Many of you have inquired and expressed concern about the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa and how it might be affecting us. Michele and I are not in Senegal right now as we continue moving along in our fundraising and final preparations. The short-term medical missions team with Forest Hill that Michele and I were part of was postponed until 2015. This further removes us from the ongoing situation and we should not have any contact with the Ebola outbreak.

Thank you for your prayers for us. Please continue to pray for those people in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea who are dealing with this virus. Liberia and Sierra Leone continue to be the hardest hit by this outbreak.

United World Mission’s official letter concerning the outbreak.
A word from United World Mission Headquarters:
Dear Supporters,

By now most of you have heard about the severe outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa and the efforts by local governments, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations to contain the outbreak. The loss of human life has been significant in the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. These countries are also struggling with the economic consequences of the attempts to contain the virus from spreading to other neighboring countries. Please join us in praying for those who are affected as well as those who are selflessly putting themselves in harms-way to provide relief.

As of now, there are no reported cases in Mali and only one case in Senegal. Since we have missionaries in both countries, we are monitoring the situation very closely and updating our evacuation plans. We are also in regular contact with the US Embassy in Dakar, Senegal and asking all of our people to follow the safety recommendations provided by the CDC and WHO. At this time, there is no imminent threat to the lives of our missionaries, and therefore, no need to evacuate them from these countries. If the situation changes, we will examine the facts and prayerfully discern an appropriate response.

We sincerely appreciate your prayers and support for our missionaries serving in West Africa. If you have concerns regarding this situation please feel free to contact our team in the Charlotte, NC office.

In Christ,

Jim Vitello
Director of Finance & Human Resources