April 12, 2011
“Laurent Gbagbo, one of two men contesting the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire last year, surrendered today, April 11, and was taken into custody,” reported Jeter Livingston on Monday. He and his wife, Laura, are the international team leaders for West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“This brings a ray of hope to the situation, hopefully bringing an end to the war destroying the city and country.”
Next Several Days “Crucial”
A great deal needs to happen quickly, Livingston cautioned. “For lasting peace to be established [Gbagbo’s] supporters must accept defeat and lay down their arms. Basic necessities of life must begin to flow again; law and order must be reestablished; banks must reopen—if these [things] are accomplished quickly, the country will have a chance to survive. The next several days will be crucial for the country.”
The news comes none too soon.
FATEAC Family Suffers
On Friday, April 8, Laura Livingston wrote: “The following is an excerpted translation of an e-mail I’ve just received from FATEAC Dean Isaac Keita to mission leadership.”
We are at the end of two weeks of high tension in Abidjan. Well before this time the banks closed, and the possibility of money transfers was nonexistent. As we write this letter, the price of basic foodstuffs has quadrupled.
Yesterday I bought three baguettes for $2.25 (normally $1.00), and I had to go all the way to Akouedo to find them. I had to literally fight to obtain a bag of charcoal for $33.35, instead of the usual $8.90. Frankly, FATEAC is going through a very difficult time.
. . . We just gave each C&MA family $111, but given the reality of the situation here, that is an insignificant amount. Because 85 percent of our personnel and students are from other countries, it’s difficult, even inadvisable, for them to circulate in town. It is heart wrenching to see the hungry children on the campus. We remain confident that the Lord will provide.
President Ouattara gave a promising speech yesterday, and we all gave a sigh of relief. But the effects of that speech will not be felt immediately. In the short term, while waiting, we must find relief for the seminary. We greet you, and we reassure you of our deep gratitude for your prayers for us and for your incontestable solidarity with us. May God keep you in the palm of His hand. . . .
Two Things You Can Do
“Pray that a lasting peace will be established, that reconciliation will take place, and that the necessities of life will be restored quickly [in Côte d’Ivoire],” Jeter said.
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance international workers, like our teams in Africa, to share the good news of Christ’s love with those desperate to know that God cares for them.
Read more about the crisis on CNN. Note: Clicking on this URL will take you off of the C&MA Web site.