Coronavirus Set Free Updates

UPDATED October 29th, 2020

India – Following the coronavirus positive test result of a security guard working at the main campus for the rescued children in India, each child and staff member at the campus were tested. 381 children tested positive at the campus, and every one of them has recovered! Additionally, 355 children living in church homes have tested positive as of September 4th. All church homes will be testing the children and pastors living their in the coming weeks. 528 pastors have also tested positive, and 16 have passed away. Two key Indian partners have tested positive and are recovering well. Please pray for their loved ones as they are mourning this loss. Cases are continuing to spike, as the country was named a global hot spot. Please also pray that God will bring healing, and that the coronavirus will be defeated. Additionally, the government has implemented “red zones” based on where active COVID cases are occurring, and these areas change frequently. Our partners are working around these zones and getting special permission to drill wells. Although the campus was once a red zone, it has been officially cleared, but medical clinics have continued to be put on hold. The case numbers overall are starting to go down in India as of October 29th, 2020.

Liberia – Travel between counties is restricted, but our crews have received special permission from the government to drill water wells. Our crews are now working closer to home, in Montserrado County, where the crew member’s families live. Although churches are still closed, our crew is spreading the gospel as they provide clean water. 

 Sierra Leone – Our teams are continuing to drill wells as normal, however travel is restricted from county to county. Our drill crews have dedicated themselves to bringing clean water and have not been able to go home to their families for months. There is also a country wide curfew of 5:00 PM each night. Evangelism has switched from large group Jesus Film showings to house-to-house evangelism with groups of ten or less. Our partner pastors have also been given an hour long radio show slot each Sunday to spread the gospel!

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world as we know it. But, we’re all in this together. As our faithful supporters, we want to keep you up to date on the affects of the virus on our partners and work throughout India, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. We are so thankful for your prayers and continued support during this uncertain time.

India

Throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic, our partners were faced with unexpected trials as the prices for food tripled within just a few short days. Following the initial shock, prices continued to rise as the country began to shut down. It became increasingly difficult for our partners to purchase food. But, thanks to our incredible donors, our partners were equipped to face this pandemic and care for the children fully over the last couple of months. With a lock down ordered, our partners received passes from the police to be able to travel to the children with supplies. India was under lock down until May 17th, however our partners received permission to begin drilling wells again. Now, as the lock down has been lifted, our partners continue to watch the frequently changing “red zones” where there is a heightened number of cases to determine their travel plans. Additionally, our partners have applied for government aid for charities to help with the increased cost for food for the children. We are hopeful this aid will supplement our donor’s generous donations to ensure the children’s needs continue to be met. On June 16th a security guard at the main campus where roughly 1,500 rescued children live tested positive for coronavirus. Each child was tested. 381 children tested positive at the campus, with 97 treated for severe cases. Currently, every single child that had tested positive at the campus has recovered fully! 355 children living at church homes have tested positive as of  September 4th. All church homes will be testing the children and pastors living their in the coming weeks. 528 pastors also tested positive, and 16 have passed away. Additionally, 59 of our volunteers have tested positive, and two of our key Indian partners. They are recovering well currently. Overall, cases are continuing to spike in India, as the country was recently named a global hot spot. Please continue to pray for health, healing, safety, and peace during this time. The children are not currently attending school and are staying socially distant.  The tailoring graduates who are employed with the tailoring companies are currently healthy and using this time to share the gospel in their dormitories. Through it all, our pastors are remaining faithful in God’s goodness. Although the campus is no longer considered a “red zone,” our partners are still unable to host medical clinics in the district we are currently working in. Additionally, the Indian news released a statement saying that India has been named a global epicenter of the virus. Since that statement was released in September, cases have finally begun to decrease as of October 29th.

Liberia

When a lock down was instated our partners and drill crews sheltered in place with their families. However, when lock down was extended through the month of May, our partners awaited government approval for one drill crew to continue to drill wells even under lock down, as water is an essential need. This approval was granted and one of our drill teams was able to begin drilling in June in Lofa County. They will continue to drill here throughout the month of June and July as travel between counties is still currently restricted. For the month of August our crew has shifted their drilling to Montserrado County, where the families of the crew live. Additionally, our partner pastors are still bringing the gospel to those they encounter in the villages, while practicing social distancing. The Lord has also watched over each of our partners and their families and kept them safe and healthy in Liberia!

Sierra Leone

The coronavirus was slow to arrive in Sierra Leone, but the country has taken the disease seriously and instated a lock down that was lifted on May 7th, followed by the advice to continue to social distance and practice good sanitation. Since the lock down was lifted, our drill crews have been able to resume their monthly schedule of well drilling. They have also been following their Ministry of Sanitation’s guidelines closely while interacting with others in the villages. Additionally, they are using this opportunity to share this sanitation information with the villages we serve as they are finding about 20% of the villagers do not believe in the existence of the virus. Our partners have also had the unique opportunity of hosting a radio program each Sunday to spread the gospel while social distancing!  Again, the Lord has kept each of our partners and their families safe and healthy though this uncertain time.

We are praising God through these trials for His provision over our ministry and partners. Thank you for the part you have played in making our work possible during this time!

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