This update gives you a good look into how India coped with the pandemic in early 2020. It was written by OMS missionary Carol Houghton who served for many years in India alongside her husband Graham. You also get a beautiful glimpse into Carol’s Easter memories growing up, so beautifully written! Enjoy!
“Dear Family, and much-loved Friends,
I thought it was about time that I broke the silence to say that though we are under “voluntary isolation” here in Maine, we are both fine and well. Maine is pretty far off the beaten track, you have to want to come to Maine to be here. But under the circumstances we really thank the Lord that this is where our daughter, Kushi and husband Adam decided to settle.
As of the Bangor Daily News this 8th April, the number of cases of the Coronavirus in our State are 519; of whom 176 have recovered, and 12 deaths. So, compared to many other places, we know we are very fortunate. Of course, all the schools, churches, restaurants and every other “non-essential” businesses have been closed.
Our grand-daughter, Sofia, (who has just turned 16) is studying online. But they have been doing all their homework assignments on the computer anyway ever since middle-school. So, she is finding it much to her liking. Kushi is also “furloughed,” but Adam is a Physician’s Assistant in our local Hospital. So, we are really keeping him in our prayers, and also keeping our distance from them so as not to risk carrying the infection to any of them.
But as you will all understand, we are very concerned for all our Colleagues and Friends in India. Now that the pandemic has reached them, we know that it will take a terrible toll. “Social Distancing,” is a very foreign concept in that culture, and even for those who understand what it means, it is practically impossible for most of the population.
For a nation where close to 50 percent of the work force are on daily wages, to have their livelihood removed even for a few weeks, can be disastrous. Please do keep India in your prayers. Both SAIACS and Caleb have had to close, of course, and for SAIACS this year’s graduation had to be postponed until the crisis is passed.
We had planned to be at SAIACS for the 40th anniversary celebrations in July, but India is not issuing any visas at the moment, and even if they resume doing so; we feel that at our age it would not be wise for us to travel there. Even if we could get in, there is no guarantee that we would get out again. It is also highly unlikely that India will ever report the real situation of how many people will be affected. To be fair, they may never actually know.
But “the good news,” The Gospel, that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is with all of us in every part of the world; oh, what blessed assurance that is! I was just reflecting that this is the first Easter in my 75 years, that I will not be able to celebrate the resurrection with a congregation of fellow believers. From the time I was a little girl in boarding school in Woodstock in the foothills of the Himalayas, “Holy Week” was a highlight of the year. We had evening vespers in the little chapel near the dorm, in our pajamas, sitting on the floor in candle-light, hearing the stories of the events leading up to Resurrection Day.
On Easter morning the whole student body woke up before dawn, trudged up the hill road, another thousand feet elevation, to arrive at “the flat” and as the sun came up with the snows in the distance glowing pink and gold, the high school brass band burst into the silence with, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Aaaaa-lle-luia!!!” I still get goose bumps remembering. It was also at an Easter Camp for young people in New Zealand that Graham received his call to become a missionary.
Then as young missionaries in Madras, going to worship with any one of our ECI Churches, arriving at 4 in the morning to find the church decorated with sweet smelling garlands of jasmine, and the congregation sitting on the floor ready to burst into joyful hymns of praise as the sun came up, and we worshipped the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who arose from the grave! Resurrection Day is also the day when many new believers take baptism. My mind is filled with all these precious Easter memories.
I trust and pray that this year, being prevented from corporate worship on Easter, the real meaning of Jesus, His sacrifice, and His vindication in Resurrection, will become much more relevant to us all. He is with every single one of us, no matter where we are, or what our circumstances. In our morning devotions on April 7th, our reading was from 1 Peter 1:1-9; “In my risen Lord I am born into ‘a living hope’; ‘an inheritance that can never perish’; ‘an inheritance that can never spoil’; and ‘an inheritance that can never fade.’”
Maranatha!!! (Our Lord has come!)
Carol and Graham HoughtonMissionaries to India, currently living in Maine, USA.”
Originally written 13 April 2020.
Revised April 2024.
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