A big thank you to everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement during these unexpected and uncertain times. As a family, we are incredibly grateful for the way you love and care for us! We have enjoyed reconnecting with many of you via video chat, and we hope to continue to do so as well as meet face-to-face as soon as we can. 

In addition to family and friends, we are thankful for our leadership at IDEAS as well as for our church families in Cincinnati, Columbus, and New Philadelphia, OH for their support, encouragement, and welcome as we have re-acclimated to life in the States.

After the disappointment of not getting to see our parents in Greece and Cyprus, we have enjoyed spending this time with each of them in their homes in the States. It has been great to see our kids loving the extended time with grandma and grandpa! Highlights have included nature hikes, fishing, projects with Papa, playing 4-square, practicing baseball, and plenty of snuggles. 
 
Jess continues to homeschool Silas and Calvin and Scott has spent time studying and emailing with our colleague Jay regarding preparations for managing COVID-19 at Faith Clinic. Scott is resuming some leadership responsibilities at our home church in Columbus, and we have also resumed language classes via Skype this month. 
 

Our host country in South Asia has yet to reach its COVID-19 peak. In general, about 6,000 tests are being conducted each day, and the number of positive cases is increasing, currently about 600/day. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now above 11,000, although only 90,000 total tests have been conducted. 
 
The country remains in a lock-down, with the lock-down period being extended numerous times since it began the end of March. Social distancing and quarantine measures are very difficult to implement because of overcrowding. Our colleagues Jay and Beryl continue to work at Faith Clinic (they have seen some cases concerning for COVID-19, though they are not able to test). Isolating sick patients and reusing personal protective equipment are challenges. The number of clinic patients has decreased during the lock-down, though they continue to care for the orphanage children and staff as well as conduct numerous telephone encounters for established patients with chronic conditions. Scott was encouraged recently to learn that a patient he had been treating for severe polymyositis (inflammation, pain, and weakness of the muscles) was continuing to improve on his gradual decreasing dose of steroids. 
 
Some of the clinic staff and other like-minded friends remain in contact with us through texts and Facebook Messenger. We are eager to encourage one another. 

Prayer Requests

Housing – We are looking into temporary housing options. Ideally, we would like to rent a furnished place close to our families or in the Columbus area for 1-2 months. If you know of any leads on places or furnishings, please let us know. 
 

Kids – We thank God that our kids are really enjoying this special time! Will you pray with us that God gives them faith to trust Him and enjoy Him wherever He has them? Unsurprisingly, this time in the States will make it difficult for them to want to return to South Asia.

Loss – When we left the States in October 2018, we felt the loss of people. Now that we have returned, we have started to feel the loss of things, especially not having a home to call our own. Please pray we treasure and trust Christ despite the loss of things. 
 
Return to South Asia – Please pray for God to prepare a way for us to return to South Asia. We continue to desire to return as soon as it is possible and wise to do so. This seems daunting with so many unknowns. Please join with us in praying for God’s clear wisdom, direction, and provision. 
 

Now as much as ever, we are thankful for everyone supporting and caring for us. Please let us know how we can be praying for you and how we can connect with you during this time. We'd love to see you!