5 April 2011

Please continue to pray earnestly for our team in Abidjan as pro-Outtara forces have launched a full-on assault on the city. From the wife of our SIM Director in Cote d'Ivoire (she is outside the country and is in phone contact with him in Abidjan):

"They just lost electricity. Intense fighting is going on in Abidjan, and something is happening fairly close to where we live. They heard shells or bullets whistling, and spent about two hours sheltering in the hallway. Before that, from the balcony they could see the military camp and munitions dump on fire.

Phones are not working, so he is not able to check if people are OK. Please pray that God will keep him safe, along with our colleagues and many friends, and that this will end soon."

1 April 2011—Please join us in urgent prayer for the country of Cote d'Ivoire and for the Church during this time of violence. Email from our SIM Director on the ground in Abidjan:

"This last night there was heavy fighting in Abidjan between the forces of the two men contending for president. The sound of artillery fire in the distance, some of it too close for comfort, made it impossible to sleep. While it has greatly diminished since 7 a.m. today, April 1, it still continues as one camp tries to oust the other camp’s president.

The Christian radio station, Fréquence Vie, was hit by shrapnel from rocket fire which punctured a hole in the roof. Stray bullets landed nearby. No one was hurt.

The situation is critical. Please pray that a solution to this political/military impasse can be found immediately."

BBC News: Explosions Rock Abidjan

Prayer request 27 Feb 2011: Radio Transmitter Burned in Abidjan