Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Prayer Cover

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1: 12


To choose to serve is not the easy route. There are no promises of ease. Or even visible results. In times of testing the promise of our unseen eternity can become our anchor.

Over the mountains from us is a district called Bundibugyo. Some fellow sojourners on this soil are the World Harvest Mission Team. They have served in Western Uganda since the 80’s. They began in Ft Portal and then migrated west, to Bundibugyo.

We have known and respected the team members for all our years in Uganda.

Through the rebel crisis of 1998-2000 we leaned on each other. We prayed for each other. And we commiserated and learned from each other during that very strenuous time.

Several days ago, we received difficult news from over the mountains. A mysterious sickness originating in a village outside of Bundibugyo town, was confirmed to be Ebola.

The World Harvest Team was faced with many difficult decisions. The Team Leader and his wife are physicians. They have many years of experience in Bundibugyo and with tropical medicine and illnesses. They had been helping with the mysterious disease and now find they have been in contact with Ebola.

In a painful few days, it was decided to evacuate their team from the area, including their children.

As of yesterday, all the team is out of Bundi except for the Scott and Jennifer Myhre and a visiting doctor, Scott Will.

Tonight, we received more difficult news. Dr. Jonah, the Myhre’s coworker and very close friend, has died from the Ebola virus. He had fallen ill in Kampala, (he was in Kampala on personal business) put himself into the isolation unit of Mulago hospital and we all began to pray for his healing. The reports were encouraging…he was still eating and drinking. But it was confirmed tonight that he has passed away.

I am asking you to pray for Scott Will, the Myhres and their children. Scott and the Myhres have taken precautions, wearing protective gear as they have treated this sickness, but they are at risk. The death of Dr Jonah, no doubt, increases the fear for them and their children. They have been drained already from a very trying and exhausting situation. The grief will add a crushing weight to their shoulders.

Also, please pray for the entire World Harvest Team as they are facing an indefinite evacuation from their homes during the Christmas season. Now also coupled with the news of the loss of a dear friend. Include in your prayers our friends, the Chedesters, who serve with the World Harvest Team from Ft Portal.

Finally, please pray for healing and containment of this very serious illness.

Your prayer support for our family overwhelms us. Thank you for spreading that prayer cover over our friends who we deeply respect and are honored to serve with here.

For daily updates please visit the Myhre's blog at www.paradoxuganda.blogspot.com.

Thank you for praying.
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18

8 comments:

Heidi said...

Cheryl, we are praying here in Eastern Uganda. You are being lifted up, as well as the other team you mentioned. Wow. Keep us updated and giving us ideas on how to pray. We love you!

Anonymous said...

You have our prayers too. This is a scary situation to be sure, but we serve a mighty God! Much love.

Anonymous said...

Cheryl,
We are lifting our prayers into the throne room of our Father asking Him to act powerfully in the name of Jesus over this situation. Please keep us updated so that we can know how to pray more specifically. Love ya, Lori B.

Kristi said...

We've been following the news of this outbreak and praying for containment. The personal touch with those you know brings it even more the forefront of our minds. Bless you guys!

Cathy said...

Of course you will all be in my prayers. It is at times like these that we definitely seek comfort from the greatest comforter of them all. He "will" sustain you and give you peace. I'm so glad we serve a risen savior who can conquer all.

Allan W. said...

In prayers about this at this very moment. I sincerely hope it can be contained and the suffering stopped.

Cheryl, the link is broken to the Myhre's blog. This should work: http://paradoxuganda.blogspot.com/

Dr. Jonah was very brave. As he left his friends on his motorbike: "If I die, I die".

Campbell Family said...

I have been thinking of you guys and praying about this situation all day. I did visit the Myhre's blog and am so amazed at their continued faith, strength and perseverence in the midst of such suffering, tragedy, and personal loss.

Anonymous said...

Cheryl, we prayed for your friends and colleagues and for your family tonight during our team worship time. We will continue to pray. May God bless you!