Waiting . . .

Côte d’Ivoire’s recent political unrest forced our International Ministry team (the Livingstons, Harrisons, and Cooks) serving West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC) in Abidjan, to temporarily withdraw from the country. The following update is an adapted excerpt from the Livingston’s January 2011 prayer letter. 

Little has changed in Côte d’Ivoire (also referred to as “RCI”) since we last wrote. There are still two presidents; the United Nations (UN) has been ordered out by one president, but it is staying to protect the other.  

Meanwhile, France, Germany, England, the United States, and others have strongly encouraged their citizens to leave. Multiple heads of state have visited in unsuccessful efforts to resolve the crisis. All sides have made threats, but deadlines have come and gone without action.

Rumors

Reports out of the country include tales of mass graves and nighttime abductions. The UN estimates nearly 200 deaths, and more than 11,000 refugees have crossed the border into Liberia.

Yet one can move about Abidjan during the day, almost without being aware of the crisis. Anticipated violence has not erupted, but the situation remains volatile; the former government, cut off from all international financing, is considering printing a new national currency in order to continue operating.

What Next?

So what do we do? Withdrawal is frustrating, inconvenient, and expensive. No facts have changed; yet some international workers are returning, while others have not.

FATEAC began classes without us this week. Meanwhile, the FATEAC international team remains committed to training African leaders-like Noé and Jacqueline Kouadio. (Noé is a former Bible school director and pastor of a large urban church.) But we are currently in Dakar, Senegal, evaluating the situation and seeking direction.

While we are struggling with the details, God is good, and He sees the eternal big picture. Keep struggling with us in prayer-that our service would be acceptable to our Father and to the church in RCI (Romans 15:31).

What You Can Do

“Pray for us,” agrees FATEAC team member Cindy Cook. “Ask God to give us divine wisdom. We want to be his workers, willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, but wise and listening workers.”

Learn More

For updates about the ongoing situation, check out the Cooks’s blog. Note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.

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