February 7, 1997
Mission personnel in the Shaba region of Zaire have confirmed news reports that opposition forces in Zaire are advancing into the mineral-rich mining district of Shaba province. Attempts by the Zairian government military forces to stop this advance appear to be unsuccessful.
Because of the impending conflict in the area, several GBGM mission personnel--particularly pilots--were encouraged by Bishop Katembo Kainda (Southern Zaire) and Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda (North Shaba) to relocate themselves and their aircraft temporarily to Zambia. The personnel and their families flew to Zambia Feb. 6; the remaining personnel assigned to the Southern Zaire Conference have chosen to remain in their places of service for the time being (after consultation with church leadership and GBGM Mission Personnel staff), and are closely monitoring the situation in and around Lubumbashi.
The mission personnel who left Zaire did so in advance of significant conflict in the region between Zairian government troops and opposition forces, given the impending movement of the fighting and under the advisement of Zairian church leadership. Global Ministries staff in New York City have established and are maintaining regular telephone contact with our Bishops and mission personnel still in the region, and with those who have left Zaire.
Here is an initial status report on personnel in the affected areas. We will provide updated information as it becomes available:
The missionary families who have left Zaire and are temporarily gathered in Ndola, Zambia are: Paul and Roxanne Webster, Stephen and Deborah Wolford, Marvin and Jean Wolford, Donald and Joan Woodward, John and Kendra Enright and Kenneth and Deborah Vance. Other personnel assigned to North Shaba who are currently on home assignment in the U.S. are: Delbert and Sandy Groves, Tom and Sharon Crowe and Dan and Crystal Hammond.
The missionary families assigned to the Southern Zaire Conference and still in their places of assignment are: Jeffrey and Ellen Hoover, Douglas and Beth Gipe, Larry and Laura Hills, Glenn and Roberta Hupprich, David and Lorene Persons, Fred and Lanie Price, Tom and Liz Ryder and Vivian Woodyard.
The situation in Central Zaire appears to be relatively calm, and mission personnel assigned to the region currently remain in their places of assignment. Stephen and Gayle Quigg, serving in Kananga, are in regular radio contact with Bishop Onema Fama, episcopal leader of the Area.
All GBGM planes and pilots in North Shaba and Southern Zaire are out of the country. One of our International Persons in Mission, Gaston Ntambo, is among those temporarily residing in Zambia. Mr. Ntambo, a native Zairian who serves as a pilot for the "Wings of the Morning" mission project, faced forced conscription had he remained in Zaire.
The mission personnel are regularly in touch with each other, with Bishops Ntambo, Katembo and Onema, and with GBGM staff in New York via satellite phones.
We ask that all United Methodists join in collective prayer for the people of Zaire, for church leaders and members, and for all mission personnel and their families during this episode of conflict in the region.
2.7.97
Contact: Charles Cole (212) 870-3785. E-mail: ccole@gbgm-umc.org.
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