Craigs in Cauayan

 A quick update on the pandemic. Here in the Philippines, we now have more cases of COVID-19 than any other nation in South East Asia.  With that said, there have only been approximately 3000 deaths which is not too bad for such a small country (area wise) with 105 million people.  The people here are quite careful in wearing masks and quarantining when necessary.  Within our mission, the cases of infection remain very low but have increased in the past two months as overseas workers and people stranded in Manila return here to the northern Provinces.  Notwithstanding the increase in cases, life is slowly returning to some normalcy.  Maybe it has just been so long that we are getting used to it.  (New Normal?)  We now can hold church meetings at 50% capacity for those between the ages of 21 and 59.  I miss terribly the happy sounds of children at church.  Frankly, church is not as much fun without them there.  When we do go out, we ...

As August began, we thought we would be busy this past week doing a transfer and preparing for 4 more missionaries to leave.  It is particularly tricky with no public transportation, so I was working on the logistics of making it all work.  I couldn't quite get it figured out, and it was only a few missionaries this time.  Then it was announced that Manila was going back on a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, so the flights were cancelled, and the shuttle driver would not be able to get here, so the transfer is on hold.  We had to phone the 4 departing missionaries to tell them the plans had been changed. The reaction was muted with some, but a couple of the Sisters were overjoyed that they would be able to extend.  One thing we are learning through this quarantine time is that things can change quickly, and we need to "go with the flow" and be flexible. They also know that we have no control over this, so they keep smiling and keep going.  I have tol...