I want to start just by getting you all up to speed as to the developments in life over the past month. I know it's not going to necessarily be too different from what most of the rest of the world is dealing with in some measure or another. But, we appreciate that even in the midst of your own upheaval that you're still keeping track of us and thinking of us. Please know that we are thinking of you and praying for you as well!
On March 11th, Honduras reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19, and things quickly started to shift. Traffic the following day was crazy as people rushed out to panic buy at the stores. On the 15th, Honduras closed its borders and declared that, starting the 16th, all non-essential businesses were shut down. Since then, we have been in some form of lockdown. Currently, the established system is that people can circulate one day a week based on the last digit of their ID numbers to buy groceries, go to the gas stations or the pharmacy, etc. Police are set up in checkpoints to verify that those circulating are those assigned to do so, and they have been taking people prisoner or confiscating vehicles in some cases when people are not following the rules or haven't obtained the legal paperwork needed to be on the roads on an off-day. Currently, our lockdown is set to expire tomorrow, but it is very possible that it will be renewed as it has the last couple of times that a decree was set to expire. As of right now, Honduras has 457 confirmed cases. Of those 457, ten have recovered and 46 have passed away. In comparison to much of the rest of Central America, our COVID-19 death rate is astoundingly high.
During this time, Honduras has been in its dry season. Last year, we had a drought as a result of El Niño and received very little water during what usually is our rainy season. Water has been rationed since then, and it's been an ongoing issue especially for the poor. Our rainy season usually does not begin until the middle of May, so we still have a ways to go. Because it is so dry in March and April, this is also the time when forest fires become a problem. It's infuriating that people start these fires whether on purpose or on accident. I struggle with irrational anger about people burning their garbage when 1) it is so dry and 2) there are people battling a virus that affects the respiratory system. But, this is reality. As of right now, there are many large fires burning in various parts of Tegucigalpa and Honduras. It has threatened homes and the properties of some missionary friends, and we had a fire about a month ago that was burning the hillside across from our house. Thankfully, it was put out when we received a quick burst of unexpected rain. The city has been blanketed in smoke, and the heat right now is pretty miserable.
In the midst of all of this, a lot of people in Honduras are hungry. Many Hondurans don't just live paycheck to paycheck. They live day by day, and not being able to work all this time has meant not having food at all because there is no government safety net for unemployment. Most of the missionaries I know are doing their part to take care of the people in their communities, ministries, and spheres of influence. Raúl, Lindsey, and I have been doing the same. While it feels like such a small dent in so much need, we have been able to distribute 50 bags of provisions so far and will continue to do so as long as there are funds and this lockdown continues. A great challenge that we have been facing is a shortage of many staple items. Many places are gouging prices, or they are not letting anyone buy in bulk and limiting how many items one individual can buy. Because our neighbor and ministry friend, Alvin Anderson, has continued to give out food on a very large scale to street kids and in numerous marginalized communities in various parts of Honduras, he has also been able to help us track down the items needed to make our own provision bags. Even so, it has been taking about a week to track down and accumulate all of the items, and we have been trying to support smaller Honduran businesses as much as possible. While we recognize that people across the world are really struggling, and we want to be sensitive to that, we also just want to be honest about how we've been conducting ministry through relief during this time and at least make you aware of how you can contribute if you would feel led to do so. Currently, funds can be received in the form of a check made out to GodSend, Inc. A separate note should be included indicating that it is for provisions in Honduras, and it can be send to:
GodSend, Inc.
1608 Boulder Road
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Another online option is through GodSend's website: godsendinc.org by clicking on the Donate button at the bottom of the home page and donating via PayPal or a debit or credit card.
If you donate through this method, please include a note that your donation is for provisions in Honduras. GodSend, Inc. is an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 organization.
Raúl and I have been fine. Raúl has continued to work some during this time. While a tire shop may not seem essential, it soon becomes essential when the tractor trailers carrying food or the water tankers carrying water or the policemen patrolling the streets have flat tires. We have been blessed by his continued income which has also helped us in distributing food to others, and I have been able to continue to do some online teaching in the early mornings. We are stocked up and truly have been blessed to have everything that we need. Our trip to the US for April 28 was cancelled by Delta as we figured that it would be. The US embassy has been working to evacuate many US citizens and residents, but Raúl and I have opted to stay put because we are able to be a blessing to people in need of food here that we wouldn't be able to do from the US. We do appreciate your prayers in regard to Raúl's immigration situation. The stamp in his passport will expire on May 1. This means that he will either need to receive his green card at my parents' house and have it brought down here before we can travel again, or we will have to go through the process of getting a returning visa/paperwork for him through the embassy. This is not our ideal scenario, but given the options, we are still missionaries who feel called to serve the people of Honduras. So, we will trust that God will open doors and give favor as needed. We do plan to travel to the US later in the year, but that will be contingent upon how all of this worldwide situation develops and on how we are able to proceed with his needed immigration paperwork.
Throughout this time, a lot of what we have been doing is worship. Lindsey and I created playlists for 17 days that we sent out or posted on YouTube and Facebook for anyone interested. And, while that wasn't sustainable to continue to do every day, worship has still been a priority. So we do plan to make a weekly playlist. (Anyone interested in receiving those to your inbox can send me an e-mail at sarah.crickenberger@gmail.com.) Here is this week's playlist:
Covenant
God's story with humanity has always revolved around covenant. In this time of uncertainty for the future, grieving of normal life and losses, and seeking His perspective in the midst of traumatic circumstances, one thing that we can count on is that He is still a God of covenant. I have been marveling recently that my word for this year is "promise." In some ways, it seems like such a weird word for a year that has seemed hijacked by panic and fear and crazy circumstances. But, I think that's exactly why it is the timely word for this year. His promises are still true despite it all, and in the face of economic downturn, illness, pain, and death, through the eyes of God, who sees all of eternity at once, this year still has promise. This isn't just about some Christianese cliche that we tell ourselves. We have built relationship and history with God (and if you haven't done so yet, now is as good of a time to start as any!). We don't have to look any further than our own lives to see how good and full of hope He is. I have been re-reading my journals from 11 years ago, and I have been amazed by how far He's brought me. We have walked through so much pain, illness, rejection, financial need, betrayal, loss, and tears together. The fact that He has sustained me through all of that tells me that He isn't done with humanity yet. My life--however small it may be--is a testimony to His leading and to His mercy and to His goodness. Part of worship for me in this time has been trying not to despise the waiting but to use it well. It's okay that we don't have answers yet. It's okay to just be with Him today. That's His most prominent promise--He will not leave us or forsake us. He didn't promise us that we wouldn't suffer. But, He did promise that He has (as Jesus) and will continue to walk right beside us through it all. It's through His covenant with us through His blood that we have received salvation and direct, personal relationship. The same God who made a covenant with Abraham, with Noah, with Jacob, and with David among so many others is the same God of covenant today. He has always been fighting for humanity. He has always been for us. I take encouragement in that today. I hope you can as well.
All my love,
Sarah
