Ebola Concerns

Recently we have had several people contact us with prayer requests and questions concerning Ebola here in West Africa. We appreciate your prayers for our family and others and ask that you continue to pray for the Ebola crisis in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

We are carefully monitoring the Ebola crisis and its developments. To date there have been no reported cases in Ivory Coast and we personally are not located anywhere near any of the affected areas of the outbreak. However, we do have contingency plans in case Ebola were to spread closer to our area. Briefly, Ivory Coast had closed its land borders to people entering from Liberia and Guinea, but have since opened them back up.

Extensive news coverage is causing many to be concerned, but our national partners and we are closely following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization.

We are not taking Ebola lightly, however, we do want to reiterate that the risk to us contracting Ebola is very, very low. Though it is a high infectivity disease (meaning, if exposed to the virus, there is a high likelihood of acquiring the disease), it is NOT a highly contagious disease (meaning, it is not easily transmitted from one person to the next).

Ebola is a very scary disease for many reasons, but it is not a mysterious disease that we know nothing about. We know how it is spread and the things that one can do to protect oneself from being exposed to it. CMF personnel are taking all the necessary precautions needed to avoid coming in contact with the Ebola virus if it should come to our countries.

Attached is a very good and informative article concerning the Ebola crisis. It was an interview with one of the leading experts involved in the outbreak who has a very good understanding of Africa. It sheds light on both fears and misconceptions concerning Ebola, as well as explaining the serious challenges facing the international healthcare community. It is a little long, but worth the read if you are serious about understanding and praying for the Ebola crisis.  Dr. Daniel Bausch Knows The Ebola Virus All Too Well

Again, thank you for your prayers and concerns. 

Beoumi Project Video Update

A couple weeks ago we had a CHE training for the new churches in the Beoumi region.  It went really well.  While I was there, I was able to get this video update with Kouame Jean (our church planter currently ministering out there) and Laurent, one of our main new leaders serving in Beoumi.  

Child Sponsorship Up And Running!

It's time to announce our exciting news!!  Our mission has been working hard to get the Open Heart Program up and running for the past six months.

It is now possible to change the life of a child in Ivory Coast in a big way through our Open Heart Program. Sponsoring a child for $38 a month (just over $1 a day!) will ensure your sponsored child has nourishing food, clean water, medical care, excellent education, and the opportunity to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ. More coming on the history and the way this program works but today...RIGHT NOW you can start changing the life of a child...and their family in Ivory Coast by clicking on this link.

Click Here for CMF Ivory Coast Child Sponsorship!

Growth in the Beoumi Region

In 2013 two church planters lived and ministered in the Beoumi Region.  Two churches had already been started the previous year with many new believers.  The first couple months were extremely difficult, but they and the new believers persevered and God blessed the work.  Just after this past Christmas we headed back to Beoumi to bring them back home.  Again, we encountered vehicle trouble with the van starting to overheat after only 1/3 of the way home.  Thankfully, the new truck is amazing and we were able to take it slow and tow it back the rest of the way without incident.

During this last year they were able to see three new churches started along with another cell group.  They placed a primary emphasis on discipleship and leadership development among the new believers.  They completed three training courses and already have four young men who participate in the teaching and preaching.  Instead of focusing solely on growing things quickly and trying to win as many as possible, they mentored the new leaders and together they taught and spread the good news of God's saving grace through Jesus.  16 new people were baptized and many others are currently being taught the baptism class by the new leaders among the five churches.

This past year was a great learning experience for all of us.  There were many difficulties encountered and overcome: the loss of a pastor's wife on the field, too many vehicle problems to count, some conflict among some leaders, but as James tells us, the trials we encounter test and purify our faith.  I am truly proud and excited about the resiliency and solidarity of the young leaders in Beoumi.  Greater things are yet to come among them.

I am really excited to see how things develop this year.  We have another church planter working in Beoumi this year.  Jean Kouame will be there with his family.  He is an incredible leader.  He is filled with passion and humility and lives his life with great integrity.  He will be training and mentoring the young leaders in T4T (Training for Trainers) which is a disciple-making program focused on training people not only to share their faith, but how to train those who come to faith in Jesus to do the same.  We will also be training the churches in CHE later this year.  The opportunity and potential for growth this year is so tremendous.  The young leaders have the desire, passion and unity to do great things for God's kingdom among them.

Please continue to pray for Jean Kouame along with the four new leaders: Laurent, Arnold, Guillaume and Privat.  Pray for Andy as he teaches, trains and mentors our pastors and leaders in God's work.  Pray for the new believers in Beoumi as they encounter spiritual warfare and difficulties in living out their new-found faith.  Pray that the region of Beoumi will be transformed holistically by the good news that Jesus brings.

Our two vehicles loaded down with the baggage our our returning pastors.  Our new vehicle was able to tow all that without any problems.  Really thankful and enjoying the new truck!

Praying over the four newly chosen leaders for the Beoumi Region.  Left to right: Laurent, Guillaume, Arnold, Privat

The new church planter in Beoumi Jean Kouame.