This week I have been in four different cities, taken 2 flights and multiple cabs. I've been told I'm leaving, then staying, then leaving, then staying. The updates have been changing so fast. I can't trust them any more than the COVID-19 cases in India. Alright, I'm just gonna start from last Monday to try and explain to you how my week has gone. It has been insane.
Monday, I woke up in Hyderabad in the state of Telangana with Elder Clawson. We were still doing normal missionary work and loving life. We were told to go shopping for two weeks worth of food just in case we are put in quarantine in the future. We went shopping with the senior couple and stocked up on some good food and the senior couple gave us some recipes and even taught us how to cook some good american food. We were loving life.
Tuesday, we had a slower day because we got some restrictions in Hyderabad. We still contacted our people and even taught over WhatsApp. We had an awesome opportunity to help a sister who is having a tough time trusting God because her mom was diagnosed with cancer. We really helped her and it helped me also to understand that God is literally our father. We are his children. He loves us. He knows our name. He has a plan. These simple truths that I know helped me so much!! She began to understand a little bit better about who God is and responded with, "Thank you. I have trust in God. I will read the scriptures" it was awesome even over text.
Wednesday is when everything started going crazy. Try to follow along. In the evening at 8 PM, I got a phone call from President Thomas. He said the US Embassy in India is checking for the Americans and checking on their Foreign Registration. Well, my registration is registered in Kakinada which meant I need to leave to Kakinada ASAP. So, I immediately packed up all of my stuff and got a cab to go to West Marredpally which is the Elders apartment closer to the airport and where I could leave my companion Elder Clawson with the other zone leader. That was a late night and crazy change. I was legit jumping around the apartment and couldn't stop pacing for like an hour. Then I realized that I had to pack.
Thursday morning at 7 AM, I got a cab to the airport to go to my favorite previous area Kakinada!! None of the members or recent converts knew that I was coming either so when I finally got to Kakinada, I went to surprise all of my favorite people who became my family members I made while serving there. It was such a tender mercy that I'll never forget. Before any of this COVID-19 outbreak, my parents were planning to come pick me up in India at the end of my mission so I could come back and visit these people in Kakinada because I had promised them I would come. Well, with all the craziness of this pandemic, it made it not possible for them to come to India anymore. I thought there was no chance for me to come see my favorite people in Kakinada ever again for a long time. So, the one good thing that came from COVID-19 is that I was sent back to Kakinada!! And it was just in the nick of time. Here is why.
Friday morning we had a full mission wide video call. They announced a "mission update" that we would be officially on lock down and how we need to focus on teaching through technology. They told us that the India Prime Minister issued a full country lock down on Sunday and every other day to only leave for essential items. They told us to still do missionary work and strengthen members. Then, by evening we heard that the USA issued a level 4 travel advisory where the US government said to all american citizens to, "Arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless you are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period". So, I actually looked up the definition of 'indefinite' because it sounded too closely to 'infinite'. I am not trying to stay in India infinitely or indefinitely so obviously we were freaking out but still no updates for us specifically.
Saturday is when my heart was shattered. All the love, all the miracles, all the people, all the memories, all the life changing experiences, and everything else I can't put into words flashed before my eyes as I read the text saying that all American missionaries have to be sent home. Just like that, over night, my mission was over. I'm grateful for the examples and mentors in my life that helped me to not take any day for granted on my whole mission. A great friend told me early on, "Every day you look in the mirror and put on the name tag that says 'Elder Baker' is one less day that you ever get to do that again." I know that I gave everything I have. I know that I gave every part of my heart to these people and in return, my heart was softened and changed for the better. Even though I am shattered and torn that my mission will be ending a little bit early, I am grateful and blessed to have served these people in India. I've seen the gospel change their life which has in turn changed mine forever.
Saturday evening, our apartment community chose to kick us out of our apartment just because we were Americans!! They were scared and what not about the corona virus but I've lived in their country with them for almost two years!!! Pretty racist if you ask me. I've also been getting dirty looks and people pointing at us and yelling, "corona virus!! corona virus!!" So we packed up all of our bags again and got a cab to Rajahmundry to stay with the other Elders who live two hours away. But they told us we wouldn't leave for a week or two so we unpacked a little bit.
Sunday, they told us that they got news that India will be shutting down the small airports in india and not allowing domestic travel either!! So, we immediately got a flight ticket to Bangalore and we were freaking out. Again, we packed everything and we were hyped to go stay in the mission office.
Now we are here on Monday. I am sitting in my apartment in Rajahmundry leaving for the airport in an hour to hopefully get though to Bangalore and get to the mission home safely before they shut down the airport. From there, we will wait until we can find and book an international flight home. India has already stopped incoming international flights to India so I'm hoping they can get an outgoing flight home. I'm praying that everything goes smoothly and I can get home safely. It's been quite a crazy week. As of now, I will be going to Bangalore and waiting further updates!! Be safe and continue to trust in God's plan and have faith He will help you during these last days. That's all we can do and that's what I will be doing.
I love you all!!
Love, Elder Baker
Elder Clawson and I!! I trained him and then had to leave after only a few weeks )): I miss him.
In the airport after washing my hands and wearing a mask.
My small little propeller plane from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry
What a tender mercy to see the Kuna family again.
Our nice meal we made with the senior couple
Elder McGuire, Quigley, and Korukonda with the masks in front of the church sign.
This gif is me surprising the Kuna family!! Look at the reaction of Deepthi's face! My HEART will never forget this
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