May 5, 2002

Dear Friends,

During periods of uncertainty, I am always comforted and calmed by the certainty of our heavenly father—his perfection, his power and his promises. I may not know what the next day holds, but I do know that he is watching over me, providing for every step of the way ahead. For the last two weeks, the SARS epidemic here in China has brought great degrees of uncertainty into my life.

It started with the cancellation of a regional conference with other Amity teachers. We had planned to meet the weekend of April 11th in Taiyuan, Shanxi, but when it became noted as a SARS infected area, the meeting was cancelled. Would I ever get to see those colleagues again? Next came the possibility of having to cancel my plans to return home to the United States in July via the Trans-Siberian railway with some close friends, for it was to originate in SARS-infested Beijing. What will the situation be like in a few months? Will I still be able to follow through with those plans I made before even arriving in China? Then came the news that my four closest colleagues in other provinces were returning home because of SARS. Shanxi, my province, has the third-highest number of cases in mainland China, excluding Hong Kong, yet I’m still here. But for how long?

Currently, our city has four confirmed SARS cases and thirteen suspected cases. The students at our college have been quarantined on campus since Monday April 28th and will not be free to exit campus until at least the 11th of this month. I’ve been given anti-bacterial hand soap, disinfectant air-freshener, and two kinds of pills to help me stay healthy.

As a teacher, I’m allowed off campus, but have been asked to not go anywhere without a school car driving me there. Post office and supermarket employees dutifully wear their medical masks. The national government has cancelled religious services for a few weeks. Most of the local restaurants have been shut down as well.

Everyday the Internet brings more news about the severity of the situation in Beijing. Of course there is mention of other cases around China, but it is rather difficult to find information specific to my province, let alone my city. So I still remain uncertain of exactly how bad things are here.

Last week it was highly recommended that my teaching partner and I return home early to the United States because of SARS. Given the uncertainty of factors related to curing the illness, the actual situation here, and how long the epidemic will last, we are still certain about one thing: we do not want to leave here yet. I came to China to serve for two years and am now just two months shy of fulfilling my commitment. To leave when I am so close to the end is far from desirable. I am not ready to pack up and leave with so many loose ends: unfinished lesson plans, unheard student speeches, unwritten reflections, and not-yet-fully invested in students.

Each time I hear of other teachers leaving, the more uncertain I am of how much longer I myself will be here. This uncertainty really hit home this weekend, for the two British women teachers at our college were given a week’s notice that they had to leave the country. They, too, were committed to staying as long as they could, yet soon after making such a commitment were told to leave. My teaching partner and I have decided to stay until it is no longer possible for us to do so, i.e., until we are evacuated by our sending agency or there is a severe outbreak in our city. Who knows how long it will be before we are also asked to leave?

In light of this uncertainty, I am trying to find a balance between preparing for a rushed departure and continuing my investment here in the lives of my students at Yuncheng University. Each time I plan a lesson, it is as if it may be my last one. Whenever I interact with a student, I’m thankful for another kingdom investment opportunity and treasure the memory made. Although I’m uncertain as to why my time in China is ending in such a way, I am certain that my father’s timing is perfect and that he is in control. For now I shall continue serving and praying for an end to this epidemic of uncertainties.

Caroline Sunquist

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 173