We spent more time at the desk this month working on cleaning up the website and also trying to find a solution for our audio servers. The good news is that, with Philip’s help, we were able to set up a much faster and more efficient audio server, which has been tested these last few weeks and so far it seems to be a great asset. The serving speed has improved considerably and therefore everything is working better. This has been a great blessing as we know a lot more people are staying home these days, due to the virus, and more are reading and listening to the Word.

To commemorate this new improved stage of Wordproject, we made a change in the interface colors and general feel and we optimized all content to be more user friendly.

On the other hand, it is encouraging  to see that our APPs are being downloaded and used in larger numbers than before and we attribute this to the improved speed in audio serving. We still have to do some adjustments but we are getting there.

It is always interesting to read the APP users comments. Here our favorite comments on the Android store this month:

‘WORDPROJECT is a very important application for me, I will rate it with five stars because I liked it so much. I can choose my preferred language and replace it whenever I want.’ [B.R. – (translated from Spanish)]

[from Korea :] ‘Wow! Thanks word project for the multiple languages option and making it free. I’m learning German, French and other languages through the bible. I must say the German reader in Psalm 59 and French reader in Matthew 6+7 are awesome. What a captivating reader! I love their engaging reading. God bless!’

and on WP Plus:

‘Finally! I’ve been looking for an app like this. First, that its ‘in-app purchases’ free and advertising free. I can listen and follow along uninterrupted. Secondly, the voice over is clear and smooth and flows nicely. I like that the page of scripture scrolls along so I can follow reading. I also appreciate that it continues chapter after chapter. I can listen for a long time without having to break concentration to hit a play button. Very nice app. Thank you. [Z]’

Meanwhile, the SR600 audio Bible is being distributed to several needy communities in Mozambique and Kenya. It is such a blessing to be able to offer these audio Bibles to such sweet people. Both in Kenya and Mozambique we have contacts with blind associations, who in turn distributes these Bibles to their members.

Right now, in spite of the restrains due to the Corona Virus, we have been able to place our next order to the Chinese factory. In two weeks we should be ready to make our next shipment and we hope and pray the delivery services (freight companies) are working normally by then.

Thank you for your prayers.

by donna

Our month of February was spent in domestic quarantine! A first in a lifetime experience! As the number of cases of individuals infected with the Covid-19 virus in neighboring China was extremely high and rising exponentially at the beginning of the month, the government of Macau decided to basically shut down the city. The rules of conduct were short and to the point: Stay at home, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask whenever outside and try to keep a good distance from others. All businesses, restaurants, government agencies, and medium and small size businesses were closed. All public events, church services, large dinners or assemblies and sporting events were canceled. In an unprecedented move, all casinos in the city were ordered to shut their doors and the number of tourists diminished drastically and rapidly. Overnight, the streets of the world’s most densely populated territory became a ghost town. All schools have been shut down and an effective online home education program is now in place. Fortunately, many are working from home to prevent circulation and thus the spread of the disease. Thankfully, the government has acted swiftly and efficiently to take all the necessary cautions of disease prevention as well make sure the citizens are supplied with basic needs in the supermarkets and also have access to the required facial masks and necessary medical care if needed. Although all these measures may be seen as extreme, the fact is that the spread of the Corona virus has effectively been halted and it has been nearly one month that no new cases have been reported! Praise God!

In result of this, we left our rented apartment in China earlier than expected, and moved to Macau. We are already implementing the home school program so we had no stress in adapting to a new system and Jason kept up with his lesson plan, business as usual. Our home here is far from the city center so we don’t have any issues with overcrowding, with various venues for outdoor exercise at our convenience. Jorge and Jason were diligent to complete more home improvement projects and also found opportunity to reconstruct our neighbor’s front porch covering. Jason also tried his hand at some new skills in the kitchen and we can now depend on him for some delicious meal preparations!

The main difference we encountered last month was a lack of fellowship but things are opening up and we are looking forward to more interaction in the coming month. “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
We are definitely trusting in the Lord to deliver us from this virus and in the presence of this global outbreak we pray that many will find Jesus as their refuge in the storm and their rock in a weary land.