The following is the testimony and personal experience of a Japan-based missionary family who were diagnosed with COVID-19, which hopefully can encourage and comfort believers facing similar situations.
The following is the first-person account of the missionary:
Recently, I have seen that the epidemic situation in many parts of China is relatively serious. In fact, there are also many cases in Japan. As tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with coronavirus every day, not long ago our whole family was infected.
At first, the two children had a fever, which led me to guess that they might be infected since some of their classmates and the teacher at school had COVID-19. However, in Japan, the positive diagnosis protocol is that the person sick with COVID is quarantined by themselves. As long as there is no second positive case in the same class within ten days, everything continues normally. If there is a second person diagnosed, the entire class will be suspended. But my sons’ classes have never been suspended because there has ever only been one positive case at a time.
We had a joint gathering on the first Sunday in March, where dozens of people participated and ate together afterward. Unfortunately, participants started to have COVID-19 symptoms on the following Monday and Tuesday. Almost all of their families were infected with the virus. We took tests with our children after school on March 9, with the results positive.
Our COVID-19 symptoms were different. After having a fever for almost a day and feeling a bit exhausted, the two children nearly recovered the next day. I didn't have a fever, but my wife did. I figured that those who had a fever would recover faster than those who didn’t.
Overall, it was not that scary since the symptoms were even less serious than a bad cold. Except for a sore throat and cough, I didn't feel any discomfort but being alright in spirit and other aspects.
In Japan, people who are diagnosed with coronavirus will not be hospitalized but are asked to go home for isolation and treatment, during which they will receive a call every day to inquire about their situations. After the children had tested positive, on our way home we only bought a few bottles of nutrient solution and mouth sprays at the pharmacy for relieving throat pain. Our treatment method was to drink lots of water and a bottle of nutrient solution before going to bed and to use the spray occasionally during the day. It's been almost a week today since we were infected. Our children are well. Whereas, we are almost fine except for an itchy throat, which I believe to be recovered in two days.
To sum up, being sick with COVID-19 is not so scary. We don’t need to be too nervous and afraid, as some overseas countries have lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. Almost all people we know in Japan have been diagnosed once. Of course, being infected is not a good thing, so we should try to avoid it and take precautions to protect ourselves and others. At the same time, there is no need to be easily frightened if we are accidentally diagnosed with the disease.
Let’s rely on the Lord to regain strength. Instead of worrying about the future, it is better for us to work hard now and try our best to do what needs to be done at this stage of life.
CCD reprinted with permission.
- Translated by Shuya Wang
