death in the family

Just received word that Shyler, one of our two EBS translators, passed away this morning in the zone right next to ours from Cholera.  He was here last Thursday in good health, he was strong, he was a large man...several small children and a wife, bursting with potential and anxious to use his job of translating to learn and study the Bible for himself.

We are just heartbroken over the news, and as a community are feeling the first real concern about this "epidemic."  If educated, strong, employed, spirited Shyler took the disease and died literally the next day, the staff and students have a real concern for the rest of our community here, for the people in these zones (there are also many confirmed deaths coming out of Cap-Haitien this week), and for the reality that something such as Cholera could come, and kill, very quickly.

Everyone has undergone the training and prevention, we have a clinic 20 minutes away that has several beds prepared for Cholera patients and the needed supplies, and the students know how to avoid it, the symptoms, etc.  Not sure what else can be done (can't stop eating and drinking water), but ask for your prayers...for Shyler's young family, for protection at Emmaus, for wisdom, and for His peace to reign in a time when fear is, again, tempting.