Are you ready and prepared for what is at hand? For those of us who have lost a loved one, we would understand that death comes unannounced. Can you imagine a mother who was positively diagnosed with EBOLA after losing 7 children to this virus? A Red Cross nurse, Anne, in Sierra Leone, shared how she tried to show some form of compassion to this poor woman in total despair, with a cry for help in her eyes. To have some form of contact with this infected female patient, the medics are dressed in specially designed protective clothing consisting of double gloves, fluid-resistant or impermeable gowns/coveralls, full-face shields, respiratory protection, and waterproof boot covers. All in an effort to prevent any spread of infection, which could cause certain death if the possibility of contaminated droplets and fluids from the mouth, nose, and eyes is not prevented.
Seeing this poor woman who lost all her loved ones and not being able to show some compassion by a loving touch, “skin-to-skin”, or eye contact, comforting words, was heartbreaking. Only a glove-protected hand could be placed on her shoulder to show some remorse and sympathy, while she is also possibly not going to survive this ordeal. Serious efforts are made to prevent any contamination, which could be fatal, where the current outbreaks in KIVU, North Eastern DRC, next to Uganda, according to reports, are devastating.
In Scripture, in Luke 17:11 to 19, we see how lepers were forced to live in isolation away from communities. This was an indication of their infection and a measure to keep the disease from spreading. Both these illnesses cause terrible death and heartache, while we see in Romans 6:23 that there is another terrible cause of death. SIN produces wages of spiritual death, where we are separated from God. Sins in our lives are infectious to our lives in the same manner and shall destroy us where we have not been vigilant to prevent any participation or possible contamination with sinful behaviour. Disregard for God’s Word and playing around with sinful temptations shall cost us dearly. God, our Heavenly Father, calls us to holiness and dedication to Him in obedience to Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
A tragedy to be in a protective suit where safety from disease would be, while seeing a person next to you who has been contaminated or exposed to a deadly EBOLA virus, and you can do nothing to truly help this person in their struggle. A terrible reality, be it in the physical or in the Spiritual separation between life and death.
It is our prayer that you will take hands with SATM (Southern Africa Truckers Ministry) in this serious issue to accept the love of God in Christ who died in our place on the cross of Calvary after which He rose in victory from the conquered grave and the sting of death removed (1 Cor.15:55) May we as believers reach out to those who have not yet experienced the loving touch of God in Christ.