Missionaries to Leave Sierra Leone
Rev. Sudu and Rev. Bahago (Left to Right)
Christian Reformed World Missions has decided to remove its missionaries and their families from Sierra Leone due to the continued spread of the Ebola virus.
Both Rev. Istifanus Bahago and Rev. Ezekiel Sudu have been serving in Kabala, a region where most of the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone (CRCSL) is located. The missionaries serve with the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria and are supported by CRWM.
“Although Kabala is still the only district in Sierra Leone without any confirmed cases of Ebola, we are still at a very high risk,” said Rev. Bahago.
The missionaries and their families will leave as soon as possible and Rev. Bahago will return to Sierra Leone when the Ebola situation improves. Rev. Sudu was scheduled to end his service in the summer of 2015, so he will not likely return.
To prevent any cases from entering Kabala, the government has limited travel in and out of Kabala. Still, these restrictions haven’t stopped everyone.
“Recently, a man who was in contact with an Ebola patient was discovered in our region,” said Bahago. “He was sent back and the house he was staying in is under quarantine.”
Because of scares like this, Bahago and Sudu have requested to leave the region now.
“The missionaries are confident that they will be able to get the clearance they need to leave Kabala and get to the airport,” said Ron Geerlings, CRWM’s West Africa Regional Leader.
Although CRWM is scaling back its missions in some regards, the CRC is also gearing up to prevent further spread of the virus.
CRWM is working in partnership with World Renew and the Timothy Leadership Training Institute to educate people about how Ebola is spread, how to recognize the symptoms, what to do if one has the symptoms, how to prevent the transmission of Ebola, and the role of the whole community in dealing with Ebola.
They are working to raise $25,000 and conduct training sessions in at least 250 local churches/Christian parishes by December 31, 2015.
“Sometimes we find it very difficult to appreciate God and thank Him in this situation,” added Rev. Bahago. “But the Bible teaches us to give thanks to God in all circumstances. God’s grace is always there to see us overcome our challenges.”
