The killer around you

Hello friends,

My concern about several complains from friends and family about headaches, weakness and all sorts of inexplicable ailments led me to scan the internet to find answers to: 

1) Why are many of us always feeling weak and tired early in the morning when we have done nothing but sleep all night?

2) Why all these "my head hurts" all the time?  

3) Is there something in the air that makes people sick?

4) What new habits have we formed that has made us "more sick" than our ancestors?

I am yet to find answers to all my questions but in my quest, I found this site and...this is troubling. 

Are our cell phones causing more harm than good? 

Read on

Why is there concern that cell phones may cause cancer or other health problems?

There are three main reasons why people are concerned that cell phones (also known as “wireless” or “mobile” telephones) might have the potential to cause certain types of cancer or other health problems:

• Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy (radio waves), a form of non-ionizing radiation. Tissues nearest to where the phone is held can absorb this energy.
• The number of cell phone users has increased rapidly. As of 2010, there were more than 303 million subscribers to cell phone service in the United States, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. This is a nearly threefold increase from the 110 million users in 2000. Globally, the number of cell phone subscriptions is estimated by the International Telecommunications Union to be 5 billion.
• Over time, the number of cell phone calls per day, the length of each call, and the amount of time people use cell phones have increased. Cell phone technology has also undergone substantial changes.

What is radiofrequency energy and how does it affect the body?

Radiofrequency energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be categorized into two types: ionizing (e.g., x-rays, radon, and cosmic rays) and non-ionizing (e.g., radiofrequency and extremely low-frequency or power frequency).

Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from radiation therapy, is known to increase the risk of cancer. However, although many studies have examined the potential health effects of non-ionizing radiation from radar, microwave ovens, and other sources, there is currently no consistent evidence that non-ionizing radiation increases cancer risk (1).

The only known biological effect of radiofrequency energy is heating. The ability of microwave ovens to heat food is one example of this effect of radiofrequency energy. Radiofrequency exposure from cell phone use does cause heating; however, it is not sufficient to measurably increase body temperature.

A recent study showed that when people used a cell phone for 50 minutes, brain tissues on the same side of the head as the phone’s antenna metabolized more glucose than did tissues on the opposite side of the brain (2). The researchers noted that the results are preliminary, and possible health outcomes from this increase in glucose metabolism are still unknown.

How is radiofrequency energy exposure measured in epidemiologic studies?

Levels of radiofrequency exposure are indirectly estimated using information from interviews or questionnaires. These measures include the following:

• How “regularly” study participants use cell phones (the minimum number of calls per week or month)
• The age and the year when study participants first used a cell phone and the age and the year of last use (allows calculation of the duration of use and time since the start of use)
• The average number of cell phone calls per day, week, or month (frequency)
• The average length of a typical cell phone call
• The total hours of lifetime use, calculated from the length of typical call times, the frequency of use, and the duration of use

What has research shown about the possible cancer-causing effects of radiofrequency energy?

Although there have been some concerns that radiofrequency energy from cell phones held closely to the head may affect the brain and other tissues, to date there is no evidence from studies of cells, animals, or humans that radiofrequency energy can cause cancer.

It is generally accepted that damage to DNA is necessary for cancer to develop. However, radiofrequency energy, unlike ionizing radiation, does not cause DNA damage in cells, and it has not been found to cause cancer in animals or to enhance the cancer-causing effects of known chemical carcinogens in animals (3–5).

Researchers have carried out several types of epidemiologic studies to investigate the possibility of a relationship between cell phone use and the risk of malignant (cancerous) brain tumors, such as gliomas, as well as benign (noncancerous) tumors, such as acousticneuromas (tumors in the cells of the nerve responsible for hearing), most meningiomas(tumors in the meninges, membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord), and parotid gland tumors (tumors in the salivary glands) (6).

In one type of study, called a case-control study, cell phone use is compared between people with these types of tumors and people without them. In another type of study, called a cohort study, a large group of people is followed over time and the rate of these tumors in people who did and didn’t use cell phones is compared. Cancer incidence data can also be analyzed over time to see if the rates of cancer changed in large populations during the time that cell phone use increased dramatically. The results of these studies have generally not provided clear evidence of a relationship between cell phone use and cancer, but there have been some statistically significant findings in certain subgroups of people.

Findings from specific research studies are summarized below:

• The Interphone Study, conducted by a consortium of researchers from 13 countries, is the largest health-related case-control study of use of cell phones and head and neck tumors. Most published analyses from this study have shown no statistically significant increases in brain or central nervous system cancers related to higher amounts of cell phone use. One recent analysis showed a statistically significant, albeit modest, increase in the risk of glioma among the small proportion of study participants who spent the most total time on cell phone calls. However, the researchers considered this finding inconclusive because they felt that the amount of use reported by some respondents was unlikely and because the participants who reported lower levels of use appeared to have a slightly reduced risk of brain cancer compared with people who did not use cell phones regularly (7–9). Another recent study from the group found no relationship between brain tumor locations and regions of the brain that were exposed to the highest level of radiofrequency energy from cell phones (10).
• A cohort study in Denmark linked billing information from more than 358,000 cell phone subscribers with brain tumor incidence data from the Danish Cancer Registry. The analyses found no association between cell phone use and the incidence of glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, even among people who had been cell phone subscribers for 13 or more years (11–13).
• The prospective Million Women Study in the United Kingdom found that self-reported cell phone use was not associated with an increased risk of glioma, meningioma, or non-central nervous system tumors. The researchers did find that the use of cell phones for more than 5 years was associated with an increased risk of acoustic neuroma, and that the risk of acoustic neuroma increased with increasing duration of cell phone use (14). However, the incidence of these tumors among men and women in the United Kingdom did not increase during 1998 to 2008, even though cell phone use increased dramatically over that decade (14).
• An early case-control study in the United States was unable to demonstrate a relationship between cell phone use and glioma or meningioma (15).
• Some case-control studies in Sweden found statistically significant trends of increasing brain cancer risk for the total amount of cell phone use and the years of use among people who began using cell phones before age 20 (16). However, another large, case-control study in Sweden did not find an increased risk of brain cancer among people between the ages of 20 and 69 (17). In addition, the international CEFALO study, which compared children who were diagnosed with brain cancer between ages 7 and 19 with similar children who were not, found no relationship between their cell phone use and risk for brain cancer (18).
• NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, which tracks cancer incidence in the United States over time, found no increase in the incidence of brain or other central nervous system cancers between 1987 and 2007, despite the dramatic increase in cell phone use in this country during that time (19, 20). Similarly, incidence data from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden for the period 1974–2008 revealed no increase in age-adjusted incidence of brain tumors (21, 22). A 2012 study by NCI researchers, which compared observed glioma incidence rates in SEER with projected rates based on risks observed in the Interphone study (8), found that the projected rates were consistent with observed U.S. rates. The researchers also compared the SEER rates with projected rates based on a Swedish study published in 2011 (16). They determined that the projected rates were at least 40 percent higher than, and incompatible with, the actual U.S. rates.
• Studies of workers exposed to radiofrequency energy have shown no evidence of increased risk of brain tumors among U.S. Navy electronics technicians, aviation technicians, or fire control technicians, those working in an electromagnetic pulse test program, plastic-ware workers, cellular phone manufacturing workers, or Navy personnel with a high probability of exposure to radar (6).

Why are the findings from different studies of cell phone use and cancer risk inconsistent?

A limited number of studies have shown some evidence of statistical association of cell phone use and brain tumor risks, but most studies have found no association. Reasons for these discrepancies include the following:

• Recall bias, which may happen when a study collects data about prior habits and exposures using questionnaires administered after disease has been diagnosed in some of the study participants. It is possible that study participants who have brain tumors may remember their cell phone use differently than individuals without brain tumors. Many epidemiologic studies of cell phone use and brain cancer risk lack verifiable data about the total amount of cell phone use over time. In addition, people who develop a brain tumor may have a tendency to recall using their cell phone mostly on the same side of their head where the tumor was found, regardless of whether they actually used their phone on that side of their head a lot or only a little.
• Inaccurate reporting, which may happen when people say that something has happened more or less often than it actually did. People may not remember how much they used cell phones in a given time period.
• Morbidity and mortality among study participants who have brain cancer. Gliomas are particularly difficult to study, for example, because of their high death rate and the short survival of people who develop these tumors. Patients who survive initial treatment are often impaired, which may affect their responses to questions. Furthermore, for people who have died, next-of-kin are often less familiar with the cell phone use patterns of their deceased family member and may not accurately describe their patterns of use to an interviewer.
• Participation bias, which can happen when people who are diagnosed with brain tumors are more likely than healthy people (known as controls) to enroll in a research study. Also, controls who did not or rarely used cell phones were less likely to participate in the Interphone study than controls who used cell phones regularly. For example, the Interphone study reported participation rates of 78 percent for meningioma patients (range 56–92 percent for the individual studies), 64 percent for the glioma patients (range 36–92 percent), and 53 percent for control subjects (range 42–74 percent) (9). One series of Swedish studies reported participation rates of 85 percent in people with brain cancer and 84 percent in control subjects (17).
• Changing technology and methods of use. Older studies evaluated radiofrequency energy exposure from analog cell phones. However, most cell phones today use digital technology, which operates at a different frequency and a lower power level than analog phones. Digital cell phones have been in use for more than a decade in the United States, and cellular technology continues to change (6). Texting, for example, has become a popular way of using a cell phone to communicate that does not require bringing the phone close to the head. Furthermore, the use of hands-free technology, such as wired and wireless headsets, is increasing and may decrease radiofrequency energy exposure to the head and brain.

What do expert organizations conclude?

The International Agency for Research on CancerExit Disclaimer (IARC), a component of the World Health Organization, has recently classified radiofrequency fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” based on limited evidence from human studies, limited evidence from studies of radiofrequency energy and cancer in rodents, and weak mechanistic evidence (from studies of genotoxicity, effects on immune system function, gene and protein expression, cell signaling, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, along with studies of the possible effects of radiofrequency energy on the blood-brain barrier).

The American Cancer SocietyExit Disclaimer (ACS) states that the IARC classification means that there could be some risk associated with cancer, but the evidence is not strong enough to be considered causal and needs to be investigated further. Individuals who are concerned about radiofrequency exposure can limit their exposure, including using an ear piece and limiting cell phone use, particularly among children.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) states that the weight of the current scientific evidence has not conclusively linked cell phone use with any adverse health problems, but more research is needed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for regulating the safety of machines and devices that emit radiation (including cell phones), notes that studies reporting biological changes associated with radiofrequency energy have failed to be replicated and that the majority of human epidemiologic studies have failed to show a relationship between exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phones and health problems.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that, although some studies have raised concerns about the possible risks of cell phone use, scientific research as a whole does not support a statistically significant association between cell phone use and health effects.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concludes that there is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless phone use can lead to cancer or to other health problems, including headaches, dizziness, or memory loss.

What studies are under way that will help further our understanding of the health effects of cell phone use?

A large prospective cohort study of cell phone use and its possible long-term health effects was launched in Europe in March 2010. This study, known as COSMOSExit Disclaimer, has enrolled approximately 290,000 cell phone users aged 18 years or older to date and will follow them for 20 to 30 years.

Participants in COSMOS will complete a questionnaire about their health, lifestyle, and current and past cell phone use. This information will be supplemented with information from health records and cell phone records.

The challenge of this ambitious study is to continue following the participants for a range of health effects over many decades. Researchers will need to determine whether participants who leave are somehow different from those who remain throughout the follow-up period.

Another study already under way is a case-control study called Mobi-KidsExit Disclaimer, which will include 2000 young people (aged 10-24 years) with newly diagnosed brain tumors and 4000 healthy young people. The goal of the study is to learn more about risk factors for childhood brain tumors. Results are expected in 2016.

Although recall bias is minimized in studies that link participants to their cell phone records, such studies face other problems. For example, it is impossible to know who is using the listed cell phone or whether that individual also places calls using other cell phones. To a lesser extent, it is not clear whether multiple users of a single phone will be represented on a single phone company account.

The NIEHS, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, is carrying out a study of risks related to exposure to radiofrequency energy (the type used in cell phones) in highly specialized labs that can specify and control sources of radiation and measure their effects on rodents.

Do children have a higher risk of developing cancer due to cell phone use than adults?

In theory, children have the potential to be at greater risk than adults for developing brain cancer from cell phones. Their nervous systems are still developing and therefore more vulnerable to factors that may cause cancer. Their heads are smaller than those of adults and therefore have a greater proportional exposure to the field of radiofrequency radiation that is emitted by cell phones. And children have the potential of accumulating more years of cell phone exposure than adults do.

So far, the data from studies in children with cancer do not support this theory. The first published analysis came from a large case-control study called CEFALO, which was conducted in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland. The study included children who were diagnosed with brain tumors between 2004 and 2008, when their ages ranged from 7 to 19. Researchers did not find an association between cell phone use and brain tumor risk in this group of children. However, they noted that their results did not rule out the possibility of a slight increase in brain cancer risk among children who use cell phones, and that data gathered through prospective studies and objective measurements, rather than participant surveys and recollections, will be key in clarifying whether there is an increased risk (19).

Researchers from the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Spain are conducting another international study—Mobi-KidsExit Disclaimer—to evaluate the risk associated with new communications technologies (including cell phones) and other environmental factors in young people newly diagnosed with brain tumors at ages 10 to 24 years. 

What can cell phone users do to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency energy?

The FDA and FCC have suggested some steps that concerned cell phone users can take to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency energy (1, 23):

• Reserve the use of cell phones for shorter conversations or for times when a landline phone is not available.
• Use a hands-free device, which places more distance between the phone and the head of the user.

Hands-free kits reduce the amount of radiofrequency energy exposure to the head because the antenna, which is the source of energy, is not placed against the head.

Where can I find more information about radiofrequency energy from my cell phone?

The FCC provides information about the specific absorption rate (SAR) of cell phones produced and marketed within the last 1 to 2 years. The SAR corresponds with the relative amount of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the head of a cell phone user (24). Consumers can access this information using the phone’s FCC ID number, which is usually located on the case of the phone, and the FCC’s ID search form.

What are other sources of radiofrequency energy?

The most common exposures to radiofrequency energy are from telecommunications devices and equipment (1). In the United States, cell phones currently operate in a frequency range of about 1,800 to 2,200 megahertz (MHz) (6). In this range, the electromagnetic radiation produced is in the form of non-ionizing radiofrequency energy.

Cordless phones (phones that have a base unit connected to the telephone wiring in a house) often operate at radio frequencies similar to those of cell phones; however, since cordless phones have a limited range and require a nearby base, their signals are generally much less powerful than those of cell phones.  

Among other radiofrequency energy sources, AM/FM radios and VHF/UHF televisions operate at lower radio frequencies than cell phones, whereas sources such as radar, satellite stations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, industrial equipment, and microwave ovens operate at somewhat higher radio frequencies (1).

How common is brain cancer? Has the incidence of brain cancer changed over time?

Brain cancer incidence and mortality (death) rates have changed little in the past decade. In the United States, 23,130 new diagnoses and 14,080 deaths from brain cancer are estimated for 2013.

The 5-year relative survival for brain cancers diagnosed from 2003 through 2009 was 35 percent (25). This is the percentage of people diagnosed with brain cancer who will still be alive 5 years after diagnosis compared with the survival of a person of the same age and sex who does not have cancer.

The risk of developing brain cancer increases with age. From 2006 through 2010, there were fewer than 5 brain cancer cases for every 100,000 people in the United States under age 65, compared with approximately 19 cases for every 100,000 people in the United States who were ages 65 or older (25).

Copied from: http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet

Selected References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2009). Radiation-Emitting Products: Reducing Exposure: Hands-free Kits and Other Accessories. Silver Spring, MD. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
2. Volkow ND, Tomasi D, Wang GJ, et al. Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism. JAMA 2011; 305(8):808–813. [PubMed Abstract]
3. Hirose H, Suhara T, Kaji N, et al. Mobile phone base station radiation does not affect neoplastic transformation in BALB/3T3 cells. Bioelectromagnetics 2008; 29(1):55–64.[PubMed Abstract]
4. Oberto G, Rolfo K, Yu P, et al. Carcinogenicity study of 217 Hz pulsed 900 MHz electromagnetic fields in Pim1 transgenic mice. Radiation Research 2007; 168(3):316–326. [PubMed Abstract]
5. Zook BC, Simmens SJ. The effects of pulsed 860 MHz radiofrequency radiation on the promotion of neurogenic tumors in rats. Radiation Research 2006; 165(5):608–615.[PubMed Abstract]
6. Ahlbom A, Green A, Kheifets L, et al. Epidemiology of health effects of radiofrequency exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives 2004; 112(17):1741–1754. [PubMed Abstract]
7. Cardis E, Richardson L, Deltour I, et al. The INTERPHONE study: design, epidemiological methods, and description of the study population. European Journal of Epidemiology 2007; 22(9):647–664. [PubMed Abstract]
8. International Agency for Research on Cancer (2008). INTERPHONE Study: latest results update—8 October 2008Exit Disclaimer. Lyon, France. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
9. The INTERPHONE Study Group. Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case-control study. International Journal of Epidemiology 2010; 39(3):675–694. [PubMed Abstract]
10. Larjavaara S, Schüz J, Swerdlow A, et al. Location of gliomas in relation to mobile telephone use: a case-case and case-specular analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology 2011; 174(1):2–11. [PubMed Abstract]
11. Johansen C, Boice J Jr, McLaughlin J, Olsen J. Cellular telephones and cancer: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2001; 93(3):203–207. [PubMed Abstract]
12. Schüz J, Jacobsen R, Olsen JH, et al. Cellular telephone use and cancer risk: update of a nationwide Danish cohort. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2006; 98(23):1707–1713. [PubMed Abstract]
13. Frei P, Poulsen AH, Johansen C, et al. Use of mobile phones and risk of brain tumours: update of Danish cohort study. British Medical Journal 2011; 343:d6387. [PubMed Abstract]
14. Benson VS, Pirie K, Schüz J, et al. Mobile phone use and risk of brain neoplasms and other cancers: Prospective study. International Journal of Epidemiology 2013; First published online: May 8, 2013. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt072Exit Disclaimer
15. Muscat JE, Malkin MG, Thompson S, et al. Handheld cellular telephone use and risk of brain cancer. JAMA 2000; 284(23):3001–3007. [PubMed Abstract]
16. Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. Pooled analysis of case-control studies on malignant brain tumours and the use of mobile and cordless phones including living and deceased subjects. International Journal of Oncology 2011; 38(5):1465–1474.[PubMed Abstract]
17. Lönn S, Ahlbom A, Hall P, Feychting M. Long-term mobile phone use and brain tumor risk. American Journal of Epidemiology 2005; 161(6):526–535. [PubMed Abstract]
18. Aydin D, Feychting M, Schüz J, et al. Mobile phone use and brain tumors in children and adolescents: a multicenter case-control study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute2011; 103(16):1264–1276. [PubMed Abstract]
19. Inskip PD, Hoover RN, Devesa SS. Brain cancer incidence trends in relation to cellular telephone use in the United States. Neuro-Oncology 2010; 12(11):1147–1151. [PubMed Abstract]
20. Little MP, Rajaraman P, Curtis RE, et al. Mobile phone use and glioma risk: comparison of epidemiological study results with incidence trends in the United States. British Medical Journal 2012; 344:e1147.
     [PubMed Abstract]
21. Deltour I, Johansen C, Auvinen A, et al. Time trends in brain tumor incidence rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, 1974–2003. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2009; 101(24):1721–1724. [PubMed Abstract]
22. Deltour I, Auvinen A, Feychting M, et al. Mobile phone use and incidence of glioma in the Nordic countries 1979–2008: consistency check. Epidemiology 2012; 23(2):301–307.
    [PubMed Abstract]
23. U.S. Federal Communications Commission (2010). Wireless. Washington, D.C. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
24. U.S. Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). FCC Encyclopedia: Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Cellular Telephones. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
25. Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, et al. (eds.). (2013) SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2010. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Retrieved June 24, 2013.

Related Resources

• Magnetic Field Exposure and Cancer
• Causes and Prevention

• 
  

You won't believe this!?

I got this article from  http://www.postsforall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Man-Rejected-for-janitor-job.jpg   .

I believe this will motivate you, if it doesn't challenge you to start something small today, what will!?

Enjoy!


Copyright:  http://www.postsforall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Man-Rejected-for-janitor-job.jpg 

Undaunted by terror

One morning in our mission camp, our team leader summoned us to an urgent meeting. Usually we start our day by six (6) am, but today he woke us up two hours earlier. We all gathered at the village Chapel in our nightwear. This was an unusual devotion; everyone was still slow, sluggish and sleepy thus the praise/worship was not as exuberant as other days. Somehow, as our manner is, we still sang a few songs to prepare us for what God had to say. Few minutes later, our leader took the stage to address us. On a normal day he would greet and ask how well we rested, but today was different “my brethren, I sense in my spirit that the moment is almost here” he started. “We do not have all the time to do the work; I feel that we need to spend less time on frivolities and non-important issues and focus more on our heavenly mandate. There are new territories to cover, several souls to be saved and lots of Bibles to be given away. We must start early today because we need to finish the work around Wundada area and move on to Inatu village”. As he spoke we could feel the urgency in his voice, but also I felt like he may have heard something from the Lord or from one of our informants. As he started to divide us into groups, I felt like I heard some movement outside the Chapel.  I looked out the window but saw nothing. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me.

I called my mind back to the meeting and looked up to continue listening to our leader. Suddenly, in a flash, several masked men had surrounded the Chapel. They had machine guns, machetes, and different shapes of knives and swords. The room became dead quiet; you could hear a pin drop. I said to myself “he was right, we didn’t have much time”.  The leader of the masked men broke the silence “which of you is the leader of these bunch of infidels?”  “I am” responded our leader.  “Do you want to lead your group to death or do you want to save them by telling all of them to recant their faith and convert?” asked the militant group’s leader.  “We will not renounce our faith and we will never deny our Lord” was the response. By this time fear had gripped us all and I knew… this is the moment that we pay the ultimate sacrifice of faith.

Hearing our leader say our creed was the encouragement we needed as we all, one after the other, joined him to declare our faith “we will not renounce our faith and we will never deny our Lord”. In less than a minute, every one of us had joined our hands together and fearlessly declared our unfailing commitment to Christ and His cross. It looked as if the leader of the militant group was saying something, but no one was interested anymore; we continued to chant and it got louder and louder “We will not renounce our faith and we will never deny our Lord”.

Their leader commanded them to shoot us and they shot randomly, recklessly and mercilessly. I could faintly see around the room, not one person was still standing.  It was bloody, it was deadly and unbelievable. I struggled to look around the room to see if they had left, that was when one of them placed his sword on my neck, his boot on my groin and said “you have a chance to renounce your faith and be converted or be beheaded”. I shook my head and yelled at the top of my voice “No!!!!!” and I woke up.

When I woke up from this dreadful dream, I looked out the window and saw that things were looking normal. A drunk fellow walking down the street, people still tweeting their frustration, parties happening, people marrying and given in marriage and people continue to share, retweet, comment on and discuss things they consider very important. As for me, I knelt down and prayed. Not for myself, because I just survived a horrendous dream, but for all the Missionaries who have denied themselves of pleasure, left the comfort of their homes and are at risk of being slaughtered for their faith. For me it was only a dream which I woke up from, but for many others, it is reality. Every week we get news of the merciless killing of a missionary. So far, hundreds, if not thousands, have been killed in the course of performing their duties. 

Will you stop whatever you are doing right now and pray for missionaries? Will you?

Father we pray for missionaries all over the world. Please protect them. Provide for them. Preserve them. Help them keep the faith. For those who are getting discouraged, grant them strength and courage to continue the good fight of faith. And Lord for those who have paid the ultimate price, accept their souls and grant them eternal rest.  In Jesus name!  Amen! 

The Nigerian dilemma

Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea- The Nigerian Dilemma

In less than a month from now, Nigerians will head to the poll to choose the next person to lead that great country. I love Nigeria, not just because it is the land of my birth or because it is a wealthy country; but also because of its place in prophecy and its strategic position in the committee of Nations.  Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world; we cannot ignore what happens there or pretend not to be concerned. It is important to note that whatever happens in Nigeria invariably affects several things around the globe. That said, my friends, Nigerian politics, as dangerous as it seems, is everyone’s business no matter your nationality, race, profession, location or religion.

  

Due to the ethics of my “profession” I am not supposed to be partisan, but by all means, I am allowed freedom of speech which the Pope recently told us also has its limits. Yes I can express my thoughts without being inordinate, brutal, offensive or unnecessarily forceful. A good leader should never instigate the people against instituted authorities. No matter how bad a leader is, there is a purpose why he/she is in position of leadership and every wise leader knows better than to tear down other leaders. And for followers, it has not been given to any one of us, the right or power to make mutinous statements against any leader. If fellow leaders are not allowed to do certain things against their colleagues, who are you to dance where angels fear to tread!? In dealing with leaders, caution is required.

Key Players 

I see that two key parties and two key players have emerged for the presidential position. The two parties; People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) have produced two juggernauts. No disrespect to other candidates and parties, but as a semi-neutral observer, I can’t but notice the disparity between these two and the other candidates/parties. I might be wrong, but I believe that the next president of Nigeria will be one of these two. But which of them has what it takes to move the country forward?

Looking at some information about each of them might help the electorate and other observers decide who best suits Nigeria.

APC Candidate:

1)  He is 72 years old (He was born 1942)

2)  A Muslim from Northern Nigeria

3)  Has some form of military training and qualification

4)  Was once a military ruler (for about 2 years)

5)  He ran for presidential election three times before now (2003, 2007 and 2011) and lost in all three.

6)  Has the backing of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram

PDP Candidate:

1)  He is 57 years old (he was born 1957)

2)  A Christian from South south Nigeria

3)  Has a PhD in Zoology

4)  Rose to power by what some have called a twist of fate

5)  Contested and won the 2011 general election against retired Major General Buhari with 59% of the votes

6)  Is the incumbent president and probably has some backing too

My thoughts

In the first place, I think the constitutional cut of age to be Nigerian president, makes it difficult for young people who have the know-how to lead, contest for the position. If someone is younger than forty years and leads a multi-million dollar company with several hundreds of people in his pay roll, what else does he need to prove that he has potential to lead!? Don’t tell me he needs some experience, isn’t there something like on-the-job-training? Oh! Yes I know the answer. Nobody can just come in from anywhere and contest for any elective position; there is a “cabal” that runs the polity and if such a young and rich leader is not part of the clique or does not have a godfather behind him, he has no chance. Strange! Very, very strange! What we have in Nigeria is a weird system that, among other ills,  have left top political offices for only the old, sick and tired people who have little or no ideas left in their frail minds. Rather than have young and intelligent people vie for political positions, we have people who should play advisory roles seeking leadership positions. Some even have ruled and failed and are attempting to come back again. Is it just me or does anybody else think there is clear ploy to keep Nigeria backward?

There are four factors I think the electorate should consider before voting:

1)  Age

2)  History

3)  True democrat

4)  Health condition

Not too long ago, we had a president who could not finish his term due to ill health. I think by now Nigerians have learnt not to vote-in anybody who doesn’t pass the health test. But again, I’m not too sure if the electoral commission performs any such tests and even if they do, can it be trusted? If anyone is contesting for a leadership position, I think the least we expect to know is that his organs should last for the period he intends to serve. Maybe we should not be asking for his health history, but if any of the contestants shows signs of weakness and the electoral commission allows him to contest, then we the people should not allow him get “up there”. Once bitten, twice shy. A sick leader cannot make good decisions. Sounds like stating the obvious, but in a country like Nigeria, where many of the people simulate ignorance, it is important to mention.

Boring History

In high School, History was one of my most boring subjects. No amount of coffee could keep me awake in a history class. But as I grew up, I personally took interest in history because I realized that there is no way anyone can make progress without considering what happened in the past.

I was 7 years old in 1976 when Muritala Mohammad was assassinated. I remember the fear and trepidation which followed the news of the coup and death of the then military ruler. But not too long, we had another military ruler, General Obasanjo. I’m not sure if he did badly during his tenure, but his leadership was not all that excellent; but terminating military rule, lifting the ban on political activities and initiating transition to civilian rule was among the fruits his “first coming” yielded. Not too long a civilian president was installed and history was made-for the first time Nigerians voted in their own president (at least that’s how our fathers felt).

Early one morning, December 1983, we woke up to the news that the civilian president had been overthrown. A military coup had brought down the democratically elected civilian government. Having dismantled the civilian government, Major General Buhari installed himself as the leader of the Supreme Military Council. About two years into his regime, there was another coup d’état. IBB overthrew Buhari and took over power. He ruled Nigeria from 1985 until 1993 when he was forced out of office. When he, IBB, “stepped aside”, he handed over to a so called Interim Government which did not last more than ninety days. The madness continued and culminated in the death of Sanni Abacha.

After all the Military foolishness, it was time to hand over power to the people, as they claimed. Abdusalami, who became Head of State after Abacha’s death and who, as was claimed, had never held public office, announced transition to civilian rule. Although they called it civilian rule, the masses didn’t think it was. That marked the “second coming” of Olusegun Obasanjo. Some believe that the difference between his first and second tenure as president was the military uniform. There was not much of a difference in his modus operandi.

The Catch-22

When the present president came into office, many people began to sing his praise and some even said he was the chosen one who will lead Nigeria to the “promised land”. But after one term and a half, many have come to discover that things are not always as they seem. During the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan, one can point to several things that are not working as they should. Although he claims that the electricity problem has improved, the reality on ground seems to show otherwise. Some claim Boko Haram have wreaked devastation of catastrophic proportions while the president and his government turn a deaf ear to the cry of the people. He still has not been able to help us actualize our dreams and #bringbackourgirls. Security is still a major concern in Nigeria; armed and highway robbery continues to be the order of the day. We can go on and on to list things that President Goodluck Jonathan has not been able to achieve in about seven years in office. Is he the best man for the job? I am not sure.

Like I stated earlier, two parties and candidates have become top dogs and I think the race to Aso Rock is a two horse race. Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP and Muhhamadu Buhari’s APC have emerged as the two major contestants. So if Goodluck is not the best man for the job, is Buhari the right one? Erm! You know, I have a problem saying he is better. If we consider his antecedent (how he overthrew a civilian government and etc.), then we won’t be wrong to assume that he may still have some seditious traits in his system.             

As an old Nigerian adage goes “people don’t become left handed at old age”. I agree. I find it difficult to believe that after many years of going through tough military training and working in a system that does not allow for free speech, one can change at old age and become a democrat. I may be wrong or ignorant, but can someone explain to me, how can someone who overthrew a democratically elected government suddenly wake up and say he now believes in democracy? Can a military dictator ever become a true democrat who understands and follows the rule of law and applies the principles of diplomacy? Will he become left-handed at the age of seventy-two? 

Who will I vote for?

Recently someone sent me a link to listen to a young fairly popular Catholic priest who made an open declaration criticizing the incumbent president and asked Nigerians to vote him out. I took time to listen to his emotion ridden sermon and I cannot but ask “seriously brother Reverend Father?” I really do not have any other comment than that.

When caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, I would rather take my chances with the sea. At least with the sea I have better chances than with the devil. I will swim for as long as I can and hope help comes before I drown or freeze to death. I do not want to dine with the devil not even with the proverbial “long spoon”; evil is evil no matter how nice we try to sugar coat it. Choosing to go with the devil will be selling out my soul. Why offer your soul for safety when you will die anyway!?

Let’s call a spade what it is, Nigeria’s problem cannot be solved within ten years. Let us not be fooled with all the promises these politicians make. Like Nikita Khrushchev puts it “Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers” They can promise to bring heaven down to earth, but when they get there they rarely perform. No individual has what it takes to make Nigeria a “paradise” overnight. Nigeria is work-in-progress and voting for anyone from the first, second, or third republic is only a retrogressive move.

                                                                                     

Since I have to vote, I will vote for 1) the younger 2) the healthier one 3) the one I believe really believes in democracy 4) one whose history does not portend future trouble for Nigeria.

Only God has the power to save, help and transform Nigeria, but in the absence of a clear revelation of who He has chosen to use, let us vote wisely and not allow the events of 1983 repeat itself.

Don't Ignore this!

Note: I asked some of our students and trainees to review one of my articles and tell me what they think about mission. I just can't help but publish this. Please read to the end. I have chosen to publish it the way it was written; although it has a few errors, you can't resist the fact that this young missionary has had an indelible experience. You can let me have your thoughts after reading. Be blessed. 

WHY BECOME A MISSIONARY?

I recently, read about three (3) xaverian missionary nuns murdered in some part of Africa over the weekend. Women, who gave up everything in life, choose to follow the Lord even in their their old age. The same people they came to help raped and murdered them in cold blood. How sad can this be!? They loved the people, villagers and children; shared the gospel with them and yet they died for the course of Jesus Christ. I will say they were women in love with God and those they served.

Mission can be said or define as the act of sending. To send someone, or group of people to carry out a mission or an assignment in a place or a particular country. Or to be a witness in an event, cross-culture, preaching, educate, give healthcare, evangelize or give service to a group of people or a village. Been called to do mission, is indeed a privilege to be involved in God and the things of God. It is a great opportunity to be called a missionary and to do mission.

Who is called to do mission? A missionary is one who is called to do mission, follow Jesus Christ in total service to God. Also a person who dedicate his or her life in total fulfillment to God, by preaching, teaching, making disciples, spreading the gospel of Christ with everyone he or she comes in contact with. When you are called to mission, you should have great knowledge about serving God and his people. As a missionary, you sacrifice your life, food, money and material possessions for the people you are called to serve. As a missionary you are expected and required to go extra miles to making them happy and comfortable in their state of living. It is your duty  to lead them to Christ, share the gospel with them, let them know that God cannot and did not forget or abandon them in their present living condition. Being a missionary, you live with them, eat with them, respect their cultures and traditions; yet show them the way that leads to Christ. God picks who He wants to use to do His work; as a missionary, you did not send yourself to your primary assignment. God choose you for the job, you are there to meet the need of His children; God expect us to minister, love, care, educate, provide, preach and teach His people who He (God) is. He sent you for His purpose, so as to bring mankind back to Him.

Everyone loves comfort. Nobody wants to go through the hard and painful life or being uncomfortable, when he or she has all it takes to be comfortable. A lot of people left the comfort of their homes, beds, good living and the amazing luxuries of their fantastic jobs; all in the name of doing missions. Being a missionary, you are called to service and living a hard life. A great man used to say to me “my dear, you need to suffer now so that you can enjoy tomorrow.” I left the comfort of my country, home, family, life, job, business and relationships just so that I can be here. I didn’t like the fact that I could not wear my pretty dresses, fantastic high heel shoes; carry my designer bags, nice hair-do like and etc. When I look back now, I tell myself that it all doesn’t matter anymore to me now. In life, you sometimes don’t have a need of so many things; you need to be uncomfortable if you want to see the glory of God in your life. He expect you to give up things you love so much; like putting it in the garbage can and putting on the clothing of service and also getting dirty and messed up by doing missions.

I have heard a lot of things happening to missionaries today;  how the women and young ladies are been raped and killed, young men got killed in the course of serving God. Trust me, it is so much risk and many people are afraid to come to give help to the people in need. The risk of walking on the street without knowing what awaits you, the risk of helping some kids in a village and some men in that village come to you, saying “if you don’t allow me sleep with you we will kill all the kids in your care”. What will you do? Will you let them kill the kids or save them and let them have you? In life, we all go have to go through or take some kind of risk and ask God to help us overcome it. In all, if you are a lover of God you will know that this life I have is not mine, but it belong to the lord; you will do anything that will please the lord. You may say to yourself I am going for mission, and will return back in peace; that is what I call faith. God always makes a way for His own, and shows up in time. So people; what is worth doing is worth doing well. Choose this day who you will serve, for me; I will serve the lord my God who made the heavens and the earth.

The life that I live today does not belong to me, God gave this life so that I can use it to glorify His name; and also use it to bless the lives of many generations born and yet to be born. I never knew I had the grace of God upon my life to serve Him. As a young fresh graduate, I had dreams of working and owning my business; in the course of planning and also trusting the lord for open doors after my service to my country. I will like to be established, I knew I couldn’t do it alone but I need God to carry me on.  I can still recall how He sounded to me, when I asked Him what will be the next chapter of my life; and He said to me, give me one (1) full year of your service and see what becomes of you after then. That is how come I am called to do missions.

I have seen things in this country, how kids walk several kilometers to school and walk back home after the close of school; they walk to church and everywhere without shoes on their feet. It is heartbreaking, how this people feed, what they put on their body and yet happy with life. I saw and still see little babies and kids without cloths on and even when they do, you see that it is total rags, playing in weather that is 16 degrees Celsius, yet happy in the cold. It is amazing how God preserve them. They say primary education is free for all in most countries in Africa today, but yet some kids can’t even get it free or afford to go to school. I saw some kids in the course of my visit to the villages; they have never seen a real building or been in school since birth yet many of them are about 8-10 years old. And I felt for them, and cried to God to help me sponsor some kids; which I have done and there is great joy in my heart. Because, I have been able to help a child to get a good education in life. I see the older people, no way of getting help, food, cloth, shoes, and good living conditions.  Their homes have no roof, some roofed with banana leaves and when the rain comes, they sleep in it with their children like that. While so many of us have beautiful homes, expensive televisions, classy phones and so on. Some don’t even have bicycles but we have all the exotic cars, not one but cars.

I challenge all those out there to give to missions, you may just be saving a child, helping a family or saving a whole Christian village at large. When I was still back home, I was told how some people, old, young, families, kids and villages need help. I did not understand it. But I know better now. So many of us can’t come for missions; but we can be part of missions. I encourage you to support, and help the kids in need of your help and you will get your rewards in hundred folds. 

I love this mission of God, In my next world, if there is anything like that, I will do mission. Mission it is.

OM. 

Whose Business?

Whose Mission is it? 

Did you ever hear about the guy who went to Africa some years ago to do a short term mission and while he was there he decided to stay a bit longer than he originally planned to? In the course of his stay he fell ill and they wanted to rush him back to England for urgent medical treatment. While they were preparing to take him away, an old woman (whom he had ministered to) came to his bedside and said in their local dialect “you are part of us now and even though you are sick, this sickness does not kill us; so you will not die by this sickness”. Just then his face glowed with life. He regained his strength and health and decided not to go back to England. Although he was not too strong, he chose to stay with the people who had become his new family. Gradually his health picked up and he stayed in Africa for seven (7) years instead of six months.

Every one wondered why he stayed so long in a land where hunger and poverty, sickness and infections, war and death abound. In their opinion, he should not stay in a place where he didn’t have average comfort, good medical facilities and working infrastructure. In his response the guy said to them “I do not own my life and I did not send myself. Maybe we should ask whose life do I live and whose mission is this? If it is not my life and not my mission then let Him take care of me whose life I live and whose mission I do”. What a statement!

I believe the reason why so many people do not want to involve themselves in mission is because they do not understand whose mission it is. This mission is not our mission. I mean, it is not your mission, or the church’s mission. What we call mission, is God’s mission which we are privileged to be involved in. It is not a church enterprise, neither is it any individual’s business; it is Missio Dei- mission of God.

From the beginning of creation, God undertook this mission and He chose mankind to be His partner in His ‘mission’. He created everything and declared them good and created mankind to represent Him on earth. When man fell, He (God) went ahead to consolidate His ‘mission’. Up till now, God is in the business of restoring and renewing mankind and preserving creation. Indeed if the Lord does not engage in this mission, we probably would not have an earth to live in. God's mission has always been the same-preserving creation and restoring mankind and the church, indeed everyone, is called to participate in His mission.

The life that we have does not belong to us. It is God’s life which He gave to us to live for Him. When God gave you life, He intended for you to use it to glorify Him. He did not create you for any other thing than for his pleasure (cf. Revelation 4:11b). The truth is, we were created for God’s pleasure and every time we do things for self-aggrandizement, we displease God. We should do things to enhance God’s mission. We should never be afraid to sacrifice our pleasure to enhance God’s mission for truly those who seek to keep their lives will lose it but those who lose their lives for God’s mission sake shall find it. If you are blessed with finances, don't hesitate to use it to enhance God's mission. Indeed, every one of us has something to contribute to this great mandate; let’s join hands together and make God proud. 

Let us live our lives doing God’s pleasure; let us not be like the heathen who have no interest in things that interest God. Let us be involved in God’s mission for indeed we were created to do him pleasure.  

Click here to support: https://www.crowdrise.com/helpuganda/fundraiser/jaspergogo

Ebola and you

A lady asked her husband “Honey, if I have Ebola, will you expose me by calling the authorities or telling anyone about my condition?” I waited for responses to this tweet by a Nigerian young man. Some made fun of it and laughed about it, others just typed “hmm!” But one response summarizes what I think many Africans may do if their loved one showed symptoms of this deadly virus. It reads “I swear, I will keep it a secret and get some concoction that will heal my babe, I will not worsen the condition by disgracing her”. If my guess about that being (probably) what many Africans will do was wrong, the number of people who clicked “favorite” on this reply, proved me right. There were thirty-five (35) likes. Maybe I am not too surprised because I have read so many comments on Social Media where people make puerile statements about Ebola. But friends, Ebola is not something to jest about. It is a deadly disease that needs to be taken seriously.

When you think about how deadly Ebola virus is you want to really look for how to help yourself, your loved ones, your community, nation and the entire region that is affected. Ebola is not HIV/AIDS. Maybe some people have attached shame to HIV/AIDS because, in many cases, it is an infection caught from ones mischievousness. Thus, when someone has HIV, people look at him/her and say “good for you; if you had zipped up, you wouldn’t have caught the HIV. Maybe they have a point, but with Ebola, it is not like that. As a matter of fact, in this case, those more at risk are people who are out there to help the infected.  I do not believe that anybody deserves to be infected by any deadly disease and I do not believe that God punishes a people with such. If any disease is a punishment for sin, then what did a new born baby do to deserve such punishment? Maybe we humans are the creators of our own problems, or maybe these things are accidental.

I am not writing to point fingers or play the blame game, this article is to enlighten you about this recent outbreak and to show you how to protect yourself and your family.

Here is what you need to know about Ebola:

• Ebola is an extremely infectious Virus
• This is the first outbreak in West Africa
• This is also the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever
•   The disease is named after River Ebola in northern Democratic Republic of Congo
•  Fatality rate of up to 90%- which means that 90% of people who contact the virus die
•  It is not airborne but it is moderately contagious-which means that you will not contact it by walking past someone who has it. It’s not like flu or measles that are airborne
• It was transmitted to humans from wild animals (officials have it that it comes from Monkeys and Fruit Bats). It is suggested that cooking your food thoroughly could save lives. People in rural areas (or wherever you live) who eat “bush Meat” are encouraged to desist. If you must eat bush meat, cook or roast it very well.
• There are also reports of Pig to human transmission.  It is suggested that infected animals should be identified, killed and disposed of properly. But since most farmers may not want to waste their investment by killing and disposing their Pig, and the average person doesn’t know how to identify a ‘sick Pig”, it might be wise to avoid eating pig (if there are people who still eat Pig).
• At the moment there is no vaccine
•  Men who survive the infection may still be able to transmit the disease through their semen for about 60 days after they recover
•  Health workers are more at risk

Symptoms

1. Sudden fever
2. Sore throat
3.   Body weakness/fatigue  
4. Rashes
5. Red eyes
6. Aches
7. Chest and body pain
8.  Diarrhea
9. Vomiting
10. Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
11. Stomach pain
12. Internal and external bleeding

Some of these symptoms show up when the person is getting really sick which makes them contagious.    

Mode of transmission

It is important to mention, again, that Ebola is not airborne. Like we said, it is said to originate from Monkeys and fruit bats. So it seems to have been transferred from these wild animals to people whose delicacy it is. Human to human transmission is majorly by physical contact with someone who manifests the symptoms above. Someone who has the virus may not be contagious until they fall sick and when they do, their body fluid becomes infectious.  Body fluids are known to be vectors for infectious diseases, that’s why, even in the case of other infections, we are advised to avoid exchange of body fluids. When you exchange body fluids with an ill person, (either by touching, drinking, sucking, kissing and etc.) you contact any infectious disease they have. If someone is infected with Ebola, contact with any fluid that comes out of their body can transfer the virus. The list of body fluids is quite long but here are a few major ones: Saliva, urine, breast milk, earwax, tears, semen, female ejaculate, vomit, sputum, blood, feces (boo boo or poo poo), vaginal secretions, mucus and sweat.

Safety first

Like they say, it is better to be safe than sorry. The best approach to this is to stay safe. If the fatality rate is 90%, it is almost a sure thing that whoever gets infected will die.  To confirm that one has Ebola, there has to be some laboratory tests and since most of us do not understand the gobbledygook, we need to learn:

1.  How to be safe
2.  How to help those who we suspect have the virus.

Let’s leave the technicalities to those who are qualified and apply practical safety tips.

Here are some safety tips: 

• Avoid making contact with anyone who manifests the above symptoms. Don’t try to check the suspected sick person, but if you have to, protect yourself- wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards. It is probably safer to call for help if the person is very sick. 
• Common soap can kill the virus, so wash your hands very often. This does not mean that you should go about touching people who are sick. It is precautionary, in case you touched a sick person’s body fluid unknowingly, or you touched something that has infected fluid; Wash your hands again and again with soap. Do you remember the nursery rhyme? “Wash your hands (2x), after the toilet (2x), wash with soap and water (2x) keep the germs away (2x).
• Sanitize. Sanitize. Sanitize. There are all kinds of sanitizers everywhere, use them. Sanitize your home-door knobs, kitchen utensils, toilet handles, toilet seats, faucets, bath tubs, shower and everything you and your family and friends share. 
• Avoid making contact with dead bodies of those who died from the virus.
• If you feel any of the above symptoms, avoid making contact with family and friends and seek help immediately. 

True love is…

You know, I understand love. I love my family more than anyone/anything and I will do anything to protect them. But honey, if I develop any symptom that feels like this Ebola thing, I will be the first to tell my loved ones to stay away from me and call the authorities. It is an act of love to keep them at a safe distance when I’m ill and seek help. Also it is wickedness of the highest form, to have an infectious disease and demand that someone share in your disease or cover it up. If you make contact with anyone who has the virus, you stand a huge chance of surviving if you say something early. There is no wisdom in hiding the truth. If you are exposed, you do not want to expose those who care about you. If you love your family, you will not want to kill them, would you? If your child develops symptoms of this killer disease, you will save other members of the family by separating the sick child from everyone and seeking for help. And before help comes, you make sure you protect yourself as you help the sick child. And to answer your question my tweeter friend, no baby, if you have the virus I will save other members of the family by calling for help; and meanwhile, I will separate you from the family, protect myself, and see how I can help you before help comes. It will break my heart that my loved one has the infection, but it will break my heart the more to think that the whole community got sick because we were stupid. True love is revealed in how I handle critical and sensitive matters; if I love you, I will take the plunge to save you, my family and community. If you love me, I expect you to do same.

Is this ignorance or foolishness!?

Just as I write this, I looked at twitter again and here is another question someone asked “Can someone catch Ebola by kissing his infected lover? Please reply, help needed” Erm! Is it me or are some people just injudicious? Or is she actually ignorant? OK! I assume the later and I’ll answer. Yes, saliva is a body fluid and the virus can be transmitted via saliva.

Some others were tweeting about drinking and bathing with salt water and how it prevents and kill the virus. First I thought it was a joke until I realized that many of them were serious. I do not see how salt intake can kill a virus. Don’t be fooled.

I also read the messages circulated about bitter kola. Well, there is no harm in eating bitter kola, it has medicinal powers. But I’m not sure you should risk contacting Ebola and  eat more bitter-Kola just to find out if it can heal you. That’s a risk not worth taking. If really there is ongoing research to see if it can be the cure to this malady, then let’s wait until we have a definite result. But even at that, I do not want to take the risk of becoming sick to get the treatment. Let’s be safe.

Faith factor

I am a man of faith and I live by faith. I believe the word of God when it says that none of these diseases will come upon me or mine and I pray these scriptures daily. I pray for my family and friends and all of you reading this and I believe that God will protect us from this plague. Although, faith works, I also warn against foolishness in the name of faith. Faith doesn’t say we should throw caution into the air and live recklessly. A man of faith will pray, stay away from dangerous and unsafe behaviors and be honest when they see something that will make things worse. So I challenge us all to have faith. Pray, protect yourself and your family, and help the authorities where necessary. God needs us all to stop this plague. The government needs us to fight it. This infirmity is temporal and soon it shall pass. Together we will fight it and we will overcome. I pray that you will not be a victim of this or any plague, in Jesus name! Amen!

PS: A young girl said to her mum “…I heard that in 2001 Ebola killed 224 people at ‘XYZ’ place and I know uncle Jasper is there. I’m worried for him, and I’m praying for him… he is like a dad to me” I was so touched when I got this text one morning. Phoebe, thank you for looking out and praying for me, I appreciate your love, concern and prayer. And I want to say I love you too.