Biblical Diseases
by Tom Scatliff
on May 10, 2019
Leprosy, without treatment, is a terrible death sentence. Continual loss of feeling and eventual loss of limbs, lead to lethal atrophy. But what is the treatment? Believe it or not, it is as simple as a regime of antibiotics. A treatment using antibiotic medication can treat leprosy and stop the disease in its tracks. Course of treatment is 6 to 12 months, depending on severity.

For the past few months, our family has been serving in the Republic of Congo, Africa. According to the American Leprosy Mission, the Republic of Congo has the highest number of leprosy cases of any country in the world. Its debilitating effects can be seen on the limbs and in the lives of those it’s infected.
Click here to check out a video with some footage of the Kimia Care Center.
The population most susceptible to leprosy is the Aka Pigmy group. Many Aka tribes live in the deep jungle surrounding Impfondo, the town where we reside. Pioneer Christian Hospital has become a place of hope for those who have heard the disease could be treated. Unfortunately though, many others still believe skin diseases like leprosy are a curse. Many more have the misunderstanding that leprosy is contagious; often, those showing signs of the disease are pushed out of their homes, lose their jobs, and enter a life of destitution.
 
Pioneer Christian Hospital partnered with American Leprosy Mission and birthed the Kimia Care Center to tackle this issue.

‘Kimia’ means peace. It’s a resident facility for those who are suffering the effects of leprosy and require in-patient treatment. At Kimia, not only do patients and their families find hope with treatment, but Living Hope with the Word of God.

The Kimia Care team routinely takes long excursions into the deep jungle to seek the lost, the ‘least of these’, those who are sick, and those who have not heard of the Living Hope. In these remote communities in the deep jungle, the team shows the Jesus film and a film on leprosy. On their last excursion this past March, nearly 500 souls made decisions for Christ. Pastors in these remote communities are now tasked with discipleship of these new believers. The team also treated many with leprosy and brought 12 families back with them to the Kimia Care Center for long-term inpatient care.
Candice got a chance to share some donated homemade dresses with the residents of the center.
Tom has been working with the Kimia Care team on a variety of projects. First, SonSet Solutions (where we work on loan from Reach Beyond) designed a GPS tracking device for the Kimia Care team’s land rover; it was built by one of Tom’s students over spring break. The trips to the deep jungle on unmarked roads can be dangerous and full of unexpected situations. If help is needed, the device can send an SOS signal via satellite communication. Also, the device continually provides GPS coordinates throughout the journey; offering peace of mind to those waiting for the team’s return, and also a ‘road map’ of sorts for the team themselves. 
 
Another one of the projects Tom has been working on is the installation of a solar power system at the Kimia Care Center (along with a few visiting electricians). Now they are able to leverage the power of the sun to fill the water tank and provide essential lighting for wound care. He’s also helped with their computer systems, internet connectivity, and printer problems.
An Aka mother and baby who are residing at the center.
We are thankful for the opportunity to support the Kimia Care Center and their important ministry for the afflicted and ill in Impfondo. Thank you for supporting our efforts. Your contribution has generational impact and life-giving power.

Categories:

Newsletters