As of Monday, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo ceded power at the end of a military struggle in Abidjan. Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the president-elect recognized by most of the international community since a November 2010 election, took him captive. French and U.N. bombardments overcame the defensive bunker position from where the former president had made attempts to retake control of the country. You can get the details through print, radio, or the Internet as at this Voice of America (VOA) site.
However, the news coverage does not begin to express the danger and hurt to be overcome. The struggle between these politicians over two decades has been more than a simple story of changing African strongmen. Pandora's box issues of control and freedom have been raised that are unlikely to be easily papered over, despite forthcoming funds to rebuild the country. While international press reports intimate that the continuing sporadic on-the-ground violence and pillage are related to now vanquished Gbagbo supporters, on-the-ground witnesses report it's not so one-sided as in the AF report titled Ivory Coast Reprisal Killings; groups known loyal to Ouattara are witnessed as taking what they can get during these days of changing order. Looters with arms know no loyalty but their perceived personal interests. This widely known danger is one of many to be addressed in coming days as banks, governments, businesses, and other financial institutions seek to resume activity and relieve pressures on near exhausted family resources.
CHE teaching that is yet to become widespread has benefited some during these topsy-turvy days. Whether it be stretching meager nutrition resources by using moringa leaf powder, or limiting malaria progress with some papaya leaves, some of our believers have been able to serve as caring resources in a time of much need; a time when money could not buy much because much was not available! Though the fighting has stopped, a crisis will press in coming days as imported food and basic supplies exhaust and will be difficult to replace in less than 6 weeks. Banks remain closed. Though ports are reopening, goods and services do not yet exchange easily. Transport remains treacherous. One of our pastors has remained separated from family in Abidjan for greater than 10 days because of the danger of travel. Other immediate family needs will show themselves for his and other families in the next few weeks.
That has not prevented Ivorian Free Will Baptist churches from positioning themselves to assist their own and their neighbors during these days. Tuesday phone conversations set in motion planning for our churches to have their own crisis intervention guidelines and we will stand with them as they implement locally led interventions.
- Pray for Divine Wisdom and resources to equip our Ivorian brethen in ministry (2 Corinthians 9).
- Pray Ivorian leaders and we will discern how to best assist them to effectively care for their own and reach-out in sacrifice during these days of need. (Proverbs 14: 7 & 8). This is the week of planning.
For more detail, see the last four blog entries at our 'Andersons Witnessing in Africa' blog (www.awaupdates.blogspot.com) . They tell personal stories of Abidjan difficulties and list prayer requests that are available for downloading in PDF formats, as is this note. They contain prayer requests from an Ivorian brother, insightful stories and requests from other missionaries. Please use them and our prior updates to uphold our believers in prayer. For your convenience, links to the PDF files follow :
Anderson Update 11_04_02.pdfAnderson FLASH Update 11_04_08 - Witness.pdf
Anderson FLASH Update 11_04_09 - Smith Report.pdf
Anderson FLASH Update 11_04_10 - Susan Report.pdf
Blessed to be a blessing,
Verlin for the Anderson Family
(Debbie is making consistent and steady recovery from her
recent surgery - THANK YOU for your continuing prayers)
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