COVID-19 & the Dominican Republic: Update
We hope you are all doing well and staying safe in this time. We are praying for each of you and your families. We wanted to give an update of what is going on in the DR at this time and share some ways you can be praying. As we shared before, we have suspended all trips to the DR through May 10. Trips beyond May 10 are still up in the air at this point; we are keeping a close eye on US and DR policies and travel restrictions. We understand the need for planning and fundraising, so we will be making decisions for May and June teams as soon as possible. This situation is new and unfamiliar but our staff are doing an incredible job of handling things here and in the DR and taking it one step at a time.
At this point, the Dominican government is being proactive about the spread of the virus and has issued quarantine for its 11 million people. They have a mandatory 8pm curfew daily and are strongly encouraging social distancing. Beyond that, they have closed all borders to incoming visitors by air, land, and sea. Schools are closed and events and gatherings are prohibited.
Our DR staff are closely following the directions of the government and staying at home. This results in them missing their day to day visits in communities, but they are continuously staying in contact with community leaders. We thank God for internet and phone service that allows continued connection and communication in this time of separation.
community updates + community prayer needs
Maggiolo/Hole of the Pigs: So far everything is good in this community. The community leader said everyone is staying home and following directions from authorities. Many people here either don’t work at all or work small jobs day to day so staying home restricts access to what little money they might have made otherwise.
Please pray for these people as not working brings more of a struggle to provide food and necessities for their families. The Pastor here would like us to join him in prayer for the situation as a whole.
Blanco Kids School, Loma de la Bestia: Everyone is doing good so far and is staying inside as best they can.
Pray for protection from the virus and spreading, for continued good health, and for provision for those who this might affect their work situations. And pray for protection over those whose health is compromised.
El Ranchito: Please pray for Alberto and Sila. Alberto has been sick with what they think is a stomach problem; he has not been eating and has lost weight. They also have sons who live internationally and are asking for prayers of protection over them.
Muñoz: Sadly people are not following directions to stay home. They need awareness of how serious this situation is and need to be following the directions of the government.
Please pray for unity within their community in this time, for a heightened sense of awareness, and for a shift in their hearts and minds that leads them to follow directions and stay at home.
continued prayer requests
We ask that you join us in prayer for the above things listed and for a few others.
Please pray for overall protection of our staff and those in the communities from this virus. The villages we work in have really poor and limited access to medical care and live in such close proximity to each other. Many of these communities have large numbers of people living in homes together with neighbors living just a few feet away. If this virus entered these villages, it could potentially spread very quickly and complicate things fast. Please pray this doesn’t happen! And just pray the virus gets controlled in a quick manner and things can go back to normal. Staying home and out of work for extended periods of time can really hurt those we work with. Pray for wisdom and clear leadership from the government going forward.
Thank you for partnering with us in prayer during this time and for your continued support! We will continue to give updates as they come and as decisions are made.
"my goals is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Colossians 2:2-3
