“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him.” Acts 12:5, 7
Ebola is now in the global spotlight. We have most of our members in so-called developing countries; and in these countries our members (like the general population in these countries) are generally economically disadvantaged (high poverty), and have very limited access to high quality healthcare. The World Health Organization, in partnership with the Ministries of Health in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria reported 3069 suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola and 1552 deaths as of August 26, 2014.
Brother Golden Hingabantu stated, “Every 30 minutes we see health team cars coming from many directions carrying Ebola victims to the Ebola camp, and many to the graveyards. Time is short. Every day that passes brings us nearer to the end. Those with whom we associate day by day need our help and guidance. Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never reach them again.”
Our dear Brother Benjamin Smith, a Bible worker in Liberia, and his son David are among those that did not survive the virus. Brother Smith accepted his sick brother, who came from Monrovia and died the next day. Not knowing he was already infected with the virus, he was hosted in the same room with the family, thus causing them to contract the virus. Brother Smith’s wife and mother-in-law were also in the house at the time and became helpless, as the government, through the Ministry of Health, positioned police around the house, preventing anyone from entering, to keep others from contracting and spreading the virus.
Four believers have died as a result of the Ebola virus—the late Bible worker, his two younger children, ages 1 1/2 and 5, and his mother-in-law. Miraculously, his wife is gradually improving, while their remaining three children are with their aunt and are doing fine at their quarantined compound of the government hospital. Sister Promise, the wife of our Bible worker who died, has improved. She is in the same house where her husband died and is waiting for her last blood test next week. The three children and their aunt are waiting to be released by the health officials. The news of this sister’s recovery reached the Regional Senator’s office on August 21. He left his office to go and see for himself the healing power of God and gave US $50 to our sister. He told the President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, what had happened, and she was amazed to hear the wonderful news. She also left the state house on Sabbath, August 23, to visit the sister and give her gifts for her and her family.
The second death incident occurred in the home of the only brother who is still in the area. Two of his children died in one week. However, health workers said that this was not the result of an Ebola virus attack. Their death was attributed to the closure of health facilities in the affected areas because nurses were also dying of the virus.
The rest of the church members have left for other places for their safety, leaving the worship center closed for the last month.
The children of the late, Brother Benjamin Smith are being held in quarantine by health workers at the government hospital compound in Bomi County. By the grace of God, none of them has shown any signs of the deadly Ebola virus. Your contributions for the surviving members of this family will help with their basic needs—food, treatment, and clothing. The hospital is only keeping them; it is not providing them with treatment of any kind. Your donations can be made through the General Conference Good Samaritan department for the affected believers in this area of the world.
We are all members of the family of God. Let us help those in the family who are less fortunate than we are. Please also remember them in your daily prayers. Eric Kekula, Vice President of the Liberian Mission Field, stated, “We are fasting and praying that God will have mercy on all of His children in this situation.”