From Bob Fetherlin:
Over recent days a coup took place in Mali with the military ousting the president. Other countries in the region consulted together and empowered a delegation of high level leaders to visit Mali asking the new military junta there to turn the power back over to the president, knowing that elections were already scheduled in Mali for just a few weeks from now. As the plane carrying these leaders approached Mali, a large crowd of Malians occupied the only runway at Bamako's international airport forcing the plane to be diverted to a neighboring country.
In an effort to make its point clearly, this group of countries has now indicated that all the nations who share a border with Mali will be closing their shared border over this weekend until the junta meets their demand. That means Mali will be isolated, unable to have people crossing its border. Furthermore, Mali will be sanctioned financially by cutting off the flow of money into the country through the shared, West African banking system. These and possible additional sanctions are aimed at pressuring the new junta to return power to the president in Mali.
This presents a growing threat to our international workers and partners there. Unrest especially in Bamako has created problems in recent days. In an incident last weekend an Alliance church just outside Bamako was demolished by an angry crowd. All the while rebels in the north of Mali are gaining ground. And now there is this stand-off between the leaders of other countries in the region and the new junta. In light of these and other growing threats and the uncertainty of this situation, the following steps have been taken:
1) The decision has been made for families with young children and students at Dakar Academy to transition to Burkina Faso. In some situations, this will just involve the mothers and children.
2) Consultation has taken place with the US Embassy in Bamako.
3) Regular communication with our partner family of Alliance churches in Mali, especially their leaders, is being maintained. Consultation is also going on with sister mission agencies with personnel in Mali.
4) Contingency plans have been reviewed and updated.
5) Alliance teams in neighboring countries have offered to help in any way they can.
6) Regional and Colorado-Springs based leaders are in regular communication with field leaders in Mali in an effort to respond in wise and timely ways to what's transpiring.
Many are praying for God's help and intervention, for His protection and care of His people and for spiritual hunger to increase during this time. May the doors for the gospel remain open through this uncertain time! You are invited to be a part of this focused intercession.
While this is not a time for panic or overreaction, it is a time for prayer, wisdom and due diligence. And it's a time when keeping you well informed is important. Thank you for praying for God to be at work in Mali.
Thank you for remembering His people there, including our team on the ground and our family of Alliance partner churches. And thank you for your part in helping God's kingdom to advance in our neighborhoods and the nations . . . including Mali!
Pray for Mali
Started by
Guest_Marvin Harrell_*
, Mar 31 2012 05:17 PM
1 reply to this topic
