Pastor Melanie Reiners, Tabor Big Stone—Milbank Parkview—Ortonville First UMC, is glad to be back at home after experiencing a rough ride on a recent mission trip to Sierra Leone.  Reiners was traveling rural roads from the village of Rotifunk to Freeport, a 50 mile journey, when a bump in the road caused her head to hit the back of the vehicle, causing whiplash.

Reiners was accompanied by her husband, Roger, and Dr. Lowell Gess, Alexandria, Minnesota, 94. The purpose of the visit was to connect Dr. Steven Yeh and Dr. Jessica Shantha, research team from Emory University, to the Gess UMC Eye Hospital in Freeport, Sierra Leone.

“We are so pleased that the Lowell and Ruth Gess UMC Eye Hospital can be part of the research,” said Melanie Reiners. “It is great to be able to give service and do research among the people who are experiencing the condition. It is a true illustration of the global nature of the United Methodist Connection. Emory University is a United Methodist University.”

The Emory research team is investigating the residual effects of Ebola on eyesight. The Ebola virus has been found to live in the fluid of the eye causing problems with sight, which can lead to loss of sight if left untreated.

The residual issue with Ebola and eyesight was discovered when Dr. Ian Crozier, an American doctor who recovered from Ebola in 2014, developed serious eye problems months later, because the virus had lingered in his eye.  Dr. Crozier, now 44 years old, had contracted Ebola in September 2014 while treating patients in Sierra Leone. Crozier's eye problems were so serious that he nearly lost his vision, but his sight has since recovered. Photo: Dr. Ian Crozier, Ebola survivor, presents information to medical personnel at a symposium held at the Gess UMC Eye Hospital – Kissy, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Photo courtesy of Pastor Melanie Reiners.

This trip is the 94th trip for Dr. Lowell Gess, age 94. He first went to Sierra Leone in 1957.  Gess was one of the first to notice the effect of the Ebola virus in the eyes and report it to the Center for Disease Control. The doctor, who is an ordained elder of the Minnesota Conference, has witnessed five different Ebola outbreaks since 1976.  The hospital and work in Sierra Leone has been the life’s work of Gess.

“Dr. Gess is so loved here,“ said Bishop John K.  Yambasu,  Sierra Leone Episcopal Area. “He keeps telling us that this is his last visit but he keeps coming back. We are blessed.”

The Reiners and Gess went to Rotifunk to visit a hospital that had been recently renovated by a mission team from Norway. The hospital and village were the first location where Dr. Gess and his wife Ruth served as missionaries in 1957 with the General Board of Global Missions.  Photo: Bishop John K. Yambasu, Sierra Leone Episcopal Area.

The work at the Gess Eye Hospital continues to be vital to the country of Sierra Leone. The Reiners have a passion for the ministry. Roger has travelled to Sierra Leone 20 times and this was trip number 13 for Melanie.

“Central Milbank UMC made the first journey in 1982 to build the Eye Hospital,” said Melanie Reiners. “Roger made that trip and has gone several more times. There is a critical need to replace the surgical unit on the 1982 building and there is always an ongoing need to replace the consumable supplies.” 

Photo: L to R  Melanie Reiners, Roger Reiners, Dr. Lowell Gess, Dr. Jessica Shantha, and Dr. Steven Yeh following worship at King Memorial United Methodist Church in Freetown.

The cost to replace the surgical unit is $250,000, of which $75,000 has been committed. Donations can be directed to the Dakotas Conference Fund #607 or the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Advance #09229A.