wfn.org | LCMS - Ivory Coast missionary safe, says mission spokesman

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services

LCMSNews -- No. 86
December 30, 2002

Ivory Coast missionary safe, says mission spokesman

Medical missionary Dr. William Foster, who reportedly was being held
yesterday by rebels in Ivory Coast, West Africa, today "is in good hands and
he's safe," according to a spokesman for LCMS World Mission, the mission arm
of the St. Louis-based Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

Rev. John Mueller, the mission board's director for missionary service, said
Foster was with the French Red Cross, but declined to be more specific about
the missionary's whereabouts.

Foster, a physician, has served as a Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
missionary for eight years and was based in Toulepleu, Ivory Coast, near the
Liberian border.

Rebels, intent on ousting the current government, began fighting in Ivory
Coast in September.  In recent weeks, LCMS World Mission had had sporadic
contact with Foster, who became trapped when rebel factions overtook
Toulepleu in November.

LCMS World Mission withdrew five missionary families from Ivory Coast,
beginning in November, because of the escalating conflict.  Foster was the
only remaining LCMS missionary.

****************************************

LCMSNews is published by the News and Information Division, Board for
Communication Services, of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  Please note
that subscribers to LCMSNews will not be able to reach anyone by hitting the
"Reply" button when viewing an LCMSNews release.  Such replies will be
deleted.  However, if you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews
release, contact Joe Isenhower via e-mail at joe.isenhower@lcms.org, or by
phone at (314) 996-1231, or Paula Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314)
996-1230.

To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your e-mail address for LCMSNews, go
to the following Web address:
http://lists.lcms.org/mailman/listinfo/lcmsnews.

****************************************