Wow! Life has changed!

This corona virus is having an impact everywhere.  May we all glorify God through this experience.

Before talking about that, I did want to let you know that we had another Women's Night on Monday, March 16th (before any bans here).  We continued to work on Bible school material for children's classes.  We had about 25 ladies there.  And, I forgot to take pictures.

Tuesday, the 17th, was the last day at CBI.  The government originally only shut down the 1st - 12th and preschools.  But then, in another couple days, we were told to shut all schools down.  We also have a ban on religious gatherings. 

Currently, the powers-that-be are blaming Caucasians for the virus here.  No matter that the first case here was a Chinese man.  A lot of what are being reported are tourists and Khmers (Cambodians) that are with them (like tour guides).  There are 12 cases of Khmer Muslims that went to Malaysia for a religious meeting of about 16,000 and they came back with it.  Today, Rich said that a group of French people at the coast and their tour guides all reported having the virus.  They have banned any people from the US, Spain, Germany, Italy or France from coming into Cambodia.  (No mention of China, South Korea).  Today, they did also ban any Malaysians.

What we believe is the case is that the foreigners all go to private hospitals here and they are reporting the cases.  We have been told by several people that there are a lot more cases in the villages but they aren't supposed to report it.  So who knows how many there are.

Rich and I are being cautious.  We still get out to exercise and walk.  We did go out to eat on the weekend and had the place to ourselves.  We just make a point not to touch anything or anyone and wash our hands a lot.  Let me tell you, when the government said that if you got the virus, you had to go to the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, that was really good incentive to make sure we don't get it.  I've visited people there and have no desire to go there.  They are talking about using a hotel that has been vacant for some time as a quarantine place.  I don't think it is in great shape.  The embassy put out a notice that said the if you had to go to these places, "you may experience austere, unsanitary, or ad-hoc conditions."  Sound fun!

I think as of today, we have 57 total cases (again, that are reported).  About half of the Khmers are wearing masks.  The sad thing is that they aren't really getting information about what to do, so most are going about the day, touching everything, thinking that the mask is going to keep them from getting it.  Most don't have refrigerators, so they go to the market everyday for food.  The markets are all packed every morning.  I told Rich that this is going to be how it spreads here.

One of our big advantages is that it is our hot season.  This virus evidently doesn't like heat, so that might be a big help to us.  Last year, for 2 months at this time, the government cut our electricity 3-5 hours every day but Sunday.  Let me just say if we are quarantined to our houses and they cut electricity, it won't be fun!  Last year, we would make runs to the coffee shops, who had generators.

Please keep the Christians here and our students in your prayers.  As we can't meet and most have gone back to their villages, please pray that they will be God's Light to the places that they are and be able to stand strong in the Lord.

Stay safe! 
Ronda

PS. Just a funny occurrence, Rich was walking yesterday and a man was walking the opposite direction.  This man had a mask but it was under his chin.  When he saw Rich, he moved the mask up to cover his face.  As soon as he got past Rich, he put it back down.