ELCA Staff Stays in Central African Republic

ELCA STAFF STAYS IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Missionary staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) remain in the Central African Republic
despite a U.S. government decision to suspend its
operations there temporarily.  A State Department staff
member told reporters March 28 that in light of hostilities
between rebel forces and African peacekeepers, the U.S.
Embassy in the capital city of Bangui will be "temporarily
closed pending further developments."  Ambassador Mosina
Jordan will follow events in the republic from the U.S.
Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon.  Many missionaries left
the country at the recommendation of the American
embassy in December; they have since returned.  Eight
ELCA missionaries and their families are still in the Central
African Republic.  The Rev. Sarah Larsen works in women's
development, and the Rev. David and Tanya Mayer teach at
the seminary at Baboua.  The Rev. Thomas and Eunice
Olson work with an agriculture program at Baboua.  Anne
Ruedisili and Dr. Carl and Paula Stecker work in primary
health care at Bouar.  Others normally working in the
republic are presently in the United States.  U.S. Embassy
staff members have been functioning in "crisis mode" for
some time, according to the State Department, with the
expectation that the embassy will reopen.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html