I thought I'd give you an honest update of our current circumstances.
Honduras is on a full lockdown until next Sunday at the earliest. Police and military are patrolling and no one is allowed to leave their home unless it's a medical emergency. The mandate says that small neighborhood bodegas can open to sell essential non-perishable food items. But in practicality, we've had trouble finding any of them open. This morning we even ventured into nearby neighborhoods searching for the closest food supply. We finally found one bodega open, but it is quite a way from our house. We bought a few items that totaled 282 L. on the register, but the attendant actually charged us of 385 L. (a little over $5 more). I'm not sure if that will become normal practice or not. Steve decided not to question it or protest in the moment as it isn't really a hardship for us and we know that people can barely get by day-to-day right now.
We are lucky. We stocked up about a week ago with supplies. I think we have enough food to last another 10 days or so, especially if we ration a little. I've heard of a grocery store on the other side of town that will make deliveries, so we may try that sometime in the next week. We are concerned about our youth, most of whom live in a community outside the city where there is no phone service. We've had no communication with any of them and don't know how they're making it. Obviously, they don't have the financial or logistical resources to stock up like we did. We assume that maybe the different farmers in the area are trading among themselves for food and supplies. In other parts of the country, we've heard about food delivery programs so that's also a possibility. On the bright side, their relative isolation should keep the epidemic at bay for quite some time.
There have been no commercial flights in or out of Honduras for over a week now. The U.S. embassy has started organizing evacuation flights for U.S. citizens. Several of our missionary friends are on the list to leave on the last few flights out. Steve and I have decided that it's safer for us to ride out the crisis here. We've been in contact with World Gospel Mission and missionaries serving throughout the Americas and feel assured that our situation is pretty stable and comparable to other places, including the U.S. It would be worse to get stranded somewhere in route or be stuck in a mandatory quarantine facility somewhere. Besides, this is our home.
We're in good spirits and feel safe. We're passing the time working on some projects we've put off for a long time and relaxing. We're also trying to find creative ways to continue serving our community. Like you, we're praying for our families, our leaders and our churches.
Be safe and remember that God is in control even when we aren't.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
Comments