Argentina vs COVID-19
The last week has been very tumultuous for the world, and Argentina was not left out of the storm. Although the number of COVID19 cases in Argentina continues to be very low (128 at the time of writing this; 3 deaths), the national government has implemented new, sweeping changes on a daily basis to try to prevent any national crises like what China and Italy have experienced.
Last Wednesday began with a mandated quarantine for visitors from the USA, Europe, or Asia. This also happened to be the same day that a team of American pastors arrived on Argentine soil for a Vision Trip. Needless to say, the trip was canceled and the pastors took the next flight out of the country.
Thursday the Argentine president addressed the country and asked that all social events and gatherings be cancelled. This wiped out national festivals, conferences (including a 9Marks conference to be held in Córdoba, Argentina, where there are 6 Coronavirus cases), sports, university classes and yes, church services.
Over the weekend, gathering places - such as schools, shopping malls, museums and parks - were closed until further notice. On paper the country was in lockdown, yet Argentina has always been a country of many rules and little enforcement. A look out the windows Monday morning confirmed that people were still lining up at the DMV across the street, chatting with neighbors on the street corner, and waiting to get on the bus. Perhaps the most shocking news story was the long line of traffic to visit the beach along the Argentine coast (because no school means vacation, right?).
Due to the lack of seriousness - and the fact that Argentina has entered the phase of community transmission, rather than just imported cases - last night the President of Argentina put the country on compulsory quarantine; only grocery stores and pharmacies will stay open. Through March 31st (and possibly beyond, we will know later), no one in Argentina is allowed to leave their homes.
While at the moment it is literally impossible to GO, you can still support missions in Argentina by praying for us!
- Pray that we can hold the tension between being a country fueled by sociality, and obeying the government restrictions.
- Pray for the congregations that are unable to meet, and the Christians who will not have fellowship again until the lockdown is lifted - especially those who are older or live alone.
- Pray that the lockdown will end sooner rather than later, affecting no more missions trips or international conferences.
- Pray for Argentina’s economy. The country was already in crisis; no one can predict how much MORE unstable the country will be once the dust settles from this complete stop in production.
Praise the Lord, there is no panic in the streets and at the moment there are still very few cases.
Praise the Lord, everyone (we know of) who needed to get back to their home country, was able to fly out in time before all international flights ended.
Finally, praise the Lord that he is our ultimate satisfaction, and never is this more apparent and sweet than when everything else is stripped away.