以下这封信是Ebola病患Brantly医师在八月八日写的，刊于Samaritan's Purse的网站。

我此刻在Emory大学医院的隔离病房写这封信，这里的医师和护士们给予我们最好的照顾，我的身体日益茁壮。在与这个可怕疾病缠斗的过程，我实在感谢神的怜悯；也衷心感谢所有代祷的人，你们持续为我，以及Nancy Writebol，赖比瑞亚和西非的病患能够康复的祷告。

我的妻子Amber和我，以及两个孩子，不是为了对抗Ebola病毒这个特别目标而移居赖比瑞亚。我们去到赖比瑞亚，乃是相信神呼召我们到ELWA医院，在那里服事祂。

有件事是我学到的：跟随神，经常会把我们带到意想不到的地方。

当Ebola病毒在赖比瑞亚扩散时，我例行的医院工作变成是处理越来越多的Ebola病患。我曾握着无数病患的手，眼看这个可怕疾病夺走他们的性命；我亲身目睹那种惊惧可怖，至今还记得每一张脸孔和名字。

那个礼拜三(美国时间是七月22日)早上当我初觉不适，马上自我隔离，直到三天后检验证实我的诊断。在得知结果的时候，我记得内心有着难以理喻的深度平安。神藉此提醒我，多年前祂曾教导我，祂会给予我一切所需的，使我能忠于祂。

现在两个礼拜已经过去，而我是在一个截然不同的环境。然而，我的焦点仍然没变－跟随神。当你们继续为Nancy和我的康复祷告时，更重要的是，祈求我们能在这些新的景况里，依然忠于神对我们生命的呼召。

　　　　　　　　　http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/dr-kent-brantly-full-statement/

读着Brantly医师的这封信，觉得他实在是个蒙福的人，才33岁这么年轻，就清楚他生命的焦点，而且不偏不离。

他这么行，不是在为自己或是儿孙积德积福，而是让自己成为恩福的管道，将已经领受的生命祝福分享出去。

我们常说「勇者无惧」。但是Brantly医师和其他有同样心志的人能够如此，因为他们领受的真实平安，是超过身外的破坏与威吓力道。

凡经历过的人都知道，那不是想象的产物，也不是把圣经里神的应许拼凑起来的自我催眠，而是超乎人能理解和预料，充满内心的「实质稳定」(solid stability)，让人即使面对试炼和压力，也「无法」焦虑或是恐惧。就如诗人描述的：「他的心平静安稳，好像断过奶的孩子在他母亲的怀中」（诗篇131：2）。

神哪！你将完全的平安赐给坚心倚靠你的人（以赛亚书26：3中文新译本，You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.）

信的原文如下：

I am writing this update from my isolation room at Emory University Hospital, where the doctors and nurses are providing the very best care possible. I am growing stronger every day, and I thank God for His mercy as I have wrestled with this terrible disease. I also want to extend my deep and sincere thanks to all of you who have been praying for my recovery as well as for Nancy (Writebol) and for the people of Liberia and West Africa.

My wife Amber and I, along with our two children, did not move to Liberia for the specific purpose of fighting Ebola. We went to Liberia because we believe God called us to serve Him at ELWA Hospital.

One thing I have learned is that following God often leads us to unexpected places.

When Ebola spread into Liberia, my usual hospital work turned more and more toward treating the increasing number of Ebola patients. I held the hands of countless individuals as this terrible disease took their lives away from them. I witnessed the horror firsthand, and I can still remember every face and name.

When I started feeling ill on that Wednesday morning, I immediately isolated myself until the test confirmed my diagnosis three days later. When the result was positive, I remember a deep sense of peace that was beyond all understanding. God was reminding me of what He had taught me years ago, that He will give me everything I need to be faithful to Him.

Now it is two weeks later, and I am in a totally different setting. My focus, however, remains the same—to follow God. As you continue to pray for Nancy and me, yes, please pray for our recovery. More importantly, pray that we would be faithful to God’s call on our lives in these new circumstances.