AWA FLASH Update October 2010

This update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking here.
The prior ministry update can be retrieved in PDF format by clicking on this link (both posts at http://www.verlindeb.org/Ministry/ministryupdates.htm).

Greetings from Cote d'Ivoire Dear Praying Friends,

As our own American season of elections takes place this week, we ask that everyone breathe prayers for the people of Cote d’Ivoire as well. This beloved country, where we have serving for the past ten years and Free Will Baptists have labored for over fifty, has been a country in crisis since 1999. This will be the first time in nearly a decade that they have been able to have an election. This time has been filled with war, insecurity, injustices, and many atrocities – with this election many are hoping to put this phase of their history behind them.

It promises to be a process of weeks, even months. As the new American ambassador stated Thursday, the hope is for transparent elections and functional governance to return here. The country is easily capable of experiencing double-digit economic growth in the coming years and so enjoy some blessings that God allows all who work. Thankfully, it seems that the process began mostly in peace today, Sunday, October 31st.

Pray that today's results are processed smoothly and peacefully by the electoral commission for the 14 presidential candidates. There's a tight media blackout on reporting the results. No predictive reporting of the election process is allowed without risk of being highly fined and possibly imprisoned. The electoral commission anticipates releasing the initial results either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

Pray that once the results are announced, that the candidates and their supporters will accept the result without lashing out against each other.

Pray , most importantly, that regardless the outcome, God would continue drawing the Ivorian people to Himself so that His name can be exalted and blessed in spirit and truth here.

Verlin cancelled a planned visit of Oct 29-31 to a church in the Northern Association due to car damage experienced during a visit to another remote church region last week. We trust the Lord to also resolve that need this week to make possible this weekend’s visit and that which has been rescheduled for Nov 12-14 prior to a Nov 15 meeting concerning construction of a house on the Bouna Bible institute property.

Thank you for offering to God your sacrifice of prayer on the behalf of this people. A summary of election news here can be read at the following site: http://allafrica.com/cotedivoire/

In Mutual Service for Christ,
Verlin, Debbie, and Corbin Anderson
http://www.verlindeb.org/