Guadalajara, Mexico April 29, 2009

Today I walked to the bank to make a deposit.  It was interesting to note the obvious effects of the threat of swine flu.  Guadalajara is following the same directives put into place in Mexico City in order to detain the spread of this virus.

I walked past silent  schools, quiet gymnasiums, closed restaurants.  Crossing streets was much easier as the amount of traffic is significantly lower.  Before I entered the bank I donned my face mask, meeting another customer equally “protected”.  The teller greeted me through her mask and immediately following the transaction, I doused my hands with hand sanitizer.

Because we are currently without a vehicle, Lynn is choosing to travel to his office in taxis, avoiding the hot-house of the public bus and subway system.  We are limiting our activities and trying to make responsible decisions that will not put other people at risk.  Today the elders of The Grace of God Baptist Church decided to suspend our public worship on Sunday.

Many of our decisions are based on the US CDC Director Besser who suggests that we could slow down the spread of this virus if we would each make responsible choices.

As of 4am this morning, the local news reports that of the 25 potential cases in the state of Jalisco none resulted in being swine flu.  40 new cases are being tested.  This process can take a while as there is only one laboratory in this city of 6 million people that is equipped to test the samples.  Our concern here is that there will not be enough anti-viral medicine available to treat the people who contract the virus.

We are concerned for the people who are already living under difficult economic conditions.  Many are not able to work this week and their income is, of course, significantly effected.

We pray that in this God will demonstrate His amazing love and power.

For His glory,

Lynn and Barb