RETURN TO CÔTE D’IVOIRE? ‏

You may be wondering when we are returning to Côte d'Ivoire? We have visited all of our supporting churches and most of our individual supporters, plus we added a few churches. We have been looking forward to our return “home” again. Yet, we have been praying about the timing of our departure. Our goal was to leave by the end of June. We have talked to people on the field, including the deTarragon family who were robbed two weeks ago (see page 2), and we have received council by many to wait. In most places there are no police or gendarmes (military police). The security forces in these towns are the former rebels who are now the official armed forces. We were also told that in Abidjan, 6000 prisoners were set free. With the lack of security in the country, this is the first time Gayle has had reservations about returning. For twenty years, we have gone back and forth to the field and she has been at peace to go EVERY time - even after her health crisis evacuation in April 2002 and the political crisis emergency evacuation in November 2004. ‏

We talked to our pastor, Allen Harris at Hope Baptist and our administrator, Vernon Rosenau at BMM (in two separate phone calls). Both acknowledged the service Gayle has had for the past twenty years. Vernon said that Gayle's reticence to return may just be the Spirit of God working. Pastor Harris added, “Gayle is sensing something and we need to heed.” He also said, “It is one thing to be there and go through a volatile situation and another thing to go into a volatile place.” He does not want to see us become a target. ‏

We have missionary friends in San Pedro, the Messers and the Cuthbertsons who have made it through the crisis. They live in the city with neighbors all around. One of our concerns is the location of our house. Although we are in city limits of San Pedro, we are in a neighborhood where there is a lot of unfinished construction, and most homes are vacant. We are a bit isolated; the closest African family lives 40 - 50 yards from our house. ‏

Vernon stated that our return should only be considered when we are satisfied with the security within the country. His concern is that living under the stress of questionable security will tend to make us less productive in ministry. He suggested that we put off our return date and examine the security in 60 or 90 days while being productive here. ‏

So, after much much personal discussion, prayer, and this counsel, we are putting off the decision about our departure until August 1 in order to reassess the security situation at that time. Besides speaking in churches, we are packing our twenty foot container during the month on June with all the Bibles, books, tracts, materials for the Bible Institute and the youth center, relief items, and our personal effects. Also, we plan to visit churches in Quebec, Canada. ‏

This decision to delay our return was hard to make since in many ways we are ready to go. Yet, the Spirit of God and our leadership have given us good counsel about our next step. Please pray for us and for the ministries in Côte d’Ivoire. ‏

PRAISE AND PRAYER Praises: 1) Gayle lead a Togolese woman (French speaker) to the Lord at Fellowship Baptist’s Friend Day (Ferndale, MD) after the dedication of the 15,000 French copies of John and Roman booklets for our ministry. The church put these booklets together in conjunction with Bearing Precious Seed’s SEEDLINE PROJECT for us to ship to the field. Those who labored saw a soul accept Christ with the booklet they put together! 2) Before the new forces (former rebels) arrived in San Pedro, Emmanuel and the other instructors worked hard to finish teaching the curriculum for the spring semester. Our Bible Institute, Youth center, and home have been kept safe by prayers and the faithfulness of God’s people there. There have been no break-ins or looting. Prayer: 1) Continue to pray for peace in the Ivory Coast. Pray for those who have fled from their towns and still in need of food, clothing, and shelter. (see pg. 2). 2) For wisdom as we make decisions for the future. ‏

UPDATE ON THE SITUATION IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE “THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY IS A CATASTROPHE…SINCE THE PRESIDENT WAS REPLACED ON APRIL 12, THERE IS TOTAL INSECURITY IN THE SOUTH AND IN THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY.” These are the words of some dear veteran missionary friends, Olivier and Ruth deTarragon, on May 17, 2011. They weathered the political storm and fighting in Abidjan after the elections from November 2010 until the replacement of the former president on April 11, 2011. At 7 pm on May 13th, after holding prayer meeting in their home, four armed bandits came in and robbed them of all their valuables, (jewelry, wedding rings, computer, money, etc), threatened to kill them (they hit Olivier on the head with a pistol), then locked them in a room in their home and stole their car to get away. I spoke with them after I heard, and they were definitely shaken up. They were planning to go to France this summer for their daughter’s wedding, but left ASAP after the robbery. Ruth told me that anyone who has money is a target of armed robberies. ‏

As you may know, in the western part of the country the new president’s armed forces battled through and gained all the area where we worked during our first term of service. Our mission has 15 established churches in that region, two mission stations, and a number of new church plants (about 400 believers). This area was targeted and the devastation and senseless killings is unthinkable. Many fled, but by leaving their homes, they left all that they had with only the things they could carry on their heads and backs. Only one pastor is still in his home in the city of Guiglo. Many are still hiding in the jungle with their families and church members. One of the pastors, Lea, was separated from his wife for seven weeks. Not knowing her situation, he was pleased to return home and find her safe, having just given birth to a new baby! ‏

We continue to keep contact with our pastors and believers in San Pédro, where we have worked the past 15 years. There is no major violence, and the presence of the new soldiers are all around. Life, they report, is difficult for them, but bearable. From our churches, there are those in need of food, medical needs, and families who lost loved ones; there are at least 700 needy people. In Divo, the Tougnons are safe along with their church family but they and their church are also in need of food. Bertin reports that there are robberies, and those who obviously have money are targets. ‏

WORLD RELIEF – IVORY COAST Because of this crisis, I (Steve) am now serving as the liaison for: Baptist Mid Missions WORLD RELIEF – Ivory Coast. This relief effort is twofold in scope towards aiding our brothers and sisters in Christ. First, the immediate obvious needs: through two relief committees composed of nationals (one in Liberia and one in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire) some funds have been distributed to help as a “First Response.” The immediate needs of those who have been displaced or have gone hungry are a priority. The needs range from food, medical attention, clothing, essential household items, and special requests due to the crisis. Secondly, there is a look to the future. Those who have lost everything will want to go home one day. Whether they went to Liberia as refugees or hid in the jungle for safety, one thing is certain, when they go home their homes and churches will not be the same. Most likely they will be victims of looting and damage to their buildings. Some may go home and find nothing there. ‏

Jesus assumed believers practiced giving aid to the poor in Matt 6:1-4 and declared the reward for this was to inherit the kingdom in Matt 25:31-40. Also the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) teaches us that by faith, sacrificially providing relief to those in crisis (due to no personal fault) is part of the fabric of active and true Christianity. ‏

Our prayer is to do as much as we can to give relief to our faithful believers and to minister to unbelievers in a tangible way presenting to them the Gospel. While reading our letter, perhaps you have thought about sending a donation to help those in desperate need. If you are so moved, you can send a check to BAPTIST MID-MISSIONS. Please designate the donation for: WORLD RELIEF –IVORY COAST. One hundred percent (100%) of the funds received are used for relief and nothing is taken out by the BMM office for administrative costs and your gift will receive a tax deduction receipt. ‏

THANK YOU! In closing, we say “Thank you!” to those individuals and churches who have already helped by giving a gift to the Baptist Mid-Missions – WORLD RELIEF – Ivory Coast. We do appreciate the love and care that you have shown to our family in Africa. We, too, have used a portion of our recent love offerings from churches and support to respond to the needs of these people. The World Relief-Ivory Coast fund has reported that donations have come from our supporting churches and from people who have been touched and moved with compassion to help these believers in this crisis. ‏

We appreciate you taking extra time to read this letter. May God richly bless you, Steve and Gayle ‏

KING’S Address this year – 107 3rd Avenue Baltimore, MD 21225