Greetings from East Texas.  I hope this update finds you safe, well and healthy as our world struggles with the corona virus – COVID 19.  I have seen updates on Facebook about friends who have/are struggling with the virus.  I hear from my African former patients and former local workers and the great concerns and fears in their nations.  Almost all the nations on the continent of Africa have put in place restrictions.  I receive updates daily from World Aware and track what particular countries are doing.  This has a great impact on them individually and as nations of the world. 

The Africa Mercy left Senegal prior to our planned departure date.  She sailed for Tenerife one of the Canary Islands and continued a time of isolation.  The Canary Islands are a territory of Spain, though at a great distance from Madrid and much less cases of the virus on the island.  I am thankful to report that with the quarantine in Dakar, the sail and two weeks of isolation in Tenerife – we are clear of any signs of the virus.  Thus the crew on board are able to live as a community, though watching for any symptoms.  Holy Week / Easter is always an amazing time on board one of our ships, the Chaplaincy department provide such great meaningful opportunities for the crew.  I really miss this time now not being on board  We have ship repairs scheduled as required for our certificates and so they are working on those plans.  We don’t have dates for the return to Africa and exactly where that will be – though Liberia scheduled for August this year is postponed. 

I do think of the Biney family as their son is finishing his senior year of high school and I have known him since he was a baby.  The other two in his senior class are no longer on board and so he will graduate on his own.  I have hopes to be able to watch the graduation over the internet.  Also for Shelby in Martinsville, Ken in Bavaria and many others missing all or part of their last year of high school.   

I listen to the news and read articles about COVID 19 and there is a lot out there.  Recently I read an article from a missionary doctor working in Congo and she shares that there are limited ICU beds and ventilators in Africa and fewer healthcare professionals.  “While I wholeheartedly believe that God hears our prayers, math and science advise me that the transmission and mortality rates in Africa are bound to be much higher; and that the poorest of the poor will be hit the hardest by the economy free-fall. If developed countries are not coping, what will it be like for communities like ours?”  Dr. Joyce Samoutou-Wong.  When you think about the preventive measures recommended – in many homes in Sub-Saharan Africa, lack of running water, crowded housing, lack of disinfection supplies, and malnutrition affecting a person’s immunity are great challenges.  I can attest to that from my experiences in Africa since 2006.  

I continue to shelter in place and maintain a similar routine.  As I am renting an apartment from Mercy Ships on the base, I do have permission to walk up to the building and my work station.  Though almost all other Mercy Ships staff here are working from home.  I do visit at a distance with the maintenance crew who do continue their work on the base.  For Easter, I watched Good Friday and Easter Sunday services online from my apartment.  I continue to work on the projects planned for 2020 including our past statistics/reporting, present, and planning for the future when both the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy are both serving in Africa.  So I have plenty of work to do which is helpful.  I leave the base only for groceries and I wear my mask.    

Photo:  My workstation in International Programs

Prayer Requests:

*  countries, healthcare workers and people impacted by COVID 19 

*  wisdom and guidance for our leaders  

*  health and protection