Recently Tim and I traveled to the Lamb Farm in Lebanon Indiana to join with a number of others for a time of praise and prayer for the country of Liberia in West Africa. Hoosiers have many connections to this part of the world through United Methodist missions such as Operation Classroom which has educated hundreds of children even in the midst of the recent civil war. Hope in the Harvest International is carrying on this tradition of care for the Liberian people by training them to farm. Gina and Travis Sheets are the founders of this mission and have been living in Ganta, Liberia for the past year. They flew home to Indiana early in August with plans to return in September with tickets they had purchased nearly a year ago. But soon after they arrived in the US, the borders of Liberia were closed to anyone wanting to get in or out of the country in an effort to contain the Ebola outbreak there. At our gathering, they tearfully spoke of their concern and grief over the Ebola crisis. They have lost people who they have grown to love like family on the farm in Ganta. A young man named Gabrielle, particularly affected many of those from Indiana who had gone there on a mission trip this July. It was difficult for them to accept that someone so vibrant and full of life could be taken so quickly by this deadly virus. His grandmother also has died as well as the son of one of the farm staff. The crisis hits home when those Gina and Travis worked with on a daily basis are now gone.
Tearful, heartfelt prayers were lifted to God asking for the deliverance of the Liberians from this plague. Music and voices praising God filled the barn where we gathered together sending sweet harmony heavenward. Are we able with our prayers to move God to action? I believe so. Maybe this was His plan all along that we might come to Him with our pleas so He could answer our prayers in a mighty way.
When I pray for the Liberian people, I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they stood ready to be thrown in the fiery furnace for not bowing to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. My friend, Dr. Shadrach Gonqueh is from Liberia and is named for one of these brave souls. They said to the king, “We do not need to defend ourselves to you in this matter. If we are thrown into the burning furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from your hand, o king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, o king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They knew God was able to save them. But it was up to God what He would do. He chose to rescue them by sending an angel to walk them through the fire unharmed. Many centuries later, a group of believers in the early church gathered together secretly to pray for the Apostle Peter when he was imprisoned. God released him by sending an angel to the prison to unshackle him and lead him out. They were amazed by the mighty way in which God answered their prayers.
God is able to lead the Liberian people out of the crisis as He led the 3 out of the fiery furnace and Peter out of prison. He could do it in a miraculous, supernatural way and heal the people. But it is more likely that He will raise up capable people who have the heart to help them. This is the way He usually operates. We act as His healing hands and feet on the ground. But even so, many will not see God behind human actions. Where does the will to serve and the ingenuity to discover medications to heal the sick originate if not from God himself? Zmapp, the experimental medication that was given to Dr. Kent Brantley, probably saved his life along with intensive supportive treatment at Emory University Hospital. Who was behind the scenes orchestrating these interventions but God? Dr. Brantley recognizes this, even if the media discounts it. He gives credit to God who directs humans to do His work.
God is able to supernaturally rid West Africa of Ebola but more likely He will use us to do it. We often feel helpless in situations like this. What can each of us possibly do that would make a difference? Pray and keep praying for insight and wisdom. Open your eyes to see possibilities right in front of you. The answer may be supporting those who are already there so they can do their job. But most of all simply care enough to do something even if that something is only prayer. In the rush of life, it is easy to be distracted by our own worries. Never, never forget our brothers and sisters who suffer more than we ever will know around the world. We have no idea how much our prayers and concern mean to them. Prayer may seem like a little thing when the needs of the people are so great. But never underestimate the power of prayer to start a chain reaction to mobilize God’s people into action. The results can be miraculous!
