Ready...Set...Oh wait, You're COVID Positive? Do not pass Go. Do not collect your boarding passes. Try that test again.

 

Noah accepting his diploma on Thursday night.

Grad and go

Thanks for praying for us over this last month! We certainly have felt needy for the Lords grace and strength in these harried days of packing, handing off responsibilities, and preparing for Noah's graduation. In a moment of exuberance (or as some say - insanity), we decided to depart from our home in Goroka on the day after graduation.

And it seemed like it was working out very well for us. With negative COVID tests in hand, we boarded our mission plane, bound for the capital city of Port Moresby. After landing, we briefly visited with some returning missionaries in the terminal, and went to go spend a night in the mission guesthouse. In the morning, we were up and ready to board our international flights with only one hurdle left before us: a final, mandatory COVID test at the airport. We waited in line with other passengers, had our temperatures checked, filled in lots of paperwork, and finally were tested. About an hour later, when our names were called, we stepped forward to hear: "You all tested negative, except one. You'll need to isolate for 14 days and then try again." I (Nate) turned up with a very slight positive and we were turned back within sight of the airline check-in counter.

Arrgh!

We asked for a second check, but the medical staff at the airport explained that they would not allow for that. We could get another check when we turn up with a negative COVID check or a positive antibody test that proves that I have recovered. 

We have read a ton in the following 24 hours. It seems likely that I have had COVID and recovered. We do not know as of this moment when we will be allowed to fly. We are exploring all options for testing and help here, and are hoping for something sooner than 2 weeks. 

Would you please pray with us that test results will bring clarity to our situation? Would you please pray for us and our families who had planned on seeing us about the time you are reading this? We do feel frustration and sorrow, but at the same time we recognize that God is in control of our days. 

Please pray too for the many other families who will be traveling through here over the next few days. Our situation has caused much stress and anxiety for others here - they are worried that they will be held up in the same way that we have.

Finally, please pray that we can be a blessing to the team here - even as we wait. 

Thanks so much team,

Nate for us 5

PS: If you are interested in why we think it was a false positive and you can stomach a little bti of technical reading, we urge you to check out this article. I fit the profile of the 17out of 19 who were false positives.