General Board of Global Ministries News Release
For Immediate Release
17 February 1997
Contact: Connie Nelson
Phone: (404) 727-8880
New York (GBGM) -- General Board of Global Ministries mission personnel still in Zaire report that Lubumbashi and the surrounding region are "relatively stable" and that they will remain in their places of assignment while continuing to monitor the unfolding conflict between government troops and opposing forces in the Shaba region.
Although missionaries based in the North Shaba area left Zaire Feb. 4 because of impending fighting, the United Methodist mission agency has not issued a "blanket" evacuation order to remaining personnel. GBGM executives--with the episcopal leaders of Zaire (Bishop Katembo Kainda, Southern Zaire, and Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda, North Shaba--both currently in Lubumbashi; and Bishop Onema Fama, Central Zaire)--continue to watch the situation in Southern Zaire closely and are in regular contact with all Zaire-based GBGM personnel, including those who have left the country.
As of Feb. 14, 18 mission personnel were out of Zaire; 16 remain in their places of assignment. Those still in Zaire include Tom and Liz Ryder, Jeffrey and Ellen Hoover, Glenn and Roberta Hupprich, and Amyl Wahl, all in Lubumbashi; Larry and Laura Hills in Kilwa; David and Lorene Persons, and Vivian Woodyard, all in Mulungwishi. Also, Paul and Roxanne Webster in Musakatanda.
Missionaries no longer in Zaire include Douglas and Beth Gipe, Stephen and Deborah Wolford, Marvin and Jean Wolford, and Gaston Nkulu Ntambo, a Zairian person-in-mission, all currently in Ndola, Zambia, and Kenneth and Deborah Vance, and John and Kendra Enright, currently in Zimbabwe.
Four missionary couples assigned to Zaire currently are on leave in the United States. They are Delbert and Sandy Groves, Donald and Joan Woodward, Dan and Crystal Hammond, and Tom and Sharon Crowe.
The situation in Central Zaire is reportedly calm, and GBGM missionaries Stephen and Gayle Quigg--assigned in Kananga--continue regular radio contact with Bishop Onema Fama.
An earlier report issued by the General Board of Global Ministries indicated that all mission planes had been flown out of Zaire; pilots flew two of the three planes into Zambia Feb. 4, but the third plane remains in Kananga, according to GBGM executives. United Methodists are encouraged to be in prayer for the people of Zaire, for the church and its leaders, and for the mission personnel serving in Zaire.
E-mail: Charles Cole: ccole@gbgm-umc.org.
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