We got reports this week that COVID is now spreading in Mongolia. Before this week, all the 300+ cases were imported from returning Mongolians and foreign workers. This week a truck driver apparently had contact with more than 1000 people in Ulaanbaatar, before discovering he was COVID positive. Today's news is reporting that there is spread in other parts of the country as well. Here's the local perspective:
"So far, Mongolia reported 412 confirmed cases of coronavirus; three of them are in Selenge Province. The overwhelming majority of cases of coronavirus in Mongolia have been imported. However, a few local transmissions have been reported since 10 November when a truck driver tested positive on Covid-19 after leaving 21 days of mandatory isolation." - News.mn/en
You can't imagine how strange it is to see these streets empty since traffic is so horrendous almost every day even on Sundays. This is even more empty that the day the Russia President Putin came to visit last fall, and they gave everyone the day off, so the roads would be open enough for him to see the city.
In Germany, we're getting encouraging reports that Lydia and Johanna are still living mostly normal lives, still attending classes in person. There are some social limitations that are kind of a pain like restricted extra curricular activities, Bible studies, and sports. But we are still so grateful they are learning and enjoying their schooling in the Black Forest. We look forward to having them back for Christmas in a little more than a month. Here they are with their dorm sisters on a walk out through the fields...And at a fall party...
Maggie is finishing up fall term at Wheaton College. We're so excited to see her next week in time for Thanksgiving. And we're happy she gets to stay until after New Years as well because of the COVID schedule. They're allowing them to finish the December term remotely from home, which is Ohio now. But here she is now with her suite-mates (roommate and next door neighbors) outside. Maggie with her Wheaton College roommate
Josiah and Clara are still enjoying their schools in Ohio. There have been a few more reported cases of teachers or students testing positive, but not too bad yet. We hope they get to stay in school in person at least until Christmas. We don't have any new pictures of that since we're really not allowed to go into those buildings. But they just walked out the door to Bible Quizzing practice. Their team is working on memorizing Matthew 5, 6, 7 and they have a meet tomorrow at an Alliance Church about an hour west.
They also came with Renee and I for the burial service of their Grandpa Joe last weekend. Never very fun, but did get to see some cousins and hear some good stories about their grandpa. He lived a full long life and we believe he's in a better place by the grace of God and faith in Christ. So grateful for him.
A lot of masks were worn even outside in Walla Walla at the funeral.
Visiting the childhood home of their grandpa outside of town.
It was their first time visiting their Great-Grandma Maggie's house.
Our cousin now lives there. The kids liked his dog. No mask required ;D
