We re-purchased tickets trusting that this time, we would be able to honestly answer all the questions asked of us about our health. We had all recently been getting over colds and coughs; so after canceling our first tickets home, we visited the doctor to see if we could get tested…they said we didn’t even qualify…an answer we were thankful for and so we felt fairly confident about returning.
Upon arrival to our town, we waited and were questioned extensively (for about 4 hours) about our recent travel locations and if we had any symptoms. Once all the formalities were done we were free to go home. Arriving back home, we notified our complex guard of our return, which started a slew of visits from just about every official department in our town. Once temperatures were taken and retaken, and papers signed, we were released for a 14-day quarantine at home. 4 days later, we saw on the news that as of that day, all travelers coming from foreign countries must be quarantined in a facility. Upon hearing this news, I expressed how thankful I was that we had come back when we did and that we did not have to go through that.
We didn’t realize the new policy that came out that day was going to be retroactive.
March 17, 2020; 7:20PM – We received a phone call from the local authorities informing us that our family needed to move to a hotel for isolated quarantine that same evening. We were told we should pack, then drive ourselves to the designated location. Stressed and overwhelmed, I finished making chocolate mug cakes for the kids, barely holding it together, thinking “oh boy, here we go.” Once everything was packed and kids buckled in the car, I made one last walk through our house. Tears welling up in my eyes I say to my Loving Father… “Yes, I believe You are still GOOD!”
We arrived at the hotel around 10:00 PM, where we would quarantine for the next nine days. Thankfully the six days prior to that, counted towards our time. We were met by about five officials and doctors, busy checking our temperatures, collecting our payment for our stay, handing us room keys, and helping us carry our things; they ushered us through the back door of the hotel, up to the second floor and on to our rooms. We looked at both rooms and told the doctors and officials that we would only need one room. To which they replied, “No, you have to separate. One adult in each room.” My heart immediately sunk. I wasn’t prepared for this. They were telling us we could not step foot into the hallway and that there were cameras. I kept swallowing my tears and assuring the kids everything would be fine. I wanted to cry so bad, but when I looked at my 7-year-old, I knew I needed to be strong for her. That night proved to be one of the biggest battles for my mind that I have ever experienced. I felt sick. I was literally on the brink of complete panic. All I could do was pray: “Help! Please, please help.” Finally Help came, and I found peace. I slept for a couple hours, then continued to surrender my mind to the only One I could entrust it to.
Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes unto the hills- from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of the heavens and the earth.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
That night my mind was filled with so many fears. “What if one of us actually has the virus.” “What if one of us dies, and we can’t even say ‘goodbye.’” “What if my kids go hysterical?” “What if I just can’t?” Then I was reminded of His Word. His good and truth-filled Word.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Romans 8:6 “To set the mind of the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Psalm 34:7 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles.”
I found that the greatest battle is not what food I am given to eat, what type of facility I find myself in for quarantine (at home, a hospital, or a hotel), what type of healthcare I am given, or whether or not I am free to go about as I please. No, the greatest battle has been for my mind– living in fear of the “what ifs.”
Take courage dear brothers and sisters all over the world. Things are not spinning out of control as much as it might seem they are… there is One who is not taken by surprise and who is in careful control over all things. I want to challenge all of you, dearly loved ones, to hold your thoughts captive in these days. Ask yourself, what are you filling your time with? News channels? COVID-19 constant updates? What are the meditations of your hearts? Are they causing you to find joy and peace in your circumstances or fear-gripping anxiety? Arrest your thoughts and keep your minds stayed on things above.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
With much love and until all have heard,
Field Worker / Central Asia
Click here to read GSI’s statement about COVID-19.