“My soul finds rest in God alone … He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.“ (Psalm 62:1-2)
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This week marks a new phase in Cebu City's enhanced community quarantine. President Rodrigo Duterte publicly expressed his disappointment with the growing number of coronavirus infections in the city. As a result, he tasked Sec. Roy Agullana Cimatu with strictly implementing the quarantines and restrictions set forth by the national government's IATF (the task force on emerging infectious diseases). Sec. Cimatu arrived yesterday (Tuesday the 23rd) along with other officials from Manila and a host of soldiers and police.
A few of us were running errands that day, not knowing about Sec. Cimatu and the unprecedented (at least in our lifetimes) changes coming to Cebu City. Even though we hadn't heard the news, the increased police and military presence was noticeable and alarming. Throughout the day, as Sec. Cimatu met with local officials, news of stricter guidelines was slowly leaked to the media, though no official announcements would be made until close to midnight. During our regularly scheduled leadership meeting that afternoon, we spent a lot of time in prayer; praying for the health and well-being of the kids in our care, for our staff and their families, and for safety and calm throughout the city.
Tuesday evening, the following pictures were posted by Cebuanos on social media.
Overnight, our city-issued quarantine passes were rendered useless. Quarantine passes were handed out in March to every household so that one member of each family could go out to buy essential goods. Those of us that received quarantine passes have been using them to run errands for the Shelter.
Before writing more, I'd like to ask you to pray with us for the following:
• Pray that we will continue to be able to get supplies at the Shelter. We have been able to store enough food and supplies to last a month, but there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the length of this new quarantine, as well as the severity/restrictions that will be imposed now that the national government is involved. Pray for continued provision, and for the safety of our errand-runners.
• Pray that our locked out workers and their families will be able to remain safe, healthy, and supplied with what they need. There are talks of placing certain barangays under total lockdown, a level of quarantine where residents are not allowed to leave their homes. In areas that have already experienced lockdowns since March, the government has had difficulty providing for people's needs, in some cases resulting in frustration and desperation. We are continuing to provide our locked-out workers with a portion of their salaries as an added help for them and their families; pray that their basic needs continue to be met.
• Please pray for the physical health of the kids and workers at CSC. The reality is, barricades and checkpoints make it more difficult to get around town. Hospitals are also nearing, or have already reached, full capacity. We pray that none of our kids or workers will require hospitalization (for COVID-19, or for any other reason) during this time when the health care systems of the Philippines have already reached their limits.
• Pray that everyone (kids, workers, leaders, missionaries) would be able to remain calm, keeping our eyes and hearts fixed upon the Lord. Many residents all over Cebu City resorted to panic buying late Tuesday and all day Wednesday (our local grocery store had a 2-hour line just to get inside!). A lot of people are worried about what a new lockdown/quarantine will mean for their families. Pray that we are able to project an attitude of peace and steadfast trust in the Lord; that all of us will be able to continue serving God, and these kids, with level heads and calm spirits.
Pray that we are able to project an attitude of peace and steadfast trust in the Lord; that all of us will be able to continue serving God, and these kids, with level heads and calm spirits.
Thank you all so much for praying with us, and for your love and support! Because of your thoughtfulness and generosity, we have been able to remain on lockdown at CSC since March 28th. The children have been able to remain well-fed and cared for, receiving the attention, education, and love that they need to thrive in the midst of this pandemic. We couldn't do this without you!
How did we get here?
As with all things related to the coronavirus, the answer to that question is uncertain. According to officials, the numbers in the city and the province were improving through the month of May. Cebu City had even eased restrictions on June 1st and entered into a state of general community quarantine (which is more lax than enhanced community quarantine). Many people came out of their homes, and life almost felt like normal. However, after doing so, the number of people who tested positive for coronavirus increased sharply. As a result, we were once again placed under an enhanced community quarantine on the 15th, but even still the numbers continued to rise. Between June 15th and June 21st (the city’s first week on enhanced quarantine), Cebu City logged 930 new cases of coronavirus, including 44 deaths.
The reality we are facing is that, due to the complexity of the pandemic, the city (and the country) may see itself switching between different levels of quarantine for a very long time.
Through it all, we are encouraging everyone at CSC to remain calm and to remain safe. Our desire is to continue being an example to the kids at the Shelter of what it is to be someone who can say “my soul finds rest in God alone … [for] He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).
Current COVID-19 numbers in the Philippines as of 4pm, June 24th:
Total Cases – 32,259
Deaths – 1,204
Recoveries – 8,656
Days that CSC has been on lockdown: 95
FAMILY PRAYER REQUESTS:
This week our kids are finishing up their school year! YAY! Pray that we are able to get our supplies to start the next school year strong. While the start of school is a long way away, boxes shipped from the States can take weeks to arrive. We have placed our orders for curriculum. Please pray that they arrive safely.
Please pray for our family's travel plans. Heather is on what's called a balikbayan visa, a visa granted to a spouse of a Filipino citizen (which would be me, Roberto). A balikbayan visa only allows Heather to stay in the Philippines for a year, so before mid-September we'll either have to get her a different visa or travel to another country for at least a day to reset her visa.
Thank you all again for praying with us! May the Lord continue to bless, lead, and guide you during this global pandemic.
Learn more about the Children's Shelter of Cebu here.
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