CRWM's Work Affected by Ebola Outbreak

The ongoing spread of the deadly Ebola virus has caused fear in people across West Africa. It has also affected the work of several Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) missionaries.

School Closings in Nigeria

Staff at Hillcrest school in Jos, Nigeria were forced to close their school’s doors on Aug. 27, only a few weeks after they had opened them for a new school year. The Nigerian government called for the school’s close along with all other primary and secondary schools in the nation until September 22.

Tara Meekhof serves with CRWM as Hillcrest’s elementary principal. She says she understands the proactive approach to contain the spread, but believes keeping children out of school for such a lengthy period does more harm than good.

“Ironically, the reason schools have been shut down is one of the reasons schools ought to be in session–to educate our children on the facts of the Ebola virus and give them proper lessons on how to maintain good hygiene,” Meekhof explained.

 “I understand school closures in affected areas, but not across the entire country and not for such a long period of time.”

Other CRWM missionaries affected by this decision include Jeanine DeJong, Hillcrest’s guidance counselor and Jonathan and Janice Barnhoorn, whose children attend Hillcrest. Janice Barnhoorn also serves as the board chairperson.

Hillcrest staff estimate that over the years at least 750 CRC students have attended Hillcrest.

So far, the Ebola outbreak has not affected classes in Nigerian universities, so CRWM missionaries who serve as college professors have maintained their class schedules.

Ron Geerlings, CRWM’s West Africa Regional Leader, adds that the decision to close schools has a lot to do with how other affected areas have dealt with the virus.

“After watching other West African countries not take enough action right away, it is good to see Nigeria trying to get out in front of this outbreak,” said Geerlings.

Ministry Halted in Sierra Leone–But God’s Work Continues

Sierra Leone has also had to deal with an outbreak of the virus. There have been more than 1,000 confirmed cases of the disease and the World Health Organization fears that there have been many more unreported cases.

Despite this, Ebola has not reached Kabala, the district where most CRC of Sierra Leone churches are located. Still, CRWM missionaries have not been able to make regular church visits due to travel restrictions.

Rev. Istifanus Bahago, a CRWM missionary in Sierra Leone, says not being able to encourage churches at this time is especially hard because of all the mistrust in the community.

“You cannot see Ebola with your eyes so everybody around you is a suspect,” said Rev. Bahago. “There is no longer trust of whom to fellowship with because he or she can be a possible carrier.”

Right now, only essential travelers, such as those bringing in food trucks, are allowed to cross the borders of Kabala. Even so, Bahago says their food may soon run out. The travel restrictions also mean that Bahago and his family had to postpone their scheduled travel to their home in Nigeria.

“We have to accept in good faith that it’s not yet time to travel,” said Bahago.

A few months before the travel restrictions, Bahago visited a primarily Muslim area where members of the community had died from the virus. He and others prayed with them for comfort. Now he has received positive reports from the village.

“The village head has accepted Christ as his personal Lord. He has also provided land to build a church,” said Bahago.

Numbers Help Tell the Story

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa could infect more than 20,000 people and spread to more countries, the World Health Organization warned last week.

With a fatality rate of 52 percent, the death toll stood at 1,552 as of Aug. 26.

Besides cases of Ebola being reported in West Africa, including Liberia, there have been 31 deaths from the virus in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The cases in Congo are thought to be a separate outbreak and not related to the West African case, according to Reuters News.

Training Leaders in the Crisis

CRWM is partnering with World Renew and the Timothy Leadership Institute to help train local pastors respond to people who have been affected by the virus.

They will run a pilot training program that addresses issues like mistrust among believers, prevention of spread, and pastoral care. Overall, it will show how the broader Christian worldview relates to the epidemic.

“If Ebola prevention training comes from pastors rather than strangers in rubber suits, there is a better chance they will be accepted and understood,” said Ron Geerlings.

Related CRC Ebola Articles

CRWM Volunteer Comes Home Early Over Ebola Spread
World Renew Responds to Ebola Crisis in West Africa