MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK, “THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
“Mom, do you think I should come home for spring break?” Robert asked me during our FaceTime call.
“I don’t think it will be a problem, honey. Everything should be fine. There are no travel advisory warnings or bans right now for Spain,” I replied, trying to
That was several weeks ago. Robert had airplane tickets to travel to Spain with three of his best friends during his university’s spring break.
At that point, airlines were not offering free change or cancellation fees. If you didn’t travel, you would lose your ticket.
Things were just beginning to rumble at that point, there were only a few hundred declared cases of the Coronavirus in Spain.
“I’ll give you some antiseptic gel while you’re out on public transportation in the city. You can also use antiseptic wipes to clean your
Little Did We Know . . .
Little did we know how quickly things would escalate . . . in only a few days.
Robert arrived on March 4, 2020. On March 9, 2020, Spain declared a national emergency and closed all schools and universities for two weeks. The number of cases tripled in a 24-hour period. Today, as I write this, there are 8,794 known cases and 294 deaths in Spain.
How quickly things can shift when an epidemic invades the world!
Four nights ago, on March 12, Robert and his three friends boarded an almost completely empty plane to fly back to England where they study. Robert said that there were 10-15 people on the big plane.
They didn’t have any problem entering England at the London Heathrow Airport. However, they received an email from their school director asking them to come to his office for an emergency meeting as soon as they stepped foot on campus.
Quarantine?
At that point, we expected that Robert and his three friends would be placed in quarantine for two weeks, along with their other fellow students who had traveled to highly-infected areas during their spring break.
After having a phone conversation with the British medical hotline, it was determined that Robert did not have any symptoms of the virus. He was not placed in quarantine. Rather, just a few hours later, all students received an email informing them that the school was closing as of Monday morning—TODAY. All classes through the end of the spring semester will be held online. They advised all students to leave campus as soon as possible.
With President Trump’s recent declared travel ban from European countries, there is concern that things could continue to escalate around the world. The university certainly doesn’t want foreign students stranded on campus with no possibility of returning home. No one knows how long this epidemic could last!
Changed Plans!
So, yesterday, I spent the day frantically looking for plane tickets from England to Spain. My son just left four days ago, and now he is coming back home on Wednesday—for good. I am praying that they don’t close the borders before he arrives!
Changed plans!
My in-laws had a long-planned trip to visit us March 11-25. We were all very much looking forward to our family reunion. Our kids haven’t seen their French grandparents in quite awhile.
They called to tell us that the doctor will not allow them to travel due to my mother-in-law’s fragile health. We are so thankful that they didn’t travel to Spain before the state of emergency was declared.
Changed plans!
I was supposed to travel to England at the end of March for a storytelling conference and to visit Robert. The plans were for me to bring home a large suitcase of clothes for him. The conference is cancelled. The trip is cancelled. Robert won’t be in England. He will be with us at home in Spain.
Changed plans!
We were supposed to have a young intern arrive from the U.S. on March 30 to work with us for three months. He is no longer coming.
Changed plans!
More Changed Plans!
We had a week-long work conference scheduled for the end of April. Cancelled.
Changed plans!
We had strategic planning meetings with the leaders of our organization scheduled next week. Our leaders are no longer traveling to Spain.
Changed plans!
Vincent and I study Spanish at the local community center down the street. Doors are closed there too. All schools and universities are closed. No Spanish classes for awhile.
Changed plans!
All hospitals and medical centers are closed. They are only handling emergencies. The medical system is in chaos and in crisis. All of our upcoming doctor’s appointments are cancelled.
Changed plans!
Homeschool, online work, no soccer, no church, no activities, no travel. . . you name it . . .
Changed plans!
Ride the Waves!
If I didn’t have a personality that was flexible and easily adaptable to change, I might be out of my mind by now.
When there’s chaos and crisis, we just have to go with the flow. We have to ride the waves as they come.
While I’m riding the waves, I’m praying fervently for a miracle of healing for our world.
Ready to join me? Grab your surf board and let’s go catch a wave!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
GET YOUR FREE EBOOK, “THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
How is the Coronavirus outbreak affecting your life and causing disruption? Do you have any recently changed plans?!
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
