Covid-19: Guidelines for handling illness in poorer nations

Health, Poor
Two months ago I published links to excellent health guidelines in anticipation of covid-19 impacting many poorer nations, such as advice on regular hand-washing. But the virus has now arrived. With the help of others, Susie Howe, who wrote those guidelines and is highly qualified both as a former nursing sister at one of the London teaching hospitals and also with extensive experience of working in Africa, has produced further culturally relevant-material to guide people in handling situations where illness has occurred. Use of the Guidelines The guidelines can be used in many ways. You are free to reproduce them and adapt them to your own local situation. Maybe you could create handouts to distribute in your local community. Or try running some training sessions, as long as your authorities…
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Swallowed by life – book review

Books, Equipping, Healing, Health, News
I was a member of Church of Christ the King in Brighton for over 30 years. A few years ago one of the members, Liz Woodgate, was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus hence the title of this recently published book, Swallowed by Life. It is the story of what happened over the following two years at which time she was declared healed! I am not going to spoil the wonder by telling you the whole story but it is very remarkable and brings great glory to God. It is certainly a sign that will make you wonder! The book can also be something of a workshop for us as it teaches us much from the many steps that brought Liz to that wonderful result: Her transparency in her honesty…
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News Jottings – June 2015. Ebola update, Pacific Rim update, Jubilee+ Conference

Ebola, Health, International, Jubilee+, News, Pacific Rim, Poor
Another interruption to my ‘Mobilising volunteers’ series, but various things have come to my attention recently that I think will be of wider interest. Ebola Update There was a very positive response to the appeal in recent months to help people in Liberia, Sierra Leona, Guinea and Nigeria through our churches. John Hammond, who worked hard to coordinate the appeal, has produced an excellent update. If you wish to have a copy please contact me or John. Pacific Rim Newsletter In recent weeks I have published brief reports from various Newfrontiers apostolic spheres. This Newsletter came to me recently from The Pacific Rim, led by Peter Brooks, and gives some encouraging reports from Australia, New Zealand and Cambodia. Jubilee+ Two weeks ago I had the enjoyable privilege of meeting with a…
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Beating Ebola

Guinea, Health, Liberia, News, Poor, Sierra Leone
In recent months I have written frequently about West Africa with particular reference to the effects of ebola. I have just viewed this TED talk on the subject of beating ebola, something that a few months ago when I started writing seemed an out of reach dream. Well it does seem to be happening and, rather than write more about the subject I urge you to watch this talk. Click on the picture.
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Ebola affects our friends in West Africa – Part 2: Liberia

Health, Liberia, News, Poor
Liberia Last time I reported on some of the challenges faced by our churches in Guinea and Sierra Leone caused by ebola. Now we shall look at Liberia. Jonathan Nathan, from Monrovia, wrote recently to John Hammond (Bedford) who has coordinated the appeal, to report back on the use of the funds sent so far. It reveals some of the difficulties being faced there. 'The churches in Liberia remain thankful to you all for coming to our aid when we really needed your help. 'The first funds you sent (£2500) came at the time free movement was restricted. Hospitals and clinics were all closed and common curable diseases were killing people as a result of the closure of health centres. About 80% of our church members are young people who…
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Ebola affects our friends in West Africa – Part 1: Guinea and Sierra Leone

Guinea, Health, News, Poor, Sierra Leone
First, may I wish you a happy New Year! I trust that the Christmas season has been one of joy for you as we have celebrated Jesus’ birth. Sadly, I am starting the New Year on a sobering topic – Ebola. Twelve months ago most of you reading this blog would not have heard of ebola, so named from the river in Zaire near where it was first identified in 1976. Then the outbreak was short-lived. Now, the widespread reporting of the current outbreak has put both it and the three nations of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, in all of which there are Newfrontiers churches, into the public’s awareness. So what is happening? Guinea Ebola had just been identified in the forest area of Guinea, near teh Liberian border…
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