ABILENE — Although he saw utter devastation in West Africa and nearly died of Ebola, a Fort Worth doctor says his faith has only been strengthened.
Kent Brantly and his wife, a nurse, spoke about their passion for missionary work Friday at Abilene Christian University during their alma mater’s homecoming events.
Brantly said he was constantly reminded of the biblical teaching to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
“Who is your neighbor? The answer is whoever is in need,” he said. And right now, West Africa is the neighbor most in need.
But fear is keeping too many people from helping, said Brantly, who worked in Fort Worth before he went to Africa on a medical mission.
He contracted the virus in July in Liberia and was flown to Atlanta for treatment. He was discharged in August after nearly three weeks.
Misinformation about how Ebola is contracted is causing people to overreact, he said. The disease is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is showing symptoms.
“Let’s stop talking about that highly improbable thing and focus on saving people’s lives and stopping the outbreak where it is,” he said.
Brantly expressed his sympathy for Thomas Eric Duncan, who died of Ebola in Dallas this week. He said he had seen how Ebola robs dying patients of their dignity.
Brantly’s wife, Amber, that said she wasn’t sure they would return soon to Liberia after all that had happened but that she hoped they could go back someday.
For now, Kent Brantly said he was focusing on his two young children and finding ways to help others.
“I’ve been the recipient of so much compassion. I hope that leads me to a life of prayer for my neighbor,” Brantly said.
