Noemi and Lorenzo Sosa* are ministers in Oaxaca, Mexico; they tell us how in the midst of COVID-19 how the faith community, both local and international, walked with them giving them support and how they clung to hope. “We believed that we would never get out of this, but we reflected on the promises of God.”

“We want to thank God for his infinite love and mercy on us and for keeping us alive until this day. On April 14, my father, Mr. Emilio Hernández Torres, died at the age of 92. It was very painful because it was the first death in the family. We believe that it was at his funeral that we caught COVID-19, along with others from the congregation who were accompanying us. In the midst of our sorry, we neglected taking care of our own safety and as a result, became infected.

First, we felt pain in the chest, only we thought it was something natural caused by our intense grief and depression. But then, as three days passed and our symptoms became more serious, we went to the doctor. He determined by the severity of our conditions that we needed to be seen by him urgently. The doctor said that if we did not improve by the next day, he would have to admit us into the hospital. But thank God, after five days, that was not necessary. Although, my condition (Naomi) was very bad; I felt that I could not breathe. To sleep, I had to be sitting up; my husband had to mist me and give me a vaporizer. He also prepared a remedy of garlic, ginger, turmeric and chamomile tea with saltwater and baking soda – making it very hot, to gargle.

Fortunately, God’s Church, both local and district and even international, were praying intensely for us, we are very relieved to know that we were in their prayers; we also felt the support of the church with food, and much encouragement.

We believed that we would never get over this, but we relied on God’s promises; in particular Psalms 118: 15-18, especially from verse 17 that says: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.” We thank God and Dr. Edwin Matadamas who was so brave in supporting us and Dr. Matilde Cruz Sandoval, who supported us from a distance.

We thank our family and our beloved Church for the great support in these difficult days. We want to invite all our Church and friends to trust God if they are going through a time of illness. We must be responsible in taking care of the social distancing and implementing all of the precautions indicated by our health authorities. Let us not be afraid; God is with us. Remember, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13: 8)”

* Rev. Lorenzo Sosa is pastor of the Seed of Faith Church of the Nazarene and Noemí Hernández García is president of Nazarene Missions International in the Oaxaca District of Northwestern Mexico.