Sierra Leone Ebola notes

Colonel - we don't hear from you nearly enough. Great post, and very informative. Thank you

Thank you, jacksdad. To be quiet honest, I'd forgotten about this forum until I started searching for more info sources on Ebola. It's been quite a while since I've posted anything here. It's going to be one of my primary sources now. I'll try to keep it a two-way street and report what I learn from the folks who are over there now. One of them will be returning home later this summer and I'll be able to talk it over at length. The last one to head over there left before the outbreak, so we really didn't have an opportunity to talk about precautions. One of our rules though, is that everyone going over there has their own personal bug out bag designed for that specific situation. In fact, the europeans who go there to work at the gold mine (operated by a German company) have bug out bags in their rooms at all times. It's just S.O.P. over there, but that's a topic for another day.

WillobyBrat, you summarized the situation quite well, sir.

The natives were quite helpful and eager to have our missionaries there at first. Despite being told quite clearly that we were NOT there to give them things, but to spread The Gospel, they assumed that we really didn't mean it. After all, that's what ALL the white men do in Africa - they donate stuff. When it finally dawned on them that we really meant what we said, the attitude changed greatly. There were several attempts to do great harm, including trying to burn down the mission compound and contaminate the water supply. Things have slowly improved and are now to the point where the village chief spoke at the first graduation of the Bible school and said that his people had treated the missionaries wrongly at first, but they had now proven themselves. Nothing is ever stable there, but for now anyway, relations are getting better.

All that was to say that you're right when you said, "Maybe we should just leave Africa alone." The Western habit of throwing money at Africa has done far more harm than good. While it makes the donors feel good, it fosters a sense of entitlement and dependency that, in the long run, will destroy a people. It is what is destroying America.

Also, to clarify a point: while I am the VP of the non-profit that supports the missionaries, I have not been to Africa myself. I'm just relaying what I have learned personally from those who are there.

Colonel,I thought that I had read some where that you made a statement about "before the collapse" happens here. Many of us are peppers. Could tell me and the rest of us some idea about the "collapse" and what will cause it and a time line of some kind about when it might happen? Thank You,Johnray1

Colonel, Thank You,Very Much.Johnray1

Colonel wrote: The world keeps getting more and more complex, and the cost in resources just to maintain that complexity keeps rising. At some point, it will collapse. Every complex civilization has, and there is absolutely no logical reason to think this one is any different.

My thoughts exactly. It's arrogant to think that we're any better at this than all the civilizations that have gone before.

PRECICELY Colonel,  ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON.  YOU SAID IT ALL.  Technophobe and WillobyBrat replied in sterio, so Technophobe (who does the typing)  wrote our reply.  Your's is a very lucky family to have you.

I was probably among the last of the students taught using the slide rule. When I first started college, everyone carried their slide rule in a case hanging from their belt or in a briefcase or pack. You could tell who the rich kids were because they would always sit next to an outlet so they could plug in their calculator. By the time I finished college, slide rules had almost disappeared and calculators were everywhere. It is amazing how fast that change was made. The slide rule instruction books are as much for me as they are for others. I had started carrying a small one with me - I was determined to relearn how to use it. We get so spoiled with calculators and computers...

I just got back from a trip to the local Goodwill store. I came back with some good textbooks - General Chemistry, Mathematical Palette, Statistics, Elementary Algebra, and several others. I already had some similar ones, but these look very nice.

When I look ahead at what life might be like two generations following a collapse, I see a world where an entire generation would be largely illiterate and uneducated. I want to make sure that my decendants are among the few who are educated and have the knowledge and skills needed to make things happen. Now THAT is power! I really enjoy the feeling of knowing that my efforts today could make a huge difference in the lives of others generations from now - all for the price of some $1.99 books from a Goodwill store and a few sliderules from ebay.

Astrologic wrote: I think there is a natural instinct in mankind, that was at one time understood and accepted; to refuse any manner or form of violence and persecution, and to leave any place where they would have to be less moral, intelligence and justified then their dignified nature has endowed them to be.

We had this discussion before, Astrologic, and I disagreed with you then. I don't think there's ever been a time in mankind's history when we've been as enlightened and selfless as you'd like to think. Our natural instinct is to survive and to defend our families even if that means resorting to violence. I prep so I don't have to steal from someone else, but my preps also include the means to protect them from those who would leave my family without the means to survive. In a SHTF situation, violence against us would be met in kind. Sorry, but I see no value in rolling over and dying when the going gets tough.

Another way to look at the idea of "I won't use violence" is this: If you allow those who initiate force against those wishing to live in peace to have their way, then you are rewarding their behavior. They grow in number and in power while those who wish to live in peace (but are unwilling to do the hard work required to maintain that peace) will shrink in number and in power. You have turned the world over to the barbarians. You have directly contributed to that which you claim to abhor.

There is no "walking away". There is no "escape". This is the real world - not a science fiction fantasy. In the real world, there are some really bad people, and there are also average people who are quite willing to do really bad things to other people when they get desperate.

The idea of "give them what they want and they'll go away" is sheer nonsense. Even if it were true, what if what they want is my wife or my family? We have a responsibility to defend our own lives and the lives of our families and our loved ones. There is no walking away from that. If someone decides that they will not use violence against those who would use violence against them, then save your money when it comes to being prepared. Enjoy it now rather than buying food and other items for the brutal thugs who will not hesitate to use violence to take it from you.

This is not a game or a book or a movie.

Technophobe wrote: The other part of the formula is:  Never start it, always finish it.

That pretty well sums it up.

I will not INITIATE the use of force against others.
I will not ACCEPT the use of force against me or others who wish to live in peace.
I will use any amount of force necessary to stop the threat of aggression by others against those who wish to live in peace - including the use of lethal force.

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Astrologic, am I reading your posts right - are you talking about suicide?

We just lost a really bright young adult to suicide. He was a team mate of my son during those formative years. Super bright,super talented. Was one of the 'TOP TWENTY UNDER TWENTY' which is huge in Canada. Youngest person ever to travel to both the arctic and Antarctic. Member SOI(Students On Ice).
Sad beyond belief and none of us can understand how this happens. We are all struggling to find answers that don't exist. I can't stop crying.

To All who Want to Survive and to those who do not want to Survive.I have something to tell all of the people who want to survive when the SHTF  and for those who do not want to survive. If you are among the people who do not to survive if you can not have all of the Amenities and nice  way that we live now,you will die.-----If you do not prep any and if you want to kill yourself if the SHTF,do not worry,if you do not want to live,you will not. If you want to survive,you have to want survive so bad that you are willing to do anything and live in any conditions.I want to survive so much,that if I have to live under a rock cliff and eat Opossum and wear animal skins,I still want to survive.I f any of you are do not want to survive that much,do not worry,you will not. Even some of us who want to live that much ,will still die.But if you do not really want to survive in any conditions,you will die.The will to survive is more important than any stores and supplies that you may or may not have. If you have the will to live ,you probably will. Johnray1

jacksdad wrote: Colonel is absolutely right when he points out that giving in to violence and intimidation means "...you have turned the world over to the barbarians. You have directly contributed to that which you claim to abhor." I'm not prepping so the first person who wants my stuff gets to walk away unchallenged. Not on my watch, and not when my family's life may depend on what we've stockpiled.

Spot on JD.  Whilst I am in the mood to quote people " All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke

Johnray I'm prepping now so my (and my family's) life post SHTF is easier and more pleasant.  We are survival types already!

Technophobe, That is the same reason that I am prepping. Personally,I could leave my house naked and during a blizzard and before I would die,I would find shelter,food and water and do just fine. Johnray1

FYI - Following is the Ebola Update from the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone, sent to U.S. citizens currently in that country:



This is an update to the notice of June 6, 2014, in which we alerted U.S. citizens to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone.  As of June 13, there are 43 confirmed Ebola cases with 16 fatalities.  All of these cases can be traced back to contact with individuals in Kailahun District, near the Guinea border.


The Government of Sierra Leone is implementing new surveillance, detection, reporting, and prevention measures as part of a more robust national strategy in addressing the outbreak of the EVD.


A number of these measures only apply to Kailahun District, the epicenter of the EVD outbreak:

1.    Passengers entering and leaving Kailahun District will be screened at health checkpoints.

2.    All schools will be closed in Kailahun District.  Alternate arrangements are being made for students taking the upcoming National Basic Education Examination (BECE).

3.    Public gatherings will be prohibited. This includes gatherings at cinemas, cultural activities, and night clubs.



Other measures will apply across the country:

1.    Cross-border trade fairs (known locally as “Lumors”) will be temporarily closed.

2.    Any person with symptoms of EVD must be reported to the appropriate community health professional.

3.    All deaths must be reported and certified by an authorized health professional prior to burial.

4.    All EVD related deaths must be buried at the place of occurrence under the supervision of health personnel.

Contracting the virus can be avoided through practicing good preventative measures.  The virus is easily killed by contact with soap, bleach, sunlight, or drying.  You will not contract EVD if you are not in contact with the body fluids of someone who is ill with EVD or the corpse of someone who has died of EVD.  Also avoid bat and primate (bush) meat as it can transmit EVD to humans.

The U.S. Embassy is open for business as usual, including the consular section.


For more information:

· Continue to visit the U.S. Embassy Freetown website and Facebook page for regular updates.

· Visit the World Health Organization website.

· Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Sierra Leone enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Contact the U.S. embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions by visiting the U.S. Embassy Freetown website. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  If you don't have internet access, you can get current information on safety and security by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The U.S. Embassy in Freetown is located at Leicester Square, Regent. If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email to consularfreetown@state.gov or calling 232(76) 515-000 or 076-515-000.  For after- hours emergencies, please call Tel:  232-(76) 515-000 or 076-515-000.

Following is a message from the missionaries to the church and supporters:

Tuesday June 17, 2014

To our praying friends:

Undoubtedly many of you have heard news regarding the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in West African countries.  We have hesitated to generally request prayer for this because we weren’t directly effected by it and didn’t want to cause undue alarm.  It was hoped that the virus would be quickly contained in Guinea, the country where the outbreak started.  Unfortunately that is not the case and we now feel that the time has come to ask you, our prayer partners, to bring this matter before the Throne of Grace.

After beginning in a remote area of southern Guinea the virus crossed the borders of Liberia and Sierra Leone.  People in the region are fairly transient and the borders are porous facilitating the spread of the virus. Ebola has now reached Kenema, a large town about 4 hours to our south-east.  You may recall from Field Reports that this town is on our evangelism circuit.  This is also the town where our son John attends school.  He is currently home and has given us the report of general panic as there have been several deaths from the Ebola virus.  Medical personnel have confirmed the deaths to be from Ebola but it is not being reported on the radio or in other media as yet.  Some consideration was given to the possible closing of schools in Kenema as there remains only four weeks to this academic year but as of Tuesday the decision has been made for the schools to remain open.  John returns to Kenema on Wednesday.  Fortunately, because he’s in SS-3 (equivalent to 12th grade) he will only have one week of exams and then will return to Baomahun.

Stephen and Aimee along with one or two students had planned to travel Kono district in the extreme east of Sierra Leone.  This was a reconnaissance trip to make necessary arrangements to add this heavily Muslim region to the evangelism circuit next dry season.  It is also very close to the area where the Ebola virus crossed into Sierra Leone so it was decided it would be in the best interest of everyone involved to not make this trip.

We want to stress that there’s no cause for alarm.  Ebola can be easily contained through quick prudent actions.  The main problem here is the horrendous personal hygiene and lack of community sanitation.  Further complicating the issue is people’s reliance on traditional medicine (witch doctors, black magic etc.)  Many are denying that there’s even an Ebola virus at all and therefore take no precautions.  Others die in remote villages without going to a health post so the spread goes unreported. 

Two years ago Sierra Leone had a cholera epidemic.  It also happened to be just a few months before the presidential election which didn’t look good for the incumbent who was up for re-election.  The government imposed a news blackout regarding the epidemic and told hospitals, clinics, and health posts to STOP reporting the number of deaths.  The government also impounded all available doxycyline, the preferred antibiotic used to treat cholera, and hoarded it in Freetown making it unavailable to small clinics such as the one in our town.  Our medical officer was unable to adequately treat the sick and many died.  Consequently we’re a bit suspicious as to why the Ebola deaths in Kenema are not being publicly reported.  Bo is the next large town from Kenema.  Please pray that it doesn’t reach Bo as it is a main hub for country-wide travel as well as travel to Liberia.  But with the rains we won’t be traveling much and will be extra cautious with physical contact.  Thank you for praying; it’s greatly appreciated.  We’re well and still having fun.

I'd say there was a big difference. I think missionaries continuing to work in an area that they know harbors a dangerous virus are to be commended for their dedication. I'm sure they're aware of the risk and are taking precautions.

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