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Dear <<First Name>>,

We knew that traveling to Brazil, or making any international trip for that matter, would put us at risk for catching Covid. Regardless of all the risks, we decided it was finally time to go and visit some family after postponing our trip for over two years because of scheduling issues and then the Covid pandemic.

One of the requirements for international travel is for all the travelers to have a negative Covid PCR Test within 72 hours of boarding the plane. During our time in Brazil, our entire family contracted Covid, to the best of our knowledge, but with minimal symptoms. Silvia and I had it the worst with a day or two of fever and body aches. Antony had something similar and the little boys we weren't really certain they were even sick, but it seemed likely.

With everyone looking and feeling good for over a week, we were surprised to get a positive test result for one of the boys just 65 hours before our flight. The lab told us that by the results, they didn't think there was any way Samu would test negative in time to board our flight.

I was in despair. I jumped online, immediately assuming we would have to reschedule our trip. I found out we couldn't even reschedule with our airline for over a month, and the change fees would cost over $10,000. We'd have to rebook with another airline. I imagined the worst. We'd be stuck in Brazil until who knows when or wind up paying an absurd amount to get home.

My wife reminded me of Psalm 112:7, "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." This was hardly a promise that God would do what I wanted, but it was an instruction to my heart. Calm Down...

We knew the only answer was for God to work it out. So we began praising Him and inviting our team, family, and friends to join in and pray with us. I wish I could say I handled it better, but my wife really led the way. I'm thankful for her, and her steadfast spirit in the middle of this uncertainty.

48 hours later, Samu took another antigen test and it came back negative! Off to the airport we went and with just 4 hours before check-in, we took another round of PCR tests and all came back negative! After we checked in, we headed to grab some ice cream to celebrate God's goodness towards us in our fear of not being able to board the plane.

We came back home right on time. It took us 25 hours of flying, a 4 hour layover, and over 7 hours of processing and testing to get to our government mandated quarantine hotel room where we had to stay for 3 days. Now we've been at home for a few more days and from Saturday we can venture out into the community again, free of government surveilance.

Thank you, our team, for supporting us in this calling to make disciples of Jesus in Japan. We pray that many would know Him and worship him above all. We're privileged to represent you here. To God be the glory in all things!

With Praise,
John

P.S. If you didn't listen to my recent interview on the To The Nations podcast, I recommend it to you now! I hope you will be encouraged. You can find To the Nations (by Wheaton College) anywhere you prefer to listen, including Apple, Spotify, YouTube and other platforms.
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