Ebola Outbreak in Uganda: What You Need to Know (Part 2)

Part 2 of the latest coverage on the current Ebola outbreaks in Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan, the travel restrictions and health measures in place, and the spiritual encouragement for those affected. Daniel Mamora and Gary Kusunoki discuss faith, prayer, and hope amid crises, emphasizing God's presence and the importance of prayer and support for missionaries and communities.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Welcome to God's Toys, the broadcast ministry of international religion. Where our mission is to share the love of Christ with others around the world. We decide for the race of leaders to preach the gospel to unreached people first. Minister to the inner city and poverty-stricken areas in the US and abroad. Provide support to local police and relief organizations in response to natural disasters. We work to train up Catholics in the police and civilian industry. And we assist churches in training information and disaster response. We hope you're blessed by what you hear in this next half hour or so about what God is doing through this ministry.

SPEAKER_02 1:23

But as we're speaking here on May 30, uh the reported cases as of May 29, Uganda has nine confirmed cases as far as being reported and two confirmed deaths. But now they've opened up a few more cities. And actually, Pastor Gary, I'm gonna have you kind of give a report of uh what those cities are and also uh what what other things you have um as far as like what you know about it.

SPEAKER_03 2:29

So they just they just opened up JFK today, also Houston and um Atlanta. So there's four airports that those returning from um Ebola affected areas, being you know, Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan will have to pass through health screening. However, um there also um maybe people have read in the news they're they're working on a um basically a containment center in Kenya uh for American citizens that are um potentially exposed. So it doesn't mean that that um that you have it, but that there's a potential um that even if you're asymptomatic, that that you may have been exposed to it, maybe been in a an area where where Ebola was was um out of control or whatever. So you would go to this uh center uh in at a military base in Kenya for um 21 days so they can monitor and watch you. And also uh if you get sick, they'll have American doctors and and military uh facilities to actually treat the Ebola virus there. So um that's the newest one. Um uh they do have so far. There haven't been even any suspected cases in eastern Uganda, which is where we operate. But as of this morning, they announced a suspected case in Kumi, which is in eastern Uganda. That's about an hour north of us by car. And so um even this morning that the Reuters is reporting in the numbers change so rapidly. And so the latest from Reuters is a thousand and twenty suspected cases in the the DRC, 225 deaths. So one thing about Uganda, they don't report suspected cases um or how many they're tracking or anything. So um, you know, we only have the the the nine confirmed cases that that we know of. So um there's a lot of things going on in in Uganda um that are affecting uh us, especially with travel. Um, you know, as you know, we had had tickets to myself, my wife Carol, our daughter Rebecca, and our field guy uh James Vaca, we had tickets to to fly to Uganda on the second. And um those tickets got canceled by the airline. So um we were pretty much had made the decision that we were gonna delay anyways, but I'll tell you, God's grace, I was really struggling. I was like, Lord, you know, I I I don't like to to run from danger, you know. I want to be there with with the people. And and so I'm like, Lord, tell me I'm we're we're making the right decision. And so he canceled our tickets. And KLM says, you know, right now we're not flying, we're not gonna fly to Uganda. And so our one portal of getting there that didn't go through the the Middle East, which is extremely high risk, um, closed. And so um, you know, it's just like God saying, okay, you know, here I'm gonna I'm gonna answer sheer prayer, but but also, you know, Wednesday night I was at church and and you know, since we moved to Colorado, we've been going to Rocky Mountain Calvary. Such a blessing to be there. And then, but you know, we had a a night of prayer and worship, and the Lord just spoke to me, and he said, you know, if I tell you to to to run to danger, you're you're willing. If I tell you to stand down, you're not. And both of them are are my will. Are you willing to follow my will and are you willing to rest in me? And so I'll tell you, that's that's been the struggle. Um and so it it's there's a lot going on. And yeah, you know, it's just a a daily, you know, or you know, a couple times, two, three times a day, I'm checking to see what's going on uh in Uganda specifically with the the Ebola virus. And and this is a critical time because um, like I was telling you before the show, the that uh we are in what's called the hunger gap. So the hunger gap in Uganda is a time between the the harvest uh of you know, harvest and planting and the the next harvest. And so we're we're in that season of the hunger gap where you know if they haven't had a good harvest, which in our areas most of the harvests are not great, and there's not a lot of people actually that are farming because the sugar cane companies have taken care taken over so much of the land that um it's called the hunger gap because there's a lot of people that are hungry. So you add that to um if the the government of Uganda starts instituting um travel restrictions like they did during COVID, and we're already seeing that in a a couple of districts in western Uganda, which is at the border with the DRC, that they're they're uh restricting cross-district movement. So it's not cross-border, but just districts within Uganda. And so if they did that in our village, the all the food that that um everyone and we buy is outside of our district. And so people wouldn't be able to go to food for food, they won't be able to go to work because the only work available for people is outside the district, and so um it it makes things you know really difficult. And you add that, we know there's gonna be a lot of hunger there. So it's kind of a uh, you know, recap. The church is is holding well, they're trusting in the Lord. Um, I talked to my senior staff at the church. I was asked about that. Yeah, yeah. And and you know, they're they're doing well, and and they're continuing to point people to Jesus. And and I I see this and and ask people to pray that God would use this even as as um a way to to reach the lost. Because, you know, we live in in an area that is is 97% non-christian. And so, you know, we're what when they they see the church, when the fear comes in and they see the church and the peace that the members of the church has that that um they'll go to them and say, you know, like it says in Peter, hey, what's the reason for the hope that lies within you? And uh so we're just preparing the church in a lot of different ways that we can go into in a minute.

SPEAKER_02 10:00

I think of James one already, you know, when we're talking about this, uh, the testing of your faith produces endurance, it produces steadfastness. And, you know, when with things like this, you know, with you, Gary, with uh Carol, with a bunch of people, and even those in Uganda and even um around Africa, uh, and even in nations or places where Ebola has been affected, and even missionaries in here that are willing to go out there uh or wanting to go out there or been called there, and then you're like, I thought this was the plan, Lord, to go there. But that's where the testing, you know, that's where our faith gets tested. And so what did we do in that point? And you know, one of the things that you know James talks about is, you know, it produces endurance and produces steadfastness. Sometimes when we pray things, you know, because you know, when things go our way, our faith gets comfortable. But when our faith gets tested, we tend to like doubt, we tend to, okay, I don't know, you know, because that's going according to my plan or our plan instead of the Lord's plan. I know the plans I have for you to prosper you, not to harm you, but to give you a hope in the future. And um, and that's where it's like, hey, we keep praying even though we don't see the results. And um and even of our past is past episodes of other things, you know, like we talk about how Suzanne Houston prayed for her daughter-in-law for years, and even her son too, and even took this so many amounts of years, the Lord answered because the testing of your faith produces endurance. You're like, hey, I still continue to trust. And yes, it's easier said than done, but when you do it, when you put your faith in action, oh man, it's a whole lot of difference. It makes a whole lot of difference. It might not make sense in the moment, even the Lord's teaching me that right now, uh, with what's going on me personally, but I know because of people's testimonies and people's encouragements to me personally, it helps a lot. And I know it's like, you know what? I'll trust the Lord. I will bless the Lord at all times, I will trust him at all times. Yes, I could say it, but is it easy? No, of course it's not easy. But that's where it produces endurance, it produces steadfastness.

SPEAKER_03 12:26

Yeah, you know, um being uh a former police officer, I'm a I'm kind of a 911 kind of guy that that, you know, I'm I'm ready to go. And, you know, staying behind, it is, it's a test of my faith. It's like, God, what are you doing? I mean, we're working, I'm I'm you know, um, not like I don't have things to do. It's running uh anchored and everything else, and and but, you know, and and the work goes on in in Uganda and the village and our projects. We're still, you know, treating the kids and and ministering to their needs, and and the the church is is doing well, and they just had a a baptism recently, and you know, I mean, people are getting saved, and you know, needs are are being met, but but but it's hard to be on this side. I want to be on that side, you know.

SPEAKER_02 13:25

Yeah, and uh and those and for for our viewers and listeners in Uganda, we're praying for you, and don't let us don't let this uh virus stop you from doing the Lord's work. You know, as Pastor Gary said, that you you guys are doing fine and keep at it, keep at it, and just be a witness there, be a witness, and just show them like, hey, these things are not gonna stop me. These things are not gonna stop, these things are not gonna stop me.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

I'll tell you what, I am so proud of our staff over there and um that have continued to to labor, continued to bear fruit, continued to share the gospel, and you know, and and we're seeing the results. Kids' lives are being saved. And you know, it it's just um an incredible thing to see how how they're doing and the fruitfulness that that they have, and it just blesses me. Blesses me to see that.

SPEAKER_02 14:28

And um, even too, this just came in. Uh India is just keep just has been on alert too, on a travel alert about this Ebola spread. Uh and even uh Kenyan court blocks Ebola quarantine facilities for Americans. That's the latest too from USA Today. Um, and so we'll keep an eye on it too, not just uh on these episodes, but you know, on our social media and our um our blog as well. Uh we're gonna do our best to kind of update that to, and even like uh just thinking about it too, the World Cup is happening in a couple months here in the US, in Canada, Mexico, and people from those nations are gonna be coming in. And that's gonna, you know, and I know this is nothing to do with missionary, but it's like this has affected travel a lot, you know, with what's going on too. Like, you know, the the question, you know, with with this going on, and I know it could, you know, with all the stuff that's happening in the media, like it be it could be so distracting, or is you know, there's not enough coverage based off my observation on this because people are so distract distracted with politics. And uh um, and I think too where the question that people have, you know, when they've heard about this, is will this be another 2020? Will this be another uh shutdown? Would this be um and um frankly I don't believe personally because hey, we got through it in the past, we got through West Nile, we got through um uh was it the the swine flu? And uh and so I'm not discounting Ebola or anything whatsoever, but even if it does shut down, right, you know, we're not gonna fear about it. And so maybe Gary, you can give your two cents too, because like you know, we've seen what the Lord has done, he's been faithful, he's the same yesterday, today, and forever. And even like in scripture, too, with all these plagues happening, like the Lord was still faithful. And you know, if we if they got through that, we can get through this too. And so, and especially you guys in Uganda and especially in Congo. Well, yeah, we don't want to forget about you guys. I know we mentioned it earlier, but people in Congo, if you're watching, please message us, give us an update. We want to hear from you, even if you want to talk, you know, on you know, on our next episodes, you know, just tell us how you're doing or anything like that. You know, we would love to uh connect with you and message us on Instagram, message us on our website. But um, yeah, we're praying for you guys as well. Um, but Gary, what do you think as far as like will this be another shutdown? Do you think this will, and even if it does like, you know, was was the Lord speaking through all this?

SPEAKER_03 17:08

I you know, I I don't see it being a shutdown in the U.S. Um you know, or a pandemic type situation. I mean, they're aware of it. They're they're you know, can it spread? Yeah. I mean, um, we did have the last big Ebola outbreak. Um, we had imported cases coming coming into the U.S. And you know, I think they're doing their best to keep Ebola out of the country. And um, so you know, I I don't know that we're gonna have that in in the U.S. I think it's likely to happen in in in Uganda and and the DRC. Now, the problem with the DRC is where where the Ebola is really raging is a conflict zone. So there is active uh warfare going on in that in that area. So, you know, even the stats that we're getting, you know, the numbers are are are high. And if you um I was looking at a graph today comparing this Ebola outbreak to others and you know, to other outbreaks in 2020, 2022, 2017, and and the the graph for for those are kind of a gradual uptick. And then, but this one, if you look at at the graph for for Ebola, and um in in this case, it's like straight up. And so, you know, again, most of that is from the DRC. Uh, Uganda has actually done well in the past uh handling previous outbreaks, and and so they're they're used to it. Um, so we're praying that there won't be an outbreak. We just have to watch the numbers, and it is affecting. I mean, I just talked to a friend of mine, Frank, who has a um transport business that that you know really relies on tourism, and you know, he has uh has tourist bands and um all his customers are canceling. And so that's affecting him, even though there isn't a lot of Ebola in the country, you know, it's still affecting a lot of people. And I was just thinking uh of you know Joshua 1.9, where God says to Joshua, have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or be dismayed. Why? For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. And and that message uh is is not just for people in Uganda, DRC, and South Sudan. That message is for all of us. All of us that are, you know, as we journey through this life, you know, every single one of us comes upon difficult times and hardships. And, you know, a couple episodes ago we we talked about, you know, the mental health crisis, and you know, and and so this is a word for all of us. God is with us. If we if we're Christians, if we love the Lord, if we're looking to him, he is with us, and he will, he promises in Philippians 4 to give us the peace that passes all understanding. And and if you're not a Christian, I would tell you, run to the Lord now. You know, just confess your sin and then accept him as your Lord and Savior and His sacrifice on the cross. And and the Bible says you'll be saved. And and so, you know, um, in the midst of all this, um, God's hope eternal still reigns supreme. And so, you know, what I what I would say to our brothers and sisters in the DRC and Uganda and and South Sudan is keep your eyes on the Lord, stay focused, stay strong, don't lose hope, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. And and that that we don't need to be afraid. And you know, another verse is Psalm 34, 4, which says, I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all our fears. And I'll tell you, that's the power of prayer. And wherever you are in this world, whether you're in the US and struggling with fears and anxiety, depression, discouragement, despair, or whether you're in in Uganda or or DRC or Ukraine or or wherever you are, that the Lord, if you reach out to him, you cry out to him. in prayer that he will deliver you from all your fears. All our fears.

SPEAKER_02 22:07

Amen.

SPEAKER_03 22:08

And so, you know, of course the the you know our focus is is on the Ebola affected area, but certainly everything that that we're talking about in terms of peace and hope it has to do or applies to everyone all over the world in whatever circumstance or situation that they may be in.

SPEAKER_02 22:31

You know the key words that you said on Joshua 1 9, you know, the Lord is with you. Those are the key words. You know and Isaiah 41 10 is you know do not fear for I am with you. Matthew 28, right in the Great Commission, right, after he says go and pre go go and go and make disciples right but what did he say right after that? He says and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. Right in Deuteronomy 31 he will never leave you or forsake you. And you we have to remind ourselves that I have to remind myself that the Lord is with me. The Lord is with you. Don't ever forget that too because he's always going to be there. Even if you don't feel it even I don't feel it he is there. He is always there. He's always going to be with you. One question I want to ask Pastor Gary um with um you know because of all this happening because we had to postpone our trip to Uganda to October and uh again we we don't know um uh if it's gonna be a long uh term thing or anything like that as far as like this outbreak but any changes any updates as far as like the trip I know people are considering about going you know that and those that have signed up about it you know do you have any updates about the upcoming trip that we have to Uganda? No right now well first of all our trip uh meaning mine Carol's Rebecca's and James uh we we scheduled in Faye for January I mean it's January July July 23rd yeah so you know we're praying that that we'll be able to to fly at that time so so if everybody can just be praying for that um the the team trip is still scheduled December 3rd sorry I am like got my months all mixed missing october I'm not even I'm not even sure where I am at October 3rd uh to the 18th October 3rd to the 18th is our next team trip to to Uganda and oh one other date that we can remind people of is our um missions update and and fundraiser is scheduled uh for September 12th in San Clumeni we'll also be live streaming it but but September 12th in San Clumeni at at 5.30 p.m so people can go to our website um hopefully next week and start signing up for that yep anchoredrelief.org that's our website um you go of course you always follow us on our Instagram subscribe to our YouTube channel we're also on on Apple Podcasts and uh Spotify and um our blog anchoredrelief blog um our text thread uh uh 949-4326777 uh wait is that our text number or is that our line the direct line that's our phone number that's our direct line that's our main line sorry you can call that number if you want to call us directly 9494326777 I forgot the other number off the top of my head it uh it does start with a 949 help me Gary hang on i can look at up because I don't have that one in my uh okay here is the number it is 949 384928 928 3849282 you know that has been that has been that morning here yeah I'm glad uh I'm not the only one whose brain is not working hey I have no coffee no breakfast none of that I just literally hey all I got was the word this morning hey that's it and so hey that's all you that's more than is all you need and so uh that helps the spiritual and maybe physical too and so of course but uh um but definitely the spiritual because at least you know we're you know we're praying you know for the you know for um Uganda and the DRC and South Sudan and I forgot to mention about South Sudan too those of you that are watching from South Sudan um if you want to give us an update you know please message us call us um we would love to hear from you and that way we can share those updates um with our viewers and our listeners uh down the uh later in our episodes or even in our uh social media or website or our blog um yeah because um I mean it's just so it's just so sad like how this is not getting enough coverage because especially here in America because all it is is politics and uh because that's all they want and it's like you know what you know we we have to kind of like I I don't want to say kind of like ra um like let's just rally to uh you kind of get what I'm saying but you know what let's like maybe let let's have more attention about this not get distracted by what's happening in the wild of course we have to be praying and be concerned about that but there are people dying in these nations there are people dying in these countries and people are not aware of it.

SPEAKER_03 27:49

And so and here's the sad thing there's a lot of people dying without Jesus and we want to have an impact and there's missionaries that are there now that have been there that uh missionaries that that I know and um I just think of Luke and his wife uh missionaries out of Rocky Mountain Calvary that that are in gulu and uh you know they're they're doing an incredible work and they're continuing to do that work of strengthening the church. And so um you know the work goes on. And you know as we speak too there there's organizations that have like Samaritan's Purse that have set up uh field hospitals in the the DRC right in the the the um area of the the virus but also the conflict zone so we need to be praying for them and you know I wonder if we can ask our listeners Daniel would would you if you're praying for the people in in uh the DRC in Uganda and South Sudan would you just comment back with um you know um some words of encouragement and praying for you that that you know our people even our staff can read to know that there's people all over the world that are praying for them. So please just just comment you know praying or praying for you or if you have a verse or whatever comment on on the the the video on YouTube and or Instagram whatever it is just comment back and and we'll get that to you. Yeah you can even private message us too if you um um if somehow you can't comment on the video or on the uh on the pages because uh you know we will send this out we will share this with uh everybody to you know because um you know whether I'll be able to you know uh Apple Podcasts Spotify uh you know those we have other platforms that people are listening to us on and so you know please i if you can yeah I can't tell you what an encouragement it will be for for our people for the missionaries for to know that there are people all over the world that are praying for them and at this uh at the same token if you have a prayer need you know like Daniel said let us know um and whether you're in America or you know Nepal a lot of our viewers are in Nepal and whatever it might be if you have a prayer need you know reach out to us and and let us know you can email at us at at info at anchoredrelief.org info at anchored relief dot org and you know we'll get those and we will be praying I guarantee you we will be praying.

SPEAKER_02 30:44

Yeah and even to as we're speaking right now the head of the World Health Organization is at the DRC right now uh trying to administer whatever he can you know and uh so um but be praying guys be praying um because uh um people are not aware of it and so and um you even see the cries of those people too you know that people are blind to see and like even like I think back I know this is not related to Ebola but like um when when radical um extremists you know murder um these Christians in Nigeria and um and then just like people don't even see here in America like oh the cries of the of those people. And so and and and in relating to this case people are crying out for help. And so and um I think of you know hey for those that are listening or watching to Psalm 121 my help comes from the Lord I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Once come with my help my help comes from the Lord and so all we gotta do is turn. And uh before we uh close uh our episode Pastor Gary why don't you pray for us uh pray for and pray for those people there.

SPEAKER_03 32:04

Father God as we come before you Lord we just lift up those that are struggling suffering those that are sick those that have lost loved ones in the DRC and Uganda and South Sudan Lord those that are living in fear and hopelessness Lord I pray Lord that you would use um our organization other ministries Lord bless Samaritans purse as they're out there not just treating people but sharing the gospel I pray that Lord you would use the church in those areas Lord and and Lord I know we've got uh Calvary chapels there in the DRC so Lord use them and and I pray Father God that that for the Christians that you would give them your peace that they would know that they can trust you that they don't have to be anxious for anything but in all things through prayer and supplication you tell us to make our request known to to you and you will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. So Lord and we ask that not just for the people in in uh the Ebola affected areas but all over the world there are people living in hopelessness and in fear and in anxiety and discouragement and depression and not not being able to cope with everyday life Lord would you minister to them also and Lord I I just pray that Lord as we look towards um feeding the hungry Lord and and um ministering in that capacity whether it's in our village or or other areas Lord would you please uh show us the way that you would have us to go show us Lord what you would have us to do and how we can can minister and how we can can help Lord to to bring you glory we just thank you Lord we praise you for who you are for your grace and your mercy Lord and and there are just so many that are affected so many missionaries I think of uh Luke Boucher and and his family that are in gulu right now Lord just give them your peace i i pray for juventine and elizabeth uh imuku that um are are working in soroti and the the latest suspected case is is probably 30 minutes from them Lord so I I just pray that you would would um give them and the church there cavalry chapel soroti the just the power and the ability to to bring peace in the midst of all this and Lord may we in all that we do and all you that we say bring you honor and glory and we just thank you Lord that that there's no hopeless situation for us as Christians because we hope in you the one true God eternal in the heavens in Jesus' name we pray amen amen Isaiah 41 10 do not fear for the Lord God is with you so that's 4610 be still and know that I am God that's what God's been telling me come on let's go all right God bless you guys please mess please let us know if you ever need anything or just give us an update if you can all right take care guys see ya soon.

SPEAKER_01 35:30

God bless you we like to thank every single one of you for listening to God's stories. To connect with us go to anchorrelief.org and follow us on Instagram or follow us at our blog at anchorrelief.blog you could also subscribe to our YouTube channel as well as our Apple Podcasts and Spotify. To subscribe to our text thread text the word Air AIR to the number 949-3849282. Again that's 9493849282 or you can call us directly on our office line at area code 94946777 that's 94946777.

SPEAKER_00 36:16

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