March 14, 2007
Good News for Africa
Tomorrow morning, Thursday 15th March, our Assistant Pastor Ben Griffin flies out to the Ivory Coast for 10 days. He leaves at 6.30am (GMT) from Manchester Airport, and arrives in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) via Brussels at 6.00pm (GMT).
Ivory Coast
Abidjan is the largest city and former capital of Côte d'Ivoire. It is the commercial and banking center of Côte d'Ivoire as well as the de facto capital. It has an estimated 4 to 5 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area, and is a study in contrasts. On one hand the city is hot and humid, congested and full of street hawkers. On the other hand, Abidjan is referred to as the "Paris of West Africa" because of its parks, broad boulevards, universities, exotic fashions and museums.
Once one of the wealthiest and most peaceful cities in Africa, Abidjan is now considered one of the most dangerous cities on the continent. How it needs the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Ben will be staying overnight at a Christian Guest House in Abidjan before travelling for 8 hours on the following day to the bible college in Sassandra at which he will be teaching for 5 days on Christian Leadership. He will also be familiarising himself with the surrounding area with the possibility of doing some evangelism in the outlying villages.
Bible College at Sassandra
Bible College Students with William Brown (Ivory Coast Team Leader)
Sassandra from the air
Please pray for Ben as he travels, as he teaches for the first time at the College, and that he would have the wisdom to apply God's Word to the context in which the Ivorian pastors minister.
Pray also for Liz and the children as they stay at home without him. I am certain they would appreciate lots of contact and help during this time!
The Griffins