As I explained in my most recent update, Samaritan’s Purse and SIM began evacuating the health care workers to their home countries after safety for their teams could not be maintained within the surrounding communities. After having put their lives on the line and serving to the point of exhaustion, they head home. Now, a new trial begins to form for them.
As news hit the media today about Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol being evacuated from Liberia to be brought home for care, we are beginning to see the American public respond. Within only a few hours, comments on news sites, social media, and in person are largely demonstrating fear, and even anger, about the prospect of bringing people to our country that have contracted Ebola or have been exposed to it. The idea of bringing Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol back to the states has evoked comments that range from expressing how “stupid we must be to allow this into the states” to launching personal attacks about the intelligence of the people who went there to begin with.
Friends, I implore you to take time to shepherd your hearts before responding to this situation in fear or anger, toward either side of this issue. Consider your thoughts and words before you speak. Please take the time to be informed first. Many Liberians began to respond with animosity and hate toward these caring people because they lacked understanding of the situation. You have much more information available to you. Please use it to inform your understanding first so you can process what you think and feel, rather than letting fear inform your thoughts and feelings. Encourage others around you to do the same.
While there is an obvious and huge WWJD moment waiting here, may I just share a couple of facts to consider if you are fearful of bringing these people to the states? I will start with the more logical points first.
First, today’s news has indicated that Kent and Nancy will be taken to a hospital specially designed and specially staffed for managing dangerous infectious diseases. They are working with the CDC who is already handling and managing other dangerous diseases that are quite possibly harder to contain than Ebola. Such a hospital is designed to care for patients while keeping the disease contained. This is not a make-shift Ebola ward in a 3rd world country. Not only will the sick receive care here, but this facility is far more equipped to contain the virus than any other type of facility. This is where we should want infected people to be taken, for their safety and that of the public. So rather than be bothered by this, anyone who is wanting to proactively protect the public should be in complete support of bringing exposed people here, rather than a lesser prepared place where it would have greater chance spread to more people and take more lives.
Second, Ebola is not an airborne virus. Unlike the flu and many other highly contagious diseases, Ebola must be transmitted through bodily fluids which makes this much more containable than many other diseases. Compared to others, this virus dies relatively easy outside the body. You must come in direct contact with a fluids from a body that is presenting symptoms in order for the virus to be transmitted. In Liberia, where many people do not have access to running water or have hygiene practices common in the states, many illnesses including Ebola spread quite readily among communities through direct contact with people. In the states, in an equipped facility, this virus is more readily containable than others.
Finally, and most importantly, please remember these are real people being talked about. In fact, these are people who were willing to serve in a crisis where most were not willing to serve. Dr. Brantly is a medical professional who willingly left the comfort of his home in the states to respond to a crisis and care for people suffering from Ebola. While almost everyone else was running from Ebola, Kent, Nancy, our friends, and many other workers ran to these people to care for them and treat them humanely. I wish you could hear everything the volunteers were doing to provide uncommon care for these victims that many people in the world wanted to simply write off as dead. Many patients who were being isolated and could no longer have contact with anyone thanked the workers over and over for just being there and caring for them, even when everything looked so lost for them. These caring workers didn't abandon the victims, they stayed with them, they talked with them, they worked long hours to provide medical care and comfort them, they shared the hope of Christ with them. And did you know, that because of their tireless care there were survivors of Ebola? There was hope of healing because of these people. Dr. Brantly willingly left comfort, put himself in harms way, and lead the charge to care for these victims. Now that he is a victim and needing special care, who will do the same for him? Wouldn't any humane person at least desire for someone to care for this man the way he did for so many others? Don’t we want to make sure that a person who risks his life for many will not feel abandoned and ensure he is cared for?
Why do "we," the general American public, seem to have a desire to deny this? Because it makes us feel uncomfortable thinking about it? Because we’re fearful? Because we’re unwilling to care for those who are suffering? Because we are we not willing to be a bit uncomfortable to care for these, like they were willing to be far more discomforted? Even from an argument of general humanity, this would seem cold and heartless.
Now, how about for the sake of Christ? I know for a fact that while most people were running away from the Ebola epidemic, Kent, Nancy, the Bullers, and so many others ran to serve in the crisis because of something far more significant than their safety and comfort, and far heavier than the prospect of sickness or death. These were not mere philanthropists doing good deeds. They were driven by a love for the hurting and suffering that comes from intimately knowing Christ, from having been rescued from their condemned life and called to a new life serving Christ. That’s why these people were there. That’s why our friends the Bullers were there. These people have been living in active service to the God who loves the sick and suffering. These people were willing and able to comfort the afflicted and share true hope with people who were dying and being threatened by death. These workers are living full lives in Christ, even if coming face to face with death.
Much like soldiers who put everything on the line, only to come home and be treated with contempt, these health care workers went where nobody else would for the sake of the suffering and are now returning home. I implore you to work through your fear to find God's heart in caring for these people who cared for so many.
As people are recognizing the virus is physically in the states, fear will be the likely first result. As Christians, we should be called to pray and be more informed so we can move from being fearful to being able to act wisely and with the heart of Christ. Over the last month, this has been of daily importance for our family. As I look to the next few months, it is still true as our public works through fears. There are more people than Kent and Nancy who have been exposed to the risk of Ebola and are being evacuated home. Pray for them as well. People entering the states that have possibly been exposed to Ebola undergo a quarantine period. During this time, they are placed in evaluation as they wait through the maximum incubation period for the virus to ensure they do not present any indicators of infection. Once this period passes in health, they are cleared of the risk. I pray that through processes like these, and the careful, informed actions of the practitioners caring for Kent and Nancy, that no further progression of the virus will occur.
Ultimately, we could live in fear of all of the frightening possible risks that could threaten us every day. We are not called to live in fear, but to walk in faith as we walk in Him. So much scripture instructs us to not live in fear of the things that could threaten us in this life, but to rest in God and His care. It honors Him when we are willing to draw near to Him and rest in him. Right now, this is how we must shepherd our own hearts, and this is how we must encourage each other.
As news hit the media today about Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol being evacuated from Liberia to be brought home for care, we are beginning to see the American public respond. Within only a few hours, comments on news sites, social media, and in person are largely demonstrating fear, and even anger, about the prospect of bringing people to our country that have contracted Ebola or have been exposed to it. The idea of bringing Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol back to the states has evoked comments that range from expressing how “stupid we must be to allow this into the states” to launching personal attacks about the intelligence of the people who went there to begin with.
Friends, I implore you to take time to shepherd your hearts before responding to this situation in fear or anger, toward either side of this issue. Consider your thoughts and words before you speak. Please take the time to be informed first. Many Liberians began to respond with animosity and hate toward these caring people because they lacked understanding of the situation. You have much more information available to you. Please use it to inform your understanding first so you can process what you think and feel, rather than letting fear inform your thoughts and feelings. Encourage others around you to do the same.
While there is an obvious and huge WWJD moment waiting here, may I just share a couple of facts to consider if you are fearful of bringing these people to the states? I will start with the more logical points first.
First, today’s news has indicated that Kent and Nancy will be taken to a hospital specially designed and specially staffed for managing dangerous infectious diseases. They are working with the CDC who is already handling and managing other dangerous diseases that are quite possibly harder to contain than Ebola. Such a hospital is designed to care for patients while keeping the disease contained. This is not a make-shift Ebola ward in a 3rd world country. Not only will the sick receive care here, but this facility is far more equipped to contain the virus than any other type of facility. This is where we should want infected people to be taken, for their safety and that of the public. So rather than be bothered by this, anyone who is wanting to proactively protect the public should be in complete support of bringing exposed people here, rather than a lesser prepared place where it would have greater chance spread to more people and take more lives.
Second, Ebola is not an airborne virus. Unlike the flu and many other highly contagious diseases, Ebola must be transmitted through bodily fluids which makes this much more containable than many other diseases. Compared to others, this virus dies relatively easy outside the body. You must come in direct contact with a fluids from a body that is presenting symptoms in order for the virus to be transmitted. In Liberia, where many people do not have access to running water or have hygiene practices common in the states, many illnesses including Ebola spread quite readily among communities through direct contact with people. In the states, in an equipped facility, this virus is more readily containable than others.
Finally, and most importantly, please remember these are real people being talked about. In fact, these are people who were willing to serve in a crisis where most were not willing to serve. Dr. Brantly is a medical professional who willingly left the comfort of his home in the states to respond to a crisis and care for people suffering from Ebola. While almost everyone else was running from Ebola, Kent, Nancy, our friends, and many other workers ran to these people to care for them and treat them humanely. I wish you could hear everything the volunteers were doing to provide uncommon care for these victims that many people in the world wanted to simply write off as dead. Many patients who were being isolated and could no longer have contact with anyone thanked the workers over and over for just being there and caring for them, even when everything looked so lost for them. These caring workers didn't abandon the victims, they stayed with them, they talked with them, they worked long hours to provide medical care and comfort them, they shared the hope of Christ with them. And did you know, that because of their tireless care there were survivors of Ebola? There was hope of healing because of these people. Dr. Brantly willingly left comfort, put himself in harms way, and lead the charge to care for these victims. Now that he is a victim and needing special care, who will do the same for him? Wouldn't any humane person at least desire for someone to care for this man the way he did for so many others? Don’t we want to make sure that a person who risks his life for many will not feel abandoned and ensure he is cared for? Why do "we," the general American public, seem to have a desire to deny this? Because it makes us feel uncomfortable thinking about it? Because we’re fearful? Because we’re unwilling to care for those who are suffering? Because we are we not willing to be a bit uncomfortable to care for these, like they were willing to be far more discomforted? Even from an argument of general humanity, this would seem cold and heartless.
Now, how about for the sake of Christ? I know for a fact that while most people were running away from the Ebola epidemic, Kent, Nancy, the Bullers, and so many others ran to serve in the crisis because of something far more significant than their safety and comfort, and far heavier than the prospect of sickness or death. These were not mere philanthropists doing good deeds. They were driven by a love for the hurting and suffering that comes from intimately knowing Christ, from having been rescued from their condemned life and called to a new life serving Christ. That’s why these people were there. That’s why our friends the Bullers were there. These people have been living in active service to the God who loves the sick and suffering. These people were willing and able to comfort the afflicted and share true hope with people who were dying and being threatened by death. These workers are living full lives in Christ, even if coming face to face with death.
Much like soldiers who put everything on the line, only to come home and be treated with contempt, these health care workers went where nobody else would for the sake of the suffering and are now returning home. I implore you to work through your fear to find God's heart in caring for these people who cared for so many.
From Fear To Prayer To Ready
I've heard many, many people remind us that even in view of caring for these people we must still act wisely about the risks of Ebola. I agree completely. When my wife and I first started praying about taking our family to Liberia, there was no Ebola in sight. Our greatest concern was typhoid and malaria, which was definitely a real concern. When news of Ebola in Liberia broke, our first gut response was one of fear. From that position, only one solution presented itself: cancel everything and bring our friends home as quickly as possible. However, we had already committed to never make decisions out of fear, only out of conviction. Before making any decisions about the trip, we prayed through our fears and prayed for discernment and wisdom. During this time, we were prompted by wise counsel to become more informed about the virus and its risks. After several days of prayer and research, we were more informed by facts and had hearts submitted to God rather than fear. Now we were far more enabled to start taking steps toward action.As people are recognizing the virus is physically in the states, fear will be the likely first result. As Christians, we should be called to pray and be more informed so we can move from being fearful to being able to act wisely and with the heart of Christ. Over the last month, this has been of daily importance for our family. As I look to the next few months, it is still true as our public works through fears. There are more people than Kent and Nancy who have been exposed to the risk of Ebola and are being evacuated home. Pray for them as well. People entering the states that have possibly been exposed to Ebola undergo a quarantine period. During this time, they are placed in evaluation as they wait through the maximum incubation period for the virus to ensure they do not present any indicators of infection. Once this period passes in health, they are cleared of the risk. I pray that through processes like these, and the careful, informed actions of the practitioners caring for Kent and Nancy, that no further progression of the virus will occur.
Ultimately, we could live in fear of all of the frightening possible risks that could threaten us every day. We are not called to live in fear, but to walk in faith as we walk in Him. So much scripture instructs us to not live in fear of the things that could threaten us in this life, but to rest in God and His care. It honors Him when we are willing to draw near to Him and rest in him. Right now, this is how we must shepherd our own hearts, and this is how we must encourage each other.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Hebrews 13:6
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Philipians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Psalm 56:3-4(Passages quoted in the English Standard Version Bible translation.)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
