The Quarantine

This is the end of week 3 for us in the Spanish Quarantine. 14 of us living in one house the only time we are allowed to leave is grocery store or pharmacy runs. Needless to say there are some that are a little restless. I am in a good place, at peace with the situation. I’ve created a schedule for myself, found ways to be productive and spent time processing my emotions and thoughts with the Lord.

We miss getting to connect with our other classmates who live in different houses but we are so blessed to be here with the people, space, and WiFi strength!

Spain just announced today that they are extending quarantine again. Instead of us getting some freedom back in April 12, we are now looking at April 26th.

I know quarantining is a little newer in the states and so I’ll pass along some of the wisdom our leadership gave us.

There are 3 mindsets of a POW and two of them are deadly.

1. Believing it will never end and giving up hope of rescue. This hopelessness typically leads to death.

2. Setting all hope of rescue by a certain date. Most times the date comes and goes with no change. The first time the date changes it may seem okay but by the second or third change, Hope tends to disappear and once again, hopelessness leads to death.

3. Believing that the rescue will come but until then making the most out of the time. This is never giving up hope and realizing that things might be bad but they will come to an end. These were the most likely to survive.

I also have been using this time to reach out to others. Because I realize I have it really great here in Spain living in a house with 13 other people, continuing classes via google hangout in the living room.

The things I take for granted are things that other people are praying for. Things I’m struggling with are things other people are wanting. We have 3 very diverse houses.

MiShack has 6 people, mediocre WiFi and their back door leads to the mountain trails (which they can’t necessarily go out willy nilly but it’s still nature and freedom).

MiCasa has 9 people, terrible WiFi and a rooftop in the middle of town (they have been choosing into each other and bonding so much).

MiJouse has 14 people, great WiFi, and lots of space (so we’ve been able to find space to be alone and ways to connect with people across the globe all at the same time).

We all have beautiful things coming out of this season as well as difficult struggles.

I have a lot of hope for this season. I have a lot of hope for America. Maybe we can find rest as a country. Or intimacy. Or strengthen the family unit. Or kindness. Or self-reflection. Or true community. Maybe we can make new friends. Help our neighbors. Get to know ourselves. Realize that our value isn’t in what we do, it in who we are. Maybe we can find new ways to love people.

We here in Spain are staying in our homes to love the elderly population around us. Given our health, age, and the stats, COVID-19 will most likely be extremely mild for any of us. But it is likely to be deadly for the elderly around us. In this time the best way we can love those around us is to stay away.

How can you love those in your life? Is it by reaching out? Or by spreading hope and peace in this season of uncertainty and turmoil? Is it by respecting the measures put in place by governments to prevent the speed of contagion? By letting a friend who lives by themselves and now struggling with mental health move in? Or something else not listed?

Because after all love it the point.