Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way, declares the LORD".

Needs no caption :/

We are now one day past our planned return to our ministry country.  We left our ministry country on February 28th and all was well, with only a bit of nervousness about the “virus in China” and traveling through a packed airport in Amsterdam. Our trip to the States was totally uneventful. However, now we are looking at the impossibility of returning to our ministry Village in April and not likely even on May 3rd and looking nervously at a return by June 3rd. How quickly our lives have changed in this pandemic. We can’t say that our stay so far in the States has been disagreeable at all. Kent has painted our detached apartment/garage and the outside of our house also. He has and is spending much time getting the yard back in shape after lots of neglect over the past 5+ years in Africa. Peggy has unpacked boxes and has been cleaning closets that have also been neglected since our move here in 2014. It is wonderful to finally get our Florida house in a more organized state in general. 

Our Village in Africa is in strict quarantine also with 3 missionaries, Phil, Sara, (daughter Audrey) and Laurie overseeing the activities of a locked down Village with 60 children present. Audrey is a junior in high school and continuing her studies on line until her school reopens. Most of the mothers are on the Village as well as about 6 other grounds, maintenance, and kitchen staff. The guards come and go for their 12 hour shifts but keep great distance from the others in the Village. That makes about 80 people all together. No one goes out or in and supplies are delivered to the gate. There is plenty of work keeping all these busy children happy and engaged. Phil, our Village director has planted about 30 acres of beans and maize. We regret that we are not there to help but know that God had other plans for us for now. Kent, being here in Florida, is able to help with the readiness of the Villages should a COVID 19 outbreak occur in a Village. 

Sandhill Crane on my walks

Along with us, Anna is also sequestered here in Florida. She had come to visit us just as the virus got going and was reluctant to go back to London, so now she is here with us for the duration. It is nice to have her here. She is hoping to be able to do some work from here.

Florida is about #6 on the forefront of the virus spread. Today we are in strict quarantine as most States, with only travel out for groceries and pharmacies and a few other essentials allowed. We are so thankful that we are in a somewhat secluded sub-division allowing for walking. The airport in Orlando is nearly a “ghost town”. Disney and all theme parks are closed until further notice. The country of the USA as we know it is changed for sure. 

We are accepting these surprising developments as from the Lord, from His mouth “both good and ill go forth” (Lam 3:37,38). In October we will finish six years on the present assignment with Rafiki. All the discipleship network were given briefing and material to last through April 5 when we expected to be back on our Village. The pandemic disruptions will be a good test to see how solidly our leaders will be able to carry on. Both Peggy and I have a lot more time to spend with the Lord for which we are both grateful. I am especially enjoying a closer study of Ephesians 1-3. We have cancelled social engagements and meetings for the immediate time.. This week we are wearing masks for our required outings.  

Like many of you, our plans for a little rest and relaxation have been severely altered in the blink of an eye. We are grateful that we were not in the midst of our international transition when the “bottom fell out”. 

We have completed our required medical and dental appointments which thankfully had been scheduled in the first week of our return to Florida. Both of us had some dental repairs and Peggy was diagnosed with severe B12 deficiency and also thyroid deficiency. Both are easily treated by injections and pills.

Time for knitting :)

We will try to keep you posted on our return to our duty Village, but the current policy of our country is that all coming in will be quarantined for 14 days at a place of the Government’s choice at our expense thus, being quarantined once we arrive there is not a good option so we must wait until that option clears and we can return as usual. At present even getting a flight into the country is an impossibility. Please be in prayer with us about the perfect timing for our return and the safety of our Village in our absence. Most of us look forward to an extended “vacation”, but when others are doing your jobs along with their own jobs, it makes everything more complicated.  

We do need to be reminded that we are to “give thanks in all circumstances” as even a pandemic in the world has not happened without passing through the hand of our God.

Stay safe and healthy!!