Updates
Covid-19.
Our family has now joined the ranks of the many millions of Covid-19fighters, and by God’s grace we made it to the other side! The children passed through it especially well. Fighting the actual virus was not difficult – we’ve actually had worse colds, BUT due to Vann’s weakened lungs from having had severe pneumonia a couple of years ago Covid settled right in and gave him a wicked cough. He has needed oxygen for the last two weeks, and we are so thankful for dear friends in town willing to loan us their oxygen tank – that kept us from having to take Vann to Lima for help. We are so deeply thankful for prayer warriors that significantly turned the tide of Vann’s health after word spread of his condition – Praise Jesus! God has shown us His care through excellent, long-distance medical care, and loving neighbors that have brought us groceries, medicine and meals through our time of quarantine – we are so blessed.
Although our quarantine has ended, it will be a while longer for me to get back up-an’-at-‘em. I have ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) from a nasty jungle virus 15 years ago that I have learned to manage with diet, swimming and a careful pacing of my schedule, but my body’s response to any stress or sickness is a prolonged low-grade fever. So, since Covid came through, it has left me with fevers that have lasted for weeks. It will just take time for them to leave and let me regain my strength.
Although the virus decidedly interrupted our plans for the month, Vann of course continued to work through it all. He goes out to work awhile and comes back in for a rest throughout the days – he is a stubborn one! Albeit slowly, he is still building the deck and stairs for the apartment, and in the meantime the dear family that lives there is using the trapdoor staircase into the garage – they are blessedly patient people!
The camp chapel now has a floor, pillars, and the lower brick half of the walls (the upper half will be screen). The welding crew that helped Vann build the pavilion roof will be coming back to build the chapel’s roof this week!
The children have all begun their online classes with gusto!
Corynn is taking a full-credit load for her Senior Spring semester with Cedarville University where she hopes to be attending in the Fall. She is already working on classes for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Ethan is taking classes with Le Tourneau University for his Junior Spring semester and is enjoying the advanced math.
Clara is finishing her eighth grade with Bob Jones University curriculum and is enjoying the extra time that she gets to spend with her sister at home.
We are planning to launch Corynn into her life as an adult this Summer before she attends University. Although this is a normal and foreseen part of the plan for her life it is still hard to think about her leaving home. She has need of a vehicle, a phone, a laptop, a winter wardrobe, and a job to help her pay for room and board, insurance, and a phone plan, not to mention whatever tuition might be left after her awards and scholarships. If any of you are led to help her with any of these needs, or can point us in the right direction, we would be very grateful!
Thank you all for your prayers and support for our family and this mission! To God be the glory, great things He has done, and we praise Him for all that He will do!
Suffering on our way to heaven is a sure thing, and for the glory of His great name – so is God’s abundant grace.