Coronavirus Update

Posted by Director, Carl Cady on March 22, 2020 in Blog, Highlights

Dear Partners—

It did not take long for our world to change. We are using language we have never used before, like “social distancing” and we are all doing what we can, as a nation, to limit exposure to the coronavirus. Church services are canceled, restaurants and other non-essential services have closed their doors. These are new days of challenge.

Our work in Indonesia has been affected as we have canceled all foreign team visits. Until this world crisis is contained, we are working to protect our children, short-term team members, medical staff and patients. We continue to provide help for our littles ones and the poorest in the region.

Here is the most recent update from the Hohidiai Base in Halmahera. This note is more a plea and a call to prayer.

Esther Scarborough wrote this urgent message from Indonesia: 

“I am sure you are all going through tough times in the United States as we also face this crisis. We have split our Medical Base property in half: one side with medical staff and patients and, on the other are children and administration staff. We are locking down in the hope of keeping one side coronavirus free. The other side we expect to be a quarantine center but of course we have only the most basic of anything. We will treat with oxygen and recommended drugs but the toll will be huge when it hits here. Boats are being prevented from coming to our island. We need to acquire a stock of essentials, medicine and oxygen. Things such as milk for babies -should we have mothers die, medical and cleaning supplies and some foodstuffs. I feel we are facing a giant as the whole world feels but we have not many resources compared to the western world. I know that some people are in trouble financially some losing jobs and people want to help those around them but we hope supporters will keep supporting, especially now as we prepare. If we do not prepare properly now, later, we will be in a worse place. Oxygen for instance is $200 and we need at least another ten bottles. The responsibility here in planning and getting it right the best we can is overwhelming. We appreciate your prayers and support of us all here. It is hard to fathom what we are facing!”

Please pray for the staff and our children as they face this challenge. If you can help, please send support to our address or contribute through this web-site. http://www.ifcus.org/help/donate/

If you would like prayer for anything—please contact us. We can and will pray. 

Blessings—Carl Cady