In the midst of this hard and stressful time in our world, we have new opportunities to minister and care for the people in our community. One new opportunity is making homemade masks that our local hospital workers can use if/when they run out of medical grade masks. They are on the front line against the virus and it’s good to be reminded that God has not abandoned them in this dark time. Supplying masks also brings honor to the name of Jesus. Davis Hospital is accepting any design. They prefer the mask have a slit between the two layers of cotton fabric so they can add a filter if needed. This slit is not necessary for them to accept the mask. The masks can have either elastic or strings to tie. Click here for a link to the mask design.
For delivering the masks, we want the hospital workers to know we love them and are praying for them. But hospitals are also high-risk places to be because that’s where the really sick patients are going to get treatment. Right now, to limit the number of people that are put in the higher risk environments, we are asking one person from each life group, group of friends, or other group that would like to participate to gather the masks made to take them to Davis Hospital. (The Utah government website says items are not being accepted, but Davis Hospital has confirmed they are accepting homemade masks). This person needs to be over 18 years old to comply with the hospital’s visitor restrictions. We also want to advise against those 60+ and people with pre-existing conditions, like diabetes, respiratory condition, cancer, immune compromised, heart disease, COPD, or other conditions that put individuals at higher risk from being the person to deliver the masks. Davis Hospital is accepting the donations at the main entrance, which should be on the south side of the building. The address is 1600 Antelope Dr, Layton, UT 84041. Donations are welcome 6 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday. Please make sure to mention that you are with Mountain View Baptist Church. If you are comfortable, consider taking the time to ask the person receiving the masks if you can pray for them and the hospital - just pray from 6 feet away :). Alternatively, you may drop masks off at the church office during normal office hours, and someone from MVBC will take the masks over to the hospital for you.
We will be in contact with the hospital in the coming days and weeks to see if there are other needs we can fill. What a great opportunity to show the love of Jesus to our neighbors.
“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’... “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’”
Matthew 25:35-36,40 (HCSB)
Rachel Cress & Pastor Charles
Update - 3/26
Hey everyone,
Concerns were raised about whether or not Davis Hospital would still be accepting homemade masks. After talking this morning with the contact I was given at Davis Hospital, they are currently still accepting masks. However, the situation is rapidly changing and other hospitals have made statements saying they are not accepting masks anymore. At this time I think it would be appropriate to make an update to the statement made by the church. The update could go something along the lines of:
‘The situation surrounding the virus is rapidly changing. As of the morning of 3-26-2020, Davis Hospital is still accepting homemade masks. However, this may change. If the hospital refuses the masks when a donation is trying to be made, please be understanding and still offer to pray for the hospital and people you are talking with.
We will continue to keep our church family up to date as we receive new information. We are looking into new places that may need masks if the hospital starts declining donations.
I think it would be prudent to start looking into either assisted living, nursing homes, or other places with vulnerable populations that would benefit from receiving homemade masks. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate or ideas as to how to go forward in this mission opportunity, I’m sure we would all be excited to hear them!
In Christian love,
Rachel Cress