Sierra Leone declared Ebola freeSierra

Nazarenes rejoice at Sierra Leone's District Assembly, which began Nov. 10.

By Vidal Cole, Sierra Leone district superintendent
Posted by the Africa West Field

Sierra Leone has been declared Ebola free, after more than 19 months since the first case of the world's worst Ebola outbreak was reported in West Africa. On Nov. 7, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 42 days (the length of two incubation cycles of the deadly virus) had passed since the last person confirmed to have the disease cleared a second consecutive blood test. Statistics from the Ministry of Health state that about 8,704 people were infected with Ebola; 3,589 died of the disease, and 4,000 survived. More than 12,000 children, averaging the age of 9 years old, were orphaned as a result of the outbreak.

Thousands of people gathered in the streets of the capital city of Freetown just before midnight Nov. 6 in anticipation of the announcement. WHO had previously stated that the decisive blood test came back negative in September, and if no further cases were reported, Nov. 7 would mark the end of Sierra Leone's battle with the deadly Ebola Virus.

On that day, various groups came together to organize a march through the city; the final gathering point was the cotton tree located right in the heart of the city. The area was packed with people on the eve of the announcement. Some held up candles, others jumped around dancing, and a military band led the procession through the city. There were waves of celebration all over the city, including men, women and children. 

Although the country has been declared Ebola free, nationals are yet to be free from the havoc the Ebola virus wrecked on their beloved nation. The fragile health system and thousands of Ebola orphans all over the country testify to the fact that there is a great journey of recovery ahead of Sierra Leone.

District Assembly follows proclamation

Sunday, Nov. 8, happened to be the 10th District Assembly of the Sierra Leone District Church of the Nazarene. This was certainly not a coincidence, rather it was considered a divine arrangement. Members of the church came trooping into the Assembly in a very jubilant mood. The Assembly was more of a joyous celebration. Some came in singing, jumping, dancing, shouting and praising the Lord for what He had done. The atmosphere was full of excitement and great joy, and the words on everyone's lips was that of the Ebola-free declaration. The Assembly started with a time of praise and worship that participants seemed unwilling to end, and the presence of God was very strong in our midst.

Responses on what Ebola free means to people

For many people, the Ebola Free declaration means that life will now return to normal and they will be able to go out to work and earn their living, no matter how little they may earn. Farmers can now go to the farms and laborers can now go and work on a daily basis.

For others, they were happy that they no longer had to live in fear of a disease they cannot see but which has the ability to wipe out entire families.

Students were happy that they could now go to school or university and continue their education in a safe environment without fearing the person they're seated next to.

Some said that now they will be able to travel freely to any part of the country, as the travel restrictions have now been lifted and vehicles are now plying many routes that were formerly suspended because of the crisis.

People are also happy because the restriction on social gatherings has been lifted, thereby enabling them to host various parties and celebrations at both individual and community levels.

Finally, for some, this means that they will be able to pay their last respects to their loved ones who died by giving them a befitting funeral, as opposed to during the crisis time when burial was strictly done by government burial teams.
 
Ebola update: Virus re-emerges in Liberia, subsides in Guineaupdate

New Ebola cases have been confirmed in Liberia, a country that was declared Ebola free on Sept. 3, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Three patients -- two brothers ages 15 and 8 and their 40-year-old father -- were confirmed to be infected with the disease in the week of Nov. 16-22, and WHO is monitoring  at least 149 people who had contact with them. Prior to these cases, Liberia hadn't seen a new Ebola case since early July.



In neighboring Guinea, the last hospitalized Ebola patient, a one-month-old girl, got to go home after recovering from the virus.

"This is a very happy day for us," Laurence Sailly, head of medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres'(MSF) emergency team in Guinea, told Reuters Nov. 28. "It was very moving for us and the family to be able to touch her without gloves."

Guinea will become officially Ebola-free after 42 days if no new cases are reported following the recovery of baby Nubia, Reuters reports.

WHO declared Sierra Leone Ebola free on Nov. 7, starting a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance. The country's last confirmed Ebola cases were reported in the second week of September.

Ebola outbreak
Guinea:
  • Cases: 3,804
  • Deaths: 2,536
Liberia:
  • Cases: 10,675
  • Deaths: 4,808
Sierra Leone:
  • Cases: 14,122
  • Deaths: 3,955
Total worldwide:
  • Cases: 28,637
  • Deaths: 11,314
Source: World Health Organization, current as of Nov. 22

Board of General Superintendents urges church to respond to refugee crisisrefugees

From Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, posted to NCN News

Photos by Teanna Sunberg, a missionary living in Hungary

As the war in Syria stretches into its fifth year, the number of people who have had to flee their homes due to violence or persecution has reached 12 million - half of them children - according to the United Nations. The number of Syrians who have become refugees in other countries has reached 4 million since 2011.

Add to those numbers another 15.5 million refugees who have had to flee war, violence, and persecution in other countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia. As the number of refugees worldwide who are fleeing to countries in Europe continues to increase, experts are calling this the greatest refugee crisis since World War II.

During this crisis, the Board of General Superintendents (BGS) is calling on the Church of the Nazarene to respond. 

"Nazarenes are among those who have had to flee their countries to escape violent conflict," the BGS wrote in a letter to the church. "Nazarenes are also among those who have had to flee because faith in Jesus has put their lives in danger. And Nazarenes are among those who have been ministering to refugee families who are seeking safety and hope."

The message continues, "Prayer is always our first response. ... Our next response is to give generously."



The denomination is working through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to support ministry to refugees through local churches. Click here to give toward these efforts.

In Hungary, Nazarenes have been providing food, blankets, and tents for refugee families stuck in transit both in Budapest and Roszke on the Hungarian/Serbian border. 

Leaders from local churches and church plants in Germany, the United Kingdom, and other European countries receiving refugees are currently formulating plans for how to minister to refugees who arrive in their communities, according to Tim Bowen-Evans, international program coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

Nazarene churches in the Middle East have been ministering to refugees and displaced families from Syria and other countries affected by war and persecution since 2011. Locally led outreach efforts include providing food, supplies, medical care, and resettlement support. 

Nazarene schools in the Middle East have also been providing scholarships for hundreds of refugee children from Syria and other neighboring countries. Rod Green, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator in the Middle East, reports that Nazarene schools in the Middle East will provide education and stability for 600 children affected by war and persecution in the next year.

One of the greatest concerns for children in areas affected by war and persecution is gaps in education. Children often lose years of education because going to school is either too dangerous or simply not an option due to poverty conditions caused by war. Nearly 2.7 million children in Syria are not in school, according to USAID, and those numbers do not include Syrian children who are living as refugees in other countries.

"During this crisis, we remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: '... I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,'" the BGS wrote. "We are asking our global church family to pray and minister to those in need."

How to Respond
Pray: Ask God to give wisdom to leaders and congregations as they minister to refugees in Jesus' name. Pray for healing for children and adults who have been traumatized by violence or persecution. Pray for God's presence to be felt and a spirit of peace to reign.

Share: NCM has developed several resources, including bulletin inserts and a Powerpoint presentation, to educate your congregation or Sunday school class on the refugee crisis. Click here to download.

Give: Churches and individuals around the world can support efforts to minister to refugee families through local Nazarene churches by giving  to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund. Click here to give, or give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund.

ANU graduates record number of studentsgrad


Africa Nazarene University celebrated its 18th graduation ceremony on Oct. 30. A record number of graduates, numbering 1,289, received degrees.

The ceremony's speakers included ANU's Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu, former General Superintendent Nina G. Gunter, ANU alumnus Jeff Alondo, and graduating student Faith Ngogoyo.

Marangu urged the graduating students to transform the future of the African continent and the world through their acquired intellectual and innovative capabilities and skills by making relevant contributions of great social impact.

In her keynote message, guest speaker Gunter commended the graduates, counseling them to "take up the challenge and risk ... risks that will define and enrich your legacy and that of your university. Your risks will innovate and transform you from survival to significance."

Sam Owen, founder of Kenya's National Prayer Breakfast, The Men's Gathering, and Africa Youth Forum of Leadership, was the recipient of the 2015 honorary degree.
Congratulations to the 2015 graduates. 

Find a photo album of the ceremony on the Africa Nazarene University Facebook page.
 
Africa Regional Conference 2016 - AbidjanARC
By Africa Regional Office

In October 2014, a decision was made by the Regional Director in conjunction with the Regional Advisory Council to split the one regional conference in 2015 into three regional conferences. The decision did not come easily but was made with much prayer and discussion. The choice was made to have as many people participate across the region as possible.

Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya were the sites of the first two regional conferences. Over 1,200 people participated in these times of celebration and equipping. The Lord brought renewed vision and passion as people responded to His call.

Now there is one more regional conference to go. Abidjan, C�te d'Ivoire will host those coming from across West Africa. Preparations are well underway and registration is open for those on the West Africa Field (Benin, Burkina Faso, C�te d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo). The registration is being handled by the district superintendents across the field who are coordinating with conference organizers. (Registration questions, please email: [email protected])

This last conference will be another great celebration. A time of coming together to encourage one another as the Lord calls us to "Prepare the Way." We have seen His hand at work preparing the way in the midst of many challenges in West Africa and God continues to enable His people to prepare His way here on earth. Prepare the Way.

Africa Regional Conference - Abidjan - 31 March to 1 April, 2016
For more information, please email [email protected]

PRAYER REQUESTSprayer
  • Please pray for Gavin Fothergill, a missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and his family. Gavin's father passed away on Nov. 19.
  • Nazarene Pastor Othniel Mweniyamba from the North Kivu Central District in the DR Congo is grieving the loss of his mother, who passed away Nov. 19. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
  • We continue to ask God for his strength and healing in West Africa, where thousands of people have lost loved ones to the Ebola virus. We praise God for the recovery that is taking place.
  • Please pray for Nazarene Child Development Centers across Africa, which through the work of donors, volunteers and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries are caring for at-risk children. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, click here.
  • Missionaries Irma and Mario Martinez are praising the Lord for his provisions, which allow the Nazarene school "Seeds of Hope" to embark on its second school year in the capital of Guinea-Bissau. The self-sustaining school provides a service to the community by offering quality education  with experienced teachers in early childhood education. Scholarships for underprivileged children are available through the Child Development Center program of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Please pray for this educational ministry.

CHRISTMAS GIFT - 2016 REGIONAL CALENDARCalendar

Merry Christmas!

We appreciate you following what happens on the Africa region and investing yourself in caring for the work. The downloadable calendar below is our way of saying we are thankful for you and seek your continued support and prayers in 2016.

Have a blessed Christmas!
- Africa Regional Office

File Type: Large PDF (highest quality)
        

File Type: JPG (good quality)
        
Paper sizes are international standard.
ABOUT THE REGION About 
The Nazarene Church is in 42 countries in Africa, with more than 600,000 members in six fields. 

What would you like to see in Out of Africa?
Email us at [email protected].

Holly Beech, editor