Dear friends and partners in the ministry,

In the last few months, the Ebola virus has brought West Africa to the forefront in the news more often than not. Every time you turn on the computer there is something about Ebola on the front page. It is real and it’s dangerous, and many people are being affected by it. I looked at some of the pictures from Sierra Leone and Liberia and it is devastating and heart breaking.

Imagine walking by dead people lying on the street, covered with leaves and waiting to be put to rest…getting a fever and not knowing what to do…. Living in fear of even going to the clinic…I can’t even wrap my mind around it! In the midst of spiritual darkness, hopelessness and poverty, now there is a deadly virus that is killing thousands of people. Please pray for West Africa and for God to give wisdom to the doctors and researchers that are working on the vaccine, and for wisdom about how to contain the affected region.

Gambia has not been affected by Ebola; we have two countries between the border of Gambia and Sierra Leone. But in light of what is going on, we took special measures at the school to educate the staff and students and to prevent the spread of any kind of virus.

We have put in place a mandatory hand washing procedure with soap and water and have given instructions about how to clean the tables and desks with bleach and water every day. Children with a fever or stomach problems will have to stay home until they don’t have any more symptoms and the teachers and staff must follow the same procedure. We bought a couple of no-touch thermometers to take with us to be able to closely monitor any child that feels ill.

We are preparing to go to Gambia in the beginning of November and we are very aware of the difficulties that lay ahead of us. However, giving in to fear and being paralyzed by fear is not how we want to live our lives.

God has called us to share the good news in good times and bad times. The lost are just as lost and they need to be given even more help in finding the only way to be saved. We look at this as an opportunity to point Muslims to Christ, finding hope and peace in troubled times. Please pray for us and with us, for safety, for a special covering on the nation of Gambia, for the school and the children and their families. Pray that Jesus reveals His mighty power to Muslims and that His name will be glorified!

Thank you for your monthly support in giving and in prayer. We cannot do what we do without you!

Blessings,

Sol and Manuela Bah