I sit here as the sun is just starting to take the darkness away. I’ve
been thinking and praying about what I should do about going to Liberia on
a daily basis for weeks now. It appears the Cooper Hospital will reopen
on Oct 13th. When it reopens they will need surgical help and screening
of patients to determine who to let in to the hospital and who to refuse,
because of a high suspicion of Ebola. My friend James Appel has been
dealing with these decisions for the last couple months as he interviewed
patients as they drove up to try and get in to the hospital.
I have begun the process, planning to leave in two weeks. I will attend
the CDC course on Ebola this coming week, then go to the Global Health
Conference at Loma Linda. The following week I will fly to Monrovia,
Liberia. Im still trying to get life insurance and evacuation insurance,
with some rays of hope.
As you know, the medical system is completely overwhelmed as so many
people are sick with Ebola and other common diseases for that area of the
world. I consider all the turmoil and lack of care in that area, Im drawn
to help how I can. Right now that is to lend the skills that God has
given me and the experiences I’ve been through to prepare for something
like this. Im not sure what “mentally prepared” is though: for the most
part Im ready- ready to jump in with both feet and work, ready to tell
people of Jesus and the hope that only He can give in a time of despair
like they are going through, ready to die if that was necessary. And
sometimes I don’t feel ready- for any of those. Today as I had my morning
devotions I read the following from 1 John 3:16-17 “This is how we have
come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down
our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his
brother in need but closes his eyes to his need- how can God’s love reside
in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with
truth and action.” After reading God’s word to me this morning- I am
again ready for what comes. Thank you Jesus for preparing me and keep
giving me confidence to move forward.