission placements due to take place before September. As the situation continues to develop we will be regularly reviewing placements later in the year.
Additionally, following the advice of their respective governments, a number of OMF centres have closed their offices and asked staff to work remotely from home where possible.
Although some governments have issued statements that strongly encourage their citizens to return home, we have encouraged workers not in high risk contexts to continue with their ministries despite the present situation. Such crisis circumstances often provide opportunities to witness and minister beyond the ‘normal times’. However, OMF understands, and is giving support to, workers who want to return home for medical or other reasons.
No matter where they are, OMF workers continue to seek ways to practically show God’s love to their neighbours, share the good news of Jesus, and support local churches and believers through these difficult times.
Sam Wunderli, Assistant General Director
On behalf of the OMF International Leadership Team