Guatemala has been in quarantine now for 160 days. Some weeks the restrictions are tight, while others, they let loose a little bit. For over a month, we could only be out on the road on even or odd dates, depending on the last digit of our car’s license plate. At the start, national curfew, the hours everyone is required to stay inside their property, were 4pm to 5am, and now sit at 9pm to 4am. Travel between departments (similar to counties in the US) wasn’t allowed for 2 or 3 months. Masks are required everywhere. We, me and the kids, aren’t required to wear the masks living in the orphanage full time, but the office workers, the psychologists, the house parents that are in and out of the orphanage daily (or for extended periods of time) are required to wear a mask and socially distance when they aren’t wearing a mask. The president comes on live every other Sunday to share with Guatemala the rules and regulations for the next two weeks. We are all on our phones, on the computer, or gathered around the television to see what changes await for the next 15 days.
Since mid-March, Guatemala’s borders have been closed, with just a few flights a week letting Americans get back to the US. Of course, once you get on the plane, you can’t re-enter Guatemala, unless you’re a Guatemalan citizen/resident, and drive across the border shared by Mexico, Honduras, or El Salvador. I was planning to go back for a short visit at the end of March, but haven’t been back in the US with friends/family since Thanksgiving. My 90-day visa given with my passport expired at the start of March. I went to the government building in the city and got an extension on my visa for the end of May. My already extended visa is now 3 months expired: 9 months straight of being at the orphanage with 80 kids, and a lot of homesickness.
Over the course of the past 3 month or so, we’ve all been giving guesses as to when the borders will open, what the rules will be for getting in and out, how long the quarantine will be after travel, and what international travel will look like during/after a pandemic. I’ve been watching reports, getting rumors of opening the airport in July, August, and now September, having to cancel my flights a few times, and trying to replan all that comes with a trip.
Like that phrase says, “write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.” As much as I love looking forward to my next trip, planning visits, what restaurants to stop at, who to visit, for how long, and so on, I’m trying my best to look ahead, not in planning, but with hope of what’s to come. I rejoice thinking of what God has planned from this pandemic, the community I get to be a part of, the reunions I’ll get to experience the next month or maybe next year, and being still in His presence, knowing He is still in control, when I think otherwise.
Thankfully, the missionaries, the staff, and the kids at the orphanage are all healthy and well. We are awaiting the day they can go back to school and simply leave the orphanage walls for just a few minutes to the corner store down the street, but we’re all taking the precautions to stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home. Yes, it’s been difficult, stressful and chaotic some day, but I know God has me “trapped” in Guatemala, with these kids, at this stage in my life. No, they aren’t going to school, aren’t getting their usual family visits once or twice a month, don’t have sponsors/churches/groups coming in to visit, nor outings for the (non-urgent) doctor’s visits, their monthly birthday celebrations, nor their regular court dates. I’ve been doing my best trying to spend my free time playing with the kids, visiting with them, teaching them, and sharing those special conversations with them. Together, we’re all growing, learning, connecting, and loving each other deeper.
I am praying you all are doing well, staying healthy, and are able to get out a bit more than previously this year. Thank you for continuing to keep me and the kids in your thoughts and prayers, and financially giving, allowing me to be a small part of the work God is doing in Casa Shalom and Guatemala. I wouldn’t be here without your consistent support, prayers, and encouragement.
(har)Perseverance on a mission 