December 20, 2010
By Laura and Jeter Livingston
In the two weeks since we last wrote of our two presidents in Cote d’Ivoire, and the potential for conflict, we have laid our heads in five different beds. The three couples who make up our team (ourselves, the Cooks, and the Harrisons) decided that, in light of the deteriorating situation, we would go together to the conference in Dakar.
Isaac and Rachel Keita stayed behind, not comfortable leaving either West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC) or their family in this critical time. During our absence, the American Embassy has closed all but emergency services, sending all nonessential personnel out of the country and encouraging all Americans to leave while commercial flights are still available.
An attempted march by Ivoirian citizens to reclaim the television and radio stations resulted in multiple deaths, and unrest and demonstrations are countrywide. Our home is two kilometers from the opposition headquarters and directly in front of the U.N. troop camp; thus security is very tight in our area.
FATEAC classes are over until after the New Year, so our team has decided to watch and wait. For the moment we are housed in the C&MA Dakar guesthouse, but the Harrisons are taking advantage of this time to spend Christmas with family in Tanzania. The Cooks will stay in Dakar with their son, Andy, who attends school here. Jeter and I will reassess the situation early next week and hope to return as soon as it is reasonably safe—which is very unclear at this time.
Please continue to pray for God’s will and His Kingdom to come in Cote d’Ivoire. Pray for Isaac and Rachel Keita to have endurance, encouragement, and wisdom. Pray for discernment for our team—this is not how any of us thought we would be celebrating Christmas.
Pray that the Church in Cote d’Ivoire will incarnate her Lord and be light in that troubled country through these days. Pray that FATEAC will be a place of hope. And pray for our children as they live through this at a distance.
May God bless you during this Christmas Season as richly as you have blessed us with your prayers!
What You Can Do
This Christmas, consider giving a year-end gift to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like the Livingstons, to bring the good news of peace on earth to lost people.