A letter home

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...