Ivory Coast - French troops evacuate American students from rebel-controlled town

AFP via Babelfish translation ^ | September 25, 2002

[primeval patriot]

Does anyone have any photos of this operation?

Here's a few from the AP, that is if they show up on this post.

A French soldier sleeps as he waits to leave Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, to head to the Bouake area in the Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002. French troops moved into Bouake Wednesday to safeguard Westerners caught in a six-day uprising after a failed coup Sept. 19 in which at least 270 people died. (AP Photo/Christine Nesbitt)

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French troops prepare to leave Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast to head to the Bouake area in the Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002. U.S. and French troops moved into Bouake Wednesday to safeguard Westerners caught in a six-day uprising after a failed coup Sept. 19 in which at least 270 people died. (AP Photo/Christine Nesbitt)

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Locals look on as a French soldier stands guard in Kouandia-Prikro on the way to Bouake, Ivory Coast Wednesday Sept. 25, 2002. French troops evacuated the children and American families who were trapped at the International Christian Academy in Bouake in a standoff between rebel soldiers and loyalist troops in the Ivory Coast. (AP Photo/Christine Nesbitt)

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Americans from the International Christian Academy wave U.S. flags as they drive in a French military convoy from Bouake, Ivory Coast Wednesday Sept. 25, 2002. French troops evacuated the children and American families who were trapped at a school in the standoff between rebel soldiers and loyalist troops in the Ivory Coast. (AP Photo/Christine Nesbitt)

[pollywog]

This is so sad to hear you talk like this. I know first hand about this school and missionary children. My dear brother and wife were missionaries in Liberia for over 25 years.They have 5 marvelous, grown , married children. ALL OF THESE GIRLS went to this school in Bouake. They were NOT dumped. They were LOVED, cared for, by my brother , sister in law, and yes, the school moms.Yes, they did have stretches of absense from home.They are now ALL grown adults that I will guarantee are equal and ABOVE most young families anywhere.Two went back to the missionfield.If asked, I am sure they would all stand behind their parents.God does ask us to GO!!.The Old and New Testament are full of true to life accounts.

[pollywog]

Tuckrdout,There are American families who stay home with their children who also have this happen. DON'T blame the missionfield on this. Go to post #62. I am a AUNT to 5 WONDERFUL , Grown children raised on the missionfield and " dumped" as you stated, who are EVERY PARENTS DREAM...no drugs, no broken families, just great , productive ALL-AMERICANS.Incidently, ALL of them are serving Jesus Christ, and their children are preparing for the missionfield. God DOES call us to " GO".

[ReadMyMind]

They did something nice for some kids in a very dangerous situation. I'm gonna buy and drink a bottle of french red wine to celebrate. Maybe with a bit of french cheese.

As for anti-american, what exactly do you mean? I've read of them being critical of our foreign policy, but that's not the same as "hating americans".

I was in Paris for 11 days this month. I was, to the Parisians, obviously American as soon I spoke. They treated me with more dignity and kindness than I'm used to in any US city of comparable size.

[tuckrdout]

Thank you for another perspective, pollywog. I actually needed to hear it! Your family sounds wonderful.

I hate to stick up for myself, but I was not the one that said the kids were "dumped"....I just stated that there was some truth in the other poster's statement and I related the story of our family. My Aunt got the calling, and left her 5 children...just left them, to go to Africa. I forgot to mention that their father had died 2 years earlier. They had no parents while they were growing up. That is wrong.

God gave her those 5 children to raise. If he did not want her to do it, he would not have given them to her. I believe in Missions. I believe that my Aunt was called to be a missionary...but, if God wanted her to go at that very moment, then God wanted her to take her kids too! Instead she just left them. When the family questioned her actions, she stated that "God will care for them". God put them in her care! The mission field that God gave her, is now barren. She is dead along with one of the children, and all the other children are lost.

What good is it to save the world and lose your own family, from your own neglect? How can one tell others about Christ, when they have not done the work Christ gave them to do?

"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Tim.5:8