Well, I’ve got some bad news for you, and there’s just no good way to sugarcoat it: COVID-19. It’s kind of a big deal.
Due to the policies, procedures, and preferences of the powers that be, I can’t necessarily share with you all the sundry details that you might be curious about concerning our specific situation. I CAN, however, offer you the following helpful and informative (albeit, partially redacted) approved talking points.
- We are currently safe in [name of village] and are following all national protocols of social distancing and travel restrictions as prescribed by the government of [name of sovereign country].
- We have several contingencies in place regarding our personal safety, should the situation [term of gradation]. Namely, if [situation] then we would immediately [response to situation].
- We are encouraged that [specific data point], but that still leaves us wondering if [personal speculation] might impact the [alternate specific data point].
- The [name of sovereign country] has [action] [various transportation utilities] until [date]. This leads us to [personal speculation].
- All in all, we would say that our situation right now is [specific assessment of situation].
I trust that the above thorough and descriptive big-picture summary of our situation has adequately assuaged any worries or angst that you may have been feeling on our account.
More specific to our family, here are a few other things that I think might be helpful for friends, family, and supporters to be made aware of, so that they (you) might be able to more accurately pray for us as we are brought to mind.
Tucker turned 7 this week! As per his request, we celebrated with hamburgers (“Those are the ones with meat in them, right, Dad?”), apple pie (with some papaya thrown in to help bulk it out), and Pokemon decorations!
We are alone in the bush right now and our teammates won’t be back until sometime this fall, assuming the zombie apocalypse is over by then.
We are OK on supplies, and we are anticipating being able to get a flight in here pretty soon to stock us up even more, so we will be set for a good chunk of time in case things get dicey (as opposed the current, very placid state of world affairs).
Though we are alone in the bush, we are well-connected to our mission leadership, and they are taking very active measures to ensure our safety and keep us abreast of the situation as new information is made available. We are being well taken care of, and we are very thankful for our many co-laborers who are working hard to make it possible for us to remain plugged-in and engaged in our work here among the Iski.
We got a puppy. His name is Wookie. He is super cute. He pees a lot. Relatedly, he is now spending less time in our house and more time on our porch.
We have all sorts of prescription drugs on hand, and our medical team is easily accessible via the inter-webs to help us diagnose and treat a litany of gross and awful ailments and diseases, should the need arise.
Except for Rochelle being on bed rest all of last week, due to intense belly trouble, and Griffin puking his guts out yesterday, we are all in perfect health.
Though we have not seen it happen yet, a potential consequence of millions of Americans hunkering down in their homes, losing their jobs, & living off of their savings, is the very real possibility that we may be taking a hit in the “monthly financial support” side of things in the coming months, which could make life a bit more interesting for us here in our swamp.
We found a tarantula as big as a Buick on the back of our front door as we were locking up the other night. It was hideous. We were able to neutralize the threat, but the emotional scarring appears to be permanent.
Well, I think that about does it. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to shoot us an email or leave a comment.
Thank you very much for taking the time to stay connected and involved in our lives and ministry. We love and appreciate you all. Hugs and kisses.
Dear Seth and family,
While we have been responsibly doing our part to keep virus19 at bay here, during the night when I awake I go through all of the countries that I have mission friends and pray for each family…you are there also. I am glad to read your posts because I know you all are okay. I will pray for your family health and your new precious pup
Wookie and the people living there. The Lord richly bless you. Mary
Always happy to see your post, we continue to pray for you all everyday, hope Rochelle feels better!! You new puppy Wookie is so cute. Be safe, stay healthy and God bless you all!!
PS, We are doing well right now financially and will up our giving to you folks.
Hi, Seth and Rochelle and Manny, Tucker, and Griffen! I miss you guys so much! I feel bad for Rochelle, tell her I am sending her lots of love and prayers. It’s been a little rough here, not being able to see my church friends or go to church has been kind of depressing. I feel that this is just the beginning of sorrows. Well, I love you all and will keep you in my prayers.
We miss you too! This will be one for the history books, for sure. I can’t think of a time in the US where such restrictions were put on the general public. Love you, Pam!
Hi Seth and Rochelle,
I always love your humor, Seth. It’s funny to read a whole paragraph without learning a thing! 🙂 I’m continuing to pray for your family (almost) daily, and I especially pray for Rochelle–who is already as thin as can be! May our amazingly caring Lord give her relief from the “stomach issues”, and strength to persevere. And Seth, I pray for you every time I wake up in the middle of the night to go potty, that you’ll have a good and restful sleep. You never answered me a while back when I asked if your insomnia is getting any better. Hope so! Happy Birthday to Tucker–he’s getting so big!
Love to all!
Thank you very much for your prayers! When I take my meds, the insomnia is mitigated pretty well, though I still have a rough night now and again and often wake up pretty tired in the mornings. More often, now I am not as much being “kept awake” as I am “not sleeping well.” But, hey, it’s improvement!
I woke up this morning which is day 20 maybe(?) of quarantine, with your family on my mind. I’ve been praying for you and wondering how Corvid is affecting you. What a wonderful joy to find this letter to all of us from you all. I will now be able to pray specifically for your family. Thank you for updating us. I was hoping that your remote location would be Covid free but it doesn’t appear to be the case.
Continuing in prayer.
Prayers for healing sent yall’s way, and protection, in and around your home. Here, I can’t remember so much uncertainty by so many, and can’t imagine how people cope without our great and good heavenly Father who sanctifies us through Jesus Christ, and comforts us by the Holy Spirit. Let us stay strong IN Him,
So happy to hear you are well and that Tucker had a special day.
Posing that disgusting spider with LEGO, brilliant!
So, to be sure I understand, you are working from home in isolation, communicating with superiors and co-workers via technology, and are stocked up on essentials—that sounds about right! 😂 But what j really want to know is do you have any toilet paper?
So glad to hear you are doing well(apart from the belly issues lol), which I am sure were no laughing matter!
Perhaps in some ways you are better off where you are in terms of covid! I have been praying for your physical and spiritual safety while you are ‘alone’ in the village. So glad you are never alone, having the Lord always with you. A pleasure to see how you make life special for your boys!!