November 22, 2014
Ebola’s spread continues to devastate more and more families—mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and now Mali, where cases have been reported in the capital city, Bamako. The death toll is now above 5,400 and continues to climb.
One of Ebola’s significant side effects is fear, which is creating panic in West Africa and the United States. Thanks to donations to our Work Special, we’re printing Ebola-awareness brochures in French and providing them to several of our local shop owners to distribute.
We also gave copies to a leader in our neighborhood who will hand them out in the local house of worship during Friday prayer times. This plan sounded great to us, since a Christian organization designed the brochures, printing John 8:32—“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”—on the back.
Opportunity for God’s People
Fear also is affecting those living in a number of Ebola-free African countries where Alliance international workers serve, creating an alarming ripple effect:
- Economies are suffering due to the decrease in tourism.
- Food prices are increasing because of the lack of trade.
- People are losing their jobs due to the decrease in commerce.
In addition to these harsh realities, many parts of West Africa experienced a shortened rainy season this year. It is a recipe for disaster: the United Nations is predicting up to 750,000 people will die from starvation and malnutrition-related diseases in the next few months.
Amid this grim outlook, there is an opportunity for the Church to shine by reaching out in love to many who are in need. Please pray for revival in Africa’s churches and for God’s people across the continent to be a testimony to those who are suffering or living in fear—so that many more will be led into His Kingdom.
—Based on a recent update from Stan and Jaynee Walker, Alliance regional administrators serving in Senegal, West Africa
Pray
- “Please continue to pray for protection against the Ebola virus and for medical professionals to contain its spread,” the authors add.
- Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in praying for our teams in Africa and worldwide, who serve in often challenging circumstances that require Holy Spirit–inspired perseverance, wisdom, and creativity in demonstrating God’s love to those who don’t know Him.
Learn More
Read Stan’s article “Caleb’s Nets: Tangible Compassion,” describing the Walker family’s ongoing project to prevent malaria in Africa.