February 14, 2011
By Cindy Cook, serving Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire’s political unrest forced our international ministry team, serving West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC) in Abidjan, to withdraw from the country. The following is an adapted excerpt of a recent update to their support team from Matthew and Cindy Cook—one of three FATEAC international worker couples.
On Valentine’s Day, our international FATEAC team is returning to the country that is the world’s number one producer of chocolate—Côte d’Ivoire.
Our current plan is that Matthew and I will remain based in Dakar, teaching modules as telecommuters. The Livingstons and Harrisons will remain in Côte d’Ivoire for six weeks, finishing up first semester classes and beginning the second semester. By March 24, all three couples will return to Dakar for a retreat and evaluation. If all is well, we will finish the second semester.
Why are we making this move when the situation is not improved but continues to deteriorate, you may ask?
1. First, we have a desire to serve God by teaching at FATEAC as long as possible. We have the privilege of training key leaders from many denominations who work in the African nations where French is spoken (AKA Francophone Africa). Loss of credits from our combined classes would significantly impact the students’ opportunities to finish the program.
2. Second, the widespread violence that we had feared has not taken place. In keeping a low profile, we believe we can continue to function in our respective roles.
3. Being present in the country allows us to teach, but it also facilitates the distribution of the students’ scholarships and continued aid in the form of food.
We will face the challenge of soaring inflation, difficult access to cash, and increasing supply shortages. (The increasing difficulty of withdrawing significant sums of money from the banks is a concern.) But we are agreed this is the right thing to do.
Please pray for safe travels, a rapid solution to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, and that the students will focus and be able to make up lost work from the first semester. Pray also for wisdom as we make plans for this semester and next year.
One More Thing You Can Do
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.