Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

Cotê d’Ivoire, the French name for the Ivory Coast, has been a country fraught with turmoil. Being made up of many different tribal groups, the country was never entirely unified, even when it was a French protectorate. Some of those conflicts continued intermittently for over a century. Since it received its independence in 1960, the country has continued to experience periods of political upheaval mixed with seasons of peace. A couple coups took place as well as a civil war, that officially divided the country, for a time, between the two main powers.

Although this West African country is slightly larger than New Mexico and is home to nearly thirty-thousand people, much of the land is sparely inhabited. Over 50% of its people are urbanized, living either near the capital or near the coast. French is the official language, yet there are at least sixty dialects which are also spoken within tribal groups.

Few in first-world countries know what it is like to have lived through internal fighting or political coups. Unfortunately, these are experiences that Ivorian people know all too well. Many people turn to religion in uncertain times: Islam and Catholicism are the most common religions, and Charismatic and syncretistic beliefs are also present. Yet, religion does not hold the answers, only a relationship with Jesus Christ can solve their problems. Some know Him as a prophet and others as the form on a crucifix, while approximately 30 people groups are entirely unreached.

Missionaries in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire):