March 21, 2020 -- Update
On Thursday, the State Department moved to Travel Advisory Level 4. This statement indicates that US citizens should consider returning to the US immediately. The Circle of Hope board, through careful conversations and prayer times Friday and Saturday with Tad and Karly and Clint Baldwin, Executive Director of Word Made Flesh, has unanimously voted to temporarily call our missionaries home to the US. This decision while made quickly, was not made carelessly. We've spent time together in discussion and prayer. Tad and Karly will be traveling to the US on Monday, and are now preparing our staff, children, and facilities for their departure. We hope and pray they will be able to return to Malawi very, very soon. We strive to be good stewards of all the resources God has entrusted to us, his people included.
If you would like to help cover the expenses of bringing Tad and Karly home for this time, please make your donation marked Tad and Karly here: DONATE Praise God for a good price on tickets ($1400 each). Praise God, a house has been made available through May 31st. Isn't God amazing in his provision! Total need: $3,500
While Tad and Karly are in the United States, they will continue their daily work of close collaboration with our staff in Malawi to continue the Maternity project as well as administration projects -- a long telecommute! Please continue your support of the Gliberts as normal. Many of us in the US are working from home in this new and trying time in the world; I know you can understand the challenges of physical separation from projects and people you hold dear and have great commitment to. What a blessing that their teamwork and leadership will remain a constant for our staff and community in Malawi! Thank you!
Regarding our summer teams: We will be cancelling our May teams. We will be waiting a little longer before making a decision regarding our June/July teams.
TOMORROW: We have the opportunity to pray over our children and missionaries tomorrow, Sunday, March 22, at 12 noon EDT, 11 am Central time. If you are able to join us, please email karen@cohcommunity.org for the Zoom Meeting Link.
SCHOOLS in Malawi: On Friday evening, the Malawi President closed all schools in Malawi and limited gatherings to under 100 people. To date there are no confirmed cases in Malawi, however the government is finally raising awareness and concern regarding the pandemic. Our clinic staff has a training scheduled at the District Health Office on Tuesday.
FOOD: With the harvest in, it is time for us to prepare for our annual shopping trip. We've raised a little more than $5000 towards our goal of $25,000. If you are able to assist with Food for School Lunches, please Donate for Food. Thank you so much.
Please pray for Tad and Karly as they travel: safety, connections, not getting stranded, good-byes. Please pray for the children and our community that they will know how much we love them and that they will understand the difficulty that went into making this decision. Finally, please pray for Africa. I'm deeply concerned about the fragile healthcare system across the continent. May God have mercy.
As you pray, will you please receive this prayer of love and blessing over you, your family and home?