SWINE FLU

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the level of alert regarding the swine flu to level 5 out of 6. Ever since the level was raised to 4, Mexico has seen significant adjustments in its way of life, such as the closing of centers of education, places of public meeting, restaurants, and of course, a definite decrease in the economy as tourism and production has slowed down. Millions of students are in their homes, and many thousands of parents, especially those who have humble jobs--waiters, street vendors, and people in charge of small businesses--are without income. At this point, transportation will continue throughout the country: bus stations and airports will be open and functioning. But we would not be surpirsed if they would decide to close down public transportation centers and vehicles in order to disinfect them.

In addition, this virus is not very well known. It’s process of maturation and infection are still not clearly identified, and making decisions that are difficult for experts in terms of recommendations and predictions, are certainly very difficult for us. As a result of this, we have decided that our actions will be twofold:

1. Regarding our Visitors and Planned Activities for the Summer

Visitors in May. We have decided to ask our visitors and people who will be involved in any type of activity regarding the ministry of Armonía in May, to postpone their visit or work for the whole month, since all official activities in Armonía have been canceled or postponed for this month. If this applies to you, we will communicate with you very soon, asking you about any other possible dates you could be with us.

Visitors in June. For those who are planning to come by June, and for everything planned in our calendars, these activities will be on standby based on the progress of the flu in the following weeks.

Visitors in July and Afterwards. Regarding any other activity planned by Armonía from July onwards, we will wait until the end of May to make final decisions. We cannot anticipate now if the virus will be totally under control or if there will be a new outbreak before it disappears, or if will be only seasonal.

In sum, we appreciate your prayers and ask you to please bear with as we wait to see how this situation develops. We will understand if you need to decide to cancel your trip, but please email us if this is what you are thinking and we can discuss the situation further.

2. Actions to Meet the Needs of Armonía and its Beneficiaries

Let me praise God first, sharing with you the fact that there is not yet a single case of infection within the Armonía communities: staff, volunteers, students, etc! We pray that this will continue! But please consider the following:
Prayer. Please keep interceding for us! I have received precious and encouraging messages from some of you. This means a lot to us and feel free to continue sending any notes.

Prevention.

We are basically semi-quarantined in our homes and residences, but we need masks and respirators for the time when we do have to go out, which are not very cheap. Since there are not many in the market, and I was only able to bring a few back from my recently interrupted trip to the US, and tomorrow we are going to try to make some that will be versatile and washable, made out of appropriate material. We are anticipating to need around US$2000.00 for supplies for five weeks.

People in need.

We need to help people who have no income and whose children or themselves attend our community centers. They have already been without work for one week, and the government has decreed an additional closing of all the public administration buildings and activities. The few who still supported themselves by selling food to the millions of bureaucrats and business people in Mexico will suffer even harder from this new situation. However, helping these people with one box of supplies per family per week in all the Armonía centers would be a great assistance for them. This means an extra expense of US$2000 week, which is only a limited amount of help, providing limited supplies to the 30 poorest families in each center and the 45 families at Hornos community (a total of 135 families). But we firmly believe that we should try to find resources to help them.

Armonía’s lack of resources.

Finally, facing this situation and considering that several groups already canceled their trips to Mexico because they were concerned about safety issues, we need to speak frankly to you about our own viability for the future. As you may know, a lot of what we do in terms of construction, advancement of the ministry, payments for building fees and maintenance, salaries, and even scholarships depends on what we receive from the services we offer to our visitors and also from the offerings they bring to us when they visit. So far, the equivalent to 8 one-week groups have canceled their visit to our ministry, and that will have big consequences for us. We not only do we lack extra resources to help ourselves, but we are also very short in resources to help the families with no income. In addition to the $10,000 that Armonía is praying for to provide assistance to these families ($2500/week for 4 weeks), we are also praying for the sufficient funds to finish the students residence in Oaxaca (about $9000) in time to welcome the new students in the AIMS program. So far, a wonderful group of beloved friends from a supporting Church in the Uk have offered three thousand dollars.

Praying for assistance.

Please consider us in your prayers. We would like you to consider helping us as God tells you to in your hearts. And for those who will have to cancel their trips to Mexico this summer, we are wondering if you could consider doing some project of your choice, but if you save money in terms of travel costs, could you consider donating that money Armonía in order to provide assistance for our needs as explained above? Please let us know what comes to your hearts and minds in this regard.

I had a wonderful time in Baltimore. I was so well hosted by the Jacksons, the Dutras , the Simmons and many other. Thank you for your prayers! I shortened my trip so that I could come back sooner to help Pilar to keep organizing, assisting, and cheering up those in the Armonía community. Everyone, especially the students and volunteers, have been working hard every day, and they seem to be in good spirits. Please feel to contact us if you have any feedback regarding this email.

In Christ,

Saul & Pilar Cruz