21st October 2026

Nine cases of Ebola have now been confirmed in Kenya including its first patient, who travelled from DR Congo and died two weeks ago. Four relatives of the first victim, three health workers and a hospital cleaner have now tested positive, meaning they are all linked to him. The USA has warned it citizens against travelling to Kenya, amid concerns the virus could spread further.  Indeed, Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja, after a woman who arrived from Uganda tested positive for the virus on 7 October.  She was admitted to a hospital in Abuja four days later.  The health minister, Muhammad Pate, said “We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had,” he said. Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, said on X that “we are facing an extremely serious threat.” This Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has already become the most geographically extensive in history, affecting several countries spread across three regions of Africa,” he said.  This strain of the virus has a fatality rate of nearly 50% of cases. The latest Ebola outbreak is the fastest-spreading on record and has, so far, infected more than 9,500 people and killed more than 4,600.

Loving God, we pray for the healing of all who have contracted the Ebola virus. Be with all who are suffering, may they know that you are with them, and love them, and care for them. Bless and protect all the medical stff seeking to ease pain and discomfort and bring healing. Pour out your love on relatives and friends, anxious for those they love and for their own health. Bring your consolation and message of eternal life to all who mourn, especially children orphaned by Ebola, grant them comfort and peace.  May your Spirit inspire those researching this virus and working to find vaccines and treatments. Guide all who are working in communities to help people understand how the virus transmits.  May the Holy Spirit work among all to bring this virus under control and and end to the suffering it causes.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The Samaritan's is a UK charity that seeks to prevent suicide through the power of human connection. It connects people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen. Volunteers from Weymouth, in southern England, are preparing to take on a gruelling 100km trek across the Sahara Desert to raise money the charity. The challenge will see 24 participants from across the charity's south west region of England walk across the desert from November 14 to 21.  Each day, they will cover distances of between 17km and 25km across rocky desert plateaux and sand dunes, in temperatures that can be extreme both during the day and night.  They will sleep in tents exposed to desert winds and freezing temperatures.  Angela Watson and Dan Moss, co-directors of Samaritans in Weymouth, said the challenge would provide vital support for branches throughout the region. “In a fantastic team effort, spanning the whole south west region, ours is one of the 13 branches that will benefit from the funds raised and we cannot thank all of the volunteers enough for taking part” they said. Each participant is to raise £1,500 in individual sponsorship, whilst the organisation seeks public donations and corporate sponsorship, all to be shared equally across the 13 branches. Each year the South West region responds to thousands of people seeking emotional support by phone and online, as well as reaching many thousands of people each year through proactive work within the community.  

If you would like to support this initiative, donations can be made via the challenge fundraising page here: https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/pf/saharasouthwest 

A hymn of praise based on Revelation 4

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning

our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns

around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,

though the eye of sinful man

thy glory may not see,

only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name

in earth, and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

 Reginald Heber (1783-1826)