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WEC is still active despite short absence in the country caused by a civil war.
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) was once a stable and prosperous nation in
West Africa. However, an initial coup d'état in 1999 began a spiral of
growing instability culminating in an armed rebellion in September
2002. Since then the country is divided into several zones. The south,
including Abidjan, is controlled by government loyalist forces. Other
parts are held by various rebel factions.
A French and West African military contingent have been preventing the
conflict from escalating into total war. Negotiations sponsered by a
group of African heads of state and France helped to seek a resolution
to the crises. A peace agreement was signed in 2003 and reinforced
during a summet in Accra and needs now to be followed through. Since
June 2004, United Nation peace keeping forces are present with 6000
troops to observe the process of peace and disarmament.
One third of the territory of WEC's daughter church, the AEECI, has come
under rebel control resulting in large numbers of refugees fleeing from
those towns.
The AEECI church is since the crisis involved in
relief work among displaced people. Nine crises centres are set up for
this purpose. Many of our pastors have had to move with their families
to safer areas in the central or southern areas of the country. But
during 2004 several had gone back to their post of service.
As a result of the situation, WEC's work in Côte d'Ivoire
was seriously disrupted, as has that of most missions. All WEC
missionaries based upcountry had to leave their bases.
A small team based in Abidjan continued to work with the AEECI leadership
to help and manage the AEECI Relief Fund. You can contribute to this
fund by contacting
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The Pastoral Institute Hebron remained open to teach and train pastors.
Funding from the supporting churches became a big problem during the
crisis and still continues to be.. The Pastoral Institue as well as the
Evangelical Technical Training College face tremendous challenges to
remain open. We value your support in this.
As things have stabilized, mission personnel have been able to move
back to re-start their ministry. Currently, one couple is working with
the church in Abidjan and another couple in Yamoussoukro. The Field
Leaders are back in Bouaflé together with a couple on the teaching
staff of Hebron Pastoral Institute and a lady working with the church
department of literacy. In the northern town of Seguela, in the rebel
zone, one couple has restarted the work and is seeing much interest in
the gospel message.
More workers needed
All team members have expressed a desire to see others come and help them.
September 6 th 2004 was a high light for the team. Vavoua
International School for missionary children (VIS) restarted. During
the summer holidays, the school relocated in the capital Yamoussoukro
rather than to stay on the old campus which is still in rebel held
territory. A small dorm is set up for children whose parents do not
live close to the school side. The new school year started in
collabaraton with the New Tribes Mission, on their campus with 30
children from different mission.
Please pray for:
A solid solution to the crisis in the country and a return to stability and security.
Protection and God's anointing for WEC missionaries and AEECI pastors.
For courageous, stable people to join us in the work.
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