March 16, 2020

Good afternoon. What an unsettling situation we are facing with the coronavirus pandemic. Don't we all wonder how far it will reach and how long it will last? I just now read the virus could disrupt the U.S. till August. Whoa! Of course that also means PR as well. We are certainly dealing with its effects. Sunday night the governor placed the island under a 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew until the 30th of this month. Most businesses and churches have been asked by the government to remain closed. After discussing the matter and being advise by a lawyer in our congregation, the Board cancelled all church activities until the 30th. This will be a "first" since the church was organized in 1987. Even after the devastation of Hurricane María, the doors remained open. 

Yesterday our church was scattered by the coronavirus risk. Only about half congregated. Next Sunday we will not meet at the church building. For the next two Sundays the church will remain at home, spread out over several towns. 

Here in PR all children everywhere are staying home from school. That includes college students, teachers, and professors as well. Many schools are teaching online for at least the next two weeks.

Santos Torres, one of our church members, after planning a missions trip and traveling to the Dominican Republic, quickly had to cancel everything and return home on the last plane out of that country. The airport closed down as his flight took to the air.

Cases are few in PR...nine I believe. However, the medical services generally are inferior to those of mainland U.S.A. If this takes hold it will not be easy for the island.

Of course we all are concerned for our loved ones as well as ourselves. Nevertheless, so far I am pretty calm about the whole thing. I hope you are too. Why the calm? I believe the Lord has the last word. He is sovereign is He not? Furthermore, Mary and I are in His hands regardless of what might come our way. We have no illusion of God protecting His people from troubles; nor do we assume He must answer our prayers as we envision. We recognize that although we pray sincerely and with faith, often we pray blindly. As Bible heroes have demonstrated, we are to center our faith and devotion in the character of God, certainly not in Him answering prayers as we might stipulate. 

Quickly on to other things; the youth had a camp out last Friday night. Seventeen youth and sponsors put up tents on the church property. At 2:00 AM they had to rush into the church building.  A serious rainstorm drove them inside. Normally we do the retreat at a vacation center in the mountains, but due to the 6.4 earthquake that struck January 7 and constant aftershocks, we kept the event close to home. This has been a most unusual year so far.  

The church's anniversary will be postponed as well as Children's Sunday. Both fall in the two weeks of requested/voluntary quarantine.  

I will close here. I realize I posted just a week or so ago.  Yet, I thought I should let you know we are okay.

BLESSINGS!