Bundibugyo (bun-de-BOOJ-ee-o) province is on the western border of Uganda, which is between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya in central Africa.

Scott & Jennifer Myhre are the leaders of WHM’s Uganda team. Their kids are Julia, Jack, Luke, & Caleb.

The Uganda team. Melissa & I went through WHM orientation with Sarah Reber (to the left of the Myhres) in March.

All of the team except Scott & Jennifer, who are both doctors, and one other member have been evacuated to Kampala, the capital. Jennifer, I believe, is waiting out her decontamination period and then will join the team there.

Dr. Jonah’s burial last week. He was a Ugandan doctor who was infected through contact with a patient. At his brief funeral service (most people are understandably afraid to come anywhere close to an infected person), Scott read from John 12:

But Jesus answered them, saying: The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground an dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

Dr. Jonah’s wife Melen and children. At the Myhres’ blog there are links to send financial support for both the disease response and Dr. Jonah’s family.

A few things we can pray for:

• For the healing of the sick, and for the outbreak to dry up. I’m praying Psalm 107:20, “He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” Yesterday there were no new cases, but there have been 115 total cases with 31 deaths (in other words, a 26.9% mortality rate).
• For God to sustain and strengthen the Myhres. They’re exhausted, they’ve lost one of their best friends, and their team (including their kids) are hours away. Jennifer will rejoin them soon, God willing, but imagine having to make the call of staying to help or going so that your kids at least won’t lose both their parents.
• That in this suffering God will cause the people to trust and believe in him. The testimony of believers staying in harm’s way when they could easily leave, simply because they are serving the poor in Christ’s name, is powerful. Pray that the Gospel will be adorned by their sacrifice (Titus 2:10).