It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Nancy Lightfoot, a long time United Methodist missionary assigned to Liberia by the General Board of Global Ministries. We have been informed that Ms. Lightfoot was killed January 12 in an automobile accident near Buchanan, Liberia. Nancy and one other passenger were killed and two others were critically injured.

    We invite the United Methodist family around the world to join us in prayer for the grieving family of Nancy, our beloved colleague in faith, whose missionary witness illuminated the gospel for so many people.

    In August 1989, Nancy Lightfoot and one Liberian translator went to Jerusalem, Israel to study Hebrew and related subjects in preparation for the work of translating the Old and NewTestaments to the Klao language.

    When war broke out in Liberia in May 1990, she remained in Jerusalem one more year until it was safe to return to Liberia. Heavy fighting resumed in October 1992, forcing her to relocate across the border from Liberia in Ivory Coast. As the war intensified, one by one the Liberian translation workers also were forced to flee to Ivory Coast where, where together they continued the work of translating the Bible.

    Ms. Lightfoot's first 12 years in Liberia involved analysis, preparation of teaching materials, teaching and literature production. Although she could not enter Liberia because of the fighting, the war brought almost the entire translation team to her as refugees, and the work of translating the Old and New Testaments continued.

    Ms. Lightfoot once said of her ministry, "Watching the faces of the older women in a Klao -speaking congregation as they hear God's word read to them in a language they understand is an experience one would not forget." Born in Flint and raised in Williamson, Michigan, Ms. Lightfoot earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

    Before becoming a missionary she was an elementary school teacher in Midland, Mich. She also has served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia. From 1969 to 1970, Ms. Lightfoot traveled through India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

    She is survived by her mother, Carolyn Lightfoot, a sister, Kathy Sheathelm, and a host of relatives and friends.

    We are holding Nancy Lightfoot's family close in our hearts and in our prayers as we mourn with them the tragic death of a loved one. We will provide further details about services for Ms. Lightfoot as soon as that information is available.

January 16, 2001