A Year Like No Other

As we reflect back on 2020, it would be easy to let the difficulties of the year rise to the surface: loss of loved ones for so many people, loneliness from months of isolation, challenging finances for many businesses and individuals, and so much more. The lack of international travel had a tremendous impact on Cafe 1040. Our student program came to a screeching halt in the spring and our overseas staff were stranded in the U.S. with no way to return home.

Also in 2020, our founder, Chuck Phillips, prayerfully discerned it was also time for him to retire and transition out of Cafe 1040 after 20 years faithfully leading this ministry. (click here if you missed our announcement in March)

Despair would be a natural response to the challenges of 2020. But as we dug a little deeper something amazing happened. Beyond the hardship, loss, and difficulties, it became obvious that our great and glorious God was doing great things among the nations in the midst of these unprecedented difficulties.

In Southeast Asia, God blessed our staff with opportunities for Gospel conversations with many locals! Many of these people were more open to the Gospel than they had ever been before and four of them actually said “Yes!” to Jesus Christ and started following Him.

We received word that a Cafe 1040 graduate who is currently serving in the Arab world was forced to come back to the states for a period of time. While she was stateside, one of the women she had been ministering to had a dream about Jesus and gave her life to Christ! Our grad was able to reconnect upon her return and begin the discipleship process in one of the hardest places in the world.

We are even hearing stories from our stateside teams that many young adults are growing hungrier and hungrier to give their lives to God’s mission in the world! People were still mobilized in the midst of lockdowns and quarantines!

While it might be easy to look back at 2020 with frustration, sadness, or anger, we will forever look back at 2020 with gratitude in our hearts for all that God has done. Was it difficult? Yes. Was God at work in the midst of the difficulty? Absolutely.

This passage was our rally cry for the entire year:

“Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Habakkuk 1:5

Thank you for walking alongside us during a year like no other. We are filled with great hope and anticipation as we look forward to all that God has in store for the future.

Sincerely,

The Leadership Team at Cafe 1040