West Equatorial Africa needs our help. To date, more than 2,218 individuals in three countries have lost their lives to the Ebola outbreak. Several weeks ago, the director of the World Health Organization warned that 20,000 more people could be infected if an aggressive strategy is not quickly implemented. Local authorities and health workers on the ground are in desperate need of prayer and financial help as they wait for international organizations to arrive. Though Africa feels removed from our everyday lives, there is much we can do to help our brothers and sisters.

First, let your hearts be broken by this crisis. In the past few weeks, it seems as if someone opened the gates of hell, unleashing legions of demon on the earth. Even if you don’t agree with my spiritual leanings, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer volume of horror that we have witnessed in recent days, including the beheading of innocent men, women, and children by ISIS. I confess I am sometimes tempted to look away and refuse to engage. This is not due to a hardness of heart on my part but rather a feeling of powerlessness; the issues are too big and too complex and I (seemingly) have no power to do anything.

While I might not be a power broker or a door keeper, I am a follower of Jesus and the Scriptural narrative encourages action. First, we battle not against human beings, but against deep, dark spiritual forces. Though it’s often easier for us to buy into this as we watch epic movies such as the Lord of the Rings series, I would argue that the reason these films are so compelling is that they accurately portray reality. The men and women who make up ISIS are not evil—they are pawns of evil. Clearly, they are not innocent as they are co-operating with the evil forces, but if we pin the evil on those misguided Muslims in the Middle East, we will most likely fail to be part of the solution.

We become part of the solution when we choose to have God’s heart for the people of the world, particularly those who suffer. Having God’s heart means that we share in his grief. Friends from Liberia sent us a post with the following story. (I am condensing for the sake of space.)

“A young child was quarantined with her parents. First the father died and then the mother. Neighbors in the community said that the child cried calling her mother for quite a longer time but no one could enter the house because both parents were Ebola positive. When the Ebola burial team arrived at the house, the child was found lying right over her dead mother’s body apparently sucking her breast.”

Can anyone read this and not be undone? During the past few weeks, there have been many nights when my husband turns off the light and falls asleep and I lay there with tears streaming down my face. The power of evil and the pain it causes simply overwhelms me.

I have a growing conviction that God does not want me or any one else to turn away; He wants us to engage on any and every level that we are able. For me, that means responding in prayer. Not a simple, “God help these people,” but extended times when I am crying out—rebuking Ebola and the spirit of death—and asking God to bring his kingdom to the folks in Africa (and in many other places around the world, including Ferguson, MO).

Additionally, we are sending money. I am well aware that there is a growing sentiment that writing a check is not the best way to help anyone. In this situation, money matters. As of 2009, the average income for a Liberian family was $500. They don’t have any spare money to contribute to this health crisis. William Massaquoi, head of Rebuild Africa, communicated that there is actually a desperate need for financial help. Those battling the virus on the ground need money for bleach, food, energy drinks for patients, and medical gloves. The director of WHO estimated that they will need $430 million to effectively defeat this plague.  

Please allow your hearts to break for the sick and poor in this world. Please consider praying on a regular basis. And finally, when and if you are able, please give generously.

To learn more about Eloba, visit this link.
To give to Rebuild Africa, please visit this link. (Please note: Rebuild Africa is a small organization and will not appear on most of the non-profit reviews. It is a legitimate organization run by amazing folks.)