"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps" (Proverbs 16:9).
March 6th - 8th – On March 6th, the Philippines recorded its first case of community spread of the coronavirus. A 62-year old man from Barangay Greenhills in San Juan City (part of Metro Manila) tested positive for the virus, even though he had no travel history outside of the Philippines, or outside of Luzon. The President of the Philippines declared a public health emergency on March 8th. Prior to this, the only cases of coronavirus in the Philippines were from three people who had traveled to the Philippines directly from China, and one who had arrived from a trip to Japan.
What this meant for us? The leadership team met and decided to start preparing ourselves for multiple scenarios. We started crafting a “worst-case scenario” plan which eventually turned into our Lockdown Protocol. The overall message was to remain calm, trust in the Lord, and encourage the kids and workers not to panic. We wanted to be wise and prudent, but calm and directed. As a precaution, we determined to start doubling up our purchases of food, supplies, and medicine. We didn’t panic buy, but we wanted to make sure the kids had everything they needed on the off chance that Cebu were to be cut-off from Manila (most of the island’s resources still come from the North).
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 6th: 5
March 12th – The Philippine government set up guidelines for placing municipalities on “community quarantine,” “enhanced community quarantine,” or “lockdown,” depending on the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in that municipality. Essentially, if a barangay (the smallest government unit in the Philippines; like a “neighborhood” or “village” led by someone called a barangay captain) has two suspected cases of coronavirus, they would be placed under some level of quarantine. If two or more barangays reported suspected cases of the virus, an entire city would be placed under a level of quarantine. And, if two or more cities reported cases within a single province, then a province was given the power to impose quarantines and lockdowns of its own.
On the same day, the National Capital Region (NCR, basically Metro Manila) was placed under a “community quarantine,” meaning only workers that could prove they had a job in the city were allowed to enter; everyone else was denied entry. Checkpoints were set up along the borders of Metro Manila where people had to present identification, proof of employment, and have their temperature taken (those with a fever were not allowed to pass).
What this meant for us? The Inter-Country Adoption Board (ICAB), located in Manila, closed its doors until April 14th. The DSWD (Department for Social Welfare and Development) remained open but only to receive files and dossiers; they are not accepting in-person visitors. Local placements for adoption have effectively been put on hold. Our ability to accept referrals and proceed with adoptions have been severely hindered until these government offices continue normal operations.
We continued to refine our Lockdown Protocol, making sure to pray for one another, for the kids, and for the ministry daily. Every evening at 9:30pm, as we sit in our homes, we pray together for the specific needs of everyone at CSC. We have been doing so every day since.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 12th: 52
March 13th – Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella places the city under a “general community quarantine,” suspending classes at all public and private schools until April 14th. This includes the Cebu Children of Hope School (CSC's elementary school) as well as Bob Hughes (the school that our high-schoolers attend). Both will be unable to hold formal classes until the 14th.
What this meant for us? CCHS and our high school kids had to stop attending classes, but their growth and learning continues. Ben Bonnet (Missionary), Cris Tabra (Principal), and all of the teachers came up with a wonderful plan for tutoring the children at the Shelter. Jinkee Reasoner (Home Life Director) and the rest of our Home Life team created an equally wonderful plan to ensure the childrens’ time at home was well utilized. We further refined our Lockdown Protocol, kept praying fervently, and continued to seek the Lord’s guidance, calmly encourage the kids and staff.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 13th: 64
March 16th – The Governor of the Province of Cebu imposes strict border controls, barring the entry of all passengers from airplanes and ships within 72-hours of her pronouncement of her executive order. All residents of the Province of Cebu had 72-hours to get back home or else they would end up stranded “off-island.” These border controls are in place until April 14th.
What this meant for us? Any of our employees who were off-island had 72-hours to get back to Cebu. One of our workers ended up getting stuck “off-island” and is currently with her in-laws in Iloilo.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 16th: 142
March 18th - 19th – On March 18th, Cebu City confirms its first case of coronavirus. The following day, Mayor Edgardo Labella orders the temporary closure of malls, excluding grocery stores, supermarkets, money transfer firms, pharmacies, hardware stores, and banks.
What this meant for us? As a fan of bubble tea from malls, I was devastated.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 19th: 217
March 21st – The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (the Visayas Region is the part of the Philippines that includes Cebu; it is essentially the middle group of islands in the country) ordered that all “students” and “Senior Citizens 65 years of age and above” are to be on 24-hour curfew, meaning they are unable to leave their homes except in cases of medical emergencies or to “undergo routine medical procedures for chronic illnesses.”
What this meant for us? We again had to adjust our plans. While the kids weren’t allowed to go to school, we had crafted a plan for different groups of kids to have outings, including trips to the homes of CSC missionaries and leadership. This latest executive order effectively locked the kids into the Shelter, and also kept Paul and Marlys Healy (Missionaries and Founders of CSC) from leaving their home.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 21st: 307
March 26th – The Office of the Governor of Cebu announces that the province, along with the independent cities of Cebu City and Lapu Lapu City, would enter into a state of “enhanced community quarantine.” This came after the Visayas Region reported having 16 “presumptive positive” COVID-19 cases, 12 of which were here in Cebu City. The details of this quarantine wouldn’t be made available until the weekend, but all the press conferences pointed towards the installation of checkpoints throughout the city manned by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. These checkpoints would ensure that only one person per household was leaving their home at a time (each household would be issued an official “Enhanced Community Quarantine Pass” to be used by only one member of each family) and that the only people on the streets of the city were providing essential services or delivering essential goods. Cebu Province also set up robust checkpoints along the borders of Cebu City, making it difficult to enter or leave the city.
What this meant for us? Most of CSC’s workers live outside of the city, with a large group living at CSC’s Happy Homes subdivision in neighboring Talisay. On Thursday, we met and decided to enact our Lockdown Protocol beginning on Saturday morning, 10am. At noon on Saturday, Cebu’s lockdown went into effect, and the streets of the city were virtually emptied. Shops were closed, most public transportation was halted, but life at the Shelter went on by the grace of God.
Reported Cases of coronavirus in the Philippines as of March 26th: 707
Current COVID-19 numbers in the Philippines (as of March 31st)
Cases: 2084
Deaths: 88
Recovered: 49
Confirmed cases specific to Cebu City: 18 (as of March 30th)
Confirmed cases in Talisay: 1
THE LORD’S PROVISION
The best update I can share is this: our kids are still being ministered to, our staff are encouraged and cared for, and everyone is acting just as the body of Christ should: encouraging and building one another up (para. 1 Thess 5:11) for the glory of God and for the furtherance of His love and Gospel. A crew of intrepid workers has agreed to stay at the Shelter round-the-clock, remaining on lock-down with the kids until the threat of the coronavirus passes. Those locked out will do all they can to ensure that the Shelter and Johnson Home remain well stocked and supported, procuring supplies and crossing checkpoints to care for children and workers alike. We are praying for one another constantly, remaining flexible in our roles to do whatever is in the best interest of everyone at CSC.
I want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and encouragement. We have made our plans as best we can make them; stockpiling food and supplies, crafting meaningful programming for the children, and seeing to the welfare of our workers. Pray that we are mindful of the proverb which tells us that while we may plan our way, the Lord determines our steps (16:9). May the Lord continue to lead us, granting us His wisdom and extending His mercy.
Learn more about the Children's Shelter of Cebu here.
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