On March 17, 2020, Kristin and I returned home in Chiang Mai, Thailand from Valleta, Malta via Doha and Bangkok. Despite a little hiccup with Turkish Airlines, we were able to come back home via Qatar Airways without much hassle. How grateful we were! When we left the Mala Airport, it was pretty empty.
Looking back, it was only a month ago, but a lot has since happened, all in conjunction with the COVID-19.
The COVID-19 has spread like a wildfire throughout the world, having affected more than 2 million confirmed cases and more than 145,000 deaths.
But, the pandemic has become particularly serious in the U.S. and Spain for the past month. On March 25, the statistics were:
As of April 16, the statistics have changed like this. The numbers of confirmed patients and deaths in the U.S. surged ten times and 37 times, respectively. Very alarming...
Thailand
It is hot with the day temperature hovering between 36 and 41. Moreover, the air quality is bad. Very bad. Usually at the top of the cities of the worst air quality. Once it exceeded 300.
A couple of airports remain closed in Phuket and Ko Samui. Most of non-essential businesses remain closed, including shopping malls, until April 30.
Foreigners and incoming international flights are not allowed to enter the country until April 30.
Korea
Korea received negative publicity initially when the country was aggressively testing and taking actions against the confirmed patients. It is known to have flattened the curve. A great achievement.
But, the country remains cautious and no one can say that it is fully under control. Anyway, once ranked at the second after China, Korea has been pushed far down on the ranking.
In the midst, the country went through a National Election for the Parliament. The governing party made a noteworthy victory, leaving concerns for many conservatives.
USA
The US was somewhat lukewarm in responding to the COVID-19 threat and has shown a dramatic surge in both confirmed cases and deaths. Still 30,000 people are turning positive with the virus and 2,000 people die a day with New York leading the statistics. To put it into perspective, the US saw 34,000 soldiers died during the 3-year Korean War. To date, probably for the past two months, the US had 35,000 people dead.
The US government has taken a swift fiscal and monetary action not to see its economy go into recession. Congress and the White House enacted the CARES Act amounting to US 2.2 Trillion dollars and the Fed released another 2.3 Trillion dollars. Thanks to their prompt action, the stock market tanked 35% and made a V-curve bounce to a level now with a 17% drop from the February high. But, the recession is inevitable with businesses closed, unemployment benefit claims soaring and international trade on hold.
Trump talks about reopening the economy, but governors resist. Trump delegated the authority to the governors. Testing kits are in shortage.
Spain
Spain was also slow in responding to the COVID-19, but took decisive action with the nationwide lockdown, now more than 33 days and counting. Despite the action, Spain remains the second-worst country globally after the U.S. People
SfK Ministries
SfK Ministries is not a charitable organization, making grants. But, the missional businesses were suffering too much with their own cash flow problems and also the unmet needs of people in their community.
So, SfK made Emergency Relief Grants to 7 businesses in 7 countries so that they may use the fund freely to meet their own needs or the needs of people in the community. Below is a photo received from Nairobi, Kenya.
SfK Life in-person board meeting scheduled for May has been canceled.
For the coming few months, we will focus on accelerating the development of online training platform development to accelerate.
Our Family and Friends
When the COVID-19 affects my own friends and family members, its grip becomes more real. Joseph Choi's mom contracted the virus and passed in New Jersey.
Robert Oh's wife showed the COVID-19 symptoms of vomiting and was tested, waiting for the result.
In the midst, Amanda has sent us a pleasant news. She is pregnant! Already into 8 weeks. The time is a bit challenging, but I could become a grandpa in November.
Joyce said that she was interested in buying a house when the market is down and the interest rate is low. Good thought. But I can hardly believe that she may get into a $600,000 debt to buy a small house although the payment is within her affordable range thanks to the low-interest rate below 4%. She said she was thinking of January or February next year.
Easter
In April, we observed the Passion Week of Jesus Christ, Good Friday and the Resurrection Sunday. We have observed them all at home, but His profound love was piercing our hearts more deeply than before.
Our Life
Since we returned home, we both caught a cold. Initially, we were alarmed but felt reasonably confident that it was a cold and we have been slowly but steadily recovering. I still have residual coughing, but I think it is because of allergy. Kristin still takes Tylenol and decongestants.
I set the 4 R's as the guiding principles for my life at home for the next few months: Rest, Restore, Reflect and Refocus.
It is totally unpredictable to imagine what might happen in the future, even in a few months, and it is useless to plan too much. But for now, I move on to prepare for the future to come, when it comes, with my daily, weekly and monthly routines, plus special projects of learning about videography for online training and potentially future vlogging. Lord willing. - Jeffrey
Looking back, it was only a month ago, but a lot has since happened, all in conjunction with the COVID-19.
The COVID-19 has spread like a wildfire throughout the world, having affected more than 2 million confirmed cases and more than 145,000 deaths.
But, the pandemic has become particularly serious in the U.S. and Spain for the past month. On March 25, the statistics were:
Thailand
It is hot with the day temperature hovering between 36 and 41. Moreover, the air quality is bad. Very bad. Usually at the top of the cities of the worst air quality. Once it exceeded 300.
A couple of airports remain closed in Phuket and Ko Samui. Most of non-essential businesses remain closed, including shopping malls, until April 30.
Foreigners and incoming international flights are not allowed to enter the country until April 30.
Korea
Korea received negative publicity initially when the country was aggressively testing and taking actions against the confirmed patients. It is known to have flattened the curve. A great achievement.
But, the country remains cautious and no one can say that it is fully under control. Anyway, once ranked at the second after China, Korea has been pushed far down on the ranking.
In the midst, the country went through a National Election for the Parliament. The governing party made a noteworthy victory, leaving concerns for many conservatives.
USA
The US was somewhat lukewarm in responding to the COVID-19 threat and has shown a dramatic surge in both confirmed cases and deaths. Still 30,000 people are turning positive with the virus and 2,000 people die a day with New York leading the statistics. To put it into perspective, the US saw 34,000 soldiers died during the 3-year Korean War. To date, probably for the past two months, the US had 35,000 people dead.
The US government has taken a swift fiscal and monetary action not to see its economy go into recession. Congress and the White House enacted the CARES Act amounting to US 2.2 Trillion dollars and the Fed released another 2.3 Trillion dollars. Thanks to their prompt action, the stock market tanked 35% and made a V-curve bounce to a level now with a 17% drop from the February high. But, the recession is inevitable with businesses closed, unemployment benefit claims soaring and international trade on hold.
Trump talks about reopening the economy, but governors resist. Trump delegated the authority to the governors. Testing kits are in shortage.
Spain
Spain was also slow in responding to the COVID-19, but took decisive action with the nationwide lockdown, now more than 33 days and counting. Despite the action, Spain remains the second-worst country globally after the U.S. People
SfK Ministries
SfK Ministries is not a charitable organization, making grants. But, the missional businesses were suffering too much with their own cash flow problems and also the unmet needs of people in their community.
So, SfK made Emergency Relief Grants to 7 businesses in 7 countries so that they may use the fund freely to meet their own needs or the needs of people in the community. Below is a photo received from Nairobi, Kenya.
SfK Life in-person board meeting scheduled for May has been canceled.
For the coming few months, we will focus on accelerating the development of online training platform development to accelerate.
Our Family and Friends
When the COVID-19 affects my own friends and family members, its grip becomes more real. Joseph Choi's mom contracted the virus and passed in New Jersey.
Robert Oh's wife showed the COVID-19 symptoms of vomiting and was tested, waiting for the result.
In the midst, Amanda has sent us a pleasant news. She is pregnant! Already into 8 weeks. The time is a bit challenging, but I could become a grandpa in November.
Joyce said that she was interested in buying a house when the market is down and the interest rate is low. Good thought. But I can hardly believe that she may get into a $600,000 debt to buy a small house although the payment is within her affordable range thanks to the low-interest rate below 4%. She said she was thinking of January or February next year.
Easter
In April, we observed the Passion Week of Jesus Christ, Good Friday and the Resurrection Sunday. We have observed them all at home, but His profound love was piercing our hearts more deeply than before.
Our Life
Since we returned home, we both caught a cold. Initially, we were alarmed but felt reasonably confident that it was a cold and we have been slowly but steadily recovering. I still have residual coughing, but I think it is because of allergy. Kristin still takes Tylenol and decongestants.
I set the 4 R's as the guiding principles for my life at home for the next few months: Rest, Restore, Reflect and Refocus.
- Rest - I have travel fatigue from constant traveling for the past few years. I really need to rest.
- Restore - Chronic fatigue has damaged certain body parts and functions. Excellent home foods and adequate sleep will surely help physically restored. Also, I need to restore my spiritual and mental health through bible memory, daily devotion, and bible meditation.
- Reflect - While I am in pause, I need to reflect on my life journey to date to make sure I am in the right direction. I need to praise God for all blessings, improve on all mistakes, and repent all wrongdoings on my part.
- Refocus - Only after I reflect on my life journey, I can refocus well to finish this life well. Learning plays a pivotal role on top of thoughtful reflection and I am making good progress on this front. I hope to have a renewed vision, clarified mission, and sharpened focus for the life remaining.
I am immensely enjoying Kristin's home foods while we stay home. I am deeply grateful.
It is totally unpredictable to imagine what might happen in the future, even in a few months, and it is useless to plan too much. But for now, I move on to prepare for the future to come, when it comes, with my daily, weekly and monthly routines, plus special projects of learning about videography for online training and potentially future vlogging. Lord willing. - Jeffrey
