Hello,

I wanted to give you guys an update on our measles situation. God was gracious to us, and it looks as though we are almost done with the sickness. Basic Training got put through the ringer—every single one of the unvaccinated men currently in Basic developed a case of the measles, including multiple cadre members. At one point Basic was down 2/2 DIs and 3/4 SLs at the same time. Fortunately, measles is highly contagious, so it spread quickly and burned itself out just as quickly in Basic Training. Once the last case had recovered, they were able to resume a normal training schedule with the unit.

In a huge answer to prayer, the Battalion has so far escaped without catching the measles, so we have largely been able to train as usual. We did have to call a team back from deployment early and cancel another deployment at the beginning of the outbreak, but that was the only major negative impact on the Battalion. Our Missions class is all vaccinated, so they were able to do their trip to Wayumi and the Good News Boys Home as scheduled, and then once the incubation period after the initial exposure passed, we were able to clear the rest of the Battalion to deploy as well. Missions is heading up to Canada tomorrow, half of the EMT class is leaving for North Carolina on Sunday, and Construction is going to Alaska on May 4.

In another answer to prayer, we have mostly been able to keep the broader campus from contracting measles as well. One staff family did get exposed, and they have had four members of the family come down with the measles. As of today they are all past their contagious window, and they have been isolating in their home, so Lord willing it will burn out there as well. IBLP made the decision to reschedule the family conference that was scheduled to start here on campus on Monday due to the presence of measles on campus, which should help minimize the risk for spread and all the negative publicity of hosting a large event during a measles outbreak. The TX Department of State Health Services will not officially clear the campus as having no measles on it until we pass 42 days with no active cases, but we are hopefully close to closing out this chapter of 2025.