With new developments every day about the COVID-19 crisis, many of us are spending a lot of time reading the news. We encourage you to stay informed about what is going on, but we don’t want to let constant news consumption leave us feeling overwhelmed and unable to care for others. We encourage you to pair the time you spend watching the news with time spent caring for others.

For every five minutes you spend reading the news, consider spending five minutes checking in on someone who might be lonely or vulnerable during this time. This could include friends who live alone, elderly neighbors, or healthcare workers in your community. We want to continue to stay connected in these times of isolation.

A lot of people are feeling alone, discouraged, or tired during this time, especially people who are working hard to keep people safe and healthy and to keep communities clean and running. Meditate on who are your most vulnerable neighbors in this moment and find a creative way to show love. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

• Sing outside a nursing home.
• Check in on a neighbor without a car.
• Care for local domestic abuse shelters and food pantries.
• Advocate for respect for service workers like garbage collectors, janitors, health professionals, and others whose livelihood is changing in this moment.
• Write a note to someone in your community that you think needs encouragement like a neighbor, someone in your local nursing home, prisoners, health clinic staff, sanitation workers, and anyone else you can think of!

We’re working on a devotional series that ties theology with key aspects of seeking justice, such as living with hope, and faithfulness in the long journey toward change. We’re using this moment to share with you an early edition of one chapter, “God calls us to love beyond fear.”

After reading, reflect on the following questions:

• What are fears that are preventing you from living and loving in the way that God is calling you?

• Who are you being called to love beyond fear?

Enjoy these activities with your family! You could even mail us your coloring sheets, and we’ll share them with our team in Honduras!

Make an intentional effort to pray for Hondurans and others most impacted by COVID-19 whenever you wash your hands or go shopping.

Spell Out "Love" with Household Items

Spell out the word “LOVE” using household objects! Take a picture, and post it on social media with the hashtag #LoveFearlessly.

ASJ staff member Jill Stoltzfus took on the challenge, spelling out the word Love with things she loves – coffee, alpacas, the Call for Justice book, and ice cream.

Looking for an encouraging story of seeking justice? Take a listen to this episode of the Your True North podcast, “If You Want to Change the World, Pick a Good Team,” featuring ASJ Co-Founders Kurt Ver Beek and Jo Ann Van Engen. They dive into the intersection of love and justice, and the power of collaboration while speaking truth and seeking justice. As you listen, reflect on who is on your team to make good things happen.

Here’s an in-home scavenger hunt that’s ready to go! Just print, cut, and hide the clues where they say. If you don’t have a printer, just send your address to info@asj-us.org, and we’d be happy to mail it to you!

As a Justice Partner, you are part of our monthly giving community of passionate justice-seekers who believe that building a more just society in Honduras is possible. Especially during this time, a monthly gift is a sustainable way to support justice for the long-term.

As we consider ways to love fearlessly during this time of social distancing, art is a great way to tell a story. Check out this video and the step-by-step guide below on how to tell a story through art.

Our Co-Founders Jo Ann Van Engen and Kurt Ver Beek recently led our Honduran staff in how to make cookies while at home with their families. Try it out yourself – and test your Spanish while you’re at it!