April 6, 2011
By Laura Livingston, serving West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Laura and Jeter Livingston are one of three couples comprising the international FATEAC team that is presently relocated to Dakar, Senegal. The following is an adapted excerpt of an e-mail Laura sent on April 5.
Dear friends,
I just received an e-mail from Isaac Keita, the dean at FATEAC, which I’ve translated for you into English.
Very Dear Friends and Colleagues,
“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isaiah 59:1).
Yesterday afternoon was difficult for all of Abidjan. Heavy arms fire and unprecedented bombardments targeting several strategic locations were heard. One shell, having missed its target, headed in the direction of FATEAC.
By God’s grace—and as a result of the prayers you addressed to God on our behalf—the shell fell inside the FATEAC wall on an empty surface, the Lord having turned away its trajectory, which was headed to the dorms occupied by our students. May GOD be PRAISED!
As the combat continues this morning, it is difficult for me to go to the campus and inquire about the details of what happened.
Continue to pray for Côte d’Ivoire in general and for FATEAC in particular. Thank you for your support. May God bless you all.
Isaac Keita
Dean of FATEAC
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April 6 Update
Since receiving this e-mail yesterday, the water has been cut and the FATEAC students are running out of food. Those who have some left are sharing with those who do not. Gbagbo has negotiated a ceasefire, but is now stalling the surrender negotiations while the population goes hungry.
Pray!
- For God’s protection on and provision for His own, in particular the FATEAC family
- For an end to the conflict and quick restoration of order and basic services
- That the Church will be light in this horrible darkness
- That we will have wisdom about how to help and when to return; and
- That in all these things God will bring glory to Himself.