The announcement had been made that morning. Eligible clients and paid staff alike were allowed to choose the best option for their safety and their sanity. A layoff letter was made available for those eligible for unemployment benefits.
Living and working in the same building had been a lifelong dream since employment became a part of my life at age 18. That dream came true for me on the 2nd day of January in 2007, and I have been a resident staff member of TLC since that time.
So, I wanted to do what was best for the ministry, as well as for myself. Being in the high-risk category due to age and underlying health challenges, I thought staying in my room would be a safe option, but knew it would not necessarily be a sane one. There’s only so much “nothing” you can do. Therefore, I opted to continue working.
With mask and gloves, I transacted bank business on Friday, March 20th from my car, with an actual person, for what turned out to be the last time for more than 60 days. Everyone who was staying with the Loveladies was in for the duration, and the doors were locked.
Then the word came. On Monday, the 23rd, a resident who had left the Center just three days prior, had tested positive for COVID-19 while at the hospital to deliver her baby. Before leaving, she’d had a lot of help moving, used different phones, and had not been observing social distancing rules, otherwise known as hugging people!
Life inside these walls changed. We went into quarantine while in quarantine. “Everyone to your room.” Food, meds, snacks, supplies, and church, all delivered to your door by inside staff.
I worked the front desk, doing my best to correctly answer questions, direct phone calls, and shift USPS, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Prime to the side entrance to drop off mail and packages.
We worked in the Medical Department one night. That’s all I have to say about that.
Duct Tape was given a new purpose. It was used to mark 6-foot distances all over the building.
One evening at 8 PM, we joined others in our community to “light up the neighborhood” and pray for our nation and the world.
When clients were released to come out of their rooms, we limited the number allowed in the cafeteria to 10 at a time, 6-feet apart.
We celebrated Passover and Resurrection Sunday with holy observance and with tasty food, because we were generously provided for by our precious heavenly Father, and the “ravens” he ordained to feed us.
The visit from outside staff when we waved at them from the top of the parking deck was one of the most delightful experiences of my life and ministry. Oh so precious to see the faces of people I love and miss dearly. It is difficult to describe the emotion of that moment, but trust that it will never be forgotten.
Daily prayer, including Friday’s Zoom call to prayer, were simply a part of life. A time to grow closer to the Lord, and join the world in the Unite714 prayer movement, a global prayer referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Speaking of Zoom, department meetings were infrequent but so anticipated as we looked forward to seeing our Lovelady family, no matter how brief the time.
Things began to shift back in the direction of the familiar when Ms. Brenda came in to do Sunday service for the first time since the quarantine began. We’ve continued moving in that direction with two-week quarantines, including the intake of our precious Supervised Reentry Program girls.
June 1st will be a major turning point for inside staff as we welcome the return of a few fellow laborers in this, the Lord’s vineyard. Still, the camaraderie, fellowship, and love shared among the “Quarantine Crew” cannot be minimized, and will never be forgotten. It has been a genuine honor to serve with each of them, and to minister to our precious clientele during this unprecedented moment in time.
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