Last week I shared a story with you about Ebola outbreaks and “moments of care.” But there is an observation I would like to draw out further, because it says something important about your global impact through FAME.

During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Dr. Kent Brantly, an Indiana missionary doctor serving with Samaritan’s Purse contracted Ebola while caring for patients in Liberia. Earlier this year I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have lunch with Dr. Brantly.

If you have followed the news recently surrounding the current Ebola outbreak, you may have noticed a familiar pattern: once again, it is a missionary doctor who became infected while serving on the frontlines and was flown to Germany to receive treatment.

Even though these individuals are not direct FAME partners, I want you to notice something significant:

When crisis comes, Christians are often already there.

Last year, during a meeting with one of our medical mission partners in India, they shared that over 60,000 people had been medically treated and heard the Gospel over the previous two years. That represents 60,000 moments of care.

They also made a statement I have not forgotten:

“No other religions are doing this.”

What did they mean?

They meant that Christians were the ones consistently caring for the sick, serving vulnerable people, entering difficult places, and loving communities in practical ways. In areas where sharing the Gospel is restricted and sometimes illegal, and that compassion has created favor in villages and communities. In some cases, village leaders have even stepped in to deflect persecution because they have witnessed firsthand the care being provided.

And there is the parallel.

During disease outbreaks, Christian medical missionaries are often the ones on the frontlines. They are among the first to treat the suffering, and sometimes among the first to bear the consequences.

Why?

Because this is the pattern of Jesus.

We care for those in need, and we share the Good News.

That is your impact.

You are helping send hope and help to the frontlines of crisis, poverty, disease, and lack of resources. You are helping serve the poor in the name of Jesus while ensuring they also hear the message of Christ.

Thank you for your faithful partnership in delivering both Care and Christ around the world.