Early March in Bogota

We spent the first week of March in Peru (Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu) with Rob and Josh.

When we got back from the 2 week closure, we served only 1 more week and then we were sad to see our mission come to an abrupt end due to Coronavirus!

Event (US Embassy in Bogota sent this email to us): 

On March 9, the Colombian Ministry of Health announced two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colombia.

The Colombian government has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including for travelers coming from the United States.  All travelers, regardless of origin, must complete a form with contact and arrival information. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Visit the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for additional information on these new measures and to register your contact and travel information.

March 13 Letter from First Presidency

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Rapidly changing health conditions around the world have been a source of growing concern. Many governments have placed restrictions that have required the temporary closure of a number of temples. As we have prayerfully sought to balance these limitations with the need to carry on temple work, we have decided to make the following temporary adjustments, which are effective March 16, 2020 for all temples around the world.

Where government or other restrictions on public and/or religious gatherings would, in effect, preclude temple activity, proxy and living ordinances will temporarily be suspended. Where government or other restrictions do not preclude all temple activity, the following temple ordinances for living persons will be accommodated as capacity permits by appointment only: husband-and-wife and child-to-parents sealing ordinances and living initiatory and endowment ordinances. On a temporary basis, proxy temple ordinances will not be performed. All patron housing will be closed.

Church members will be provided with instructions when they schedule their appointments for living ordinances. Individuals with currently scheduled appointments will be contacted by temple staff.

Steps will be taken in all temples to minimize the risk of spreading disease, including reducing temple staff, limiting guests at living ordinances, and following guidelines for interacting with patrons.

Additional information will be provided to temple presidencies, and further adjustments will be made as necessary.

We look forward with great anticipation to the time when temples can again operate at full capacity and extend the blessings of temple work to members and their ancestors.

Sincerely,

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Saying Goodbye was so hard!  The last day we served was very special. Jenny's favorite painting in the Temple basement oh, how we'll miss this special, holy place! Us with the Advinculas Pte y Hna. Gonzalez came by to release us and wish us well One last stroll thru the Temple grounds Classic "high quality" basketball court (across the street from the Temple) Jenny pointing at our Temple apartment for 6 months (#304) Pte y Hna. Tobon and the 3 other full-time couples came and sang "Santos Venid" (Come, come ye saints) to bid us farewell--we all cried a LOT! Us with Chacons--dropping off our remaining food for them Van that took us 3 and our 5 huge suitcases to the airport Me, Josh with 2 "gaseosa" classics (Colombiana and Manzana)  at the airport lounge My 2 special 'placas' Christian y Vickie Pico came by late Sunday night to bid us farewell The day we left, Pres. Duque closed the borders of Colombia with all other countries.  Within the week, all commercial flights had stopped! We arrived in Laramie on Monday, March 16, 2020 at midnight 30.  We had a nightmare trying to get us and our luggage home (no Uber, taxi). Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Bogota (March 16, 2020) Location:  Colombia Event:  On March 15, the Colombian Ministry of Health announced several new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Colombia.  The President of Colombia ordered all public and private schools to halt classes until April 20, 2020. Beginning March 16 at 12:01 a.m., non-Colombian citizens and non-Colombian residents will be prohibited from arriving in Colombia, and all travelers arriving in Colombia must go into self-quarantine for 14 days. All travelers, regardless of origin, must complete a form with contact and arrival information.  Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Visit the website of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for additional information on these new measures and to register your contact and travel information. March 17: The government of Colombia has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.  The President of Colombia ordered all public and private schools to halt classes until April 20, 2020.  The Mayor of Bogota announced a drill from 5 a.m., Friday, March 20, through Monday, March 23, when all people are ordered to stay off the streets or else face possible fines.  Additionally, people over the age of 70 are expected to self-quarantine.  For details, see this website. U.S. Embassy Bogota will be closed to the public on March 20 and March 23 and available by phone for U.S. citizen emergency services only. Airlines have begun curtailing or ceasing operations in Colombia.  If your travel has been  disrupted, please contact your airline.  All national land, maritime, and riverine borders are now closed to citizens and non-citizens.  Citizens and residents may still enter the country via airports as long as airlines continue to operate.  The Government of Colombia also requires that all travelers arriving in Colombia must go into self-quarantine for 14 days and must complete a form with contact and arrival information.   >>The Bogota, Colombia, Temple closed completely on Thursday, March 19, 2020.  Event:  Important details on nationwide quarantine (from US Embassy)--now all the Temple Pscy and the 2 remaining couples are on full-quarantine until April 13 (or later). Please note that the Government of Colombia has issued a decree governing the nationwide quarantine from 00:00 on March 25 until 00:00 on April 13. In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the decree applies to everyone in Colombia, including foreign visitors. Everyone is expected to follow the instructions of the decree. Under the quarantine, you may leave your home or hotel only under specific circumstances, including those outlined below.  The U.S. embassy remains available for emergency services to U.S. citizens. During the quarantine, one individual per household may leave his or her home or hotel to: • Go to the grocery store to buy food • Go to the pharmacy to pick up medicine • Walk a pet for 20 minutes in the vicinity of one’s residence • Access emergency services, including veterinarians • Attend a necessary medical appointment • Visit an ATM or bank to access financial services or get a notary • Take a licensed taxi or public bus when necessary to leave the house for one of these approved reasons. Domestic air travel within Colombia will be suspended during the quarantine period.  Inter-city bus service may also be suspended.