This morning I received a news clip from IRIN news focusing on a deadly meningitis outbreak in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. When I read the headline I was immediately drawn to reading through the article.
Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province is home to the Maikazo Technical Institute. Yesterday it was confirmed by the Minister of Health, August Mopipi that at least 100 people have been infected throughout the port city on the Congo River. Local leaders have began to call the menengitis outbreak an "epedemic".
Local hospital officials and the UN radio service in Kisangani have reported and confirmed 17 deaths from the bacterial infection, all students from the Maikazo Technical Institute.
As I continued through the article I came across a statistic which really broke my heart. Kisangani is one of the largest cities in Congo, and it lies in the middle of Africa's "menegitis belt." According to the World Health Organization, a outbreak of meningitis in early 2009 across the "belt" infected nearly 25,000 people, killing more than 1500 of them.
My heart aches for the congolese people and what they endure on a daily basis. A country torn apart by war, rape, starvation and even an earthquake in the past which rocked the city of Bukavu. If things aren't bad enough, you read about chlorea outbreaks and menengitis outbreaks which continue to take the lives of the innocent.
This article hit me deep . . . so deep that I decided to sit down and share these thoughts with you. Yesterday Laura and I were in Winnipeg for a meeting. In the morning we decided to finish up our Christmas shopping while we were in the city. Our main stop was Superstore, where I left in kind of a foul mood . . . I was holding a receipt in my hands for $182, accumulated in approaximately 30 minutes. It was tough to spend this money . . . correction . . . it was tough to let this money go!!!!
At times I struggle with the fact that we are blessed, and its a tough obstacle to overcome. I thank the Lord for His blessing of health and safety upon our family. I thank the Lord for His continual financial blessing so we can provide for our children. But as I sat and looked at the receipt in my hand, I thought of those who struggle with the constant threat of heath epedemics. I think of those who struggle to put food on the table and shelter over the heads of their children. It's Christmas time and yet people continue to die in third world countries of diseases which can be treated here in Canada. Then there's the $182 dollars . . . for those who live on a dollar a day . . . that's 182 days of survival.
I challenge you during this festive season to thank God for His provision, to thank God for His promise of protection. Seek Him in ways you've never sought after Him before . . . and ask Him, "Lord . . . how can I bless the people of Africa with what you have given me?"
We are brothers and sisters in Christ . . . whether from Canada of Africa . . . we are one in Him. Pray for our nation and yes, pray for the nations of this world.
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