Yes, life can get a little boring not being able to go out of the house much. We did not have much notice about the quarantine coming, only about 4 hours from the time the president announced it until it went into effect. All stores, businesses are closed except those selling food, pharmacy and gas. This includes restaurants. One person per household may go to the food or pharmacy stores in our neighborhood to buy food. (As of April 4^th, only men are allowed out Monday, Wednesday and Fridays; woman Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays; no one on Sundays.) Even going out for exercises is not allowed. No personal vehicles are allowed on the streets unless they have an additional permission. If caught without permissions the vehicles are subject to impounding. You must carry your personal ID and permissions with you when you are out or be subject to arrest and a night in jail. Traffic blocks by police and military are approximately every kilometer. And yes, seeing military weaponry is common. On March 28 the president of Peru announced criminal proceedings against the violators. As of today over 30,000 people throughout Peru have been arrested for violating curfew.
Some of us have permission to circulate to check on people’s needs.

We have been under this quarantine since March 16th and it has been extended through April 12th. So far there is plenty of food. The issue is people not having money to buy food because they can’t work. The government has announced monetary help of the equivalent of $107 for a 2 week period, but only those in extreme poverty qualify so there are many needs, and many of them do not have bank accounts so they do not qualify to receive any. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Peruvian government leadership during this crisis has been outstanding, but the poor are the most vulnerable. We are trying our best not to let anyone go hungry, first those in the church and then those around us.

Venezuelan community is especially vulnerable, especially if they are here illegally. Many do not have food. And many are starting to live on the street because they can’t afford the $3 per night for a room. It gets complicated to try to give them food because they do not have any place to cook it, and all the restaurants are shut so they cannot buy prepared food.

Yesterday we visited some seniors and other families that we have connections and took them food packs.  There were tears of thankfulness because some of them had run out of food. Today we went to the market and bought enough rice, oil, lentils, beans, and milk to give to 100 families. Today people came out begging for help as we stopped to deliver food to a family from church. The next several weeks will be worse than the first 2 as people run out of money to buy food.
Pray for the needs here and give if you can.  Pray also that we would not get the virus because if one person in our house gets it, we will be shut down and not be able to help the needy.

Blessings,

Stan

P.S. If you would like to help with the Food Pack Project, go to the Donate page and mention that it is for the Food Pack Project when you donate.

P.P.S Check out our photo page for more photos.