Lowell Gess recounts joy, challenges of ministering in Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone

Rev. Lowell Gess, a 93-year-old retired ophthalmologist and Minnesota United Methodist pastor, headed to Sierra Leone in early January to bring medicine and moral support to the country he calls his second home. Gess established the Kissy UMC Eye Hospital in Freetown in 1984, and many local churches, individuals, and organizations provided donations that were put toward supplies and equipment for this trip. Although Gess didn’t play an active role in treating Ebola patients, he did work at Kissy and helped staff diagnose difficult cases of eye disease. Gess returned to Minnesota and his home city of Alexandria in early March. Here are his reflections from his two-month visit.

Read the full story at the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church