After recovering from Ebola at a Samaritan's Purse treatment center, one Congolese man is thanking God and helping other people who are suffering with the disease.
Samaritan’s Purse is operating Ebola Treatment Centers (ETC) in Bunia and Nyankunde as the disease continues to claim lives and disrupt society.
Among our first patients was Bobo, who lives at the epicenter of the outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
When Bobo began feeling sick, he faced many fears and did not know who to trust. Bobo came to our Bunia center seeking help. He tested positive for Ebola. Our teams monitored him, provided supportive treatment, and encouraged him.
Because he came early, the likelihood of his survival increased. After receiving high-quality care, he began to recover and was released from treatment the following week after receiving two negative test results.
Bobo arrived at the Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia when he began to have symptoms.
He is now able to serve patients and educate others without fear. He’s seeing this as God’s preparation for him to minister to his neighbors.
“I was dancing because of joy,” he said. “If you go in here and you come out, you have to thank God.”
His experience gives him unequaled credibility among his people.
“If you have headaches and strange sensations in your body, do not self-medicate by taking herbs,” he said. “Go quickly to the treatment center. Everything is going well. But if you wait until you’re ravaged by the disease first, it might be too late.”
Our teams have been working around the clock treating Ebola patients at two treatment centers in Ituri Province.
Dr. Jackson Yossa, a National Medical Team Supervisor with Samaritan’s Purse, has seen patients like Bobo arrive at the ETC frightened and uncertain. Before treatment begins, staff pray. “Healing is from the Lord,” Yossa said. “God is at the center.”
Bobo said he can sense the hand of God working through the Samaritan’s Purse team. He himself was blessed and encouraged by the staff who treated him with care and attention. They were always willing to pray for him.
“God’s love is manifested through the work that is done here,” he said.
Pray for the Samaritan’s Purse teams in Bunia and Nyankunde as they care for patients and work to stop the spread of Ebola in Congo. Pray for those who are sick and for communities who are afraid.
Bobo was released from treatment at our Ebola Treatment Center and is praising God for his healing. Now he wants to help fellow Congolese patients.
