It is said that no news is good news. In our case, that saying is true. We\’ve passed a little more than 24 hours without hearing (or feeling) explosions or gunfire. The action is now in Abidjan where many of our missionary friends are behind locked doors and keeping a very low profile. The embassies are encouraging \’white faces\’ to stay at home.
Today, ICA is a different kind of place. School will resume tomorrow so that the kids have something to do (the dorm parents\’ suggestion – not the kids). But we are no longer segregated with the French on their side of the campus and us on our side, only to come together for special occasions. Because we are housing evacuees from Bouake, both military and civilian, almost all of the campus dorms and housing are being used. Food is being pooled in the dining hall where all of us eat together. Tonight we enjoyed pizza made with pepperoni brought out by friends of ours 8 weeks ago.
This day of calm has given all of us time to think and reflect on what we want to take with us when we finally find a way to leave – depending on whether we go by aircraft or are able to drive out. Neither option is open to us at this point. All of us are also pondering over what is next. Some will return to the states for reassignment, some will start furlough early, and a few have already arranged to fly directly to other locations in West Africa. We are among those starting an early furlough because, like many, this is our 2nd evacuation in as many years. We are ready for the relative peace of America.
Thank you so very much for all your prayers and e-mails of encouragement. Those e-mails filled with promises of prayer support are so important that I\’ve been excused from kitchen duty just to keep the e-mails flowing by our satellite uplink! Thanks, guys!
Please pray for our friends, both African and non-African, who are in places in Cote d\’Ivoire not as peaceful as ICA tonight. All of those in the north are without electricity and water. Those in the south are afraid to venture out. Also pray for a safe way out of the country.