Report from the Guam Merrells

Wow! This is an adventure we never expected and certainly don't want.

I know that everyone, all over the world, has their version of what the coronavirus crisis has done to them, so I'm not looking for sympathy. We are all in this together.

From a percentage viewpoint, I'm not sure whether we are better or worse off than average. Guam has a civilian population of about 160 K. The last I checked we have 14 people who have tested positive. Noone directly related to PIU has been infected, but we have been impacted. I'll tell you where you can read more in a minute, but:
We know of weddings that are being canceled. We watched the wedding of a friend online. The attendance, counting the preacher was kept to 10. We know of another one that will likely be called off.
In our little circle we know of  5 people who are in mandatory quarantine because of travel restrictions.
Everyone is on edge.
We are well. We have toilet paper. I believe that God will accomplish great things through this crisis. Let us know how we can pray for you.
I have several blogs, for several purposes. One is a parking place for communiques that I have with the students at PIU. The last several posts have been about, what else? They will give you a pretty good idea about life with the Guam Merrells. If you are interested you can read about this adventure that we wish we never had, here.

Thanks for partnering with us in prayer and support.

K&H

Starting tomorrow, the PIU campus will be closed. Except for online classes, no classes will be held until the campus reopens. It's kind of a self-imposed quarantine. Some students who live on campus will choose to go to a relative's house during the shutdown. Others will remain, here. Some have no alternative. Kathy and I live on campus. :)
Like it is for many of you, the novel coronavirus has forced us to make some difficult choices. We aren't yet sure how we will finish the semester. Both PIU and many of our students lack the infrastructure to go to a fully online format. I wouldn't say we are making this up as go along. It is true, however, that we are seeking God's guidance as we react to things as they come our way.

Here are some of the recent news stories about novel corona from this region.

• https://www.kuam.com/story/41897013/govguam-to-close-for-14day-period-updated-information-on-confirmed-cases
• https://www.pncguam.com/fsm-president-reimposes-coronavirus-travel-ban/

Please pray for us. We aren't really concerned about getting sick. We are desirous of doing the right thing.

H&K

It's not missionary stuff, but it is stuff.

My lovely wife planned a get-away in celebration of my 70th. She wasn't feeling well when we left on Friday. Now, she feels better & me, not so much. Thus the brevity. Don't go where I know you are going. Neither of us have had any respiratory symptoms.

We intended for this to be a quiet weekend, just not this quiet.