Coronavirus cluster at Arkansas church shows asymptomatic spread

MORE: For the record, here are Pastor Mark Palenske's posts to the Greers Ferry First Assembly Facebook page in their entirety. They are worth reading not only for an understanding of how the CCP Bat Virus has affected Greers Ferry, but also for the spiritual encouragement they contain.

March 19, 2020:

When something like this Covid-19 virus touches the other side of the world, your first inclination is to assume that time and distance are on your side. That false assumption caught up with Dena and I this past week. We definitely tested positive for the virus, although that sounds much easier than it was. We were definitely sick, but the testing was not available. Not for us and not for dozens of us in the church. We pushed the envelope a little with some local medical help in the hope that our concerns could be set aside. One local doctor had a very small number of commercial tests and the rest is history, I suppose. Our symptoms began with a headache followed by intense body aches and lethargy. Beyond that we have had to deal with waves of chills, sweating and nausea. Dena had a very scary morning a few days ago, which included a seizure of sorts and required hospitalization. I'll probably tell more of that story at another time. She is much better and we are both back at our house. We have learned a few things in the process. Remaining hydrated is an important key. It sounds so simple but it takes great focus as you deal with the above symptoms. Tylenol has been a great friend during all of this and doctors have advised against ibuprofen or Motrin.

Facebook has been filled with a host of misinformation as people struggle to make sense of what is happening. First of all, we cannot pinpoint where the virus came from. Even though we were the original positives, there are people who have been sick longer than we have. It clearly made its way through a special weekend of children's ministry at our church. Even before positive results were returned, we had already followed medical advice and canceled services. We were convinced that whether it was Covid-19 or another virus, we assumed that no one wanted what we were dealing with and sought to confine ourselves. I need to let you know that We did not travel out of the state of Arkansas. This virus is highly contagious and it is no respecter of persons. It seemingly picks its victim at random, so it's best to remain very vigilant in hygiene protocols to the very best of your abilities. I would request that you spend some time in prayer for our medical personnel. They are dealing with hourly changes and yesterday's plans are obviously not suitable for the circumstances. They are trying their very best and we are indebted to their diligence and their compassionate service.

I would love to say much more and I intend to do just that in upcoming posts, but I really wanted to communicate three things to each of you. First of all, your prayers for Dena and I, our church, our community and our country are much appreciated. We can sense our loving support system carrying us forward. Everyone who struggles with this virus needs the same level of support. Secondly, I would love to have you take this medical threat more seriously. Maybe you assumed that it couldn't happen to you, just like I did. Please adhere to the social instructions that you are receiving locally and nationally. We must keep the affected population to as low a number as possible. Our singular act of stubborn independence can have far reaching effects on someone else's life. Respect and compassion for the people around us must dominate our self-discipline. My last comment for now comes from Paul's second letter to the corinthian church. He begins by stating that we have this treasure in jars of clay. Despite the miraculous creation of the human body, we each are susceptible to weakness and we are no doubt seeing this played out in our culture. I should finish the whole quote for you. "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Paul's advice is sound. There is nothing fun about where we are at this point, but it is not the end of our story. This is how he ends the chapter. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I challenge each of you to live by and encourage others with this scriptural truth. Let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

March 22, 2020:

I know that some of you have wished for another update sooner than this, but sitting down at the computer is not my highest priority at this point. Dena and I are beginning to feel some improvement, but the pace of that improvement is much slower than we would like. Our primary symptom at this juncture is a lingering nausea that keeps us wanting stillness and very small amounts of food. We are 12 days beyond our initial symptoms at this point, so this is obviously not a short term situation. Thus far, we have 26 people connected to the church who have tested positive for Covid-19 and at least 16 more who have been tested and are waiting for results. Five of those 26 have been admitted to the hospital (including Dena, earlier in the week) and one more is being transported as I write. There was very little in my training for the ministry that covered the full measure of what our church family has dealt with in the past few weeks. The intensity of this virus has been underestimated by so many, and I continue to ask that each of you take it very seriously. An act of wisdom and restraint on your part can be the blessing that preserves the health of someone else.

I have two goals for this afternoon's post. The first is that many are collecting reasons to fear, and I think that is counterproductive to our current challenge. There are many reasons for concern and we are being given large amounts of information daily that demands we carefully sift through it. Fear erodes our willingness to work together, and it steals the confidence of our youngest generation. Our lifestyle has not seen such sudden shifts in our routines or the influx of uncertainty that it has seen in the previous days. Any builder will tell you that the strength of the building lies within its foundation. It's not hard to construct something quickly, but it takes more time to construct something that will last and endure hardship. Our country has ventured into a fickle and shallow society recently. We have applauded self-expression and overvalued individual human talent. Our culture revels in recreation (something that is not bad, but can be over-prioritized) and entertainment. In the process, we forgot what we were made of. Our foundation was built with a cooperative spirit and has motivated generations before this one to make sacrifices for the good of the whole unit. There have always been people who see the life of their fellow man as worth their efforts. I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that we live in a sturdy place. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, right now than where I am. I trust my fellow citizens to rise up and meet this challenge. We are not invincible, but we learned centuries ago that faith outweighs fear. We learned that God, when given a place in our homes and in our lives, orders our steps. I read this morning..."Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)

My second goal is to try and alter the current of our social media tendencies. We can give into some real human frailties when we leap to conclusions and seek to injure an unknown individual or when we allow our rage to express itself without self-discipline at its core. Facebook, does not have to be negative! It does not have to inflict its will on the suffering or its opinion on someone with a very different perspective. It can be an incredibly useful tool to encourage and uplift. Let me explain. I would much rather tell you of the superstars that have fought side-by-side with my congregation during this battle, than highlight the obstacles that stood in our way. Two local doctors have gone well beyond their normal duties. It was because they were relentless and diligent, that we discovered the scope of what we are dealing with. There is wisdom in building a relationship with a physician and this circumstance proves that truth all over again. The medical world has their hands full. I remember the two nurses who met us out in the parking lot the day that we were tested. Their world changed in a single moment and they stood tall to the challenge. Let's be patient with them at this time. They are doing their best, not only to help us return to our lives and our families, but to help them return to theirs as well. Dena and I receive a daily phone call from the state's Department of Health. Each morning a ray of sunshine asks us how we are doing. We spent hours on the phone together going over each detail of our story. Retracing every step and sharing more information than we could imagine. They took that information and scoured our community for more that might have been affected. Our daily phone call from them won't last forever, but I thank God for their help in all of this. They are dealing with an unpleasant reality that is testing their training and protocols, and if you ask me, they are doing so admirably. Mistakes and overlooked facts are bound to happen with something of this magnitude, but no one works in a circle of perfection. Not me! Not you! But it's compassion and character that guides us through the tough times. I would also like to thank my neighbors and my fellow Cleburne County citizens. Your phone calls and care packages have been a God-send. We have lived here for 13 years (almost to the day) and you have been a family that we have cherished greatly. Long before the reality of this virus, we knew that you would step up for the community and we were not wrong! Lastly to the church and our family (both literal and figurative), you have been fantastic! Love is not just an emotion. It's a series of thoughtful actions. We have felt and trusted in your love and will continue to let that love lead us forward. To anyone that reads this (I know that it's long), I have a challenge for you. Fill Facebook with the names and faces of the heroes of this season. Tell others about how they impacted your life. Encourage! Uplift! Refuse to voice the negative and share hope with each other!!!

March 25, 2020:

It appears that the weather man is calling for some sunshine today, and I welcome that with open arms. The dark and dreary days of medical uncertainty can take a toll on anyone, but the thought of a proverbial parting of the clouds has to appeal to almost everyone. I'll probably come back to that idea in a moment, but I wanted to update you on our current status. We currently have 37 that have tested positive, with only a small handful that are still waiting on test results. Many of us are recovering from a long list of symptoms that seem to be common with this virus, and we certainly appreciate the hints of restored health that are headed our way. We are familiar with the expanding scope of the Covid-19 crisis and that daily individuals are being treated and advised accordingly. Our prayers are that God would strengthen them just as he did with us. Please continue to listen to the public directives that we are being guided with. Our narrative still appears to include some confusion in that regard, so allow me to share two pertinent facts with you. Our exposure to Covid-19 does not include any member of our church traveling outside the state of Arkansas. Additionally, neither myself, nor my wife, traveled out of state in the weeks or months prior to our circumstances. The second truth is that the Kid's ministry event was held the weekend of March 6th-8th, several days before there was even a confirmed case in Arkansas. Our last service was Wednesday, March 11th. We canceled services prior to anyone in our church testing positive, and prior to any local, state or national directive. We cherished the wise council of local medical professionals, and their quick and decisive actions more than likely have kept the effects of this virus from going even farther than it has. I guess the other truth is that we cannot keep false narratives from raging ahead, nor can we spend our focus trying to redirect them. Our focus must remain on those who have been impacted.

The primary purpose of this post is to ask you continue to pray. There are still some of our church body who are being watched closely by medical staff. Additionally, as many of you know, we lost a dear brother yesterday to this dreaded virus. With the consent of his family, I acknowledge that our 91 year old greeter has passed away. Bill Barton was the first encounter in our First Assembly experience. Each Sunday, the door would be opened for you and a white-haired, well-dressed gentlemen would extend a characteristic smile. It had been his post for years. He retired from the position several years ago, but returned after only a few months, saying that he really didn't want to give it up. Our hearts are broken, and his family is feeling his loss deeply. When we are able, and can gather confidently, (I don't know when that will be) we will celebrate his life as a precious gift from God. Bill loved the Lord deeply and his heart was so tender to the presence of God. His life was immensely transformed by God's grace, and I am assured that the "greeter" has indeed been greeted into heaven itself. Your continued prayers for his family are greatly appreciated.

I hope that you will let me conclude this post with an encouragement to you. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by our current circumstances. Our isolation can put us in a very vulnerable situation. We can find ourselves flooded with information and reports that tend to emotionally burden us. I am not telling you to ignore what is happening, but I'm telling you to approach it with your health in mind. Despite the most severe circumstances, our faith still anchors us in the storm. That faith, the power of friendship, and family mean that the clouds will indeed part soon. A breakthrough! The restoration of sunshine! No man is a physical body alone. We consist of emotional and spiritual facets as well. Our internal life feeds on hope like our physical body needs nutrition. This is where scriptural truths come into play. This is where uplifting messages in either song or word can have an impact on our health. This is where the right voices speaking into our life can redirect us toward more hope. Paul had a similar idea when he wrote to the Philippian church. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is any praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:4-8.

There is also an old song that I keep thinking about. "If you've knelt beside the rubble of an aching broken heart. When things you gave your life to fell apart. You are not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief, or pain, But the master promised sunshine after rain. Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning. Weeping only last for the night. Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning. The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight." Our prayers are with you, and your support of our congregation is felt and deeply appreciated.