Dear family and friends,
We come to you tonight with another request. This time for our family as well as our community.
I mentioned in our last update that many people here have gotten Dengue fever - this tropical disease exhibits symptoms that are similar to malaria, but does not affect the liver in the way that malaria does. However, a neighbor who had both Dengue and Malaria said to us, "When you have malaria, you wish you could die. But, when you have Dengue, you wish you were dead." Dengue is contracted through a certain mosquito. Missionaries who have been here for up to 10 years have said that there has never been a time that this many people have contracted the illness.
There have been a number of deaths that have resulted from Dengue - mostly among the Nicaraguan population. There are now 13 cases of Dengue that we know of among our NCA family, with several people being hospitalized. It is also very difficult for teachers and for students when their teachers contract Dengue because the teacher is out of school for at least a week to 10 days, and then as one recovers in the following weeks he/she will struggle with extreme fatigue. Those who have gotten the illness are recovering and returning to full health which we are very thankful for. However, we would like to ask you to pray for our and our community's protection against contracting Dengue and for a solution to this problem.
Thank you so much once again for standing in the gap for us. You are such an important part of this ministry. We are so thankful for you!
Peace to you,
Lisa Van Zoest