Story number 1 for 3 Feb 2003

(Ivory Coast) — Headlining today’s news, the continued unrest in the West African nation of the Ivory Coast has forced more missionaries from the region. New Tribes Mission‘s Dave Zelenak says the last of their workers were evacuated over the weekend. “They’ve had peace talks in Paris, and there was an agreement that was agreed on, but it didn’t really go well with the people back in Ivory Coast. So, it really stirred up rioting. People in Ivory Coast really got quite hostile to the French who have been holding it together. It’s not safe for our people right now. So, it’s pretty much evacuating all Europeans.” It’s uncertain when they’ll return. Zelenak says people need to pray. “I think you could pray for the people in Ivory Coast. It is entering a real dangerous phase for instability and fighting. Pray for the missionary families that are leaving, and leaving a lot of unfinished work there.”