God has other plans

We were on our way to the Philippines when the news of the spread of the coronavirus in China and Italy spread out—on newspaper, radio, TV and the internet. At that time, no information yet was out about the spread in Thailand and the Philippines.

Our plan was to do what we must do in a short time. We cannot afford to be far away from home for long. We need to enroll the children, take care of the house rent, and prepare the children for the school opening.  We were certain that three weeks were long enough to do the blood tests, bone scan and consultation with my cardiologist, nephrologist, and oncologist. However, as I was having my bone scan when news came out that COVID-19 had spread in the Philippines and Thailand. Both governments enforced enhanced community quarantine.

We could not go anywhere. The airline canceled our flight. The result (five days after) of my bone scan stayed in the hospital. We had no way of getting it. I could not go to consult my oncologist in Baguio. We don’t have the slightest idea how long we will be staying here in the Philippines.

It further complicates our situation. On the 20th of April, the Thai government will cancel our non-immigrant visa and work permit because we will not be there to renew it. The visa that we had been using for fourteen finally come to its end. We are going back to Thailand in a tourist visa and no work permit.

The children are doing well in Thailand, we are closely keeping in touch. Thank God for technology, we can talk and see each other every day. They plan to go home to the villages this summer as they usually do in the last three years. But with the virus outbreak, we asked them to stay home.

Tilek graduated from junior to middle school and Pia graduated from primary to junior high school. In the next couple of years, four of them will be in the University. We feel sad that we could not be there for their graduation.

The year 2020 will be a real challenge for us. We thought we have this year figured out, but apparently, the Lord has other plans. Proverbs 19:21 says that:

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Prayer Concerns

We are experiencing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. We pray that God will answer our prayers that this pandemic will be over soon. I will copy the prayer concerns we have been praying every day with our family here. Let us all unite praying for these concerns (CSM Prayer Pointers):

1. Pray for our loved ones. Let’s pray for protection and good health for our family, friends and yes, even our enemies.
2. Pray for governments and leaders. Let’s pray for godly wisdom for governments and leaders of all the countries that they may make wise decisions.
3. Pray for the frontliners. Let’s pray for health care workers, and others in the community who need to work to meet the needs of the people who are in quarantine. Let’s pray for their health and protection.
4. Pray for the poor, weak, and sick. Let’s pray for the most vulnerable sectors of our society. Let’s pray for their healing from their sicknesses and provisions for all their needs.
5. Pray for our respective countries. Let’s pray for Philippines and Thailand for peace, unity and healing for our lands.
6. Pray for the world. Let’s pray for the complete recovery of the world from pandemic COVID-19. By now we know that we are all connected. One country’s action affects other countries. Pray that God’s will amidst all.
7. Pray for ourselves. Let’s pray for our health and growth and for God to show us the next right thing to do in this situation.

Thank you once again for your love and prayers. We appreciate your continued partnership as we look forward to fruitful ministry. In a time like this, we strongly believe that God is in control.