Day of Fasting and Prayer: 8-1-14

Dear Jericho Road Staff, Board, and Supports,

The Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone has us all worried.  The daily news reports seem to be going from bad to worse.  This crisis is heavy on all our hearts at Jericho Road.  We are personally affected because our Sister Phebian is currently there working on our medical mission project.  At the moment she is safe.

Even though the situation is dark and hopeless, we know that we serve a God of light and hope.  He knew that this Ebola crisis would occur during this time in history. This is not a surprise to Him.  We, at Jericho Road, are turning to Him because He is faithful to us personally and to our medical mission project in Sierra Leone.  He also hears our prayers.  Isaiah 65:24, "Before they call, I will answer, while they are still speaking, I will hear."

August 1, 2014, we are having a day of fasting and prayer for this situation in Sierra Leone. We invite you to join us, if you are able, as we make an appeal to God for mercy and justice during this terrible time. We might continue to do this on a regular basis so please stay tuned.  We are also working on a way to contribute financially to this specific crisis in SL through our website.  Stay tuned for that as well.

Here are the specific prayer requests:

1. Jericho Road's Global Health Outreach and the Sierra Leone Alliance partners are meeting next week to come up with a tangible way to move forward. Pray for wisdom and a clear direction going forward.

2. For protection over Phebian, her family, Pastor Joshua, his family, and all the people of  the Kono district especially those who have personally invested in our mission.

3. For all the medical personal working with Samaritan's Purse, Doctor's without Borders, the local hospitals/clinics in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone including Wellbody in the Kono district who are risking their lives for the patients they are serving.

4. For our SL Alliance partners who have people on the ground serving there: Let them LOL, Global Outreach, World Hope, Edunations, Houghton College.

5. That this Ebola outbreak would be contained and cease.  That the people of SL would seek medical help early and go to the appropriate treatment centers. That the rumors would stop about how it's spread.  That the education provided by the SL ministry of Health would be circulated quickly.

Thank you everyone. God Bless.

Ebola, Phebian & Jericho Road Response Update

1. Phebian continues to stay committed to being in Kono. Her main focus currently is to complete the building of our medical clinic. Until the clinic is fully operational and there is a clear plan in place to triage potentially sick Ebola patients, she will be limiting her medical care to hernia patients and chronically ill patients. She is referring acutely ill patients to the Government Hospital or the Wellbody Clinic. Wellbody is receiving a shipment of medical equipment this week that they will be distributing to the healthcare workers in the Kono district.

2. Jericho Road is evaluating on a case by case basis any upcoming medical teams traveling to Sierra Leone to support Phebian. So far, some are deciding to still go while others are deciding to postpone travel. We support both choices.

3. Jericho Road is monitoring this situation in Sierra Leone, especially in Kono on a daily basis. If there are ways that we can help supply equipment or medication to the Kono district then we want to help. More specific details on that to follow.

4. Lastly, Jericho Road is praying for this virus to be contained, for the brave medical workers who continue to risk their lives, and for Phebian and her team.

Updated Pictures from Koidu

The guest house from the back

The water tank being constructed on the right side of the clinic

Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone

Please keep Phebian in your prayers, since Ebola has spread much further in Sierra Leone over the last few weeks (see attached and also this map):

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/resources/distribution-map-guinea-outbreak.html

Most new Ebola cases are now in Sierra Leone and it has almost reached levels as high as Guinea.  The government has declared a state of emergency.  There are 147 confirmed cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone. 

The Ebola outbreak started in Guinea which borders Sierra Leone to the east.  The main center of Ebola in Sierra Leone is in the district just south of Kono named Kailahun.  This is about 50 miles south of Kono.  The second highest number of cases is in Kenema which also borders Kono to the south.  It's also spread to the district of Bo.  The Kono district has been spared thus far however, there is a good chance there is Ebola there now also.  No cases have been officially reported.  

It looks like Doctors Without Borders and the World Health Organization are the main groups assisting the S.L. Ministry of Health, and they've declared the Ebola outbreak to be out of control.  There is an Ebola Emergency Task Force whose responsibility is to survey and respond quickly to possible threats/cases.  It is spreading fast, and unfortunately there are many cases of resistance to testing, treatment, and isolation.

Please pray that this outbreak ends quickly and that no more lives will be lost as a result of this deadly virus. 

Medical Clinic Update

Phebian has returned to Sierra Leone.  She and her team are working tirelessly to complete the medical clinic construction by January of 2015. 

Building progress is being made.  The tin is on all the roofs except for the guest house.  The plastering is almost done. The plumbing and electrical work are completed.  Some of the doors have been hung.  World Hope is beginning construction of the 24 foot water tower. The solar system is being installed soon.

Rainy season is in full force. The roads are terrible and the truck is giving her some problems. It is hard to get out to the villages right now.

Two pictures of the medical clinic with the tin roof installed.