A letter home

Yesterday Sarah made Tunacakes, rice, and salad. we had water with orange slices and fresh mint. It was really good. Tonight Nicole is cooking lamb with sweet potatoes and salad to mark the Passover. I am having each of us cook a main meal once a week. They have to cook something we have in the house. But my kids are good cooks. It is nice for me not to have to cook every day. I saw this photo on Facebook. I wish I was so far with my spring cleaning. I clean one thing a day. Than I run out of energy. Yesterday I over did it. I got a high fever and had to go to bed early. I am ok today. Today the news is, do not plan a summer vacation. We may not be allowed to travel. So I am not sure if I'll be able to travel to the US in September. We will also cancel our trip to Italy in August. I also understand Italy is angry with Germany because we are not seeing the number of deaths they are seeing. I think they are in shock. And it would not be a great time to travel ...

Yesterday I got to go shopping alone. I wore a facemask, glasses, and gloves. I kept far from all the other shoppers. But it was so nice to just walk. The store and the parking lot was actually empty. There is such a strange atmosphere. It is like walking in a disaster film. I went to the big store Globus because we are out of toilet paper, and other stores were out of it. I am watching the news. Lately, it is all about how we could restart the economy. I think it will take real wisdom and maybe a few miracles. I agree with the lockdown. When I look at Italy and New York, I can see how important this lockdown is. But it is really painful for the economy. In Africa where people live from Hand To Mouth, it is more than painful. It is tragic. In East Africa, 50% of the population lives from whatever they make in a day. So this lockdown is going to cause hunger and homelessness. The governments already carry too much debut. They can not afford to borrow more money to ...

I saw this sign on Facebook.  It made me laugh out loud.  and Juergen nearly cried laughing when I showed it to him.  If you do not get it, the Coronavirus they believe came from a person eating a bat.  Or an animal that had been infected by a bat. That person contracted the virus, and they spread it to another person...and here we all are.  Locked up in our houses, economy ready to crash. If you want to change the world in a good way, we are trying to support 35 teenage mothers and their 46 kids in this time of lock down. They can not earn money (by law unable to sell their hand crafts) so we are trying to help them pay food and rent. And they stay busy making beads, bags and soap to be sold in the future gift shop. Check here for more details. HOW TO SUPPORT TEENAGE MOTHERS SURVIVE THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN IN KAMPALA.   Nicole took my desk, and Juergen is taking the entire office to do his work. I set up a table for myself in my bedroom. T...

The death rate from COVID-19 is still low in Germany,1200 out of 91,000 people. But 1200 people are still many souls lost and loved. And the reality that we are at the beginning of this pandemic hurts to consider. They have over 200,000 beds in Germany being prepared for what is to come. They are considering how they will allow people to get back to work and school...knowing that there will be a new surge of infections. I got a negative back on my virus test. I was really sad about that. I had hoped that all I have been through over the past weeks was the sickness. Once I recovered, I would be free. They are working on a test to check if you have immunity. I could have had the virus, but it was no longer in my throat. That is what was tested. It would be a gift to have immunity. But right now I need to play it very safe like everyone else. And for a day I thought I might get a ticket off this island. It made me realize how trapped I feel. How trapped I still feel. I was sad...

I'm guessing not many people in the world hope they get a positive test back for the COVID-19 virus. But I've already been sick for weeks. I would really like a positive on my test. I want to know that this was it. That I am nearly better. That I only need to recover and then I'll be ok. I do not have much of a cough anymore. I still get headaches. I still get breathless and have very little energy. But I am getting better. And so are Juergen, Jessica, and Sarah. So I find out soon if I am positive. And I hope that I am. I hope that we can say we are recovered. It would be very special freedom. The freedom of being on the other side of the unknown. But it could be that I test negative. I am hoping I get a positive. I thought a lot about all the doctors and medical staff fighting in this war. For them, this is a war. And I felt a great deal of grief for all they are carrying. I am praying for them, thinking of them. We all owe a great deal of gratitude for ...

11 children and leaders from the Watoto children's choir in Uganda are in quarantine. They have tested positive for the coronavirus. They sang in our church last year. And I have been to the church in Kampala. It is a dearly loved ministry. We pray for their healing. Yesterday Juergen drove me to the test center. We drove up to a booth. A man in a yellow hospital ground took my insurance card. He then took a long swab and put it way down in my throat. I nearly throw up. But that was it. We drove off, and I will know in two days (by Friday) if I have coronavirus. It can not tell me if I had it. I could be over it and just healing. I am praying the test is positive. I have been sick for weeks. I would like to think this was "it". They think the virus will not peak until June. And what we face right now is the calm before the storm. They expect 2 million people to have the virus in Germany before this is over. I really hope what I have is...

I have been sick for weeks.  I am actually feeling a little better.  But I can not really breathe as well as I should.  We called the doctor yesterday to see if anything could be done to improve my lungs.  I get so tired after about 20 mins of work.  And it is frustrating.  I have this time, but zero energy to do anything.  The doctor said they do not know how long it takes to recover from Coronavirus.  And that it could be my heart.  That was scary.  She told me to get extra sleep.  If it did not improve I would need to see a heart doctor.  And then she remembered I have an autistic daughter.  And because I am a caretaker, she ordered a test.  So I guess the only reason I finally get a test is because of Jessica.  And I do not know if it will test me as positive.  I have been sick for weeks.  I may already be recovered? We are kind of hoping it is positive.  It will at least explain my symptoms an...

Today my mom turns 80 years old. This past month we have had people donate money to the group in Kampala. And Suubi gave away soap in the slums to honor one person or another. I received donations from my daughters Nicole and Sarah. They both dedicated a soap give away to my mom. And Juergen and I did too. This money will enable Suubi Teen MOPS to buy their own gift shop in Kampala. It will be built near the palace of the king of Uganda. They are building a craft market there. And tourists God willing will come by bus and stop there. It is the number one tourist attraction in Kampala. This is a store Suubi will actually own. So, mom, we gave away hundreds of bars of soap in your name to people who could not afford soap. And we are building a gift shop in Kampala largely in your name so our women can sell their handmade goods. I truly love you and wish I could be there to celebrate your big day. But they have been celebrating you in Uganda for the past two months! ...

The cases of the virus continue to rise here. Today they rose at a slower pace than yesterday, but I know that probably doesn't mean anything. We are still in the middle of this situation. And they may extend the time of the quarantine. I am still not breathing well. My cough is gone. My lung capacity is somewhat diminished. So I get tired when I move around. I can do about an hour's work, and then I need to crash. We called the doctor today. They will call me back and tell me what can be done. At this point, I do not want to clog the system. There are far too many very sick people. I probably need time to recover. But maybe there is something she can recommend. Today my mom turns 80 years old. This past month we have had people donate money to the group in Kampala. And Suubi gave away soap in the slums to honor one person or another. I received donations from my daughters Nicole and Sarah. They both dedicated a soap give away to my mom. And Juergen and I di...

I saw this t-shirt yesterday.  I liked it.  We can not meet in the church building, but we can find ways to be the church in the world.  This morning I watched my service on my laptop.  The message was about home.  Finding our home in God.  Today I was going to be at my sister's house celebrating my mom's 80th birthday. Unfortunately, we had a pandemic... kind of changed everyone's plans.  But I have a home in my heart.  I feel home right now in Germany, and in America.  It is the place I am welcome.  The place I am loved.  I should add Uganda to that list because my heart is there as well. And I hoped to retire in Italy part-time.  My heart breaks for them.  God bless Italy.  God save Italy. I am using the Instant pot I got for Christmas.  Right now I can smell the chicken and peppers cooking.  I will make a coconut curry for lunch.  I am trying to use up all the food I bought a month ago. ...

My heart begins to race a little when I look at the number of cases.  In Germany, we have seen over 30,000 new cases in 7 days.  They say the numbers will explode over the next two weeks.  It takes about 14 days for the virus to incubate.  And when I consider how Italy is...overwhelmed, I want to cry.  America's cases are now shooting up.  Sadly we are going to see the results of all those reckless spring break partiers.  The hospitals will be flooded with young people who said, "if I get it I get it". But they take up a bed.  They take up equipment and time.  and many actually die.  In Italy, they no longer treat anyone over the age of 60.  They have no resources.  And they begin to see 1000 deaths a day. The reckless lack of social responsibility.   And it is not just young people.  It is local officials who acted late because they cared more about business than public health. Most of the cases in Europe can be...

All hopes of seeing a peak are now gone.  our daily cases are going up at an alarming rate.  people who have been exposed to the virus in the past few weeks are now falling sick.  the cases are rising very high.  The deaths are also rising.  At the beginning of this week, we had about 150 deaths, and within 3 days that has nearly doubled. It is still true we have a low death rate, but we are still not exempt from this loss. People should stay home, and be very careful when they must go out. Nicole managed to get on her flight.  I will be leaving for the airport in about 4 hours to pick her up.  I think I will go alone.  Maybe just take Lucy my dog.  There is a lot of virus at the airport I am sure.  I hope they allow her into the country without too much delay.  I know I will be relieved to see her. The situation in Uganda is very bad.  the price of food has doubled overnight.   There is a great deal of fear and...

They say the virus will not peak in Germany for another two weeks. I'm guessing it will be over 40,000 cases by tomorrow. We continue to stay where we are. I drive Jessica around for a few hours. And it is beautiful outside. A little cold, but really beautiful. Nicole is supposed to fly home to Germany today. She had a sore throat all week. I hope she does not have a fever, and they allow her to fly today. She has been contacted by the German embassy. I think she would be allowed to fly home with them if this commercial flight does not work. We will see. She wrote a new song. It was written for her professor who is about to retire. I really miss her. I am sure I will cry when I see her home and safe. I hope she remains healthy, but I'm trying not to think about that. I have been busy trying to support the leaders at Suubi Teen MOPS in Kampala . Today they are getting food for all the women to have in their homes. The lockdown is going to happen soon. I also...

The German cases of Coronavirus continue to rise. But at a slower pace. We can not really tell for a few more weeks if this is going to end. The countries around us have alarming death rates. Italy and Spain are especially bad. Germany still has not reached the 200 death mark. We have about the same cases as Spain, but they have 3500 deaths so far. This could all change. One big difference is how the virus was spread in senior care homes. In Spain, it has reached older people. In Germany, older people were locked down quicker. I am sure many people are trying to analyze why Germany has such a small rate of death. Even France has about the same rate of infection, but a death rate of nearly 1100. I think it's important to look at the practices that can lead God willing to a lower rate of death. But part of this may be stuff outside a culture's control. Germans are able to be locked down. They have a healthy social network. In Uganda, they try to force people to stay h...

We are fine here at home. Juergen works at the home office. He has the stress of deadlines. He puts in a full day, just from home. Philip has exams coming up, so he studies. Sarah also has a mountain of homework. Jessica gets bored so I drive her about 3 hours a day. We listen to the audible book of Narnia. My energy level is pretty low. I have not gotten much done apart from doing dishes, some cooking. I ordered a nebulizer. My brother suggested it. It should help loosen stuff up in my lungs. I have never had asthma, but this is what I imagine asthma feels like. The cough is almost gone. And I really am improving. I hope to get some work done in the garden today. My chief concern at the moment is my women at Suubi Teen MOPS in Uganda . They are afraid. The government has imposed many new restrictions on them. There were 9 new cases of the coronavirus reported in Kampala yesterday. They are trying to totally lockdown this city with 15million people. It seems wise on th...

We remain safe in our home. I had a fever yesterday. For a while, I thought I might be getting "bad enough to test" for the Coronavirus. But I slept an hour and the fever broke. I still am weak but for the most part, feeling like I am getting better. I do not know if I had it. But I had something that made me feel weak and effected my lungs and left me breathless. We are isolated at home. I am already doing all the doctors would advise me to do. There is nothing more I can do. They only test the really sick people. And although I would love the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have had it, I am grateful I never got sick enough to find out. Yesterday I watched my church online. I also watched the service of King Circle assembly of God in Corvallis Oregon, and New Life Church in Renton Washington. KCAG is my home church, the one I grew up in. My family still goes there. And New Life is where Nicole is interning until this week. God willing she flies home on Th...

From Friday to Saturday we had almost 5000 new cases reported. From Saturday to Sunday only 2000. That is a pretty good drop in new cases. I hope we are seeing a peak in Germany. They are ready to shut the country down even tighter. I think all the stupid people having "corona parties" has basically ruined things for everyone. In my state, only groups of 3 can meet. And everything is closed. They may even stop people from riding bikes, going for runs, etc. We are all basically under house arrest. actually not yet. but it may come to that this week. We live next to the drugstore. And the cars line up on our street as people take turns going into the store one by one. I have not gone into the store, but Juergen tells me they have sealed the counter off with plastic. And there is only a small hole people can pass their prescription through, and pay with a bank card. no cash. They also build plastic cages for all the cashiers at the supermarket. I also have not be...

It has been very stressful 48 hours or so. Trying to have my ticket changed for my flight to Seattle...waiting to speak to a travel agent. Waiting and waiting and waiting on hold. Listening to the same awful elevator music over and over. Hell must certainly have the same elevator music on a continuous loop. No escape from it. I even drove to Frankfurt airport hoping to manage it in person. 1 1/2 hours there, 1 1/2 hours home. But no. They will not let you change your ticket in person. And not online either. Only over the phone that does not answer. Stuck in a loop...litterally for days. Unable to rest. Unable to get anything else done. Just stuck. Waiting. Angry and frustrated. Feeling robbed. And on top of everything else I am so sad. This was going to be so great. To see my family. To spend days at the beach with my mom and sisters. To hang out with my brother. To be home in America. But I know the entire world is stuck. We all canceled so many plans and fee...