URGENT: Prayer Needed for Missionary Family in the Ivory Coast

9/25/02 | Me

[ksen]

The Holmes family, missionaries with Baptist Mid-Missions to the Ivory Coast, are in urgent need of prayer.

My wife just received a call from our prayer chain and was told that though a bunch of people and children have been successfully evacuated, this particular family is stuck in their home with rebel guerillas on their property.

Please pray for the safety of the entire family.

Here are some recent e-mails I have received regarding their situation:

Received 9/20

Dear praying friends,
Some of you may have already heard of the attempted coup in Cote d'Ivoire yesterday. Fighting continues in a couple of cities (we have missionaries in Bouake). Thanks for praying and please continue to do so. In the midst of all this, a very exciting story has unfolded... I'll just paste in a few e-mails to catch you up on what's going on and to let you read of God's provision for our friends, Bob & Becky Mach, who were expecting their baby literally any minute... Nate

-------------

(9/19)
"Government troops are patroling the Cocody and Deux Plateaux regions and searching for rebel elements. All American citizens are urged to remain in their current locations. In the event of a life and death emergency only, please contact the Embassy ...

Third warden message: (9/19)
The situation in Abidjan appears to have stabilized. The government has retaken control of key military installations The government is still conducting search operations. The situation in Bouake and Korhogo remains unstable. Media reports that General Gaye and the Minister of the Interior have been killed. The International School will be closed tomorrow Friday. All Americans are advised to remain at their residences...

Please be advised that there is a curfew in effect from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. There is no school tomorrow. American citizens should remain at their residences until further notice. We will keep you posted. U.S. Embassy -- Abidjan

-------

Dear Family and Friends, (9/19)

Thanks much for your prayers today as we have been dealing with our present circumstances.

As I wrote this morning, there was an attempted coup d'état here in Côte d'Ivoire that started around 4:00am. Gunfire was evident everywhere in Abidjan. At about this time Becky went into labor, and our hospital of course is in Abidjan.

It has been impossible to enter Abidjan all day as news reports have the rebel forces shooting even at ambulances. Around 11:00am, things seemed critical with Becky and we were forced to go to a local hospital which lacks severely in cleanliness and expertise.

Fortunately, we were able to get some medications that helped stop Becky's contractions, and we returned to the house. That is our current situation at 8:10pm (4:10pm eastern time). Our prayer is that Becky will make it through the night without starting more contractions, and that we will be able to slip through Abidjan in the morning to get to the hospital.

It is entirely possible that Becky could go during the evening at which point I would most likely have to deliver the child myself. I have been studying our "Where there is no doctor" book and am greatly hoping that I will not have to do this.

Again your prayers are greatly appreciated. I will get an update out as quickly as possible.

Trusting Him,
Bob Mach

-------

(9/20)
At my last e-mail, we had managed to stop Becky's contractions with medication. Toward 10:00pm our time last night, she started experiencing them again. I called our embassy and got no help whatsoever. I called around to other doctors to see if they could come and that was not possible either.

We decided to wait as we had no assurance that we could enter Abidjan without risking being shot due to the coup attempt as well as the effort to restore order.

At 1:30am, Becky suddenly kicked into high gear. At 2:00am her water broke. Fortunately I had been studying up on delivering babies during the afternoon and I had all of the necessitites in place. I called around for somemore doctors to no avail. As well our house is so much more clean and sanitary than the local Bingerville hospital, so we decided to stay at the house.

So there we were. I got Becky set up on a mattress next to the phone in the living room. I sent my guardian to get a girl in our church who assists mid-wives, and I got on the speakerphone with a missionary lady that lives four hours away. My mother was here as she arrived last Tuesday evening to help with these circumstances.

We delivered our fourth child at 3:50am this morning (September 20, 2002). Fortunately it went pretty much like the book said. Becky and the baby are doing well. It is a boy. Weight is 8 and a half pounds with clothes on. Sometime soon I will weigh the clothes and deduct that from the 8 and a half pounds. His name is Charlton Lucien Mach and we will call him Luc (Luke) for short. Charlton is my middle name. Lucien is the name of one of our Ivoirian pastors whom I consider a close friend and colleague in the ministry. He and his wife have never been able to have child and they have never had the funds to legally adopt here.

Abidjan has somewhat returned to normal this morning and we have been in contact with our OB|GYN and pediatrician. We hope to leave in an hour or so to slip into Abidjan and see these doctors which we were not able to get to yesterday or last night.

Thanks much for your prayers. Continue to pray for us and the country of Côte d'Ivoire. Abidjan is tensely calm, but military battles are being waged at Yamousoukro, Bouaké, and Korhogo.

We will keep you posted.
Bob Mach

--------

Dear Nathan, and the rest of you,
This is Friday, Sept. 20, and it is now 12:10 P.M. Thank you for your note, Nathan. Yesterday morning, which was Thurs., Sept. 19 (didn't want you guys to have to tax your brains overly much, Ha!), Dan said to me, "Do you want to hear the bad news?" Then he told me that there had been another coup attempt in Abidjan, Bouake, and another town that he could not remember (it was Man). It had started around 3:00 A.M. in Abidjan. Jeff and Kim are there, as Kim had just gotten back from the States. She woke up to gunfire about 4:30 A.M.

Naturally there was to be NO travelling about the city while all this conflict and commotion was going on. The only one who really wanted to argue about that was Bob Mack, as that was the day that Becky's baby was due. They could not go anywhere. They called the doctor, and he told them a drug to get to slow down or stop contractions. I guess they tried that, but it didn't succeed.

Bob talked to both Dan and Andy, who assured Bob there was nothing to it; he could deliver the baby if it came anyway, which it did. Bob talked to Joan, and she said he could call her any time to get help. He was on the phone to Joan from 1:30 A.M. 'til 4:30 A.M. today. It was not non-stop, but Bob kept calling Joan back for help, instructions, etc. Becky had her baby, a boy! Dan said Bob had an African woman there to help him too. I would gather that Bob was a bit nervous, but I'm sure that turned to elation by the end of the early morning hours.

News yesterday afternoon was that General Gueue (how's his name go? anyway, the one who took over the government the Christmas time just before I came out--the one who was President before the one who is now) was killed along with some of his soldiers. Bouake is the "hot spot" now. We heard that Abidjan was sending troops there to quell the situation. There is a curfew from 6:00 P.M. 'til 6:30 A.M. or 8:00 A.M. (depending on whose news one is going by) from now through Monday.

Nathan, I think you get Bob and Becky's newsletters, right? Please send me the one that tells about these two days, o.k.? By the way, what kind of news did you hear about all this on the world news, CNN, or whatever? I think Steve Gault said you could hear gunfire over the news when the BBC was reporting yesterday. Sheppards are still in Liberia. I'm sure Mark has heard the BBC news. They are supposed to be coming back today or tomorrow.

Well, I think I will end this letter right here. It is a beautiful, sunny day in San Pedro. I hope you guys all have a good day. I love you all very much.

Lots of love,
Mamma

------------

10:40 AM (9/20)
The situation in Abidjan is stable and life is returning to normal. The situation in Boake and Korhogo remains fluid. All Americans are advised to stay at home and indoors. In the event the situation changes, this will help ensure your safety. The Embassy will continue to provide updates throughout the day...

2:55 PM (9/20)
Shooting continues in Bouake and Korhogo. Both cities are in the control of anti-government forces. We anticipate that Ivoirian government forces will attempt to re-take these cities. American citizens are STRONGLY advised to lock their doors and remain in their current locations.

It is still recommend that American citizens in Abidjan avoid any unnecessary movement. In the event that you need to stock up on provisions, some stores are open. Please let someone know where you are going and let them know you have returned. Exercise common sense security precautions and abide by the 6 p.m.-8 a.m. curfew.

We will continue to keep you updated on the situation.
U.S. Embassy -- Abidjan

Received 9/23

Dear friends,

This is the end of day # 4 and our town is still controled by the rebels. It is quiet now because night has fallen, but late this evening we heard blasts of gunfire and even cannons in the distance. Yesterday the rebels burned down the police headquarters and have kidnapped the commandant. We've been told repeatedly that things are looking up and that negotiations are under way, but we also heard that the rebels said they would rather be beaten than lay down their arms.

We received several calls from our U.S. Embassy this afternoon asking the names and number of all the Americans in our area, and precise directions to our homes. We were told to pack one bag and be ready to evacuate at a moments notice if they decide it's necessary. We would either be taken out by military escort in our own vehicles or lifted out by helicopter to a designated place. So tonight we are as ready as can be and will have to wait til morning to see what will happen. We are praying that it will all be settled and we can return to normal. We have received news of people praying from all over and we thank you all for that! We rest in the fact that God's will will not take us where His grace cannot keep us.
Deut. 31:8

In His Hands,

John & Merri Holmes and family
Serving in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa with Baptist Mid-Missions

Received 9/24

We just got off the phone with John & Merri Holmes in Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire. Fighting has continued and this is now day #6. While there has been much gunfire in town, starting last night there was a gunfight that came down their street. Later that stopped and they got some sleep, but when we called (about 11:30 a.m. CST) they were in the middle of another gunfight that had been going for several hours. Of course, they are tense and John and his family were on the floor in the hallway just singing, praying, and waiting.

They had heard that the U.S. is sending special forces, but no idea yet when or how they'll get to them. There is fighting going on all around them right now; machine guns, mortar fire, and other artillery. Please be much in prayer for them... there are still a few hours left until nightfall which may quiet things down some. However, the special forces' first objective will probably be to evacuate the children from the International Christian Academy and they have a soccer field where perhaps helicopters can lift them out. It will be more difficult finding and evacuating the Holmes and other missionary families who live in town and are in the middle of fighting. We praise God that He is in control and "His grace is sufficient..."

Nate

Received 9/24

Dear Friends and Family,

First of all, thank you each and everyone for the blessed prayers that you've been sending up on our behalf. We NEEDED them today! As we prepared our lunch and sat down to eat (exactly like supper last night) we began to hear machine guns firing and cannons going off very close to our house. Last night we left our plates at the table and came back much later to find ants in them......so this time we ran to our inner hallway......plates in hands! What followed was the worst gunfight you could imagine behind our house in a field and overhead. There are a few bullet marks on our outside walls and we heard some of them hitting our tin roof too. It started at 1:30 and went on for three hours. We had our portable phone with us, so we were able to be in contact with others as we lay on the floor in our hall--singing and quoting scripture and praying hard.

As we talked to our Embassy, they could hear the unbelievable gunfire going on and assured us that they wanted us out of here! We have finally received the word that someone is on the way to get us. It is 6:00pm our time and will be dark in about 30 minutes, so we don't know if that will keep us here another night or not.

We are all weak with fatigue from today's events, but so very thankful to be alive. We are sitting here in our living room with our bags packed and ready to walk out at a moments notice. We can still hear gunfire in the distance and hope to not have to spend another night in our home here. Please pray that God will speed this process along ---WE ARE READY!

In His Hands,

John, Merri, Heidi, Kelsey & Katie Holmes
Serving with Baptist Mid-Missions in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa

Please pray for this family and the rest caught up in the fighting over there.

Thanks.

-Kevin

[ksen]

Here are some new updates about the Ivory Coast situation:

Dear Friends,

We are sorry that we were not able to keep you updated this past week on the recent crisis in the Ivory Coast as our e-mail was down. As you probably have heard by now, all missionaries in Bouake' were successfully evacuated for which we praise the Lord! The Holmes family is in North Carolina with their parents. Also, Becky Mach (the lady who gave birth at home during the uprising) and their four children have safely arrived in Cleveland. Bob will be traveling home later after he closes things up.

Nate's sister, Joan Cuthbertson is due with their ninth child any day now. The Cuthbertsons are still in San Pedro along with Nate's mother, Joan Watkins, Andy & Becky Messer and family (Nate's youngest sister), as well as the Gault and Johnson family. Things are calm in San Pedro for which we are thankful. The Sheppard family were in Liberia for a conference when the war started and borders were closed, so they are presently in Monrovia, Liberia waiting out the war by serving Pray for a safe delivery for Joan C. and that things would soon return to normal in the Ivory Coast. Also for wisdom for the mission and missionaries as they make decisions about whether the missionaries in San Pedro should leave the country or not.

Dear praying Friends,

Hello. Well, things have changed for us again. We found out just today that the government has not signed the peace treaty and in fact, has attacked Bouaké to try to take it back from the rebels. The people of the country seem to support this action and want the government to "squash" the rebellion. However, this means war here and we have been advised by our Pastor to leave the country if the other missionaries leave.

We are planning to leave San Pedro on Tuesday, Lord willing, and head to Monrovia, Liberia (where some of our fellow missionaries are waiting for us--Mark and Nancy Sheppard). We will be traveling with Dan and Joan Cuthbertson (my sister) who are expecting their 9th child any day now. We were going to wait for Joan to have her baby before leaving, but in the light of the news, we want to get out while the getting is good AND, we heard that there may be the possibility of hitching a ride on a helicopter from Harper, Liberia to Monrovia, Liberia (thus avoiding a long drive) if we are there on Tuesday afternoon.

So, unless the baby decides to come tomorrow or Tues. early, we plan to leave Tuesday morning to drive to Harper (about 6 hours) and then at least my sister (and hopefully my mom and I with some babies) will fly to Monrovia (Dan and Andy will come in the cars). We plan to wait in Monrovia to see if things will clear up in a few weeks. This will be a much needed time of rest for us and Lord willing we will be able to return to our homes. We can't tell you how things will turn out, but please pray for us and for Cote d'Ivoire. There are ministries in Monrovia in which we can be involved while we are waiting, and if we see that the wait is going to be too long, we will then have to decide what to do (probably come home to the U.S.) Do I need to say again that we covet your prayers???

Please pray for a safe trip out of Cote d'Ivoire (our main concern is that they will let us cross the boarder) and for a safe delivery for my sister. Pray for us to trust the Lord in all of this. We know His timing is perfect and we are truly seeking to do His will. We are not ready to leave the works here, so we are hoping to be able to come back and continue them as soon as possible. We have people who will care for our house while we are gone and we have two men who will carry on the church services in our absence. It will be a good time for them to test their wings so to speak. Pray that they will be faithful.

Also, Andy has a man who will oversee the church building project as we are gone. We truly hope to be gone only a few weeks, but who can tell. Only God knows. We shall take it one day at a time and try to keep you informed. If you don't hear from us for a bit it is because we won't have access to a computer till we get to Monrovia. One of our main problems is how to get money into the hands of the people that are staying here to pay our bills while we are gone. We hope to pay up as much as possible ahead and then leave money here to cover the rest. There are a lot of details to handle before we leave so tomorrow will be a very busy day. I'm sure many of you will be praying for us and I want to thank you in advance. We are not stressed and we know that God is in control of all of these things. We are sure that this will bring growth in the lives of the believers here and in our church. Rom. 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." We know we love God, so we have nothing to fear.

Much Love in Christ,
Andy and Becky Messer
Missionaries from Salem Baptist Church
Serving with World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions

Please continue to pray……

[Ff--150]

God richly bless those missionaries...

[CDHart]

May God bless these dedicated people and keep them safe. It takes great courage to go abroad as missionaries -- more than I would have, I think. I pray that they will all make it home safely.

Carolyn

[Ff--150]

Amen on the courage :^)