The Virus

The month started off good.  All of us remaining missionaries who work in the Philippines met in the central part of our country for a time of fellowship, sharing, and praying.  Martha and her husband, Philip, joined with us following their 10 day vacation in the exotic western Philippine islands around El Nido.

After returning to Iloilo, Martha and I showed Philip the places where Martha grew up.  Philip really took to the Filipino culture, finally understanding some of the odd things his wife does!  For example, Philip observed that Martha has the habit of never placing the bathroom tissue on the toilet paper holder, but instead places it on top of the toilet.  After visiting several Filipino restrooms, Philip saw that few bathrooms have a toilet paper holder!  Ah, the things we learn.

On the evening of March 11, I received a text message from one of our workers that we needed to cancel an upcoming training because of the governor’s ban on large gatherings due to the Chinese virus.  We had been hearing reports about the virus, but didn’t think it would really impact us here.  Concerned, I told our worker that I would go to the governor’s office and clarify the meaning of the ban.

The next morning, Philip and I went to the provincial capitol building and were surprised to see a long table outside the entrance staffed with personnel wearing gloves and masks.  Immediately we were surrounded my officials asking questions about our health and recent travels.  I explained that all I wanted to do was ask a question about the ban on large gatherings.  Oblivious to my plea, one worker asked us to follow him to the quarantine!  “What?” I thought, “to quarantine.”  I thought maybe we wouldn’t see Martha again for 2 weeks.

But the worker just meant he was taking us to a temporary holding tent where a doctor would come with more questions.  Well, eventually I was allowed to enter the building and get my question answered.  But the drama of the morning showed that things were a lot more serious that I thought.

Later that day, we traveled to Roxas City where we visited the house where Martha was born.  The owner allowed us inside her bedroom to the very spot where Jan gave birth to Martha.  During our 3 days in Roxas, we kept hearing news reports about the spread of the virus.  I thought, “Wow, this is really getting serious.  They might even stop travel between provinces.”  (A few days later, they did!)

Back in Iloilo we thought, “Oh my, they might cancel all international flights.”  (And they did!  Now Martha and Philip couldn’t get back to Texas.)  Then I began to think, “Surely they won’t close schools, churches, and malls.”  (But they did!)  “Mercy me!  Surely they won’t stop us from walking along the streets and in the parks.”  (But they did!)

So, here in my little apartment I sit.  Martha and Philip are in a one-room apartment down the hall.  Fortunately, Philip can do his job on the computer from anywhere in the world, so his work, for now, is safe.  The government has said that the ‘lockdown’ will last until April 15, and then they would reevaluate the situation.  These are certainly odd days, as the rest of the world deals with the virus.  We’ll just take each day as it comes and rest in the comfort that though the world seems out of control, God never is.