Called for Life Kent and Amber Brantly with David Thomas

One rarely has the opportunity to get the facts and reality behind a worldwide news event. Kent and Amber Brantly’s book Called for Life was eye opening and very informational. Though I rarely watch television, the story of the two American doctors coming into Atlanta infected with Ebola piqued my interest. My sister is a RN and through the care of our aged parents we were skilled at germ control and sanitation. I will admit that the paranoia chatter was swirling around, but I knew very little of Ebola.

In the fall of 2013 Kent and Amber traveled with their two young children to combat-ridden country of Liberia to be medical missionaries for Samaritan’s Purse which is based in my home state of NC. Called to serve God through the ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) led them into an Ebola epidemic. Blazing a trail for the discovery, isolation, and treatment of Ebola, Kent Brantly came close to death. For their own safely, Kent’s family had flown out of the country three days before Kent became infected. All alone sequestered in his home Kent’s fellow medical team had to wear PPE (personal protective equipment) and talk to him through his bedroom window when he was too weak to answer the door.  “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Known for his humanitarian efforts all over the world, Frank Graham is a trusted figure around Charlotte, NC. By volunteering at the Billy Graham library every Christmas, I have become acquainted with the events held there. Recently this spring two of my close friend attended a Ladies Tea with Amber Brantly as the main inspirational speaker. Welcoming the chance to review the advance copy, I read it in a few days. Once the drama of Kent getting Ebola unfolded it was hard to put it down. In fact at the end of the book I could not believe it all happened in months not years. Detailed instances of uncontrolled diarrhea and sky rocketing temperatures, made Kent’s life touch and go. The rate of recovery was very low. In fact Kent only had one survivor during his time of fighting Ebola in Liberia. The young boy played a remarkable role in Kent’s recovery by donating his blood built up with antibodies. The safety procedures which were established were cutting edge and medical discoveries for treating the Ebola were uncharted. What a remarkable story and a glorious example of Christian faith and hope in a crisis. Indeed God was in control. This advanced copy was given to me by Waterbrook Press for my unbiased review.