Bangladesh

Bangladesh has suffered from COVID as have other countries. However, despite being densely populated, having a low vaccination rate, and poor adherence to lockdown instructions, they seem to have fared better than most countries. At the time of writing, numbers of cases per million and deaths have been 11 and 25 compared to India 40 and 2,330, UK 5,200 and 830, USA 2,440 and 8,400, and Australia 450 and 50.

Sadly, Bro Pintu our well-loved cook, who has served field workers so well over the last 15 years, died last year. This is the only ecclesial death from COVID to date. However, brothers and sisters have suffered from the COVID deaths of some relatives.

During these last two years, the ecclesias have met using Messenger (3 separate meetings all at the same time). There have been many interruptions due to power and internet failures. When possible, physical classes have continued with interested contacts.

It is suspected that baptisms have been delayed in the forlorn hope that some fieldworkers who they have known and been taught by might be with them in person to assist with their baptisms. However in November 2021, baptismal interviews were conducted, and a special gathering (Friday 10 December) was organised when 6 contacts were baptised (including Bro Pintu’s son, Clifton, something he would not have been aware of). It was a time of great rejoicing. Many who have visited Bangladesh and know our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters were able to join in using Zoom. So not only was it a time for rejoicing with the newly baptised, but also a time of rejoicing in the reunion of many who have been kept physically apart for much of these past 2 years.

There have been some recent changes to ecclesial meeting places. The central ecclesia has moved out of the apartment they leased for the past 4 years and now meet in the fieldworkers’ apartment in Baridhara (Dhaka).

The Mymensingh meeting place has been demolished by the owners for rebuilding. However, the rural Mymensingh ecclesia has been given a plot of land to build a new meeting place and have approval from the local council for a new hall.

Many positive things are happening amongst our brothers and sisters across Bangladesh. The preaching work continues and ecclesias are growing by the good hand of our Heavenly Father.