Covid-2020

As I sit down for a few minutes while the rusks bake, it's interesting to think through the first day of coronavirus. Argh, that really should be two words!

Lots to process:
- the belated, African-time speech of our president who did, for which I am grateful, finally tackle the looming pandemic of covid-19 decisively and with clear direction
- the reactions of friends at 7.00am
- prayer moms fervently praying for our parents and kiddies and the principals across our valley who have to deal with panicked people at 8.00am
- the 20-something man wearing a face mask as he drove past our primary school at 8.30am this morning, all alone in his car
- the 40-something man wearing blue surgical gloves in Checkers at 9.15am
- a 50-something woman diving into the hygienic wipes in Woolworths at 9.45am, scooping them all up then seeing me and shamefacedly offering me a pack too, the rest clutched to her chest
- I spoke to the Executive Director of an organisation working in Khayelitsha at 12pm who has to choose between keeping outreach programmes open or closing the offices which means that children will play in streets with open sewers unsupervised, are vulnerable to alcohol and physical abuse and will probably go hungry
- South Africa's inimitable sense of humour in the midst of crisis
- faith versus fear
- teachers coming to terms with a month of holiday now and very short July holidays
- how to keep two kids from eating everything in sight over the next month
- juggling work and kids suddenly when each had their own space
- planning meals so that we don't shop every two to three days but rather every 7-10 days
- finding out that many people in our country believe this is a rich man's disease and so it won't affect them
- realising the rich believe they are personally under-resourced for what lies ahead
- being grateful for those who share their stories and lives and fears and encouragement
- choosing what OUR family will personally do to limit the spread of illness amongst communities less than a kilometre from our home who are immuno-compromised and suffering with TB / HIV
- how to turn this stay-home mandate into an opportunity for creativity, family, prayer and faith

Gosh, that's a lot of processing. Of all the things that 2020 has tossed our way, this was the least expected so far. But actually, I think that this is one of those unexpected gifts. Of time. An opportunity to be grateful for people, resources, a call to prayer, dad working from home, family and even some adventures.

Come On, Ve Is Doing 2020 differently!

My word for this year was REST. But I think I want to add in another R-word. RESILIENCE.