The past couple of days have been the craziest of my life. It’s felt like a full year packed into one week. When I first heard about the Corona virus I didn’t think much of it. When people started hoarding toilet paper and wearing masks I thought they were overreacting. You have to realize something about the mission field. Things like politics and the news are not a priority to missionaries. Yes we have a team checking the news for our safety but were not always told whats going on in the outside world.
It wasn’t until I got an email from my mentor that they were seriously considering squads home that I knew how serious it was. She told us that my squad was the least likely to get pulled from the field. I figured that the likely hood of us getting pulled was slim. I figured they would remove the squads in the areas with higher infection rate like China. Within 12 hours everything changed.
We were having a team meeting when Morgan looked up from her phones and told us that they were sending home all of the international squads. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My heart instantly went out to the missionaries who had to leave. There is so much you have to do and so much money you have to raise to go on the race. Now after 2 months they have no other choice but to go home. I keep thinking about my team as well. I am a several days drive from home. If the airports shut down I could be stuck in Philladelphia for a month or two. I know that whatever happens is Gods will. I also know this is where I am supposed to be right now.
Another part that makes this decision hard is my family. I know my mom wishes I was home right now, not all the way across the country. If it hadn’t been for the virus I know she would want me to stay on the field.
Decisions are not always easy. Most of the time the path God wants you take take is not the easy road. My decision to stay on the field was not an easy one but I know it’s the right path and the path God wants me to take. My job is not done.
To all squads that had to return home, don’t forget that there is work to be done at home. During this hard time remember your elderly neighbors who are at risk of getting sick. Help them out by getting their mail, walking their dog, or picking up groceries for them. Just because you are no longer on the mission field does not mean you can’t help people out.
