A message from Pastor Margret: Many people have asked about our experience in Liberia and what can be done to help those in need. This is not the full story but rather the beginning of a series of our journey in Liberia. Please read and prayerfully consider how you will respond. The Ebola virus is in West Africa and claiming lives in the four countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia. The chances of survival are slim but some people do survive. The persons at most risk are health care workers and family members. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids and is most contagious when a person is violently ill or after the person has died. In Africa the tradition is for family to wash the deceased before burial. It is not uncommon for family members to kiss the deceased as well. These practices are deep rooted in the culture and convincing people to suspend these practices is difficult. Ebola is real and many lives are being lost. This is the worst outbreak of Ebola and it is likely to accelerate. To date almost 1150 people have died. The Ebola virus is killing people but the response by the government and those in power may kill more than the virus itself. Officials have closed hospitals because they lack basic supplies to handle Ebola patients. As a result, people who are ill with treatable diseases such as malaria, typhoid and dysentery cannot get help and are dying. Women are having babies at home and not bringing them in for checkups or immunizations. Bleach and chlorine that are used for sanitation are scarce. Buckets used for washing stations once sold for $15.00 are now being sold for $90.00. Water was contaminated and as a result the government shut off water in Monrovia for more than a week. It is getting difficult to obtain basic items for survival and those in charge are engaging in price gouging. What little there was to start with is even harder to find. Liberia has not recovered from the 14 year civil war that ended in 2003. Most of the country does not have electricity or running water on a consistent basis. There is much fear and distrust of the government which gives the government the power to do just about anything. Water was turned off without notice and no one will speak out against it for fear of repeating history of another war. What I witnessed while I was there was a country that is defeated. Dr. Hena was born and raised in Kakata, Liberia. After getting her education in America and Russia she served as a missionary with the Global Board of Missions. Dr. Hena was not in Liberia during the war but returned home in 2012. What Dr. Hena discovered was that her home town had been devastated and the need for basic services was too large to ignore. Liberia has the second highest patient per doctor ratio in the world. Liberia has 51 doctors for four million people, or roughly 71,000 people to one doctor. Dr. Hena made the decision to return to Liberia and provide medical care and education for the community. In the midst of this current health crisis Dr. Hena is still ministering to the community but in a new capacity. She is not seeing patients since she is not equipped to treat Ebola nor does she have a place to send them, but she is making sure the community has basic health and hygiene needs. In addition to the community Dr. Hena is raising four teenagers and cares for family and her staff of volunteers daily. With the rising cost of everything, this task is becoming more difficult. You can help the people of Liberia in many ways. Pray for those who are ill and for those who are not. The Ebola virus is impacting the lives of everyone in Liberia. Financial donations will assist Dr. Hena in providing basic needs for the community. Donations can be made through the non-profit organization at healthywomenliberia.us3.list-manage/track/click?u=e8ab32e639e0bd318600ea5fe&id=81b87e5f50&e=7974629c42. Currently there is a $100,000 match grant . You may also donate through Acton United Methodist church either through cash, check or online giving. If donating online please visit the website actonumc.org , select Giving and sign in. Using the drop down menu select other as type of gift and simply type in Liberia. 100% of that gift will be used to provide assistance for those in Liberia during this crisis. Liberia is a beautiful country filled with people with generous hearts and spirits. However, the people of Liberia lack infrastructure, education, skills and motivation to move from a place of despair to a place of hope. Our response during this time can make a life changing impact. We can be the face of Christ and bring hope to the hopeless. Please prayerfully consider joining us in prayer and in financial giving.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:45:20 +0000
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