A Year, a War, a Reason for Thanksgiving

By Laura and Jeter Livingston, serving at West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The following is an adapted excerpt of a recent update from the Livingstons that describes FATEAC’s state of ministry since failed presidential elections took place in Côte d’Ivoire one year ago.

One year ago last week presidential elections were held that set off months of violence in Côte d’Ivoire that culminated in civil war, which left hundreds dead and tens of thousands emotionally traumatized. On that one-year anniversary, we celebrated the official opening of the new school year with great thanksgiving!

Many Reasons for Gratitude

Our joy was compounded at this event because we were blessed to have a recovering Isaac Keita (FATEAC’s dean who has undergone cancer surgery) welcome us to the worship service. Former church President Andre Kouadio preached the Word clearly, in spite of his age and ongoing battle with diabetes.

In surveying the students attending this event—faithful church leaders representing 12 countries and 20-plus denominations—we were thankful to God for giving us the privilege of being a part of this ministry. And we were thankful for you and your part in enabling this work through your prayers and giving.

Trauma Healing Update

Speaking of ministry . . . Laura has just finished writing a standardized curriculum for use in the Trauma Healing Seminars as well as a program for training facilitators. This training is sponsored by ECGAP (The Church, Healing Community/Peacemaker)—a partnership between FATEAC and Action Internationale De Developpement Integral (AIDI), an Ivoirian nongovernmental organization focused on the development of women and children. Opportunities to meet deep needs through this partnership are endless.

On the first trip (July 2011) to take the message of healing and reconciliation to Duekoue—a town in western Côte d’Ivoire where the worst war atrocities took place—the idea was born to create a booklet that could be given to those whom we have counseled. Lynell Zogbo (The Bible Society) compiled the text, and Marianne Sommer (SIM) supplied the illustrations.

“My God, You Are the Light in My Night” helps the emotionally traumatized work through their grief as they interact with David’s Psalms of lamentations. The booklet is at the printer this week, and we plan to sell it at cost or, as funds become available, give it away to those still in the refugee camps here.

Last year at this time, we were daily battling fear and wondering what the future held. How good it is to look back and see that God never took His good hand off of us!

What You Can Do

Praise God for peace in Côte d’Ivoire after months of war. Please pray for peaceful legislative elections in December and for Isaac Keita’s complete healing. Pray also for Alliance workers worldwide.

Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers like the Livingstons to share the good news of God’s healing grace, provision, and reconciliation with the hurting and the lost.

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