Chesapeake Conference

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Story by Andrew S. Lay

Following the Chesapeake Conference Highland View Academy’s mission to excel in all Christ asks, three alumni share their perspective on working as COVID-19 frontliners:

I began travel nursing during the first wave of COVID-19. I worked a crisis job in New Jersey, where the skin on my nose and ears began breaking down after wearing an N95 mask for 14 hours at a time.

During one shift, the non-breathable fabric of my full-body isolation suit stuck to my arms as I assisted in five separate emergency codes. Despite all interventions, some people didn’t make it.

August, Giselle and RoseAnnah Rouse stand in front of the “Kids Town” ice cream truck.

Story by Evan Knott

“Wow! I can’t believe you did this!” That has been the typical response of kids and parents when they see the newly renovated children’s wing at Chesapeake Conference's New Hope church in Fulton, Md., for the first time.

“Kids Town” is a complete redesign of the children’s Sabbath School hallway (“circles” at New Hope) on the church’s second floor. The space has been reimagined to resemble an entire town featuring landmarks like a café, pet store, arcade, pizzeria, toy store, barber shop, farmer’s market, ice cream truck and more.

Image from iStock

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them” (Ps. 34:7, NIV).

I was living in St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, with my wife, Marlene, and baby daughter, Priscilla. Two of my wife’s siblings, Ruven and Beth, were visiting, and we went to the beach, which was noticeably empty.

In the afternoon, Ruven, Beth and I went into the water. Shortly after, an undertow began to pull us out to sea. Ruven and Beth held onto their floats and made it back to shore. I, thinking I’d be able to stand, jumped off the float. Fear overwhelmed me as I realized the undercurrent had dragged me close to the 1,000-foot drop, famous for its scuba diving.

“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Matt. 14:13, NIV).

Are you grieving today? This pain cuts to the core and is deeper than just a bad day. It’s bigger than a pint of ice cream or a walk around the block that can handle. Sadly, we may feel as though we must carry these emotions alone. It’s in these times that the support of loved ones, and even complete strangers, is so needed.