We have not yet seen the end of 2020, but most can agree that 2020 is a year like no other.

Is it possible to cram one more “event” into what we call 2020?  Can we agree that a pandemic, a world-wide lockdown, demonstrations, riots, contentious national elections, mandatory in-person church closures, pastors being threatened with jail time, and the loss of financial stability is enough for this year?

We in the Phoenix area have also experienced some firsts. Imagine 50+ days of searing 110+ degree days. Well into October, we are forecasted to still experience 105 degree days.

Everything seems to be turned upside down. Many seem to be wringing their hands, verbally, or at least mentally and emotionally. Challenges are not really an unusual situation. Sin and its master continue to “…steal, kill and destroy.”

Max Lucado writes in his new book, You are Never Alone, about what it must have been like for the Apostle John in his waning years. He had seen and experienced much in his life. John was at one time “the youngest of the twelve that toured the countryside with Jesus.”

John surely remembered in his old age the “sinking feeling he felt when…he learned his brother [Jesus] has been put to death. ...The others in the band had soon followed. Peter. Andrew. Thomas. Philip. Matthew. Even the apostle Paul was gone. They had all left this earth and entered into their eternal reward. Only he remained. John . . . the last of the twelve. Perhaps you can relate to this feeling of being alone.”

Yet, all is not lost. God was with John and God is with us.

God is showing and has shown that He is not limited by fears and concerns of this world. He is still in control. ITMI was led into Project Joseph, feeding the needy, at the beginning of this pandemic. Through our partners like you, God’s provision has allowed us to feed thousands if not tens of thousands, in Eastern Europe, Africa and India.

Our national partners have “store-housed” food and distributed it in Jesus’ name, with government approval, and even government help, during the pandemic.

Even with all this hands-on ministry during this difficult time, only one ITMI partner contracted the COVID-19 virus and he was on furlough in the U.S., and has since recovered.

God is so good and He is still in control.