Lockdown Level 3
Today South Africa’s lockdown conditions have shifted from Level 4 to Level 3. That means more businesses are able to open, WE GET TO EXERCISE ANYTIME WE WANT (from 6am - 6pm instead of 6am - 9am), and schools... Guys... schools.
We started yesterday with devastation. Today is the day Lifa was supposed to return to school. He’s so social, loves his school, and is dying to get back. Chris and I went on a long walk on Sunday morning and chatted about it. It just didn’t line up. The convention center has just been converted into a giant hospital. There is a HUGE projected increase for cases of COVID-19 with another layer of restrictions being lifted, and our suburb has become a hotspot. Messages were flying, and there seemed to be a wild-eyed scramble to get prepared for the Grade 7’s and Grade 12’s to return to school safely.
Wisdom in my husband’s gut said, “Let’s just wait.” We decided not to be a family that reacted to whatever the last thing was that we heard, but to employ the gifts of wisdom and discernment God has given us. We decided that, for our family, it made more sense to keep Lifa and his broken elbows home for at least another week or two while we wait and see what Level 3 brings to our area. We’d much rather him be stir crazy for a couple more weeks than face other possible reprecussions.
Lifa was silent for half the day. Heartbroken. AND Chris ate the rest of the brownies the neighbors had made for Lifa and his broken elbows. Double whammy. I loaded the boys up in the car, and did something I have done exactly 1 time in Lifa’s life: stopped for an ice cream and a fizzy drink for the road. Because, desperate times call for desperate measures. We drove alongside the ocean and talked our way through it all.
Last night, South Africa went nuts. News, educators, parents - Suddenly no one knew if kids should return to school. National and local governments had different opinions on whether schools were ready. There were already several reports of teachers with COVID-19 throughout the nation. Everybody waited with bated breathe for the news broadcast that would announce whether or not schools will still open. At 4pm. Then 6pm. Then postponed until the following day. Nerve-wracking for so many. I had to put my phone on silent.
We were not shaken. We had pre-decided for our family. No matter what the news said. I had already emailed Lifa’s teachers and principal to say he would not be at school this week. It was hard on Lifa, but I think that, someday, he’ll be able to know there’s peace in deciding based on your values and God’s wisdom rather than the world’s fleeting opinion. Even - maybe especially - when it comes down to important things like education and educators.
The world shifts and shakes, twists and turns. But our God is steady and immovable. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Even when we don’t know what to do or if we should go to school, we can know that He is for us, steady and strong.
How to do online school with broken elbows. Please note: There is water in that Coke-can water bottle!