God Speaks

Today, after school, I was talking with Henriette about one of my dreams. I've been praying that God will restore peace to her native country, Cote d'Ivoire, and that I will be able to travel there with Henriette for a visit.

The Ivory Coast is a beautiful place... white beaches, palm trees, forests, the ocean, seafood, music, and dancing. It has always been the envy of West Africa...until the fighting began. 

When it was time for me to leave, I opened up a new bag of Dove chocolates that I keep in my desk, grabbed a couple for the road and said "good bye" to Henriette. As I walked down the hall, opening my treat, I was stopped in my tracks by the words written on the inside of the foil wrapper...

God speaks.

How incredibly loving of Him to wrap His words around a piece of chocolate that was probably made from the very cocoa beans harvested from the Ivory Coast, which alone produces some 1.4 million tons of beans a year.

This year, these fields have been violently taken over by rebels who are not even citizens of the Ivory Coast. They are led by the fradulantly elected, Allassane Ouatarra, who is supported by the French government. The greed of profits from the cocoa fields are one of the main reasons for the corruption and genocide that is taking place in Cote d'Ivoire. President Laurent Gbagbo, who was recently captured and imprisoned by Ouatarra's men, was in the process of implementing a plan to keep the chocolate production in Cote d'Ivoire, therefore, allowing the hard-working natives to benefit and prosper. President Gbagbo's desire was the progress of his country. As it stands, the cocoa beans are imported into France, who is enjoying the profits of Cote d'Ivoire's natural resource and the labor of its people.  

Road Trip!

On Saturday, April 30, Ivorians from Houston, Dallas and Oklahoma City gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol building. There is a determination to inform the world of the horrific acts that are being committed against their friends and family members in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). These atrocities are being carried out under the direction of Alassane Ouattara, an illegally placed president who serves as a "puppet" in the hands of the French president, Nicholas Sarkozy.

To watch a video of the march, click the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkeM5FcNvmw&feature=related

On the road at 7:00 a.m.

Esther

Phidiace

Diane, a Dallas college student and oldest sister of
7 siblings still living in Abidjan with their parents

Rose

Susie and Bruno

My new friend, Clementine.
Her Uncle's beautiful, country home
(in which he'd planned to retire) was burned to the ground by
Quattara's rebel forces just after the fraudulent election

Sebastian and friend

Henriette

Cousin Louise, Henriette, and Paul

Kimberly and Gabrielle

Emma, with her Aunt Henriette

Kissi, Brother of Simone Gbagbo, First Lady of Cote d"Ivoire
She is being held captive and mistreated by the rebels.

Mawa and Bruno

Although, this was a peaceful march and demonstration, incredible passion and faith fueled the speeches, songs, and chants in the reoccuring theme, "This is not the end... We have just begun!"

Bridgette

My very first march... powerful!

Thank you, Al Lindley, a former representative who met with us and received the photos and the message with true sincerity and compassion.

Blaise, with Al Lindley

 

Mindi and Henriette

Afterwards, Blaise and Louise, who lived in the city invited everyone back to his house for a traditional Ivorian feast! Thank you for the delicious feast!