Travel During a Pandemic

It has now been a week since we once again hopped on an airplane and flew halfway around the world.  However, this journey was anything but ordinary.  First, it was coming three months later than had originally been planned.  Of course, that’s what happens when you land in Canada for a home assignment right as a pandemic is exploding around the world!  Second, as we finally return to Rwanda six-and-a-half months later, the pandemic is still ravaging much of the world.

In the days leading up to our departure, many people asked us what it would be like to fly during COVID-19.  Naturally at that point, we couldn’t yet answer their questions.  We could tell them the many things we had to do before leaving, which included arranging to have a COVID-19 test done no more than 120 hours before departing.  (It turned out we had to show this document each step of the way.)  But, until we actually did the journey, we didn’t know for certain what the experience was going to be like – although we had some ideas of what to expect.

So now that we are safely back in Rwanda, it’s time to answer the questions.  Here are the types of things we experienced:

Masks…all the time!  From the time we entered the airport to go through security in Moncton, for the next 30 hours we had to keep our masks on.  The only time we could take them off was when we were eating.  That was a long time to wear masks continuously.  Our great respect goes out to front-line workers and others who are having to wear those little devices for long periods at a time!

Goodbyes had to happen in the airport parking lot

Masks on: Final goodbyes with Bronwyn & Caleb

Where did everybody go?  Unsurprisingly, the airports were not the teeming mass of people that they usually are.  It’s one thing to be sitting at home hearing about the lack of air travel going on.  But to experience it first-hand was quite amazing.  The airports were significantly quieter.  Our airplane from Montreal to Brussels was only partly full.  We ended up in a set of three seats with no one else, so we could spread out a bit with a seat in between us.  (That pleasant circumstance never seems to happen to us, so that made the trip a little more enjoyable.) In Brussels we usually have to switch terminals for the flight to Kigali.  But this time we didn’t.  Our guess is that the lower passenger volume made it unnecessary to be staffing an additional terminal. 

The Montreal Airport: Almost a ghost town

The Montreal Airport: Even Starbucks was closed!

Our gate in Montreal only 10 minutes before boarding!

Service with a smile, we think!  The flight attendants are obviously in a position of higher risk, having to interact with so many passengers in order to look after their needs.  So it makes sense for them to be wearing a higher level of protective gear.  But to know it in your head is one thing.  It is another to see the attendants on the Air Canada flights fully gowned up as they serve you a meal.  (We’re quite sure there was usually a smile behind the mask.)  Note: We were a bit surprised that on the Brussels Air flight from Brussels to Kigali they only had masks as their “extra equipment”.

Air Canada flight attendants serving a meal

Prepackaged everything!  Both times we stepped onto the Air Canada flights (in Moncton and in Montreal) we were handed a sealed plastic bag which contained several “necessities” in the context of the coronavirus.  There was a small bottle of water, a mask, a bag of pretzels, two alcohol swabs, a wet wipe and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.  All very handy.  And their meals were different too.  They were even more packaged than usual, with each item sealed individually.  And there was no choice either – "one size fits all".  Note: In contrast, the meals on the Brussels Air flight were the same as usual.

Cold meal in a box

Different strokes for different folks!  As it was in Canada, passengers respond to COVID-19 in different ways depending on their needs, personality, culture, etc.  The rules clearly stated that masks must be worn, which everybody did – though it must be said that some only covered their mouth with their mask, and at least one woman balked at having to wear it on the plane.  (Go figure!)  But for some people, a simple mask was not enough.  We saw everything from face shields all the way up to full body coverings!

Everyone turned to look at this passing group

New arrivals.  Our return to Rwanda was different from all previous arrivals.  We landed at 12:45 am early Sunday morning.  Once we had our visa and luggage, we were transported by shuttle to a hotel where a medical worker did another COVID-19 test on us.  We then went to our room where we had to remain in isolation until we received word of a negative result from the test.  Thankfully everything went smoothly and by 10 am on Monday we were finally home again – greeted warmly by our cat Messi and by all the unpacking and settling in needed after being away 6.5 months.

Laura Lee catching up on lost time with Messi

And then it's time to unpack

Wounded Healers

How often can it be said that the entire world is focused on the same thing at the same time – and all working toward the same goal?  Welcome to the world of COVID-19!  Aside from a few exceptions, the headlines of every country around the world are about the battle with this coronavirus.  The effects at a macro-level include truces being called between warring factions, air and water pollution clearing up, massive shifts in businesses and economies, etc.  At the micro-level, it seems that every family has its own unique story of how the virus has impacted them.

Difficult times such as this have a way of bringing the best and the worst out of people.  Some respond by slipping into a “protectionist” mentality which is committed to look out for oneself, one’s family, one’s people at all costs.  This is seen on an individual level (such as hoarding) and at a national level (such as has been seen in some global leaders).  But others choose to reach out to help others, even if it means putting themselves at greater risk.  Once again this can be seen in individuals (such as health care workers) but also in countries (such as when people are willing to pay the economic cost of supporting the most vulnerable).

This second response is definitely the one which should be seen among God’s people.  At the time of the early church, the region around Jerusalem suffered a famine.  The apostle Paul praised the churches in Macedonia (northern Greece today) because of the incredible way they responded.  They themselves were by no means wealthy.  And many of them were being cruelly persecuted for their faith in Christ.  But look what Paul says about them: 

“They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.”

2 Corinthians 8:2-4 (NLT)

A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit with our partner in DRCongo, the CBCA.   Their executive director at that time, Dr. Molo, challenged the CBCA staff to live as “wounded healers.”  We cannot wait until we are whole and happy and healthy before we reach out to help others.  Even as we suffer and struggle in our own situation, we continue to love and help others.  I remember looking around the room and thinking that this was not just a holy-sounding theoretical stance.  Those people were living it out on the ground.  They were ministering in practical ways in an area which has dealt with cruel rebel attacks, destruction from a volcano, high levels of violence against women, Ebola virus, etc.

 

In 2019, at the height of the Ebola Virus crisis in DR Congo, the CBCA
distributed hand-washing stations to organizations and communities

The CBCA used soccer competitions to teach youth about good practices
which prevent the spread of Ebola

I would encourage all of us, during COVID-19, to live as wounded healers.  We need to fight the temptation to look strictly inward.  Yes, we acknowledge and try to address our own struggles.  But we also look outward – to our neighbours, the community, even the world.  It is not surprising that the ones who are suffering most during this coronavirus are the most vulnerable in our society and elsewhere.  That is why CBM is promoting a special opportunity for people to contribute to the efforts being done by our global partners to reach out with Christ’s love to those who are suffering most due to the global pandemic.  If you would be interested in learning more about this initiative, please visit the CBM website at www.cbmin.org/covid-19-appeal/.  You can also find different ways to pray for our global partners as they seek to live as wounded healers in their own contexts.