As many of you know, the past few days on the field have been very crazy and hectic due to the Coronavirus. I wanted to share some of what has happened and how God has been faithful through it all. Here we go:
Thursday the 12th: My team and I went to ministry like a normal day excited to learn more about the school we’d be working at for three months. Within the first two hours there, teachers and students started talking about the possibility of classes being cancelled until further notice due to the spreading of Corona. We didn’t think much of it but listened to all the talk. (It was kind of funny hearing the behind the scenes talk of the teachers in their lounge during a time like this.) By the end of the day, we found out this was true and sadly went back to the house not knowing when we would return into the schools. We were told other team’s ministries were being cancelled as well. Since it was all crazy, we got our weekend groceries and just went on with the rest of the day before going to bed not knowing what was next.
Friday the 13th: Since none of our teams had ministry, we were given the morning off and then would do house work in the afternoon. A few of us went to the mall for some WiFi to talk to family. While at the mall, we received an email from Kate, my squad mentor, saying Adventures in Missions, also known as AIM, is monitoring the virus very closely, but sadly, they do need to send a team or two home due to huge outbreaks and borders closing. She stated our squad was in a safe location and no change would come but keep your eyes out for daily updates due to the close monitoring. Since we couldn’t do anything else, my squad prayed that AIM leadership would have wisdom and peace when working on handling all of this and tried not to overthink and assume what would happen, which was very hard to do. We then went back to the house and went on with the day not knowing what was happening but understanding there was now a small possibility we’d be sent home early due to this virus.
Saturday the 14th: We woke up this morning thinking it was going to be just a normal weekend day going out to explore and talk with family on WiFi. About an hour into walking around the mall, we received our daily updated from AIM saying that border control and other things with Corona increased immensely overnight. They were going to have to start transition into sending many squads home. My squad was told we were still in a place to stay on the field, so I kept praying for the squads being sent home, the leadership making the calls, and Ecuador. Back at the house, we heard the Ecuador President just had a press conference where he stated he was going to be closing the borders soon. Shortly after hearing this, our leadership called us for a squad meeting. At that time, we were sadly informed that we needed to get back to the States as soon as possible. We didn’t know when flights would get booked but trusted AIM staff that they had it all handled. We worshipped as a squad praying and thanking God for all He had in-store, His plans, and the time we all got together. After that, we all started packing and waited to hear our flight plan. The first plan fell through, so we went to sleep awaiting a new schedule in the morning.
Sunday the 15th: I woke up, with very little slept due to all the thoughts happening, to an email from Kate and was informed our flight was scheduled for late at night Wednesday the 18th and landing in Atlanta midday the 19th. Since it was all so abrupt the night before, I didn’t know how to handle the news that we would have four more days to endure before flying to the States. I tried telling myself it will be a great time to process all of this and spend more time with my family that would soon be dispersed all across the States, but I still sort of had a sour feeling about it. I didn’t quite know why, but I did. Since we weren’t sure what Ecuador was doing, we were asked to stay home and wait until further notice for if we could leave the house or not. Shortly after, we were called to an all squad meeting and were informed our flight was cancelled. AIM staff had quickly been working on booking new flights: Our new flight left early early in the morning on Monday the 16th. Wow. That was a quick turn around, but we were going to take it in and do the best we could with it all. Everyone finished packing and started cleaning the house. Also, I booked my ticket to Iowa for Thursday the 19th after debriefing in Atlanta. Once cleaning was done, we hung out dancing, singing, talking, and relaxing until our bus to the airport came around 10:30. At the airport, we checked in and waited.
Monday the 16th: At 2:45 am, we started boarding our plane and took off at 3:20 am. After an hour and a half, we landed in Bogota, Colombia and went through security and customs before getting to our next gate. We had about four hours to wait so many of us tried to get some sleep in the chairs and the floor of the airport. Finally, we boarded our flight to Atlanta and took off around 9:30 am. A movie and a half along with some sleep made the flight fly by, and before we knew it, we had landed in the States after being gone for almost 7 months. Honestly, it felt weird and unreal. My squad then headed to a hotel where we planned to debrief for two days before flying home. At our squad dinner, Kate updated us on what was happening in the States and also found out there was a new guideline of no groups over 10 which put a bump in things since our squad was 24 big. Yet we were still determined to handle this with thanksgiving to the Lord and the leadership making all of these calls. My amazing squad mentor, Kate, informed us she would rework the schedule, but we would still have a great debrief. After that, we all went to bed for long needed rest.
Tuesday the 17th: I woke up feeling as rested as I could after some crazy days. I was excited to begin debrief but had until 2 pm, so I went up the gym and worked on the elliptical for a little bit. I had a nice relaxing shower and some quality time with friends before getting lunch. During lunch, we were informed that AIM staff were advising all Racers to get home as soon as possible now due to new updates, and they’d be moving debriefs to virtual ones after everyone was home safely. Now that threw another wrench in the plans, but after some deep breaths, we dealt with it head on. I got on the phone with my dad and switched my flight to late tonight. I then spent the rest of the days having goodbyes here and there as people boarded the shuttles and hanging out with those who were still left at the hotel. The majority of my team was still there, so we got to debrief a little bit with Kate which was nice but honestly, most of us hadn’t wrapped our heads around all of this so it was a little difficult which was to be expected. Then, at 6:00 pm, I said my last goodbyes before hopping on the shuttle to the airport. I got through check in and security very fast and grabbed some Chick-F-La before settling down at my gate. Then I started writing this blog and waited to board. Now I am sitting on the plane waiting to land and see my family before it turns into Wednesday the 18th.
One major thing I learned through all of this is that the Lord puts AMAZING people in your life who care for you deeply just like He does. The staff at AIM worked tirelessly and endlessly to get all the squads home safely and as quick as possible. They were praying and doing all they could trying to stay up to date with this all. I am so so thankful for the leadership who watched the news closely, booked flights, and made plans for the return of over 500 missionaries all within four days. The strength, trust, and faith they have in the Lord shone through it all. Thanks to all of AIM and WR staff who worked, and still are working, during this time of hour to hour changes.
As I finished typing this in the air, the song “I Am Loved” by Maverick City Music came on. Instantly, I felt a rush of being loved and I realized how much God loves us yet again in this moment. He loves us so much He puts amazing leadership above us who were in constant prayer and action while trying to figure out the best decision to make with over 500 missionaries overseas. He loves us so much He had flights available to all. He loves us so much He gave me peace through this all; even when I felt overwhelmed, He was still giving me peace to accept.
The list could go on as to how much God loves us. I believe we all know that, but do we truly understand it’s depth? I don’t think so. At least I forget and need to be reminded of it daily because I get too sucked into worldly things.
I encourage you all to take time during this season and remind yourself, daily, how much God loves you and how exactly He does. Make a list and thank Him for it. (Comment the list if you feel like sharing!) Remember He is with us through this all and He is never going to stop loving and protecting His children, like you who’s reading this, here on earth.
Thank you all for reading and keep your eyes out for more in depth and processed blogs as time goes on! There is still much I want to share with you all, but first I need to process a few things!
I am beyond grateful for all the prayers and support I’ve had through this. Don’t forget that! Also, as time passes, let me know if you want to meet up and chat since I’m back in Ankeny! I’d love to share my experience over the past 7 months, and I would love it even more to hear about your experience too!!
Lots of Love and Prayers,
Paige :):):)
