MTW missionary and nurse practitioner John Sexton just returned from West Africa where he trained national pastors to be Ebola prevention teachers. As part of the training, they discussed how to prevent the spread of Ebola and how pastors can safely minister to the sick without becoming sick themselves and spreading the disease to others. Balancing safe medicine with cultural practices is difficult; common death rituals for both Christians and Muslims have been a source of spreading Ebola.

Participants did problem-solving on how to show respect for the deceased and still remain safe from disease. For instance, an important ritual is the washing of the body at home, often a source of spreading the infection to all those in the house. This turned into a discussion: Can washing only the face still show the same respect? Can simply covering the body in a new blanket rather than changing the clothes show the same respect? In Ebola epidemics, recommended protocol is to cremate the bodies. Though this may be the best method, it is not culturally acceptable in much of West Africa. Participants discussed how to reach a compromise and still keep the community safe.

John trained nearly 150 pastors and seminary students in three separate countries that border Ebola infected areas. He had three goals for this project:
1. To build a “firewall” of prevention to slow the spread of Ebola to these countries.
2. To encourage the national churches that they are not alone during this terrible time. He carried a
personal message from the new MTW coordinator, Lloyd Kim, encouraging and assuring them that the
American Church is with them.
3. For the national churches to be a light in their communities during this dark time.
Already, the national churches in West Africa are planning health and evangelism conferences in 10 border communities.

We need more people to assist in further training. If you’re a health educator and want to learn more about volunteering, email [email protected].