Wednesday June 30 2021
REFLECTION ON LIFE DURING CORONAVIRUS
The news about the pandemic
The news of the pandemic came in a very forceful way. I first got the news in November 2019 when watching news on the BBC. It was so shocking to learn that over 50 people had died with the Coronavirus. I shared the news to my friends first where I was working, the University of Livingstonia. When I explained to them about the catastrophe in China, many did not pay attention. Two weeks later, another person came with the same news. He told us that he had heard from South African broadcasting. Surprisingly, I never shared this news to my family but it kept ringing in my mind. Each evening I became so interested to watch the BBC news and get an update. Each day the figures were rising and my heart started to beat faster than before. I asked myself, 'if this disease happens to come to my country, will I be the first to be attacked and leave my children?'
December 24 was a very special day. News started to come out that the state president will address the nation with a special Christmas message. Everyone that evening eyes were fixed on the television. The state president broke the silence about the pending pandemic. Apart from the Christmas message, he also informed the nation about the pandemic which was becoming a global challenge. He warned people to celebrate Christmas carefully. Those who said that COVID 19 is a Chinese disease started to believe that the disease is a global one.
Personal experience
The announcement of the pandemic was soon followed by the emergence of different restrictions by the government. Schools were ordered to be closed. My three children who were at different secondary boarding schools and one from the primary school now were fully present at home/house. The house became full with every room being occupied. As a parent it was when I started to feel the impact of the pandemic. I experienced the following:
1. Convincing my children about the disease
Each and every day I had to monitor my children about their movements. Putting on masks was very strange. I had to buy a number of masks for the four children.
2. Taking the position of a school teacher
The closure of school made me take the role of a school teacher. I had to issue assignments to each child but it was difficult to mark the four assignments.
3. Insufficient food supply
Because all the four children were home, there was a shortage of food. I started to observe that my children were not getting what they were supposed to eat.
4. Financial constraint
The stay-home order by the government resulted in low income because we were not paid for three months.
5. Psychologically affected
Psychologically I was affected to see my children staying at home without any assistance from their schools. In addition to that I was unable to provide necessary things like food to my children who were at home.
6. Fear of becoming sick
This was very real. Each day the number of those affected or found positive with the virus increased fear. I always feared to be the next victim. The wearing of masks, hand washing, and using sanitiser was now common and intensified.
7. Spiritual growth
The availability of everyone at the house, working at home and the alarming numbers of those who were infected created an atmosphere of intensifying family bible studies and praying. Personally I strongly believe what Apostle Paul said to the Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not by your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Rev Isaac Mulongo is Moderator of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Livingstonia in Malawi.
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Nepal: Exhausting and Often Heartbreaking
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Taiwan: When We Work Together, We Achieve the Best Results
Hungary: We Mourn Each Loss
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World Communion of Reformed Churches: The 'Covid and Beyond' Church
Pakistan: Passing the Light
Lebanon: The Lord Will Not Forsake Us
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Canada: Cracks Have Been Exposed
Kenya: Leave No Child Behind
USA: Homes of Prayer
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Hungary: Physically Distant but Close in Spirit
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Ghana: This Too Shall Pass
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Kenya: Caring for One Another in Christ
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