BTGMI Staff Amid Rebel Uprising

3/28/13 Update: Rev. Paul Mpindi, his wife, Charlotte, and Jacky Chery, another ministry leader, have landed safely in Paris. They left earlier today from the Central African Republic, where rebels had taken over the capital city.

3/27/13 Update: Rev. Paul Mpindi his wife, Charlotte, and Pastor Jacky Chéry have taken refuge in the French embassy in Bangui. French soldiers will likely take them to the airport later this week.

Prayers were offered on Wednesday afternoon in the Grand Rapids, Mich. office of the Christian Reformed Church for Rev. Paul and his wife, Charlotte Mpindi, who are in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), where rebels have largely taken over the capital city of Bangui.

The prayers especially focused on asking God to help Mpindi, French ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International (BTGMI), his wife, and Pastor Jacky Chéry, BTGMI/Christian Reformed World Missions leader from Haiti, to safely leave the troubled country later this week.

Mpindi contacted and spoke with Rev. Selles, BTGMI’s director, late Tuesday afternoon.

“Paul reports that the city is calm, for the most part, and that they are safe,” Selles said Wednesday morning in an update of the situation. “They have seats on a flight out of the country (later this week).”

Mpindi and his wife traveled to Bangui on Wednesday, March 20, to lead training seminars for pastors and lay leaders.

Although rebel forces had been holding the city hostage earlier this year, a peace treaty had been signed in January. Local staff advised the Mpindis it was safe to travel.

However, on Saturday, Mpindi alerted Selles that rebel troops were advancing into the city. He sent a follow-up text message on Sunday that Bangui had fallen to the rebels and the country’s president had fled the city.

“We are safe for now and waiting for word about evacuation,” Mpindi reported. “French troops hold the airport and they are hoping to be able to evacuate foreign nationals soon.”

On Monday, March 25, the Mpindis reported they and the Bangui staff were still safe, but had spent the night under their beds because of looting and shooting in the streets.

Phone communication is limited and there is no water or electricity where they are staying. The Mail & Guardian reported on Wednesday on the desperate situation, especially involving looters, in Bangui.

Selles says, “Please pray that the Mpindis and Jacky Chery will find safe transport to the airport. Please also pray for the safety of BTGMI's national staff in the city and that peace would prevail in that country.”